A Guide To Dark Academia Fashion
What is Dark Academia Aesthetic, and how can it help you?
This trend is a sure bet if you’re active on social media. This trend gained popularity on platforms such as TikTok or Tumblr.
Dark Academia focuses on literature, academia, mystery and the arts.
The aesthetic may sound dark and intense to some, but it is light and creative. It’s a passion for learning.
This subculture thrives online, and many communities are centred around dark academia.
What are the key features of Dark Academia Fashions?
Colours – Earthy Tonnes
Dark Academia’s colour palette consists of natural, earthy tones. Choose muted and darker colours.
Upscale Fabrics
This is serious sophistication. The fabric or material that you choose must be luxurious. For example, you can choose cashmere, Egyptian cotton, and wool. You may also include linen, but only in a limited way.
Accessory for the Minimalist
Accessory choices should be minimal and complement the outfit. You don’t want to do too much. Dark academia is all about mystery and elegance. Consider light-weight gold or silver jewellery, a silk scarf for your hair and a minimally leather bag.
Dark Academia – Wardrobe Staples
These are the pieces of clothing you will need to add to your wardrobe to create a capsule wardrobe in dark academia.
Tops: Plain shirts, plain shirts, turtlenecks, sweater vests, white blouses
Tops can be light blouses, turtlenecks or shirts. It’s important to keep your tops simple and elegant. Sweat vests and knit tops are also great.
Bottoms: Trousers, trousers, skirts/trousers in plaid, cigarette-cut pants, formal trousers
You can choose from straight-fit or plaid skirts.
You can choose between cigarette pants or dress pants for your pants. You can wear dark academia during summer wearing a pair of linen shorts.
Outerwear: Trench coats and tweed jackets. Double-breasted Blazers.
The best options for the DA aesthetic are cardigans, trench coats and blazers. All must be in neutral, muted colours.
Shoes: Oxfords/brogues. Kitten Heels. Docs.
Formal shoes are required. Brogues or oxfords are a good choice. This aesthetic doesn’t work with high heels or pencils.
Choose short heels. This aesthetic is also very popular with Doctor Martens.
Accessories: Silver/gold jewellery, leather bags, belts, vintage watches, scarves
Accessories should be kept to a minimum. They are important to the Dark Academia aesthetic. It is the little details that make DA fashion.
You can choose a leather backpack, suitcase or backpack for bags. You can fill it with old, moody books and a journal.
Choose minimal jewellery in gold or silver. As mentioned, nothing too flashy. For example, you can tie your hair with a silk scarf or minimal headband.
Other accessories include high-heeled socks. It can be worn with the pre-school uniform. It would be best if you always had some old, aesthetic books on hand.
An Apple watch is not allowed inside. We’re going for Dark academia, not spy children aesthetic. For a more professional look, you can add a vintage watch.