This past weekend, you probably witnessed gaggles of nervous sophomore girls wobbling and stumbling in their brand-new heels and exquisite sundresses up and down the streets of Harvard Square.
No, they were not on their way to meet President Barack Obama, and no, they were not on their way to present their award-winning invention to the i-Lab staff. It was much more nerve-wracking than that—these young women were on their way to impress, dazzle, and girl-flirt with the five female final clubs. The punch season for the Sabliere, the Isis, the Bee, the La Vie, and the Pleiades has begun. Even more anxiety-inducing is deciding what exactly to wear. You don’t want to be dressed up. You don’t want to be casual. You think your new LBD and strappy wedges are perfect for the casual chic attire, then all of a sudden you walk into a room of jean shorts and tennis shoes, and you’re standing there like
Yeah. Not fun.
So, us gals here at Her Campus Harvard have decided to put together a little guide with some great examples for punch outfits according to the attire category. Feel free to take or leave our advice, because what is most important at these events is feeling comfortable, confident, and true to yourself.
CASUAL ATTIRE is actually slightly less casual than you might think. More “job interview with a hip new vegetarian restaurant” than “picking up Chinese takeout.” No tennis shoes, flip-flops, or light-wash jeans. Casual floral dresses or a cute top with brightly-colored jeans is more appropriate. Wedges, ballerina flats, and sandals are advisable for shoes.
CASUAL CHIC almost seems like an oxymoron. The every-day with the stylish, the carefree with the put-together. I would think of casual chic as a typical outfit you would wear after “waking up late on a Wednesday and quickly getting ready for your internship at Teen Vogue.” It’s fashionably presentable but laidback. I would not recommend shorts or really bright colors. Short, flowy dresses seem to be the norm for this category, which is why I would try to stand out with dark jeans, a silk shirt in your favorite color, classy accessories, and rockin’ heels. Heels are a bold move that can pay off well for this category. Definitely go open-toed, though.
PICNIC is a little stressful. Are you going to be sitting on the ground? Eating messy foods? Playing tag? You also still want to look cute and dressy. I would say this is “the President has invited you to the White House—to eat sloppy joe’s.” Obviously it’s more casual—but definitely still nice. Wear closed-toed shoes because of the dirt and grass—no heels. Lighter colors and more “outdoorsy” styles are advised. Pretty dresses and rompers seem to be the most common choice.
COCKTAIL CASUAL is “meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time over a glass of wine.” It is classy and mature without trying too hard. Fabrics like lace and silk are perfect. Short, fancy-ish dresses with fancy heels are best. Try to add a nice string of pearls or some stud earrings for accessories.
So there you have it, Harvard ladies! Like I stated before, these really are just suggestions. Be bold, be daring, don’t be afraid to go outside the box! One last tip though—and I have to say, I think it’s my best one. At events—especially the first ones, when names and faces are elusive for members—try to wear something distinctive and eye-catching. That way, when the awesome girl you chatted with for five minutes just CAN’T remember your name, she can say, “do you guys remember the girl with ___?” Whether it be a colorful bow in your hair, a flashy necklace, or a unique hairstyle, try to wear a one-of-a-kind accessory that will be mentally accessible. Good luck with this punch season, ladies! And remember…