hellolibraria

[hellolibraria]

i feel like we don’t talk about things like this enough

[hellolibraria]

Unique Dark Academia Fashion Ideas

By now I think we all know that silk shirts, oxfords, and old blazers are staples of Dark Academia fashion. Here are some ideas for fitting your wardrobe to the aesthetic that I haven’t seen a lot of. 

Tops

Silk button downs are great, but if you want something perhaps less fancy and simple, here are some ideas:

Cardigans. Specifically, tighter button down cardigans. While they are very similar to silk shirts, they aren’t quite as eye catching, and usually not as bright. I have a cream silk blend cardigan that I’ve been wearing under blazers instead of silk; it’s warmer, for one, and doesn’t make me feel so pretentious when my classmates are all in sweatpants.

Cotton. Especially for warmer months, a good cotton shirt looks great tucked in a pair of high waisted shorts or trousers. I would suggest one with buttons as an accent, to avoid it being too plain. You can also roll up the sleeves for peak “disgruntled professor/lawyer” look. 

Sweaters. I don’t just mean a black turtleneck here. Turtlenecks are of course great for winter and fall, but other sweaters are great also. I especially would suggest sweaters with interesting weaves or embroidery, as without the turtleneck they often need a little something extra to dress it up. There’s also the classic look of putting a button down underneath and pulling the collar out. For colors, jewel tones are always best in my opinion: deep reds, emerald greens, midnight blues. But you know yourself best, and if your hair looks great with cream, or light blue makes your eyes pop, go for it. Be sure to tuck over sized sweaters into your bottoms to avoid losing your figure. 

Bottoms

Bottoms are a little easier, as they’re usually not the statement piece of an outfit, especially in dark academia. Still, high waisted, pleated, 100% linen trousers are hard to find in thrift stores, so here’s some alternatives: 

Black jeans. Personally, I avoid low waisted pants like the plague. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find high waisted suit pants in thrift stores, especially ones with the tighter fit that I prefer. Often, I go for my pair of good quality, 100% cotton, extremely high waisted black skinny jeans instead. Avoid jeans with rips or that aren’t a uniform color. I definitely would suggest black if you’re going to wear jeans, though that may be my inherent dislike of blue jeans talking. 

High waisted pants of any kind. When it comes to tucking shirts in bottoms, you want a high waist. I can tuck the bulkiest of sweaters easily into my jeans, because they are high waisted and made of a thick material. Thin, flimsy material is hard to hide the lines of your tops in, and lower waisted pants often can’t hold the hem long before the top gets untucked. 

Skirts. I prefer more masculine clothing, but I do have quite a few skirts that I wear on occasion. And good lord, if they aren’t the most comfortable pieces of clothing I own. Specifically, long flowing skirts made out of 100% silk, cotton, or wool. Wool is great for winter months, and adds an extra layer of protection from the cold. Cotton and silk is best for the hot summer time, and if you’re having trouble with staying in dark academia fashion when you’re sweating out of your fingernails, consider skirts. A long skirt can dress up something like a t-shirt if you do it right. Sandals, a long breathable skirt, and a tied up or tucked in shirt is a great go-to when the sun is sucking away your soul. 

Shoes

I still don’t own a pair of oxfords. 

Boots. I’m a boot person. For dark academia, I would avoid taller boots; ankle boots or calf-length boots are the way to go. Go for leather, and tighter fits. A great way to pull your outfit together is to match your shoes and your belt or bag, and well as the hardware. If your belt is black with a silver buckle, go with black boots with silver accents. Try to avoid mixing metals (silver with bronze, etc.) if at all possible.

Ballet shoes. I don’t own any, but personally I think they’d be a great alternative to simple flats; especially if you lace the silk ribbons up your shins a bit. These are definitely best for summer months though, I would not recommend during the winter.

Accessories

A single accessory can completely change your outfit and aesthetic. Personally, some of my most used clothing pieces are not what you’d call dark academia. My go-to jacket is a bomber jacket with patches, and my usual boots are heavy Harley Davidson biker boots with metal caps. Here are some accessories that can turn your everyday outfit to something more dark academia-esque. 

Suspenders. I would recommend suspenders for everyone honestly. I was having trouble with a pair of trousers, because I needed to keep them high on my waist and tight to tuck in my shirt, but they had no belt loops. Suddenly I realized someone had solved the issue centuries ago, and used my suspenders. It worked perfectly, and also added a whole new level of dark academia to my outfit. I like using them in a subtle way though: under a jacket or blazer usually, that I might take off if it gets hot and just so happen to show off the suspenders underneath. Or, never even take the jacket off and just let people get subtle looks at them. Drawing attention to suspenders makes me feel like a douche for some reason; maybe it’s the images of fedora tipping that flood in. 

Satchel or book bag. I know this one is a staple, but listen. Buying leather satchel changed everything for my look. I might have a bomber jacket, skinny jeans, and biker boots but a satchel thrown over one shoulder shifts everything about my appearance. If you are able to buy one new, Amazon has some great options under $100 dollars. If not, keep your eye out whenever you go to the thrift store.

Hair accessories. Try silk ribbons. Pull your hair back with them, braid them into your hair, or use them as headbands. Learn how to braid metal cuffs into your hair if you’re up for a challenge.

Scarves. Scarves are such an easy way to dress up an outfit, as well as keep you warm. I would suggest long, silk scarves that have enough width that you can style it around your head/hair, which I think is a great look that also keeps your ears warm. Jewel tones are definitely suggested here, especially if you’re wearing all black it’s a great statement. 

Jewelry. If you’re religious, I would highly suggest jewelry with some sort of religious symbolism. Religious imagery is something I defiantly associate with dark academia. If you have any jewelry pieces that were passed down to you, try them. I like rings a lot, but for my right hand I cover all my finger with heavy steel rings that cover my knuckles (for punching purposes). On my left hand, I have rings from my family. I would again suggest not mixing metals, though it can look eclectic if that’s a look you like. 

That’s all I could think of at this moment, but feel free to add your own or message me!  Go forth and dress to make yourself confident, whatever that may look like. 

[hellolibraria]

When I said that I was excited for the 'Roaring Twenties', I was referring to hedonism, excessive gay parties, and cool clothing. Not racism, antisemitism, and the looming threat of another World War.

[hellolibraria]

when is hand kissing gonna be back in fashion though im tired of waiting

[hellolibraria]

RPGs, or relentlessly persistent girls by cassandrha

[hellolibraria]

“Bartleby, the Scrivener” by Roberto Ricci for From Hell’s Heart: An Illustrated Celebration of the Works of Herman Melville.

[hellolibraria]

@grishasnet​ event 5 | typography

na razrusha’ya. e’ya razrushost.

[hellolibraria]

Art by Betty Jiang.

[hellolibraria]

[hellolibraria]

chaotic academia, a concept : scribbling lorde’s lyrics aggressively on a napkin, burning candles and touching the wax with your fingers, getting ink on your white shirt, choosing to stay up to read when you have to wake up four hours later, brewing tea while shivering in your cold kitchen, compiling your last minute notes in a small dark cafe, going out from your home in the rain to buy yourself an umbrella, feeling homesick at home

[hellolibraria]

if you are a white author and you want to write characters of color but you do not feel equipped to write about race, the answer is NOT to just avoid writing about race. the answer is to do research and read books about characters of color by authors of color. race is in everything; it permeates our identities, our relationships, our experiences of the world. 

if you do not feel equipped to write about race, you need to equip yourself. <3

[hellolibraria]

being naked is not sexy. wearing a white 18th century shirt with poofy sleeves tucked into a pair of black high waisted trousers is sexy. there are no exceptions

[hellolibraria]

Verdade, mentira, traição, desejo, redenção ...

Please, like or reblog ❤️

[hellolibraria]

When you're too drunk to function so you absently type shit in random apps and hope that the hangover cleanup won't suck

[hellolibraria]

I'm doing good

I'm doing great

But I'm so tired

Marrow tjred

I'm so tiredness

I'm so tired I'm drinking vodka to sleep

Fireball

Cinnamon

The blue moon rises and I've lost all my windows

The walls are dirt

My eyes are sand

My waist aches

It's okay

I'm so tired

My marrow aches

There's a violin

Happy holiday to whatever day it is

I'm sure it's holiday

I drink

I drink

I drink

I pour one out and I drink again

I've forgotten what made me sad

Breathing

Breathing

Breathing

Breathing makes me said

My eyelids are onion

They sting

They burn

My eyes are leaky faucets

Threatening to drip

Drip

Drip

[hellolibraria]

I can't read the words

They're all blurry

There's too many tears in my eyes

[hellolibraria]

Do you force yourself to cry so you have some kind of emotional release or are you normal?