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Are you captivated by the allure of vintage bookstores, the smell of old leather-bound books, and the romanticism of a bygone era? If so, you’re not alone. The dark academia aesthetic has an enduring appeal, offering a unique blend of nostalgia, intellectualism, and timeless style. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through a plethora of dark academia outfit ideas, ensuring you look effortlessly chic while embracing your inner scholar.

Building a Dark Academia Wardrobe

Let’s start with the building blocks of any dark academia wardrobe: These essential pieces form the foundation for countless outfit combinations.

Tops

Vests and waistcoats

Layer a vest or waistcoat over your Oxford shirt or sweater for a sophisticated, scholarly look. We love a versatile piece of clothing, and these can be added to regular tees or worn on their own to instantly change up the vibe of your outfit from dark academia to 90s chic. 

(D)Dark blue velvet vest (on sale for $39) 

(E)Brown Vest ($25)

(F)Tailored vest top (on sale for $36) 

Button-down shirts 

A staple piece that exudes refinement, perfect for layering or wearing on its own. A button-down transcends seasons and trends, and is a valuable addition to every wardrobe. (If you’re looking for a looser fit, try looking at men’s shirts so they get that blousy look when you tuck or tie them).  

(A)Fitted Oxford Shirt ($25)

Oversized cotton shirt (on sale for $42) 

Blue striped button down (on sale for $16) 

Turtleneck Sweaters and Tops

These timeless classics come in various colors, but shades like burgundy, navy, black, or beige work best for achieving that scholarly look. Pair them with a skirt or tailored trousers for a polished ensemble.

(B)Black Turtleneck Top (on sale for $5)

(C)Brown turtleneck top ($16) 

Jackets

Cardigans 

Ideal for layering over your turtleneck or Oxford shirt, adding warmth and style. Opt for a chunky knit for a cozier, homey feel and more refined fabrics like cashmere when you’re looking to add a touch of elegance. 

(G/H)Rib-Knit Cardigan ($20)

(I)Long cardigan (on sale for $30) 

(J)Knit cardigan (on sale for $46) 

Bottoms

High-Waisted Trousers

High-waisted trousers are a must-have for achieving the dark academia aesthetic. Choose well-fitted pants in classic colors like black, brown, or herringbone patterns. They create a flattering silhouette and can be effortlessly dressed up or down.

(K/L)Extra High-Waisted Taylor Linen-Blend Trouser Shorts for Women – 6-inch inseam (on sale for $18.47, usually $37) Stay cool as we transition into fall with these linen-blend shorts while maintaining your dark academia style.

(M)Powersoft Wide-Leg Pants in Sedimentary ($45) These have the look of dress pants but the feel of yoga pants/activewear. Perfect for looking put-together while staying cool and comfortable.

(N)Extra High-Waisted Pleated Taylor Trouser Wide-Leg Pants for Women ($50)

Skirts

These versatile skirts will help achieve the dark academia aesthetic without the use of trousers. Faux leather and tweed are both fantastic for bringing in the fall vibes while keeping your outfit sophisticated and scholarly. 

(O)Faux Leather Mini Skirt ($25)

(P)Women’s High Rise Tweed Mini Skirt ($30)

Shoes

No dark academia outfit is complete without a pair of classic shoes. These timeless choices exude sophistication and are perfect for both men and women. Black or dark brown shoes can elevate any ensemble to scholarly heights.

Loafers

(Q)Black Chunky Loafers ($35)

Brown Lug-Sole Loafers ($40) 

Chelsea Boots 

(R)Brown water-resistant Chelsea Boots ($70) 

(S)Black Chelsea Boots ($40)

Accessories

Scarves 

Stay warm and cozy while still exuding those delicious dark academia vibes with a classic plaid scarf. Pro tip: Bigger scarves can double as blankets for your lap if you get chilly in the library. 

(T)Brown Plaid Scarf ($10)

(U)Brown scarf (on sale for $5.39)

Jewelry 

Dark academia jewelry tends to be on the understated side, but even small additions can have a major impact on an outfit. The use of pearls can take an outfit to new elegant heights, while hoops can keep an outfit on the side of casual refinement rather than opting for no earrings at all. 

(V)Anchor Hoops ($30)

(W)Pearl stud earrings ($65) 

Tights 

Looking to add some warmth to your dark academia outfit while still utilizing your skirts? Add a pair of tights underneath! Go for black for a contrast or a tone closer to your skin color to give the illusion your legs are still bare, all while keeping warm during the colder fall days. 

Opaque Tights (various colors) ($12)

Capezio shimmer tights ($15) (these are the Taylor Swift tights everyone was looking for during the Eras Tour) 

Dark Academia Outfit Inspo

Outfit 1

• Coat: Double Breasted Long Peacoat, Amazon
• Top: Black turtleneck top, H&M
• Pants: Extra High-Waisted Taylor Wide-Leg Trouser Pants, Old Navy
• Scarf: Oversized scarf, Amazon
• Boots: Black Chelsea Boots, Target
• Bag: 15.6-Inch Backpack, Ecosusi
• Earrings: Stud Pearl Earrings, Amazon
• Watch: Timex Women’s Cavatina Watch, Amazon
• Cup: Owala SmoothSip 20oz Tumbler, Amazon

Outfit 2

• Top: Black turtleneck top, H&M
• Cardigan: Loose-fit cardigan, H&M
• Skirt: Womens Plaid Wool Skirt, Amazon
• Boots: Chelsea Boots, Target
• Tights: Blackout tights, Target
• Bag: Buzz Hobo Bag, Charles & Keith
• Watch: Classic Square Watch, Amazon
• Coffee Tumbler: Owala SmoothSip Slider, 20oz, Amazon
• Journal: Louise Carmen Heritage Journal

Outfit 3

• Top: Turtleneck, Amazon
• Coat: Oversized Double Breasted Plaid Coat, Amazon
• Pants: Pinstripe pants, Amazon
• Shoes: Chunky Loafers, H&M
• Bag: 15.6-Inch Backpack, Ecosusi
• Pocket watch: Smooth Vintage Pocket Watch, Amazon
• Water bottle: Owala Star Wars FreeSip, Amazon
• Journal: Louise Carmen Heritage Journal
• Fountain pen: Matte Black Extra Fine Fountain Pen, Amazon

Outfit 4

• Top: Turtleneck, Amazon
• Vest: Women’s V-Neck Knit Sweater Vest, Amazon
• Skirt: Womens Plaid Wool Skirt, Amazon
• Tights: Blackout tights, Target
• Shoes: Ballet Flats, Target
• Bag: Brown Hobo Bag, Amazon
• Watch: Classic Square Watch, Amazon
• Cup: Owala SmoothSip Slider, 20oz, Amazon
• Book: The Secret History, Barnes & Noble

Outfit 5

• Sweater: Fisherman Cable Sweater, Amazon
• Coat: Double Breasted Pea Coat, Amazon
• Pants: Pinstripe pants, Amazon
• Scarf: Plaid blanket scarf, Amazon
• Boots: Chelsea Boots, Target
• Watch: Chronograph watch, Amazon
• Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage Tote Bag, Size Medium

Fall Perfection

As the leaves change, so can your dark academia wardrobe. Layer a wool vest over a crisp white shirt, add your trusty tweed blazer, and complete the look with knee-high leather boots. Don’t forget a beret for that extra touch of sophistication.

Note: While I have linked to specific stores for these pieces, they can easily be sought out on second-hand sites as well! To save some money, I highly recommend looking at places like Poshmark, Ebay, or Nuuly Thrift. If you’d like to read more about scoring second-hand finds, click here!