Styling a brown overcoat with dark-wash jeans, Harry Wang ’27 tops off his outfit with sunglasses, a singular black glove, and olive-green split-toe tabi shoes. Wang crafts his outfits with precision and intent, guided by both aesthetics and an underlying philosophy. For Wang, fashion exists as a spatial and architectural art form, each outfit a composition of structure and balance.
Wang’s thoughtful approach to dressing stems from a desire to look presentable and sharp on a daily basis. Believing that there is no one right way to wear an item of clothing, Wang explores how structure, space, and form can transform his personal style.
“Fashion is a way to present myself, to make sure I look sharp and put-together. It’s not about standing out with crazy, unique looks, but about being appropriate and clean. Since there’s no right or wrong way to wear things, it’s all about how you interpret them. To me, fashion is like wearable architecture, it’s a bit abstract. Beyond color matching, which can be a 2D thing, clothing is more like a 3D material, and that gives it an edge. The concept of spacing is important in my style. I try to build around the space in an outfit, using different layers to create depth,” said Wang.
Inspired by bold contemporary designers who challenge convention, Wang finds creative motivation in experimental approaches to form and structure.
“I’m definitely drawn to geometric shapes. There’s a brand called Comme des Garçons that I admire. They have a lot of avant-garde ideas that push boundaries. Though their clothing isn’t always practical for everyday wear, the concepts behind their pieces really inspire me,” said Wang.
When it comes to putting outfits together, Wang approaches fashion like a musical process, fluid, intuitive, and guided primarily by feeling rather than rules.
“[Styling myself reminds me of] jazz improvisation. I’m not focused on strict color matching; instead, I pay more attention to textures and how I feel in the outfit. It’s all about finding harmony and making sure everything feels right together,” said Wang.
Wang’s sense of style developed after visiting Japan for the first time, where he began to view fashion as a lifestyle rather than simple self-presentation. This moment marked a turning point in how he thought about clothing and its purpose in daily life.
“My style started evolving about three years ago when I decided to start wearing jeans. Before that, I was more of a sweatpants person. The shift happened after I visited Tokyo and saw how people there used fashion as a lifestyle, not just to look good. That experience inspired me to try new things, like jeans, and explore what clothing means to me,” said Wang.
Wang expressed his interest in textures and fabrics, hoping that learning more about them would give him new insights when putting together outfits.
“I experiment with different textures and combinations to keep things fresh and explore new ideas. I really want to learn more about fabric. Texture is key for me, and understanding fabrics would give me a deeper understanding of fashion itself. By learning the foundations of fabric, I’d have more insight into the choices I can make when putting things together,” said Wang.
Prioritizing balance, one of Wang’s favorite outfits pairs a vintage patterned shirt with sleeker elements.
“One of my favorite outfits is a shirt I have that looks like a mid-century carpet pattern. It might seem a bit vintage or awkward on its own, but when I pair it with a brown or black coat and some raw denim or black dress pants, it feels balanced. It’s simple, but there’s a pop of color that adds something interesting. I always aim to make my outfits sharp but still comfortable,” said Wang.
Describing Wang’s fashion sensibility, close friend Tomas Tejapaibul ’27 praised his layered compositions and understated sophistication.
“Harry [Wang ’27] uses layers really well in his style. He uses them very creatively. The way he dresses, it seems almost effortless sometimes and very tasteful. I can tell that he puts a lot of thought into what he wears everyday. When I see him, he’s always very well put together. The colors in outfits mix well together,” said Tejapaibul.
