The Blue & Red Women’s Ivy Oxford.

The distinguished colors of The University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1740.

The Blue & Red trimmed Ivy Oxford, made for late-night library study sessions, biking across campus on Locust Walk, grabbing a bite or cheering on the Quakers - along with throwing toast- at Franklin Field. Engineered to be proudly worn until threadbare.

Origins of Colors

There are several stories concerning the origin of Penn’s colors. One tale explains that George Washington, having been invited to a Pennsylvania Commencement to receive the first presidential honorary degree, donned his best uniform -- blue tunic trimmed in red. Mention of his attire was the first official recording of colors at a Penn function, and the use of red and blue continues as a mark of deference to our Founding Father.

Another legend, perhaps more plausible, concerns an early track meet at Saratoga, N.Y., between Penn, Harvard and Yale. When asked by the meet’s officials what colors would be representing the Penn faction, the Pennsylvania captain replied, “We’re going to be wearing the colors of the teams we beat" -- Harvard Crimson and Yale Blue. We shall assume that Penn was victorious, and thus loyalty to the red and blue was sworn. (Source: pennathletics.com)