30+ Dark Academia Fashion Brands You Need To Check Out Today
Are you seeking stores that sell dark academia fashion? If that’s the case, this is the post for you!
The dark academia trend has grown in popularity throughout 2021, yet finding retailers that truly specialise to this style can be tough.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my top 25 stores that stock a lot of dark academia pieces, making it simple for you to assemble a dark academia wardrobe.
Table of Contents
What Are Dark Academia Fashion?
Dark academia is a style that is rooted in academia but has a more gothic or darker edge to it.
Consider crisp linen shirts, dark pants, tweed blazers, and dark patterned tights.
Why Are Dark Academia Outfits So Popular These Days?
Schools from all across the world were closed this spring.
There are no more classes or studies available abroad.
There will be no more proms, graduations, or fashion shows.
Furthermore, what will happen in September is yet unknown.
However, as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown, teens who have missed school have chosen a style that keeps them linked in some way.
True, the Dark Academia fashion trend predates the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, it was during the lockdown that people aged 14 to 24 began to fill social media channels with school-like attire.
How to Dress for Dark Academia Fashion Men And Female
Dark academic fashion has its origins in the United Kingdom and exudes a prep school, Oxford atmosphere. Consider prep school attire such as tartan skirts and blazers. However, because to its British origins and affinity with chilly climates, most black academic costumes contain thick layers, woolly sweaters, and long sleeves.
Dark academic clothes are concentrated on the intellectual aesthetic, therefore clothing is typically composed of melancholy and muted hues such as brown and other dark tones, plaids, corduroy overalls and skirts, tights, vests, fitted pants, wool jackets, and boots.
Furthermore, it is not a complete dark academia outfits unless you have some form of scholarly item on you, such as a backpack or reading glasses. Throw on a few classic literature books and a silver watch, and you’re pretty much set.
What are Dark Academia Fashion Keyword Ideas
- Plaid skirt
- Pleated skirt
- Oxfords
- Sweaters
- Trousers
- Sweater vest
- Knee-high socks
- Oversized sweater
- Wool trousers
- Wool coat
The Best Dark Academia Outfit Brands
1. Nasty gal
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By far one of the greatest sites to shop for dark academia fashion clothing is Nasty Gal.
While the store has a vast range of styles, finding dark academia fashion is usually as simple as browsing some of the dark academia keywords above.
I hadn’t shopped at Nasty Gal in years, but I was shocked and thrilled with the quality of my most recent purchase of oversized sweaters and sweater dresses.
2. Brandy Melville
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Brandy Melville has just made a major resurgence. It was extremely popular years ago and is making a comeback. Brandy Melville is one of my favourite stores because their pricing are always reasonable.
They’ve always had a more preppy attitude, but there are a lot of items that can be mixed and paired to give you that more dark academia look. I’d start with their skirts and sweaters.
3. Uniqlo
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Uniqlo is one of my favourite stores for dark academic wear. Everything from classic jackets to sweaters, pants, and accessories is available.
Check out the blazers and trench coats in particular. You have to go through the other coats to get to them, but I’m still shocked at how cheap the outerwear is (typically under $100 and sometimes under $50!).
Crew necks, turtlenecks, and beautiful cardigans are among the sweaters in the collection.
4. Forever 21
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Forever 21, like Nasty Gal, sells a wide range of clothes, from workplace wear to party outfits.
Simply enter some of the terms listed above to find all things dark academia fashion.
Keep an eye out for sales, as this site might be a little pricy for the quality of the apparel if you don’t get a good bargain on specific things.
Also Read: Sexy Girls in Mini Skirts: 35+ Hot and Latest Images 2022
5. Nordstrom
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I enjoy shopping at Nordstrom. Because they carry so many brands, they have such a diverse selection of clothing at various pricing points. If you’re looking for less expensive apparel, I recommend B.P. and TopShop.
They have a lot of parts that can be mixed and paired when it comes to dark academia.
6. Ralph Lauren
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Ralph Lauren is a fashion icon for a reason. The clothes are a little preppy, but if you avoid the ultra-preppy stuff and chose based on the academic feel, you can get some really lovely and high-quality fashion items.
I especially like the blazers and think they’re good investments. Ralph Lauren also has some wonderful tailored pants in traditional dark academia outfits.
7. Asos
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Another excellent source for dark academia clothing is the British shop asos.
This massive retailer carries hundreds of brands, so you should have no trouble finding your favourite dark academia clothing, such as dark academia sweaters and dark academia skirts.
8. Dynamite
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Dynamite is a Canadian corporation that ships to the United States. Their pricing are reasonable for the quality you receive. I have so many Dynamite clothing that I’ve had for years. Their products are extremely durable.
Dynamite has several fantastic components that can be mixed and matched. I recommend that you look at their blazers, sweaters, cardigans, and blouses.
9. Urban Outfitters
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Urban Outfitters dark academia fashion designs are hit or miss, but they do have some very fantastic things at reasonably affordable pricing, depending on what you believe to be affordable.
Urban has a mix of boho/eclectic and dark university fashion things, so you’ll have to sift through a bit.
Some of the corduroy and plaid blouses, cardigans, and plaid and dark skirts are my favourites.
10. Madewell
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Madewell offers a great assortment of quality gear, from the perfect dark academia jacket to the most comfortable pair of jeans you’ll ever wear.
The pricing tag is slightly more than that of dark academia stores like Nasty Gal and Forever 21, but you’ll notice that the products are beautifully crafted and will last.
This is a terrific place to stock up on quality fundamentals for your dark academia fashion outfit.
11. Pixie Market
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Pixie Market is a fantastic brand that cares about global sustainability. They truly strive to create classic clothing that you will treasure in your closet for a long time.
Pixie Market always has fantastic modern yet classic pieces that you will keep for a long time.
I recommend looking through their top selling section. They sell everything from pants to gowns and sweaters.
12. Aritzia
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Aritzia is quite popular right now, and for good reason. It is one of the more expensive dark academia fashion stores on this list, but practically every item is completely worth it.
There are edgy British-inspired dark academia fashion options as well as cosier pieces like as button-up cardigans, soft turtlenecks, and ultra-comfortable slacks.
I also enjoy shopping at Aritzia for neutral, high-quality skirts, wonderful wool coats, and stunning silk shirts. You could easily put together an entire wardrobe of dark academia pieces from Aritzia, but the only drawback is that it is a little pricey.
13. Anthropologie
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Anthropologie is one of the more expensive brands on this list, but their apparel is usually unique. Anthrolpogoie consistently creates the most distinctive and fashionable apparel.
However, owing to the price range, I would recommend acquiring additional closet basics that will never go out of style. These are the pieces you’ll keep for a longer period of time and won’t go out of style as quickly.
14. H&M
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Looking for sites to acquire cheap but high-quality black academic clothing?
Try H&M. This store has a great selection of essentials, and you’re likely to find an oversized sweater or two to add to your wardrobe.
15. Mango
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Mango is one of my favourite clothing stores. Their clothes is always of high quality.
Mango also has a plus-size brand called Violeta, which has a lot of dark academia looks like the one shown above.
16. Topshop
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Topshop is currently one of my fave stores! It’s particularly handy if you’re seeking for gloomy academic fashion. It’s both reasonably priced and quite fashionable.
My only complaint about Topshop goods is that they can be a little too trendy. You’ll want to stick to classier pieces (for authentic dark academia fashion) and only add one or two trendy things per ensemble.
17. Missguided
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Missguided is another great spot to go for dark academia outfits.
This online store has a wide selection of dark academia clothing, including pleated skirts, oversized sweaters, and more.
Just make sure you use the right keywords to find what you’re looking for!
18. Frank and Oak
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To avoid confusion with Oak + Fort, Frank and Oak is a Canadian company dedicated to sustainability, functionality, and openness. Their apparel is composed of high-quality, long-lasting ecological materials.
19. Shein
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I know a lot of people want to avoid Shein, and I get why: quick fashion isn’t always the best option. At the same time, if you’re on a tight budget, Shein has a lot of dark academia fashion pieces (particularly basics) that are incredibly cheap.
I usually use the search tool to look up dark academia. There are currently approximately 480 alternatives available.
I wouldn’t go wild and buy everything on Shein. I’m picky about what I buy because the quality might be hit or miss. I also make certain that I place a large enough order to qualify for free shipping and free returns, as I almost always need to return items.
20. Zara
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It’s difficult to go wrong with anything Zara creates.
It’s not difficult to locate the appropriate dark academia fashion pieces to add to your collection here, as they’re known for their amazing basics.
21. Express
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Express is an excellent place to get essentials. When you combine many of their pieces, you may get a pretty cute dark academia style. They also have a wide range of styles.
Express is the place to go if you’re seeking for accessories to complete a style, such as a ribbed turtleneck or a skirt. They also offer a petite area, so all of the petite females will be able to locate something.
22. PacSun
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PacSun has to be one of the most visible brands to have undergone significant changes in recent years.
While PacSun used to appeal to a more skater attitude, the store now offers a variety of stylish clothing options ranging from adorable sweaters to sportswear.
We believe there are a lot of wonderful fundamentals accessible here at a reasonable price point that might completely transform your dark academia attire!
23. Everlane
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Everlane is a fantastic location to shop for modern wardrobe necessities. They have several classic styles that you may wear year after year.
In terms of dark academia, they definitely offer clothes that fit this aesthetic; I recommend looking out their outerwear, sweaters, and the back in stock section for a lot of basics!
24. Reformation
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When it comes to dark academia fashion, we favour Reformation, despite its higher price range.
Many of this brand’s outfits have a retro air to them, making it one of our favourite sites to get dark academia clothing.
25. J.Crew
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J.Crew has a very preppy aesthetic, but as seen in the photo above, a lot of their apparel can be utilised to create very attractive dark academia costumes.
You may have to put in a little extra effort to find the pieces you want or that are missing from your wardrobe, but they will be of exceptional quality!
26. Modcloth
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When it comes to vintage styles, Modcloth should be on any dark academia fashionista’s shopping list.
This brand is recognised for its vintage-inspired styles, so if you’re looking for dark academia attire, this is a great place to start.
27. Banana Republic
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Banana Republic is another great place to buy for basics, with trench coats, blazers, sweaters, and more.
28. Saks Fifth Avenue
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Saks Fifth Avenue is a great place to start if you want to add some brand names and premium fashion to your black academic attire.
This well-known department shop has everything from dark academia clothing to dark academia makeup.
29. Storets
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Storets carries a wide range of elegant fashion items. They feature a wide range of fashionable fashions, including a lot of academic attire.
Storets’ price point is also fairly good, falling somewhere in the middle. Their apparel, on the other hand, is quite finely crafted.
30. Abercrombie & Fitch
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Abercrombie & Fitch is a popular retailer for several reasons.
First and foremost, it is one of the few shops where I enjoy purchasing jeans.
Abercrombie also has a wide selection of comfortable sweaters and dark academia dresses that are perfect for the dark academia style.
31. ChicWish
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I’ve been shopping at ChicWish for years, and to my surprise, they actually have a lot of dark academia outfit. Their attire has a more whimsical feel to it, which works well with this aesthetic.
Chic Wish has a lot of sales, which is a good suggestion. If you have your heart set on anything, it will almost certainly be on sale at some point during the year.
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