I was also very surprised by Mr. Summmers' response. I went to NYU where John Sexton (president of the University) would often be seen in jeans and a sweatshirt. That being said, it was not uncommon for students to be in suits and ties for various functions. I mean, when you're paying >$30k a year, I feel like the idea of wearing a suit to a meeting with someone isn't outlandish.
I don't know, I'd have the same first reaction. How many undergraduates even own a suit? I don't think I or any of my friends owned a suit until long after graduation.
Maybe. But I also feel like if you go to Harvard and have the ability to get an appointment set up by a friend of the family, you would maybe "understand" where they're coming from a bit more. (I use understand in the idea of recognizing that they're trying to emulate businessmen and treat such a thing as a business transaction.)
Almost very undergraduate I know owns at least one suit... Granted, they're not all Armani suits, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a second-year or higher student these days who doesn't have at least one suit.
I think it would be extremely easy to find. The only reason anyone ever buys a suit in the first place is to go on an interview for a ('real') job or attend a wedding.
Or a funeral, which is why I bought my first suit in college. College is prime-time for grandparents passing away.
Although, I should remind you that this is Harvard, where the average family income is much higher than in general. That said, I'm assuming that the comment was not just based on the suits, but probably the attitude and manner that went with them.
I got to thinking the other day, after seeing some guy walking around in 35C heat, with a suit: remember that report about how much money the US spent on air conditioning in Afghanistan and Iraq? What's the figure like for keeping people in suits air conditioned during the summer?
I don't think wearing suit pants and a shirt in the summer as any worse than jeans an a polo. I mean suit pants can let a fair amount of air circulate through.
We think of suits as heavy because most people only keep a cheap cotton/polyester suit for the few days a year they need it. But a good lightweight, loose-woven wool suit is cooler than anything cotton. And you'd probably take the jacket off in high heat.