In writing, describing clothing is crucial to show the world to which your characters belong. Clothing can reflect a character’s personality, status, occupation, or emotions. It is essential to use the correct words to describe clothing, as it can reveal their status and position.
In the 1970s, bell bottoms, fringe, rock t-shirts, disco, and 1800s, examples of clothing are provided. Describe clothing as it fits the time period, such as 1970s bell bottoms, fringe, rock t-shirts, disco, pantaloons, corset, hats, etc.
Details about fit, cut, and material go a long way when describing the clothing of a character who longs to attract. Non-visual senses are big, and details like style, color, cleanliness, and extravagance are important. Also, make sure to describe any accessories the character is wearing as well.
Using clothing to show status and position in writing allows you to reveal a character’s personality, implies their wealth, and shows their point of view toward the world. Stick to the basics and defining features for the first look, and sprinkle descriptions during dialogue. Keep it simple; you don’t need to know every detail of their outfit, just what matters to set the scene or is important to any other part of the story. By focusing on silhouette, fabric texture, color, embellishments, symbolism, and emotional impact, you can create vivid descriptions that showcase your characters’ personality, status, occupation, or emotions.
📹 what OUTFITS different WRITERS would wear + making assumptions about them 🙂 AUTHOR FITS
Uh. this was fun. i”m def probably outfit no.1 because of course, its mee! let me know which one u are belowww! (also comment …
How to describe an outfit for a fashion show paragraph?
It is recommended that the model’s navy dress, shoes, and bracelet be highlighted, showcasing detailed top stitching or a combination of textures. The remaining elements should be left to the audience’s interpretation. It is recommended that phrases such as “.” be employed in order to elucidate the narrative pertaining to the accessory in question.
What describes clothing?
Clothes, or clothing, are various materials worn on the body to protect against climate change and weather conditions. Early humans, who lived two million years ago, used tree leaves, woven grass, bones, skulls, and dead animal skin to cover their bodies. Anthropologists don’t know when humans started using clothes, but some records suggest it started around one million years ago. Neanderthals, an extinct species of archaic humans, were the first humans to wear clothes, and the idea of sewing clothes originated from their use of animal skin sewing.
How to describe the clothes you wear?
In order to evaluate garments, it is essential to approach them with an open mind, eliminate biases, and describe what is observed without judging them based on personal preferences. As an illustration, in lieu of characterizing the material as “nylon,” it would be more precise to state, “It is composed of nylon, is an artificial fiber, and is uncomfortable to wear.”
How can fashion be described?
Fashion refers to the creation of clothing, footwear, accessories, cosmetics, and jewelry with different cultural aesthetics, showcasing distinctive ways of dressing as signifiers of social status, self-expression, and group belonging. Originating from the Latin word “facere”, fashion describes the manufacturing, mixing, and wearing of outfits adorned with specific cultural aesthetics, patterns, motifs, shapes, and cuts. The rise in mass production of commodities and clothing at lower prices and global reach has led to an urgent issue of reducing fashion’s environmental impact and improving sustainability.
The French word “mode” meaning “fashion” dates back to 1482, while the English word “in style” dates only to the 16th century. Other words related to style and appeal include “elegance” in the 12th and 13th century Old French, and “cointerie”, which refers to making oneself more attractive to others through style or artifice in grooming and dress.
How do I define my clothing style?
- Determine your personal style archetype.
- Create a mood board.
- Identify your signature styles.
- Choose outfits that suit your values and lifestyle.
- Modify your chosen styles to suit your style.
- Be confident.
A personal style is a reflection of your unique personality and preferences. It makes you memorable, confident, and interesting.
To determine your personal style archetype, consider the characters you identify with most in films, TV, and books. Think about what kind of clothing, accessories, and makeup would best suit that character. You don’t need to dress up in costume, just know the vibe you’re looking for.
In summary, defining your personal style involves identifying your archetype, creating a mood board, identifying your signature styles, choosing outfits that suit your values and lifestyle, modifying your chosen styles, and being confident in your style.
How do I write my clothing description?
To create captivating and sellable fashion product descriptions, establish a connection with customers by focusing on their benefits rather than specifications. Use adjectives to describe the product, spin a story, and maintain a consistent length. These engrossing descriptions can convert customers into purchasers, as they are likely to be on your site searching for the perfect product that fits their needs. By adopting a compelling strategy, you can win the customer’s attention and encourage them to click the ‘add to cart’ button.
How to describe an outfit for a fashion show example?
It is recommended that the model’s navy dress, shoes, and bracelet be highlighted, showcasing detailed top stitching or a combination of textures. The remaining elements should be left to the audience’s interpretation. It is recommended that phrases such as “.” be employed in order to elucidate the narrative pertaining to the accessory in question.
What words do you use to describe clothing?
The definitions of terms such as “casual,” “clingy,” “conservative,” “designer,” “dressy,” “fitted,” “formal,” “loose,” “revealing,” “tailored,” “thermal,” and others focus on how they characterize different qualities of garments.
How to describe an outfit in writing?
In order to describe clothing in a manner that is both accurate and engaging, it is essential to integrate it into the character description, study clothing articles, select outfits that align with the setting, incorporate clothing into job descriptions, and allow characters to change outfits as the writing process progresses.
How do you describe your clothing style?
In order to create a personal style description, it is necessary to combine aspects that resonate with the individual in question the most. These aspects can be classified into one of the following categories: A – Natural/Relaxed, B – Classic/Traditional, C – Artistic/Creative, D – Dramatic/Edgy, E – Romantic/Feminine, F – Alluring/Sexy, and G – Modern/Chic.
📹 dark academia: everything you need to know (inc. outfits & book/film/music recommendations)
I have been planning and filming this video since July and I’ve finally finished it! I am SO excited for you to see it! 🙂 Also, sorry for …
hii ana! so lately i’ve been LOVING artbreeder but having a slight problem… i have it on my phone(through duckduckgo(a safe browser) and on my hp laptop(through microsoft edge). on my phone it works fine only except when it first opens up under the browser it says ‘no user found’ but that’s no problem, all it takes is refreshing the page. on my laptop it’s different. i open up a window and i go under ‘profile’ and it says ‘no user found’ and i can’t seem to fix it. refreshing, restarting, reopening the window, nothing. i have to open up a whole new window under a link that LEADS to my profile if that makes sense lol. and on that link i can’t access my creations AND profile over and over. if i go on profile i can access it but if i go to my creations and back to profile again it says ‘no user found’. what could’ve caused this? does it have something to do with being on two different devices? if so that’s fine bc i’d rather have it on my laptop than phone. thx ana lysm xo
The only problem I have with dark academia – the one I have with every “aesthetic” – I think, it often promotes consumption of things you don`t really need. Looks over everything else. For a lot of people, it`s just another trend. And they`ll certainly buy new clothes and vintage junk to look smart instead of being smart, they`ll buy stuff to feel they belong and to impress other people. Ruby will be “dark academia” even if she’ll dress differently, ’cause, you know, she studies a lot. I think it’s as simple as that. Looks are not that important.
I have a few movies in mind that I think could fit nicely into the dark/light academia aesthetic: finding Forrester, Mona Lisa smile, Jane Eyre, normal people (series), Macbeth, this Beautiful Fantastic, kill your darlings, a series of unfortunate events (both the film and the series), black swan, Maurice, the riot club, good will hunting, bright star, heavenly creatures, the talented mr ripley, pride and prejudice, genius, a beautiful mind… that’s what comes to my mind now. They’re not all set in a school but they kinda have that vibe🌚✨
To be honest I love this aesthetic, but the way it is set up is entirely too classist. Fancy tea and tea pots and cups, good paper and ink, nice notebooks, good books that don’t look damaged, desks, etc. I wish there was more academic aesthetics that could comply with people with dollar store notebooks, water, and a simple computer.
yeah it’s a beautiful experience…but isnt it lonely too? most of the activities are about being on your own… we also learn a lot from others. life isn’t only about serious issues and that kind of learning. life shoud be also about having fun, making memories and start having experience from all the genres in life, not just reading about them and ‘preparing’ for them.
This is a bit lighter academia than I would prefer as a dark academia devotee – definitely the themes of hedonism and bacchanalia are ever-present; almost the recklessness and blowing off steam from such a rigorous academic lifestyle, but of course, I definitely enjoyed this article a lot and seeing a lighter, healthier take on this aesthetic 🙂
Thanks for the great introduction to dark academia! However, I think the ‘disclaimer’ that dark academia is euro-centric or white-dominated was totally off base. Sometimes I think we are so pressured to be politically correct that we rush to apologize for things that should not give offense in the first place. It makes sense that this aesthetic would be “euro-centric” as Europe is where you find many classical academic institutions. That doesn’t mean people outside Europe can’t enjoy it, any more than I can’t enjoy anime or manga because I’m not Japanese. Please don’t reach for racism where it doesn’t exist. In my opinion, this only creates more division. Just let people enjoy things for what they are.
I’ve been into “dark academia” (before it was a thing) since the 00s when I was a teenager. I love the aesthetic as far a books, film, music and activities go (reading, writing, drinking tea in cozy candlelight etc). I’ve always been bookish and into the classics while all my peers were trying to be “trendy”. So it makes me so happy to see this finally becoming a thing of its own. The only thing, out of the whole aesthetic, which I’ve never much liked is the fashion, as I find that style a bit boring – apart from the plaid skirts maybe, which are cute.
Some thoughts I wanted to share with those complaining that the aesthetic is eurocentric : That is literally the whole point of the aesthetic,judging by the fact that the cultural aspect is a huge element in it. Its about mimicing a pretentious english/german/ french aspiring academic, a young person that goes to college in a prestigious school with gothic architecture and has elististic conversations about the subjectivity in art or morality with his close circle of friends that are equally passionate and resite poetry in their free time in yards or something. Truth is it has nothing to do,and you cant connect it even if you want with others cultures. It would ruin its originallity and whole theme. No one stops anyone from creating an aesthetic that revolves around their culture. And I would be happy to jump along and join these communities if and when that happens, but forcing irrelevant things together just for the shake of diversity ruins the aesthetic thats not supposed to have variety in the first place . Aesthetics are not forced upon you, you create them and they represent you when you and your enviriment share their elements. If you feel like you cant relate to them, just make or find one you can relate to. And Im saying all of these as a Greek person that also doesnt feel culturally represented in this aesthetic even if Im from europe. It doesnt matter that dark academia revolves around ancient greek literarure too either,because the way a foreigner approaches these works is 100% different with the way Greeks do.
I absolutely love this aesthetic. It encompasses literally everything I love! I’m so glad that this aesthetic became a thing on the Internet because it’s so very hard to find people with the same interests ‘in real life’… I was thinking that it might be fun to make a group chat on Instagram where we can meet people like-minded who share this aesthetic. Would anyone be interested in joining such a chat?
Somehow, I don’t really think ruby is dark academia (no hate, hear me out). I don’t agree with a lot of things about this aesthetic, I don’t think this aesthetic is promoting, or condemning anything at all, I think the term is just a way to collect all like minded people with the simple term “dark academia”. Dark academia is beyond clothes, it is a lifestyle, you don’t acquire it, you live and then start associating what already is there with it. Dark academia is the burnt out academically gifted kids who want their parents’s approval, dark academia is depression and suicide, it’s the art of dying, it’s an unhealthy obsession with the morbid. Dark academia is a way of thought, is a specifically wired brain. Dark academia is the beauty of suffering, it’s pain which you turn into art, it’s the drive, the urge, the desperate need for this knowledge. Dark academia is cutting up dead bodies in biology out of morbid curiosity, dark academia is love, pain, psychology. It’s different for everyone, but it’s childhood trauma and misunderstanding. I think dark academia is different for everyone, but everyone in dark academia has this very specific wiring of their brain. It can be old rock and metal, or classical works, it can be bright or gloomy. But by the end of the day, it comes down to this “weirdness”, to being the “black sheep”, if that makes sense. It’s the people that are so different, but so similar in their oddness. I think this is dark academia, and this isn’t an aesthetic you can acquire.
I think the Euro-centric, white-dominated nature of at least some of the academia literature and movies relates to what you said about critique of traditional academia. Being Euro-centric isn’t terrible by itself because that’s just where this particular style of academia developed – the types of boarding schools and universities in these stories tend to be the traditional British or East Coast US boarding schools and universities. If you want that kind of atmosphere, it’s natural to set the story in that kind of location. The real problem is when schools like this turn into impenetrable, toxic cliques. One of the main critiques that the academia genres offer is to raise the question of what is the real purpose of education, especially an elite education – Are the people involved really serious about studying for the love of knowledge and self-improvement, or is this window-dressing for some kind of exclusive club that mainly caters to the egos of a select group, an obsession with being competitive, and a toxic quest for power and staying on top of the economic/social ladder? Knowledge is power, but what are these characters really doing with this power? Are they using their abilities for good, or do they not care what they do to other people in their obsessive quest to get what they want? Are the friends we make along the way really “friends” or just social stepping stones, people to be used? What about the educational institution itself – Is it really providing a service in an honest education, or is it also mainly about making money and building power and prestige for itself?
I’m a Mexican girl, I really don’t care if it is eurocentric or white predominated and I can’t understand how people feel offended or attack by that, I mean we all know that this old universities have their focus on Europe(that’s why it is European style) as a people of color I love learning about white-European countries and culture as much as I love to lear about other non-white cultures and countries, it really bothers me that people seems as rac*st and bad to turning somenthing non-white into white but it is totally cool when something mainly white is turned into something mainly non-white. Both are bath, all cultures should be respected, even if they are mainly white
Why is it important to make sure Dark Academia has minority interests? If just white people enjoy it, who cares? We don’t need to be inclusive in everything. If a minority wants to enjoy the aesthetic, that’s fine. But why should we feel the need to change the demographic just for the sake of inclusiveness? I personally don’t give a care in the world who likes this aesthetic. I like it. And that’s enough for me.
Haha, isn’t it weird to think that reading by the candle is now a choice of aesthetics? Being from India, a formerly colonised country, electricity is yet to seep in several parts of my Third World Country. We are still stuck with laws and horrendous modes of education that the British dumped on the ‘Savages’ that live in my country. As a whole, if I take Dark Academia as a movement, it is the revitalization of the Colonial Era. Education is supposed to accessible to everyone irrespective of their social class and aesthetic leaning. There were people who used to travel to England for studying in Oxford and Cambridge. They became barristers and doctors, and Britain made it mandatory to get a degree. What came out of it? Thousands of would-be lawyers and doctors weren’t able to appear for their examinations. So, the British ended up putting up their minions in the courtrooms. The Colonial-era aesthetic should bring back memories of torment that was laid on several countries around the world. I really liked that you touched on the point of it not being a necessity. Yes, it is your choice to follow a lifestyle. Just wanted to give my two cents about it.
I love dark academia, however I am not academic. I dropped out of school mid 6th grade, and struggle learning basic academic subjects. Psychology, psychiatry, esoteric and occult, history, art, and literature are subjects I often find myself delving into during pursuits of self education. I myself do art, and write. Love crime related entertainment, such as tv series, movies, and books. And am a practicing witch. Is there hope for me to fit in the neat little box of Dark Academic aesthetic, even as an unlearnered person?
I am 55 years old, and my entire life has been themed to the dark academia aesthetic … without ever coming across this concept until 2020. Since college, I have written with fountain pens or dip pens by candelight, journalled incessantly, listened to classical music, read the Brontes’ novels (yes, every single one), plus works by Wilde, Dickens, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, etc. I love everything British. I live in San Diego, and have always lived in older homes (our most recent home was a century old). I love old bookshops and antique stores, and while raising my four kids, we all fell in love with everything Harry Potter. I write lettters, using wax seals of the Hogwarts crest and lately our family crest. I am learning copperplate handwriting, love the Lumineers and many of the soundtracks and films mentioned here, and my favorite movie has been Dead Poets Society since it was first released in 1989, the year after I graduated from college with a degree in Literature and minors in philosophy and history. I adore old churches, have become an Anglican and helped to edit a Book of Common Prayer for the Reformed Episcopal Church. Candles, bells, and incense are integral to worship for me. I have not been into the clothing aesthetic per se, except in jewelry. I wear my grandmother’s watch (a wristwatch without a band) as a locket, inscribed with her birthdate in 1941. Candles in holders, old kerosene lamps, pitchers and ewers, quill pens, bottles of ink, antique typewriters from the 1920s, and tons of old books have been my “aesthetic” for the past 35-40 years.
a concept: chaotic academia – being infatuated w something and learning about it nonstop for about a week before dropping to another hobby – mixing white shirts and sweater vests w leather jackets, combat boots and jeans ripped by use and covered in paint/ink markings. – saying you “hate school” only to proceed to study for the next six hours. – zoning off in school to think about your current obsession. – who is sleep? all i know is feminism and dark humour. – sarcasm sarcasm sarcasm.
I see zero problems with this aesthetic . This generation is really reaching . I’ll be 40 in a few months, and didn’t grow up amongst this perpetual cynicism . I’m of Indian descent – and I see that Bollywood is dominated by Indians – is that a problem too ? Golly gosh !!!! It’s almost as if these cynics are on a mission to make as many people as miserable as possible . Luckily, It’s not working on me. I heard somewhere that when someone cannot control their emotions, they attempt to control others …..
Never be ashamed of your heritage. Europeans created centuries of incredible beauty in art, music, culture, literature, and of course their technological and scientific achievements created all the wonders of the modern world. Other cultures created similar beauty as well but to celebrate European accomplishments does not denigrate other cultures in any way. Don’t listen to the cult like “woke” crowd who would seek to destroy everything you love under the misguided notion that they are creating some type of better world. The optimal configuration of society is not the one with the highest degree of equality among citizens. The optimal configuration of society is the one in which the highest possible percentage of the population are able to lead happy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. This latter view is held be conservatives who appreciate that which gives meaning to life. These include strong families, marriage, pride in traditions and one’s culture, individual freedom, liberty, and so on. Keep doing what you’re doing and thank you for sharing. Be prepared to stand your ground against the woke hysterical mob which will one day come after you only because they define their entire identity around resentment and hatred for anything beautiful.
Fun article! Loved how poetic it was at the beginning! You should do one for each season of the year! Adding some movie/show/book titles for you. 84 Charing Cross Road, Maurice, Howard’s End, Shadowlands, Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, The Illusionist, Colette, Tolkien, The Emperor’s Club, Northanger Abbey, Only Lovers Left Alive, School Ties, Mary Shelley, The Queen’s Gambit, Never Let Me Go, His Dark Materials, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Winslow Boy. xx
So if I’m getting this right, white people can’t “appropriate” shit, but please feel free to “appropriate” our culture as much as you want because inclusivity and because we’re self-loathing white people who have no spine and everything we are and do is oppressive! Why is it a negative thing that dark academia reflects the culture from the UK? Are we not allowed to have our own culture to be proud of? If there was a gothic Kenyan style out there would I be surprised that it’s comprised mostly of black people? No, and you’d probably say white people dressing in that way are appropriating black culture. It’s just so backwards how young people think, or don’t think, these days. And personally I think the phrase “cultural appropriation ” should be dropped, and let people wear what they want to wear. I’m just trying to follow the new rules and they don’t make sense, unless you hate white people and yourself if you’re white then I guess I understand.
But the thing is i crave… To crave learning! Like i want to have that rush, that desire, that crave to always read and to learning and now what you want to learn and just love it, be able to take notes about anything and just finding what you want to learn. I want to be absord in learning but it only happens raley and it hasnt latley, pllsss help me, ho wcan i obtain this thirst for knowlege and learning!
Our academic knowledge unfortunatelly revolves around European knowledge. That’s also the reason it’s so eurocent. I studied linguistics and literature in Brazil and even here 95% of what I read is white European or North american authors… I had to research on my own to learn about African literature and music or even latin american, which is crazy
There’s a lot of really good dark academia, thriller/mystery type book recommendations on YouTube if you search ‘booktube dark academia’ which may be of interest to anybody who isn’t into classics as much as other genres. There’s a lot of more modern literature, usually thriller/mysteries that are set at beautiful, prestigious boarding schools or universities that focus a lot on the DA aesthetic. A few I can think of from the top of my head are: Bunny, The Ninth House, Catherine House, Truly Devious and If We Were Villains.
Looks like med student life, without the aesthetics. Reading Grey’s Anatomy into the middle of the night, waking up immediately to regurgitate last night’s lessons, listening to Goljan’s audio while you have a lunch of potato chips, coming out of the ward with patients’ body fluids in unknown places, wearing dark colors to avoid bloodstains. Ah, the good times I had, now that I look back into it. 🥰
As a Gen Xer who studied literature and poetry in academic settings for many years, I can relate to this style very much! I always found it easy to wear these kinds of outfits because they’re pretty simple (sweaters, muted tones, lots of black) and comfortable but make you look pulled together. I always considered it the “intellectual” look and it’s nice to see younger generations embracing it over the midriff baring, overtly objectifying stuff that’s everywhere now.
I just feel like this aesthetic is kind of only for humanities majors ( literature, philosophy, law etc…) STEM majors are kind of seen as too “macho”, especially engineering. Tbh as an engineering major I strive to have a dark academia exterior but Im a mess: if I sleep 2h and wake up with my back not hurting from sleeping upright in time for a lecture: Im lucky.
Another important disclaimer would be that dark academia can make you feel like it’s reserved to those with the financial means to buy the many objects and devices related to it, or even to those who have a study space of their own – however, for those of you who may feel discouraged at this idea, fear not : dark academia is above all a state of mind, and you can take it with you wherever you are, with whatever you have 🖤🖤🖤
IF you are going to buy vintage furniture PLEASE make sure there isn’t lead paint in it first! I bought an adorable vintage bedframe from somebody on Offerup. After using it for a good six months we thought to lead test it and sure enough it contained a more than measurable amount of lead. Buy a lead test kit and test the furniture BEFORE bringing into your home!
The fact that dark academia is mainly rooted in European culture shouldn’t be seen as an issue… Would we ever give the same criticism to an aesthetic that mainly revolves around African cultures, saying it’s too “Afro-centric” ? I feel like you just want to give disclaimers about this because “oh no, we certainly could nEVER glorify european culture (or anything else related to white people) because that would make us rACIST and we need to remind everyone that white people are definitely not better than anyone else”… Even though no one said or implied anything like that ? Some people just happen to like old European traditions/culture because they think it’s beautiful, why is that wrong or problematic ? It’s not like they’re forcing other people to like it… I’m a bit disappointed in Ruby on this one :/ this unnecessary virtue-signaling segment makes me uncomfortable, creating problems where there shouldn’t be any. Like I said on another comment, this is just a trend that some people like and some don’t. If it appeals more to white people, fine ; that’s just how it happens to be. I’m sure there are other aesthetics that appeal more to other races and are based in other, more “POC-friendly” cultures/traditions. None of these trends should be considered superior simply based on the ethnic groups that take interest in it ; people of color are more than welcome to dive into the dark academia world if they so desire, no one pretended it’s exclusive to white people. It really isn’t that deep.
So the fact that this “aesthetic”, which is based on EUROPEAN culture, is mainly represented by people of EUROPEAN descent is a problem to you? Would you say that hip-hop culture has a “black people problem”? Of course not, because it’s their goddamn culture. Would you say that Buddhism or Shintoism are “Asio-centric” religions? Well of course they are, because they’re products of Asian culture. Stop appropriating white culture. Cambridge, Sorbonne, Shakespeare, Goethe, Milton, Homer, Dante, Beethoven, Bach, Schubert, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, turtlenecks, suit jackets/blazers; it’s all our white European culture, and it is disrespectful to say otherwise. I can enjoy Persian art and history, but if I wanted to roleplay as an Iranian, people would frown upon me. But when non-whites try roleplaying as whites, people like you go out of their way to kiss their ass and call for even more non-whites to join, because we wouldn’t like something European to stay European, right?
i think it should also be noted that it is quite a classist thing to “yearn to learn.” Education is not as accesible as it is to you or i (me living in the wealthier parts of Melbourne etc.) i wish education was more accessible particularly in the more affluent countries like the US where it really should be more so than it is.
ruby love your articles and no offense, honestly, and i love the pieces in your wardrobe, but they need different combination. i reaaally dont want to be rude. for example, when you wore that green skirt with the orange sweater? or often you combine to loose hanging pieces, which make your form shift and it doesnt compliment your shape. try to combine tighter and loose clothing, like skinny jeans with sweaters and tight turtlenecks with plaid skirts and a bigger coat. i know this sounds like its supposed to be sexy, but it just imrpoves your overall shape. also, your hair seems a bit out of place sometimes, like its just there. maybe try shortening it a few inches and getting layers, or a bob with bangs or ask a hairdresser. one thing i also noticed is that u combine shiny dark green or black with matte black. maybe try beige with matte darker colours and dark grey like phantom for blacks,, and combine shiny items with colours that are not the same colour. i am seriously just giving my opinion and i dont mean to be rude, i am from germany and i learned that here we are a bit more upfront than in the uk, so i hope i do not come across the wrong way.
the way you described the concept of dark academia with such sweet words, you mentioned all the important aspects like reading and studying late into the night, just this obsession with broadening your knowledge and enjoying Shakespeare, Dickens or Virgil more than anything really makes me speechless thank you <33
Thank you for this.. I didn’t know that so many things I’ve loved and collected over my life could be summed up in this theme. For me it was a lifetime of british boarding school books and then Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes and I think I borrowed The Secret History about 5 times from my university library before just getting my own copy. When you read the list of books- I though ok this is me. I have always been obsessed with those tweed coats with the patch elbows, brown leather professor bags/ satchels and this year finally thrifted one of those green bankers lamps( Ghosbusters opening scene at the New York library) . Great article- post an update on how its still going?
I wish this aesthetic was more of an artistic movement altogether. The surface qualities like the clothes, wax seals and distressed, leather-bound notebooks are all very nice, but the lifestyle of pursuing an education and knowledge for the sake of pleasure and filling your soul should be at the center of Dark Academia. I feel like this aesthetic deserves to be something deeper.
In around mid-July, I found out that there is apparently a huge internet “aesthetic” movement called “dark academia” that centers around a highly romanticized impression of what humanities scholars and students—especially those in the fields of classics, English, history, and philosophy—dressed and lived like in the twentieth century. Aspects of the aesthetic include wearing old-fashioned, dark-colored, stereotypically “academic” clothing and appreciating “classic” literature, art, and music.
My country is too hot for the outfits for most of the year. This makes me a little sad,because it is the style that i identify with the most, but i live in a tropical country (Brazil). Also, people here don’t often dress like that on a daily basis or like the whole aesthetic very much. And i’m kinda shy to try it, other people will look at me, and that frightens me!!
Loved the article, btw unpopular opinion: Martin Eden by Jack London is dark academia. Nobody ever mentions this book in dark academia book lists. I mean the protagonist is literally obsessed with reading and learning, so much that at some point it’s bad for him. It’s a great book, pretty dark, even though there are some outdated ideas in there (social darwinism eww but you can totally ignore that cause Martin is just so adorable) Also I forgot, there’s a movie of it too, it was released last year, it’s italian and Luca Marinelli is the leading actor so go watch it its awesome, title is simply Martin Eden
The thing about the eurocentrism stereotype in this aesthetic is that it kinda makes sense due to the original inspirations of the aesthetic… however, it’s also possible to apply to lots of different cultures to it. Every culture will have its classic works and unique spin on the aesthetic. So what we really get is a “blanket” aesthetic, where a lot of people like the Eurocentric “subtype” of it, but there are lots of other ones too that people can do from their own culture. The spirit of knowledge is the same.
I must say I truely enjoyed your article. I love the academia aesthetic but I feel most people care mostly about clothes and superficial interests. You are the true academia queen to me, as you’re deeply passionate about seeking knowledge and fashion is just an addition. We need more academia aesthetic articles like that!
Dude, I am from Brazil and I can say that it is very sad to see all these blazers, high-sleeved clothes, aesthetics of snow and winter, being that here, in the coldest season it is 16 degrees; -; Latin America is a visual paradise, with such a unique aesthetic, a pity that great aesthetics such as “Dark Academia”, being born in Euroupa or North America, end up not representing us
Thank you for this, I have been in such a slump this week and finding it really hard to be productive, which has drawn me back to DA as a way of romanticising studying. But since a lot of what I see online these days is sooooo look-based, it’s been hard to reconnect to the emotions at the heart of it, the ones that make me strive to push forward. Hearing you talk in the first half of this article especially really hit home ❤
For those of you who would like to make yourself tea, here is the way to make ACTUAL british tea (I’m british, I know) Ingredients! -Tea bags (I recommend Yorkshire Tea or Twinnings English Breakfast) -Milk (I recommend green, but you can use any) -Brown Sugar Method 1. Pour some Warm water into a kettle (emphasis on the kettle) and boil for about 3 minutes. 2. Once the water is boiled, pour into your favourite cup/mug. 3. Add one or two teabags, depending on how strong you like it. 4. Stir for around 1 minute and remove the tea bag. 5. Add a splash of milk. 6. Add half a teaspoon of Brown Sugar (or one sachet) 7. Grab a book and enjoy your tea!
I never really thought of romantic music for DA. Tchaikovsky is a Romantic composer (Romantic Era). I would’ve thought more Baroque and Classical for DA, but then again, I’m very new to this aesthetic. My thoughts were Vivaldi (basically the metal head of all classical music), Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Paganini… basically the most popular ones. And definitely Shostakovich. Post-Romantic and Modern composers are definitely good for this as well. Ysaÿe for sure, and definitely Sibelius as well. These are just my recommendations for this aesthetic. If you happen to like Tchaikovsky, I’d recommend all of the above, Brahms, Wieniawski, Dvorák, Mendelssohn, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, et cetera. I happened to get into classical music (and creating it myself) before I knew what an aesthetic even was, which basically means that I know a lot about music to listen to, and now that I know what the aesthetics are, I can definitely give recommendations.
Realising I have been doing this. if you have problems with wobbly candles melt some wax of an old candle into holder and insert candle, and wait wax to set. I would recommend the following books + Anything by H.P. Lovecraft; i know that the Author is very problematic but will having a copy will complete the Aesthetic of your book casees + Dickings + anything from Stephen Fry.
I’m not much on the music suggestions here–definitely lean on the darker classics (Mahler, Schumann, etc)–but I’d go with slow, doomy style jazz, too. Actual doom jazz bands like Bohren and der Club of Gore and even just slow lounge style jazz, with or without vocals, has more of a dark feel to me.
>This aesthetic is very eurocentric But it isn’t a critique if this aesthetic is based on European universities. >White dominated So we must force other people to do photos in this aesthetic or like some kind of photos or something? I really don’t understand when someone make a problem because of something is less liked by some group of people. Like most of the MMA fans are men so what’s now? Should we consider it as a problem? I don’t think so. And aesthetic=/=lifestyle. And “any of the classical artist”. Try The Carnival of the Animals or anything from The Nutcracker. I don’t think it works. Tchaikovsky is kinda too cute for this aesthetic. Some Chopin would be good like Nocturne Op.9 No2. Anyway, aesthetic is something we feel so it is also impossible to say “everything you need to know about x aesthetic”. (Moreover, I’m kinda tired of making names for everything, like aesthetics ((put a random word)-core etc), problems, personalities etc. Calm down Internet.)
Being overwhelmingly white and Eurocentric is part of the appeal of Dark Academia, not the problem with it. Most people are growing tired of diversity just for diversity’s sake and are longing for the days of yesteryear whether they want to admit it or not. Secret societies by design exclude people or they wouldn’t be secret now would they. Birds of a feather, It’s just human nature. That’s life.
I apparently don’t belong to this because I play the electric guitar and listen to rock music. Also that I make art? Even though it’s integral to the aesthetic. See how dumb that sounds? Don’t let people bring you down. If you’re truly a dark academic, you will love studying and literature. You can appreciate art, you like writing stories and poems or maybe even just enjoying them. Absorbing any types of music you enjoy and reading. You always want to know more, burnt out gifted kids perfectly fit in this as well, because you still have curiosity for the world, you just have to re learn it. Don’t let yourself be caged in by an aesthetic, you simply won’t be human. You would be a badly written character without depth. Find an aesthetic that fits you, not the other way around. Edit: everyone must read the book thief and the odyssey in their life time (I hate oddeseyus btw. He sucks. The story doesn’t.)
Im still so confused about the whole “aesthetics” concept. What was describes as a dark academia kinda described my life and my values and everything that I do (pursuit of knowledge, reading, self-learning, appreciation for classics and so on) but I still don’t get the vibe. Just don’t get it, especially with the proposed “look”, like who decided dark academia looks like that? For me for example those turtlenecks just don’t click. And seeing that many ppl actually appreciate the surface of the different “aesthetics” more that its core values confuses it even more. What makes it an aesthetic? Isnt it just showing off a popular internet vibe? Do people actually care of what they are doing if they focus more on portraying the looks for a “pinterest worthy picture”? Like I get the activities and the appeal of classical and old-fashioned stuff, that is one of my interests too, but my aesthetic still feels completely different to the suggested “dark academia” one, even though the purpose and the core of it is pretty much indentical
I actually like the fact dark academia is so rooted in Europe, or as you put it, eurocentric. With many other aesthetics I feel like white people kind of take it over and monopolize it at some point – it happened with roller skating, a predominantly Black/POC niche before 2020. Suddenly a lot of white people started getting into it and kind of took over. It didn’t feel right. But with dark academia, I feel like I’m getting a bit connected with my roots, you know? It doesn’t feel like jumping on a bandwagon, more like embracing my own culture. But of course, we have to recognize a lot of the past notions this aesthetic romanticizes were horribly racist and sexist. It’s important to highlight that even though the aesthetic was originally not achievable for many, we should strive to make it as inclusive as possible now
All the articles I’ve seen of Cottage core, dark cottage core and dark academia have all featured and been presented by young girls. Are there ANY older ladies who enjoy wafting around in chiffon and linen, walking bare foot in the dewy grass or taking tea from china cups. Equally, do any older ladies love writing by candle light like The Brontés and getting inky fingers from ones fountain pen or looking pensive and pale whilst reading ‘Death poetry’ in the local church yard during a thunder storm. 😉
Why is everything controversial now? I don’t understand why every article I watch on dark academia always has these warnings attached, as if dark academia is such a serious, harmful thing. It’s superficial, it’s a choice. It isn’t a club or organization that people are excluded from, and it isn’t compulsory. It’s like being a goth, or a hippie, or a preppie, or an emo kid, or any other self-chosen subgroup of young people. We don’t have to find problems with every single thing on this planet. Just enjoy what you enjoy and get on with it.
First of all: 20/30s vintage is not the same thing as Dark Academia (For some reason some people think it is) Dark Academia has a lot of stuff inspired bt those years, but still it’s not the same thing. Two days ago i saw comment under post about peaky blinders that said somethin like “omg i love those dark academia outfits” so yeah, it’s not the same thing and please dont mistake those two. (Sorry for my english btw)
2:20 oh i didn’t realize it was white dominated. I’m Latina and I’m totally into it. Stereotypes and judgements suck though. I know Latinos are seen as extroverted and liking to party over studying or whatever but I’m just a shy bean who likes learning. Plus I grew up in America with minimal contact with relatives so it figures lol
Ruby i would love to recommend to you the book called Balanchines Tchaikovsky! It is a book all about balanchines views of Tchaikovsky and his life and it is super interesting and really gives insight into his music. I thought you would like it because it involved lives both ballet and Tchaikovsky and it is incredibly interesting. I really do hope you see this comment! I love you so much Ruby!
This aesthetic is beautiful. But why are people so obsessed with diluting white people literally everywhere? This look and feel derives from European culture. Why is it an issue if there’s a large representation of white people within the space? Do you advocate for an increased white presence in Persian, African, and Asian aesthetics. No. Then why try and push this narrative within a European image? Don’t let virtue signalling and outrage culture try and eliminate something beautiful.
I’m here because someone said that my personal style falls into Dark Academia, I have a library at home, I wear dark earthy tones etc. However, I don’t go all in with the aesthetic. It’s just a part of my personal style. I do have some questions, are there any academic papers on the origins of dark academia? Are there different types of academia? Do POC have a safe space here? Thanks for the article. I learnt a lot.
If you like anime I’d recomend to you Gosick. It’s an anime about a young Japanese boy that’s invited to a privated school in a fictional nation between France and Swiss(? where he mets a misterious girl at the top of the library. The girl is consider a magical criture for a lot of people in the school and no one had seen her (except for him). They quickly develop a friendship and he ends up helping her to solve crimes that are related to old horror stories of the country.
Holy, I felt this one in my heritage. the cringe I experienced perusal this was only lightly usurped by the Jake Novak vid. I mean you’re not allowed to sound like Hermione, alas it’s absurd and unfair but you need to work on that. I’d honestly rather be called a yuppy than have thought anything of this turgid and childish trend, and that is already enough to turn me to stone and return to the earth.
Im just realizing my mom used to dress me all academia for school from like pre-k to 2nd grade and now im in 9th grade and I rlly want to get back into it i think. Like I had all these sweater vests and collared shirts and pleated skirts and mary janes and i do remember absolutely hating it bc nobody else dressed like that at school but now i dont care what other people think. And i did love reading and writing, kids used to know me as the person who left the library with like 10 books and I’d read them all within the week and go back for more, but i havent had much time for it these past few years. I was one of the gifted burn out kids i think, by kindergarten i could read and write way above grade level, my parents taught me early. But now im kinda just stuck here lol
I love to view dark academia as an Arabesque (middle eastern) aesthetic, because we need diversity of course, but also because academia and learning and science all came from Africa, south Asia and the middle east, so why not link this beautiful aesthetic to these beautiful cultures (and maybe make it less white?..)
It’s a nice article and obviously Ruby is gorgeous, but I find so silly to try to fit in a certain aesthetic just for studying. I mean, you do you, but to think so much, even have criticism about it, just for vibes and looks it’s waay to much waste of energy for me lol in the end when we reeally have to study any flat surface, notebook and pen will do
I feel like dark academia is going to be the start of a, if possible, modern renaissance so to say. And i think that not everything has to be all enclusive, being it religion/race wise, why not have some things in society not all enclusive, that makes things special i think. Or diffrent. Not saying that people should not be aloud to partake in dark academia, but let things happen naturally and dont fill up a aesthetic with politics and a “has to be”
I feel like dark academia is about literature and the desire for it not spying on people like that’s straight up stupid like dark academia talks about simplicity and has this calming aura around it….it talks about finding meaning in sentences many may think is just uncomprehending and talks about hidden messages like in poetry a lot of poets portray several things through one line and you don’t need to spend your life listening to one type of music….I feel like she is making it sound so restricted and closed off and you know like in the haunted houses there is the silent girl who does weird things like spy on people etc. and you don’t need to be be on top of your studies too cause it’s normal human behaviour to move away something which they don’t like like high school cause let’s face it they teach a bunch of stuff you won’t require so no dark academia talks about how one is so driven in pursuing everything they want and talks about determination
I also listen to these songs alot and I love them : Blue – Taeyon, Love die young – Eric Nam, Monster – Henry, Untitled lovesong – Henry, New Heroes – Ten, Insomnia – The Rose, I.L.Y. – The Rose, Violet – Pentagon, Black Swan – BTS, Spring day – BTS, sorry – The Rose, Jazz Bar – Dreamcatcher, She’s in the Rain – The Rose, Beautiful – Crush I ope you like the songs!
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak is one of my favorite books… Liesel truly is such book lover… From her first book that she found on the day of her brother’s funeral to the many books that she read which she stole from the library of the mayor’s wife (probably… I don’t remember the details because I read it a years ago😄) She used to read so much, she beautifully described the sky and outside weather to Maxx when he was hiding in their (Liesel and her foster parents) home. That book recommendation is wonderful… Totally dark academia… I didn’t know what dark academia was before I saw your article and I think it’s funny cuz I love it so much, I am the in love with this concept and didn’t know what it was called. This is a lovely article… Thanks Ruby🥰 Edit: Actually i wrote the original comment only after perusal the book thief recommendation😆😆 but the film recommendations especially Dead Poets Society and Little Women are the definition of Dark Academia, they are such beautiful films… I love them all❣:)
My sister told me about dark academia two hours ago. I had been telling her that I wished I had a certain style to dress in, like a theme for my wardrobe. So she suggested this. But now I found so much that is negative associated with this style. I myself love academic pursuit and I study English (it’s not my first language btw). Basically, I did so many things from this article anyway, without knowing about the style. So I thought at first “yeah that’s so me”. But all that murder and darkness and elitist thinking… Do I express this too, if I dress this way? I don’t really see the elitist part, for example. I study, and I love it for myself, that’s all. I don’t think less of people if they didn’t attend university! But now I feel like I shouldn’t dress in this style, as it might make me look like I do and upset or offend people… Help?
I don’t know much about dark academia but I still have some film recommendations that might fit the bill: Cloud Atlas Schiller (it’s a german tv film from 2005 lol) Die Vermessung die Welt (engl.: Measuring the world) (about Carl Friedrich Gauß and Alexander von Humboldt who in their own way tried to quantify our world in the 18th/19th century)
I feel like pride and prejudice is definitely a dark academia book. Like “I cannot fix on the hour or the spot or the look or the words which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew I had begun”. And “Every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason and in my opinion exertion should always be in proportion to what is required”. Definitely give pride and prejudice a try if you like dark academia.
I think the most amazing thing about this trend/aesthetic is that I pretty much grew up in a dark academia loving household. I literally have a family full of librarians who are also workaholics. My house is full of bookshelves overflowing with old books, new books, textbooks, and so so so many encyclopedia collections. There are three typewriters in this house. We love tea (we’re american, so this is a bit of a novel thing) we love greek inspired art and classical art in general. There are old paintings everywhere. Classical literature is quoted daily. I started reading Shakespeare and the count of monte cristo in the fourth grade. Studying isn’t a negative thing in my house, we all genuinely love and enjoy school and learning and the process of learning. We all have and use a strangely large and complex vocabulary. We don’t dress the way of the dark academiaaesthetic though, and I’m the only one that likes classical music. One of my siblings is into photography and another one is into calligraphy. Also, we don’t go to private schools. I really hope this doesn’t come off as to hipster or pretentious but… we were all into dark academia before dark academia was cool. I find it so fascinating that it’s suddenly popular.
For music: I highly recommend Tchaikovsky but also Rachmaninov, his music is dark, brooding, elegant, and embodies his cynical and academic worldview growing up in music conservatories in a military family, studying under Tchaikovsky, etc. Piano Concerto 2, Vocalise, his symphonies, and his 24 preludes are great places to start
I absolutely love this article and ruby but personally I find her more light academia. I see dark academia more, well, dark. I see dark academia in dark psychology, murder, drugs, the occult, people perusal. but its also a way of thinking. you don’t have to love studying to be or like dark academia. I personally don’t like studying at all but I find when I go out of my way to study at night by candles like my Pinterest I love it more. idk maybe its just me haha
I just discovered the dark/light academia world an hour ago and guess what? This is my life that I been looking for my whole life!!! I am 28 years old now. Since small, I knew that I got different taste from others. I’m feel uncomfortable with those high heel, too fancy or latest trend in fashion. I like to be in my ballerina flat shoes or loafers but people said it was ugly. Now I know I am not ugly. Now I know that there are someone else who got similar taste to me. I love to watch knowledgeable, educated (nerd somehow) and meaningful drama, people said that was boring. I love to read classic and heavy topic books when I was small, people find it weird. (but when nowadays, I find I somehow could not stay focus to read it. why? maybe too much of social media). I tired to follow ridiculous social standard. I found it is better to be myself and let it shine. As long as we follow the rules, norms and religion (I am a Muslim woman), we could be anything. Go dark/light academia!!! Thank you this community for being brave and unique!
I highly recommend the website World of Books for finding affordable, vintage and rare books, especially now that it’s lockdown and physical shops are closed. I recently bought a 1906 copy of Villette (with an adorable inscription inside) which is in excellent condition for just £11 (although most are cheaper than this). Now that you’ve recommended Villette, Ruby, it makes me even more excited to read it! 💖
Refreshing. Tillie Olsen’s book Silence was as much about the lives we never hear about as the lives we do Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity, as Simone Weil said, which might be the theme of Dark Academia. Lionel Trilling wrote a book titled The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent and he influenced a generation of writers such as Susan Sontag and Cynthia Ozick. I hope Ruby watches the movie Starting Out Late in the Evening where the elderly writer (Frank Langella) keeps writing no matter what.
May i also recemend for a Dark academia T.v Show Series of unfortant events the Netflix Tv series. I also beieve the persue of the Arts or sicences is dark academia. Like any of the classical artist my favorite is the french artist Alphonse Mucha. Herbology is a good science to learn. Also good movies would include les miseralbles, Phantom of the opera, Purfumed. And music would include Dark Vampire Mascerade Ball. These are my suggestions and my opinons. Hopefully this would help anyone who is starting out.
Ruby, just have to comment on this article (something I usually do not do) because it shows so well what makes you so special. I really really enjoy perusal your articles, you have something so sweet and endearing about you. I think it is the way you embrace your own akwardness. You just seem so in tune with yourself and like you enjoy being you, but not in a way that you think everyone should enjoy being you…I try to distance myself a bit from social media, because I always seem to get envious of how “perfect” other people seem or how much they seem to have their shit together. I never get envious of you though. I think it is because you seem like you are really doing all of this for yourself and because you enjoy it. You are so much yourself that I don’t feel sad one second for not being able to do things like you, because I’m not you. I don’t know if I make any sense….Just know that you are often a great source of comfort in this youtube world and that you often remind me why I do love studying and through that lower my stress lewels. I know I don’t know you, but I do sometimes feel like you are a wierd type of friend of mine…(sort of like characters in books can sometimes be friends). So thank you for existing I guess 🙂
Thank you so much for this article. I think I’m very late to the party with dark academic (I always thought I was a Victorian goth!) but this article has given me such great insight into it. Dark academia is most certainly who I am. I’ve watched articles on this from others but they have just been about the fashion side of it so thank you so much for going one step further. I am definitely now subscribing, xx
I love your version of dark academia much more than the ones on reddit… those put the dark in dark academia. Anyways, I graduated university in May but have been studying to take an exam to acquire a certificate. And this article helped me too much! I wish Dark Academia was a think in 2016 when I first started university…
Okay, so up until now i did not know about Dark Academia and thank you for the explanation. Also this is crazy. This is what i have been reading, perusal, listening, even the calligraphy happened like wow 6 years ago and this is like my whole personality became an aesthetic. Now i am a 3rd year student and i find myself working at night all the time, drinking coffee and wearing black, but also dark blue. I am perplexed.