Dark Academia Aesthetic

 

Classics of literary heritage, a fervour for education, and an affinity for exquisite architecture converge in a preppy manner. Dark Academia is the digital trend you cannot overlook.

Social media has transformed into the origin of innovative movements and subcultures. Accessible to all irrespective of age, gender, or background and entirely free, online platforms facilitate the sharing of interests and passions globally.

With over 800,000 posts on Instagram and myriad accounts on TikTok, the Dark Academia aesthetic has become impossible to disregard. Here, we simplify your digital exploration by compiling everything into a single location.

The term "Academia" pertains to a collection of aesthetics associated with learning, primarily through reading and rigorous inquiry. The various iterations of social media subcultures visually diverge while concentrating on different cultural ideologies, concepts, and eras.

Dark Academia romanticizes an epoch when societal elites emphasized liberal education. A preoccupation with classical literature, languages such as Latin, Greek, or French, architecture, art, poetry, and fashion from Western Europe typifies this subculture. Dark academics, as they refer to themselves, regard education as an enriching and thrilling pursuit, linked to pleasure rather than tedium.

The "dark" in Dark Academia signifies the members' slight inclination towards the unconventional and the illicit. Mysteries, murder, peril, cults, and secret societies contribute to the specific darkness that differentiates Dark Academia from its more romantic counterpart, Light Academia. This is evident in their fascination with ornately designed firearms or meticulously arranged bloodstains on apparel.

Dark Academia first emerged on the blogging platform Tumblr around 2015. Initially, however, it resembled more of a book club than a digital aesthetic. The catalyst for this? The 1992 novel The Secret History by American author Donna Tartt. The narrative centres around a group of eccentric students at an elite university who, alongside their professor, seclude themselves to engage in intellectual discussions. Yet, a network of intrigue and secrets rapidly develops.

Over the years, Dark Academia evolved from an intellectually oriented community into a comprehensive lifestyle concept, driven by the rise of additional social media platforms. Self-exploration and visual representation gained prominence, reflected in TikTok videos and Instagram posts.

Dark Academia's most significant influence stems from European cultures. The Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic periods are particularly favored. Especially when their artworks tackle themes such as anatomical studies, classical and Christian mythology, or the impermanence of life, commonly referred to as the vanitas motif.

Literature also serves as a prominent theme within this trend. Not only is the reading of authors like Lord Byron or Percy Shelley significant, but the act of writing itself holds importance. Intricate calligraphy is practiced with fountain pens, linguistic experimentation occurs, and handwritten letters are composed.

Basic photographic enhancement allows a handwritten note to serve as the backdrop for a quotation from a literary masterpiece. The outcome can be discovered on Instagram under dark academia.

The fervour for knowledge and education is also manifested in the attire of dark academics. A sombre colour scheme of black, dark brown, forest green, and burgundy is complemented by cream, gold, and orange. Overall, the aesthetic can be characterized as preppy. Iconic elements of the collegiate style, such as Oxford shirts, blazers, tweed trousers, trench coats, duffels, and knitted vests are essential. Brogues, loafers, Chelsea boots, and Dr. Martens are the preferred footwear.

Accessories encompass brooches, spectacles, ties, timepieces, and umbrellas. Knee-high socks enjoy popularity alongside short pleated skirts, while sweaters are casually draped over the shoulders and effortlessly knotted at the front.

In addition to these accessories, enamel pins, cufflinks, belt buckles, and embroidered patches are also included, appealing to individuals of all ages. These minor accessories undoubtedly serve as significant aids in fashion and can easily transform daily outfits and styles; regardless of the aforementioned styles, you can utilize these accessories to coordinate them. At BPS.com, you can select them at your discretion!

A fashion label particularly synonymous with dark academia is Ralph Lauren. In the realm of fashion, no one interprets preppy quite like Ralph Lauren. The designer consistently manages to artfully blend the elegance and sophistication of the American elite with a degree of casualness. A quintessential example is this ensemble from the Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear collection. A knitted dress is layered over a white shirt and tie, all in various tones of brown. The checked motif is mirrored in the coat, while the monochromatic tights and high Mary Janes in sleek leather complete the cohesive outfit.

If you aspire to emulate the style of dark academics or wish to embrace the trend yourself, there are specific locations you should contemplate visiting. Museums, libraries, coffee houses, and university campuses are ideal starting points. Those seeking something more unique can arrange a visit to a baroque palace, a Victorian street, or even an English country estate.

Many admirers of the trend have already traveled abroad to the Ivy League institutions of the world. Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge are among the most reblogged online for good reason. Yet, it wouldn’t be dark academia without cemeteries featuring among the popular destinations, all in the spirit of memento mori.

Dark academia permeates a diverse array of media. Generally, there are two methodologies. On one side, there are the classics of both the literary canon and art history, while on the other, a multitude of pop-cultural creations.

TikTok and Instagram provide an array of suggestions, endorsements, and guides. More challenging works of literature, such as Sophocles' Antigone, can be explored alongside lighter alternatives represented by J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter. Dead Poets Society, released in 1989 and directed by Peter Weir, appears on the list alongside contemporary releases such as Knives Out from 2019, featuring Daniel Craig and Chris Evans.

Freud, a collaborative project between Netflix and ORF, as well as the BBC's renowned series adaptation Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, are both included among television programs that align seamlessly with the aesthetic of the trend. Regarding music, artists ranging from Frédéric Chopin to Lorde are featured on Spotify playlists curated for dark academia.

Perhaps now is the moment for you to immerse yourself in the captivating realm of the dark academia aesthetic trend. It’s merely one hashtag away.