What is dark Academia fiction? Tell me the first name that comes to your mind. Of course, it’s J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.

Another prominent novel, in fact, the Bible of the dark academic genre for many, is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. 

Now, you may wonder how the concept of the dark academy has made its way into fashion, music, and different aspects of humanities.

It even had a major influence on the architecture of the Baroque, renaissance, and Romanticism eras.  

Do you want to know about one of these most prominent aesthetics backed by popular culture and social media? In fact, TikTok has given rise to a different subculture related to everything scholarly.  

Here is a guide to discussing dark academia and how its presence is felt in our everyday fashion.  

What Is Dark Academia?  

What does dark academia mean? If that’s the question roaming in your mind, you must delve deeper into its origin and features. Let’s try to define dark academia with some popular examples.  

Have you been to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London or seen its pictures? Are you a fan of Robin Williams’ Dead Poet Society?  

Further, have you come across social media posts with fans sharing vintage photos of Donna Tartt? She is the author of the murder mystery “The Secret History.” It is one of the Gospels of dark academia. 

Nonetheless, dark academia takes us back to private schools in England and Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s about a world free of modern technology and its amenities.

It is also about an affinity for classical art, culture, and music. Further, this culture emphasizes intriguing and magical things.  

In fact, you will often find dark academics associated with so-called “illicit” things or things that society does not generally approve of.

You will see the presence of queer coding and homoeroticism in the works of Oscar Wilde and other names related to dark academic literature.  

The Rise Of Dar Academia In Recent Times  

If you consider the rise of dark academia on the blogging platform, you will have to travel back to 2015. Tumblr brought it back and made it an essential subculture on the internet.  

With time, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok made this aesthetic popular with hashtags, posts, and videos. Today, prominent brands like American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, and Banana Republic offer dark academic clothes for the perfect Oxford wardrobe you want to build.  

What Dark Academia Is Not? 

Dark academia is not a very contemporary approach to higher education. It, in fact, creates a more liberal space for learning. So, in many cases, it is a direct contradiction to the modern higher education system.  

Also, dark academia is not just an internet subculture or a micro-trend, deciding what we should wear and how we should style our looks. It’s a lifestyle, including activities, hobbies, and beliefs of a nobler world.  

The opposite of dark academia is light academia, which is visually more pleasant or lighter as an aesthetic and subculture. It became popular on Tumblr in 2019.  

The Shadow Of Dark Academia: An Effective Tool Of Expression 

In dark academia, shadow is a very important tool of expression. In photos or visuals associated with this subculture, you will see the presence of high contrasts.

For example, the photograph of a dark hallway or the interior of a quaint library in this subculture will come with a dense shadow, depicting a solemn mood. 

In literature, the solemn tone is expressed through the plots, a mention of gloomy weather and painful situations.  

Dark Academia Aesthetic And Fashion  

The immense passion for art and literature was also reflected in the way the dark academics dressed. The style was preppy with the presence of colors like black, dark brown, burgundy, and dark green. Orange, beige, or golden colors further complemented these darker shades.  

What Is Dark Academia Clothing? 

If you try to decode fashion in dark academia, you will find the presence of a certain amount of nonchalance backed by the American and European “upper-class” way of dressing.  

Ralph Lauren has been prominently presenting this style with a contemporary twist for all enthusiasts of this subculture.  

Nevertheless, dark academic clothing includes elements like tweed trousers, blazers, trench coats, Oxford shirts, pleated skirts, and waistcoats. The followers of this subculture also love wearing pinafore dresses, vests, and shirts with Peter Pan collars.  

As I mentioned earlier, these clothes have an inherent androgynous vibe, making them ideal for men and women.  

This way of dressing also asks you to put a lot of emphasis on accessorizing your outfits. Brooches and lapel pins were common elements to add a touch of glam to your ensemble. At the same time, watches, umbrellas, and ties are very common in this subculture.   

In addition, like cottagecore aesthetics, dark academia also encourages the use of a lot of handicrafts in the form of lacework and embroidered patches.  

Are you looking for the best shoes to match your outfits inspired by this aesthetic? You can pick Dr. Martens, Mary Jane Shoes, Chelsea boots, Oxford shoes, etc.  

Where To Buy Dark Academia Clothes? 

Dark academic clothes are quite accessible. You will find them at different price points. Ralph Lauren is one of the most prominent brands that have made these clothes available.

Even years later, many people recollect the “Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear collection” of Ralph Lauren for its quintessential dark academic vibe.  

White shirts, Mary Jane shoes, monochromatic tights, and plaid coats ruled the runway for the show. 

Other popular brands making dark academic clothes are Cider, Banana Republic, Sezane, and Ann Taylor. These brands come up with a wide range of clothes, vibing with the dark and aesthetic theme of this subculture.  

How To Dress Dark Academia?  

Do you think of dark academia fashion as a way of dressing that is common in prep schools with a gothic twist? Well, you are not wrong, but there is more to it. Here, I have curated some of the coolest styling ideas to help you dress up in a stylish way. 

Skirt Suit With Waistcoat 

Bring out the dark academia enthusiast in you by wearing a skirt in dark brown or burgundy shade. Team it up with a crisp white shirt and a waistcoat to fetch compliments from everyone around.  

Plaid Pants With Trench Coats 

Look formal and stylish by wearing plaid pants with a crisp shirt and trench coat. Aren’t you feeling the Sherlock vibe already? 

Don’t forget your glasses and high boots to complete this look.  

Lace Dress And Trench Coat 

Look sexy by wearing a black lace dress with noodle straps and a plunging neckline. The sheer effect of the lace outfit will allow you to celebrate your sensuality.  

Layer the dress with a trench coat to get ready and keep the dark academia vibe intact.  

Ballerinas or Mary Janes will be the ideal choice to wear with this outfit.  

Joggers With Structured Blazer 

How about some mix-and-match this season? You can create the perfect look by wearing joggers with a well-structured blazer. This look is apt for attending a seminar or while heading to the library. 

Choose high boots to complete your look in this ensemble.  

Plaid Blazer With Formal Trousers  

You cannot avoid the charm of plaids while making an attempt to ace dark academia fashion. Choose a plaid blazer and wear it with a crisp formal shirt and well-structured trousers to get ready for your office or business meeting. 

Are you looking for the best footwear to complement this ensemble? You must choose Oxford shoes or Mary Jane shoes.  

Dark Academia In Popular Culture  

Dark academia has a close relationship with the gothic subculture. Both celebrate art, beauty, and literature on darker, moody, or philosophical themes.  

If you visit TikTok or Instagram today or explore the dark academia theme, you will find many suggestions about popular literature, movies, or audio visual content.

Also, you will come across a range of literary works and content. For example, Sophocles’ Antigone is very demanding. On the other hand, Harry Potter is a lighter and more delightful option. 

Along with Dead Poets Society, there are movies like Knives Out, which was released in 2019. It has Chris Evans and Daniel Craig. Also, who can forget Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock? 

This weekend, you can even soak in a serious, dark academic vibe by watching Freud on Netflix.  

Moreover, if you are a connoisseur of music, you can follow artists like Lorde and Frédéric Chopin.  

Dark Academia Community  

You will come across the presence of the dark academia community on various online platforms like Tumblr and Reddit. In fact, there are many forums on Instagram and TikTok promoting this subculture.  

Also, the dark academia subculture has a prominent LGBTQ+ following, and it promotes androgynous fashion at large. Lucien K, who regularly shares dark academia posts on TikTok, says, 

“It’s also about breaking stereotypes regardless of gender or sexuality.” 

Final Words  

Is dark academia legit or not? If this is the question that’s still haunting you, you must know that it’s a culture that has pervaded different aspects of our lives. From literature to decor to fashion, you cannot overlook its presence.  

Talk about The Picture Of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde or Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It’s present everywhere, appealing to young and bright minds.

Further, making a distinct standpoint from Gothcore fashion, it has also created its distinct style of dressing with plaids, dark colors, and lacework. 

Do you want to infuse similar charm into your daily dose of fashion? Explore the clothing ideas I have discussed here and create your unique style statement now.

Also read

• Best Weighted Blankets To Gift Your Beloved Ones.
• Gum Health 101: A Comprehensive Guide To Caring For Your Gums.
• This Season’s Must-Haves: Leather Dresses And How To Style Them?

The post Dark Academia? What Is It And How It Has Influenced The World Of Fashion?   appeared first on .