As summer vacation rapidly approaches, many students are foregoing shorts and sandals for pinstripe suits and loafers, recognizing that, unlike the classroom, the corporate world requires a certain dedication to appearance. Although some student wardrobes already conform to current business style, sometimes the right clothes are not enough.

Dress to Kill

Certain Harvard students don't restrict their business clothes to the summer work-place. Convinced that they are what they wear, these students will candidly admit that sliding on a tie in the morning helps them get ahead.

Institute of Politics Associate Joel D. Rosenbaum '01 strolls through campus wearing a tie every day and even dons a sport coat two or three times each week.

Rosenbaum says there is a noticeable difference in how he is treated while dressed in his business attire as compared to students clad in sweats and sneakers.

"Part of the reason that I'm so conscious of it is that I'm aware that other people are conscious of it," he says.

Rosenbaum says a simple change of outfit allows him to be more easily accepted by older people.

"When you're with adults [and dressed up], they tend to not treat you as a kid," he says. "It's an easy way when you're young to get respect."

Rosenbaum began to cultivate his power-wardrobe even before he hit campus. Like many eager applicants, he assembled his Harvard interview outfit carefully. While other candidates at the interviewing site showed up for the stressful affair in Polo shirts and shorts, Rosenbaum chose a suit.

Such attire was not the norm at Rosenbaum's suburban California high school. Yet, all of the male students attending Harvard interviews from Rosenbaum's high school wore suits--afraid, he recalls, that they would be outstyled by his sharp appearance.

Setting style trends may be a sure sign of successful dressing. However, for Undergraduate Council Secretary Sterling P.A. Darling '01, dress is not just about receiving respect, but conveying it.

Definitely in times when I've had to deal with members of the community, either at Harvard or at other places, wearing a tie or a coat has helped to show them that I'm serious about what I'm discussing," Darling says.

Business Bound

Experts and professionals in the business world say conforming to mainstream dress codes is a must for students. This holds true for those diving into the work environment and especially those still applying for jobs.

William Wright-Swadel, director of career services for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, says he counsels students applying for jobs every day, many of whom come to him with clothing concerns.