Dark Academia

If you’re as obsessed with TikTok as Annabelle and I, then you’ve definitely stumbled upon the #DarkAcademia corner of the app. The trend heralds from “aesthetic TikTok,” where users posts dreamy slideshows of moods that inspire them (I’m such a sucker for any of these – I’ll always stop my scrolling for a #RareAesthetic). The dark academia look is characterized by photos of ivy league campuses in the fall, dusty libraries dotted with globes and Greek busts, and plenty of plaid.

Back in May for my birthday, Annabelle put together a surprise photo scavenger hunt for me. She provided clues for a few locations around Kansas City, and we had a mini photoshoot at each! The shoot was just a fun way to celebrate my 21st while stuck at home, but ended up proving fruitful.

I had forgotten about these photos until it dawned on me that some of them evoke a sense of dark academia, so I thought I might as well share and pretend I’m into 18th century European literature. These are the photos from just one location from the scavenger hunt, the Epperson House in downtown KC. This Tudor-gothic mansion is known as one of the five most haunted houses in the country, so I think that makes these extra dark.

SHOP THE LOOK
Top: Rachel Antonoff (here’s another cow motif top by Rachel) // Skirt: Boden (similar) // Earrings: Madewell // Shoes: Ralph Lauren (similar) // Socks: Sissy Boy

This was a nice way to live out my fantasy of – gasp – a fall semester on campus, since my senior year has obviously turned out differently than I thought it would! I may not be TikTok famous (and don’t plan on it), but at least I can dress like I am.

If light academia is more your vibe, I’ll sprinkle these in too. Annabelle made me pretend to be athletic for a few shots on the tennis court by our house (the first stop on the day’s tour). If my tweed skirt and haunted mansion were autumn ~vibes~, I’ll say this is my preppy alter ego in the summer.

SHOP THE LOOK
Polo: J.Crew x The Reeds (more J.Crew lobster motifs) // Tennis sweater: Rag & Bone (similar, similar) // Shorts: J.Crew x Liberty // Earrings: Madewell