The 'dark academia' trend repopularises preppy style, but with a dark twist

The "dark academia" style puts a gothic twist on the preppy student look. Photo: AFP

British school uniforms, romantic old books, decorative skulls and worn leather satchels...

The latest aesthetic of the moment is known as "dark academia". This trend draws on the ambiances of horror films and dusty libraries, as well as preppy and gothic styles.

On TikTok, this dark subculture is already attracting a huge following, with the hashtag #darkacademiaoutfits racking up no less than 120 million views, while #darkacademia has already passed five billion views!

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And it's just the beginning!

To understand this sudden craze, a little explanation is in order. Originally seen on the Tumblr social network, the "dark academia" aesthetic was coined to evoke a literary genre set in academic circles.

But in 2020, the genre started to take on a whole new meaning with TikTok, becoming an outlet for students who found themselves in lockdown conditions due to the pandemic.

English school uniforms as well as old 20th-century novels and university library decor have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity with Generation Z.

But while school closures may be a thing of the past, "dark academia" style is not.

Recent years have seen the popularity of series such as Wednesday and Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, which embrace the characteristics of this dark aesthetic.

To adopt the "dark academia" look, simply mix gothic-inspired pieces with the famous varsity style that's all the rage in North America.

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Clothes such as long trench coats, plaid skirts, diamond-patterned sweaters and oversized white shirts all embrace this dark trend.

As for makeup, all you need to do is accentuate the eyes and lips.

Brown or black smokey eyes, or pronounced eyeliner, are particularly appropriate. For lips, plum and burgundy lipstick is the preferred choice. – AFP Relaxnews