Fashion in Higher Ed

I've noticed that college merch is a pretty significant part of campus culture and student style. Which colleges are known for having the most popular merchandise?

This can be a bit subjective as "popularity" might be determined differently depending on the individual, the region, or even the current trends. That being said, some schools do have more prominence in the national spotlight, and as a result, their merchandise tends to be more widely recognizable.

For example, universities with storied athletics programs often see a boost in merchandise popularity. Schools such as the University of Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, or the University of Michigan come to mind, where the logos and school colors (crimson and white, gold and navy blue, scarlet and grey, maize and blue respectively) are nearly iconic.

On the West Coast, universities like the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have popular merchandise due in part to their location and athletic prowess.

The Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale also have highly popular merchandise, riding on their global recognition.

Big state schools, regardless of athletics, generally have a wide range of merchandise and a large student base to support it. The University of Texas, with its 'burnt orange' color scheme, or the University of Florida's 'Gator' gear are prevalent examples of this.

Remember that popularity can differ by region, campus culture, popularity of their sports teams, and overall brand recognition. So, take into account these factors when deciding which college' merchandise is most popular.