If we're looking at media inspiration, Gossip Girl nostalgia cannot be ignored, and their spin on trust fund teen, quasi ivy league uniforms were a big influence on this generation's sartorial dreams, when it comes to academic outfits. 

Rory Gilmore's Chilton uniform is also a big source of inspo. The plaid skirts, the matching ties, the knee socks - they planted the Dark Academia seed within Millennials and Gen Z way back in the 2000s. 

But more recently - or perhaps, just more specifically, we have to look at The Secret History for hints of where this aesthetic may have gotten inspiration. This Donna Tartt classic has been fuelling our Dark Academia imaginations for the past couple of years, and between booktok and fan casting, this immensely popular novel has launch not just a new generation of readers, but a whole-ass aesthetic in Dark Academia. 

Classically British, classically academia, plaid is inescapably preppy. Present on blazers, pants, skirts, scarves, coats - anything short of shoes, really - plaid is a pattern that's as classic as it is neutral. You can never go wrong with plaid; in fact, you can even mix plaids and still end up with a fashionable fit. 

But generally, including a pattern can elevate, improve, or otherwise save a drab outfit. Think about a completely solid-colored, monochrome fit with a plaid element. Instant Dark Academia, just add plaid!

Honorable mention: houndstooth, tartan, check - the academic style owes a lot to patterns, and these are the pillars of wool garments so often encountered with Dark Academia. 

"Moody" is the word du jour with Dark Academia, not just in terms of color palettes, but in every aspect of this aesthetic. Black is, of course, always chic, but with Dark Academia, it's actually more about the earth tones. Browns, greens, taupes, burgundy and navy shades - they're all classically academic - with guest appearances from creams and whites. 

The darkest shades in the spectrum, and mainly all black looks, are relegated to a sister aesthetic aptly named Darkest Academia. Yes, there's a difference. 

I bet that when you hear "Dark Academia" you automatically think of blazers. It is the most obvious reference. A stuffy old professor in a wool patterned blazer with elbow patches. That's the stuff. 

You can take the British Professor-core angle to its obvious conclusion and add some matching trousers and a shirt - it's hot and very Dark Academia. Or you can pair a skirt, a dress, a pinafore - even shorts - under your blazer. 

it also layers beautifully on top of contrasting turtlenecks, so consider that option for winter.

Indisputable staple of the Dark Academia genre, the pleated skirt does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to visually signifying a preppy, academic outfit.

Mini or midi, solid colored or tartan, pleated skirts of all varieties are extremely versatile and appropriate for a plethora of ages, styles, and occasions. I challenge you to come up with a list of places where a slim black turtleneck and a chic pleated skirt paired with mary-janes would be inappropriate, I'll wait. 

But like most styles or aesthetics, it's the details and the accessories that make the look. A plaid blazer by itself does not Dark Academia make. So, then, what else can we put on to give it that ivy league flair? 

Ties, ties, ties! Solid or patterned, classic menswear or Catholic school style, ties can add much needed visual interest, a layering effect, and a more academic vibe. 

Hats can shoulder some of the fashion weight here, as well. Wool berets go beautifully with a gorgeously tailored wool coat and a cute skirt. 

Socks and tights are also irreplaceable and serve the same kind of purpose as ties when it comes to layering. But they also serve a very real practical purpose: fall and winter are cold seasons and skirts are not the most insulating items of clothing!!

By far the most academic shoe out there, oxfords complete any Dark Academia outfit to perfection. Like most clothes in academia styles, oxfords are borrowed from menswear, and really shine stylistically when paired with classic menswear inspired pieces. Trousers, crisp white shirts, blazers. Or more casual, with sweaters. 

But since evolving into mainstream, the humble oxford has also successfully been paired with skirts and dresses, both long and short. A special mention has to be made for heeled oxfords, a staple of academia styles for women. 

Loafers are up there as ideal Dark Academia shoes, as well, because of the masc inspiration, but there's something about a mary-jane that's so sweet and demure, but also weirdly subversive. 

You can stick to the classic flat mary-jane, but you don't have to; chunky, platform styles are incredibly popular, and can transform a good girl outfit into an edgy, bad girl outfit. 

Libraries in old, cavernous universities are notoriously draft, and England is not exactly a warm, sunny resort. So it makes sense why chunky knits are a staple of British fashion, and thus, a pillar of Dark Academia-core. 

You can incorporate knits as nice wool sweaters, preferably with a crisp collared shirt layered underneath for a collegiate look. But you can also play with knits with a cardigan - a cardi can be very Dark Academia, as long as you make it nice and crisp, boxy, and in an earthy color. 

There is no bag more appropriate for Dark Academia than a satchel. Battered, sturdy, collegiate, and roomy enough to carry books, pens, and your favorite lipgloss, a satchel bag is another piece that is very masculine. If you think about it, it's like a sort of briefcase for people who read. But like, cute. 

It's super practical, as you can carry it in your hand, on your shoulder, or get a backpack version. And it comes in a variety of gorgeous leather types - black, natural shades of brown, and even cute pastel colors, and they can all be found at British heritage companies. 

A classic menswear look, you can't go wrong with this basic academia-flavored look. A white oxford shirt makes a great base for almost any Dark Academia fit, but it's particularly good paired with a vest, knitted or not. 

Put on some trousers in a color that's complimentary, but not too similar if you want to highlight both your top and bottoms. Finish off the look with a hefty belt and some quality loafers in a matching leather. Remember that your bag should also match - if you're doing brown belt and shoes, then the bag should also be brown, not black. It keeps things cohesive. 

A patterned skirt paired with a neutral turtleneck is a super cute outfit idea that's suitable for a multitude of occasions, from going to school to studying in the library, meeting the parents, going out for coffee...I wouldn't necessarily wear it to the Eras Tour, but other than that, it's a pretty versatile base fit. 

You have a lot of wiggle room with footwear, and that can push the outfit into a really preppy direction, give it a classic academia vibe, or turn it into Fran Fine cosplay. Whichever option you choose will look equally hot. 

A classic menswear-inspired outfit, pairing a blazer and a pair of trousers together sends one message: I mean business. Power outfits come in all shapes, and that can mean a hot dress and heels, or a Dark Academia power outfit with shoulder pads and scratchy wool. 

You can make this simple, or you can work on your layering skills. Layering is very Dark Academia coded - after all, it's THE fall aesthetic - so if you want to kick this up a notch, layer a slim turtleneck and a shirt under your blazer. Instantly elevated and sophisticated. 

The humble midi skirt is the trend that does not stop. And yes, you can make it work for the Dark Academia aesthetic. Imagine a plaid midi paired with boots, or mary-janes. 

In cold weather, any outfit featuring a skirt should be completed with tights, but if you're one of the lucky ones with a warm fall, you can inject some extra Dark Academia by pairing visible socks with your oxfords. 

Perhaps it's too on the nose, but a classic uniform-inspired outfit is quintessentially Dark Academia - keyword "academia". There are more subtle ways to do Dark Academia for those of you who are more lowkey, who feel costume-y wearing a uniform, or who prefer a sleeker, more elegant style. I, for one, LOVE a uniform and I'll keep beating this dead horse as long as I look cute in a short pleated skirt. 

Now let's talk about how versatile a knitted vest is. I know it was huge around 2020 and people thought it was too trendy and it would never last, but look at it, years later, you can still pair it with endless other pieces to achieve different types of looks. A more masculine Dark Academia that borrows from that collegiate professor who smokes a pipe type style, or on the contrary, the student uniform style that's so, so cute.