Ultimate Guide to Dark Academia Fashion Aesthetic: How to Curate a Scholarly Wardrobe

The world of fashion is crawling with diverse aesthetics, each offering a unique way for people to express their individuality and creativity. One such aesthetic that has the internet in a chokehold is dark academia. Dark academia is an aesthetic that romanticizes learning and the pursuit of knowledge. It revolves around intellectual hobbies, reading classic literature, and dressing in a distinguished, academic manner.

Understanding Dark Academia Aesthetic

Dark academia draws inspiration from the 19th-century lifestyle of the European upper class. Their education during this time included studying Latin, art, and classics. Dark academia idealizes education, making it full of intrigue and curiosity, unlike contemporary schooling which can often be dull and mundane. It is mainly concerned with the Humanities (greek literature, philosophy, classics), languages, and the appreciation of arts. The learning is done for intellectual growth and personal enlightenment, rather than to achieve good grades or gain employment. 

Dark academia enthusiasts are often inspired by poetry and writing. They like to peruse old libraries and bookstores, listen to classical music, and follow artistic pursuits like painting, photography, and sketching.

Dark Academia Fashion

This aesthetic primarily centers on the 1930s and 1940s educational clothing reminiscent of what was worn while attending Ivy League and prep schools. Therefore, the outfits exude vintage elegance and sophistication.

Fabrics, Color Palette, and Patterns

A few essential fabrics that define this aesthetic are houndstooth, tweed, wool, knitwear, and corduroy. This aesthetic embraces a moody color palette, and prominent colors that capture the essence of dark academia are black, deep brown, burgundy, navy, charcoal gray, and forest green. To balance the look, neutral colors like beige, camel, and cream are incorporated. Earthy tones like rust, olive green, and taupe, are further added to evoke a sense of nostalgia. Together, these colors bring out the charm of dark academia.

This style includes vintage patterns like herringbone, checks, stripes, argyle, and plaid.

Upper Garments: Essentials for Crafting the Perfect Dark Academia Look

Tops worn in dark academic looks are often the ones that can be layered with another piece of clothing. Blouses in this aesthetic are mostly masculine, like Professional buttoned-up shirts. For feminine and Victorian-inspired looks, blouses with ruffles and puffed sleeves are worn. Turtlenecks represent the sophistication of this look.

To add layers, articles like sweaters and sweater vests are incorporated in different textures like cable knits and ribbed wool, along with classic patterns like argyle. 

Bottoms: Classic and Timeless Choices

Trousers in this aesthetic are typically high-waisted, formal dress pants that give a scholarly vibe. Some common details are pleats and patterns like tartan, plaids, and checks.

In more feminine looks, pleated skirts like those in the 1930s -1940s preppy school uniforms are featured. These skirts can be A line, pleated, and high wasted in patterns significant to dark academic aesthetics- plaids, checks, herringbone. Pencil skirts are opted for a more professional look, and for a Victorian vibe, mid-length or full-length maxi skirts, mostly in heavier fabrics like wool.

Dresses

Dresses featured in this aesthetic are basic pinafore and sleeveless dresses used for layering. They are worn over collared shirts and turtlenecks.

Outerwear: Completing the Dark Academia Ensemble

Outerwear plays the most important part in dark academic aesthetics in bringing the entire outfit together and includes blazers, overcoats, and cardigans. They give a sophisticated and professional appearance that evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. 

The silhouette of the coat can be tailored to fit your body. Oversized coats and buttoned cardigans can be opted to give a more cozy appearance. Overcoats and cardigans in wool and high-quality tweed are more traditional to this look. Another common outerwear is vests, which are easy to style in the summer season.

The sweaters and cardigans can also be tied over shoulders.

Footwear: Vintage Inspired

Shoes worn in this aesthetic exude an air of sophistication with a timeless and vintage look. Men’s leather dress shoes, Doc Martens, oxford shoes and loafers. Mary janes are also worn with knee-high socks that represent the preppy uniforms. For a Victorian vibe, opt for knee-high boots. The material of the shoes is mostly leather and suede.

Accessories: Embracing the Look

Bags are a prominent part of this aesthetic and range from gender-neutral leather bags, mostly messenger bags to tote bags with art prints that align with the themes of dark academia. Leather belts are a common element. Some people also wear suspenders for the old-fashioned charm. In colder seasons, Scarves, argyle print socks, and Berets can be incorporated into this look.

Jewelry in this aesthetic is very minimal and delicate, in gold or silver colors; although stacked rings are worn in maximalist looks. Other common accessories are glasses and timeless watches.

Although not typical accessories, a book, and a notepad for jotting down your daily musings are highly recommended by the writer behind this screen!

If you’d like to explore more fashion aesthetics, check out Embracing The Whimsigothic Aesthetic: The Enchanting Witchy Aesthetic.