To a tourist – one who visits semi-regularly from New York City but is originally from Greenville, South Carolina – our “big-city energy with a coastal, hometown feel” shapes how Cambridge and Somerville dresses.
“In New York, fashion is intense. Each borough has its own look. Here, people just wear what they want. It’s refreshing,” said Laura during a visit this past weekend and encountered in Harvard Square.
She called the overall look “boho and unpredictable,” with outfits that feel spontaneous rather than styled. “It’s not polished, but it’s definitely expressive, especially around Kendall Square, where students mix casual wear with their own flair,” she noted. “What stood out to me is how active everyone is. You see people in workout gear all the time, running shoes, shorts, flowy pieces that make sense for the heat.”
The most common thread? Comfort. “Linen, chambray, anything breathable. People here dress like they’re always on the move, walking, biking, even sailing.”
Would she take the inspiration home? “Probably not,” she said, “but I love the energy it reflects.”
A stronger
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