The Dark Academy is an aesthetic that has grown in massive popularity in recent years. From books to movies to music, this aesthetic has found its way into the media and in all kinds of activities and actions. Aesthetics, as Urban Dictionary defines, “draws inspiration from ancient and classical literature / philosophy, as well as themes of existentialism.” Although many individuals criticize aesthetics for its romanticizing over study, others love the motivation and vibe it brings.
Activities
As the dark academy focuses on academic institutions, many of the activities have to do with academic hobbies. For example, a well-known dark academy activity is theater. As this involves a lot of history and literature, it has become a staple for aesthetics. Other activities include playing chess, checkers and cards, badminton, archery, and instruments, and participating in activities such as debate, journal writing and poetry (usually calligraphy), drawing, and writing. painting, embroidery, philosophical reading, ballroom dancing, theft, baking and study. The aesthetic also includes frequent visits to museums, cafes and parks, so it becomes “your place.”
Style
The style of the dark academy leans more towards the informal but well-coordinated side. The color palette consists mainly of neutral and dark tones (i.e. cream, beige, brown, gray, black). Layering is an important aspect of dark academic fashion, which is why there are many pieces that are part of a look. Major clothing styles include blazers, turtlenecks, sweaters (oversized, fitted, and vests), cardigans, wool coats / trench coats, tennis skirts, pencil skirts (both long and short), corduroy pants (sometimes with plaid print), long socks and Dr. Martins to finish the look. Accessories include vintage jewelry, a handkerchief, and messenger bags.
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Media
Song
A typical dark academy playlist consists of uptight classical music or artists like Hozier, The Neighborhood, and Bon Iver. I’ve linked some of my favorite playlists below so keep checking them out.
- Dark academy
- Study with missing poets
- You have discovered rival secret societies within your new school.
- Appointment at the Art Museum
- The secret story
- Study at Oxford
Books
- The Secret History of Donna Tartt
- If we were villains of ML Rio
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
- Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
- Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab
- Vicious of VE Schwab
- The Binding de Bridget Collins
- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
- Olivie Blake’s Atlas Six
- The ace of spades of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
- A lesson in revenge from Victoria Lee
- Black chalk by Christopher J. Yates
- Bunny by Mona Awad
- The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
Films
- Hugo
- The death poet Society
- Little women
- Tolkien
- The Picture of Dorian Gray
- Mary Shelley
- Sherlock Holmes
TV shows
- Peaky Blinders
- The discovery of witches
- The spell of the Bly mansion
- The spell of Hill House
- A series of unfortunate events
- The queen’s gambit
