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What Is Dark Academia?

Dark academia is often classified as both a subculture and as an aesthetic. While the subculture is characterized by a love of learning, a sense of mystery, and a fascination with the macabre, the aesthetic is known for being dark, moody, elegant, and well…academic, commonly focusing on rich colors, dark wood, and vintage books.

Many enthusiasts of the trend also dress in tweed and vintage clothing, even decorating their homes with items and color palettes inspired by the aesthetic!

How Did Dark Academia Originate? 

Prevalent for years, first in literature then as a visual concept, the dark academia trend that we now know today initially began on a Tumblr blog in 2015 as a book club-style forum where users recommended and discussed Gothic literature. After this trend spread across other social platforms, it became an aesthetic people incorporated into their wardrobes, homes, and everywhere in between. 

In 2020, dark academia saw a resurgence as the trend became popularized once again on TikTok, Pinterest, and Tumblr.

Where Can You Shop For Dark Academia Items?

Since the academia trend is heavily inspired by vintage finds and oddities, you can easily find styles that fit this aesthetic on Etsy or even at your local thrift store. Here are a few of our favorite pieces available online.

Price Reference (average price):

$ | Under $25
$$ | Between $25-$50
$$$ | More than $50

Dark Academia Home Decor

Dark academia is a visual style that can easily be incorporated into your home to create sophisticated, yet cozy atmospheres. Drawing inspiration from Gothic literature, classical music, and art history, this style has a magical and timeless appeal that has the power to make you feel as though you’ve been transported into another world.

Image: Etsy

Framed Moth

Vina Creations

Price: $$$

Insect-themed art works, whether it’s an art print or framed bug, are popular decor pieces among dark academia fans. These curious works of art bring a unique addition to your wall displays, as each insect has their own natural variations. This framed moth has been delicately pinned in a shadow box with brass baroque corner protectors for a gothic-inspired finishing touch.

Why We Love It: This shadow box is equipped with a hanger hook on the back that allows for easy set up.

Image: Etsy

David Bust Vase

Weii Life

Price: $

Sculptures can add a moody and romantic feel to any room, making them a perfect addition for your dark academia-inspired spaces. This vase channels the Italian Renaissance with its bust silhouette inspired by Michelangelo’s masterpiece, “David.” This sculpture is handmade from cement in a petite size that can fit perfectly on your shelves or accent tables.

Why We Love It: Its versatile design can be used to display your dried flowers or to organize your writing tools.

Image: Anthropologie

Victoria Frame

Anthropologie

Price: $$

The little details you put into your space can create the biggest transformations. This photo frame draws inspiration from vintage finds with its gold finishes and ornate detailing. While something as simple as a picture frame might seem like an object that will be overlooked, these accents can make or break the look of your home and your photos. 

Why We Love It: It's available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can mix and match to create your own unique gallery wall.

Image: Etsy

Gold Taper Candle Holder

Modern Manor UK

Price: $

A beautiful candlestick holder can complete any space and create a romantic ambiance, too. This candlestick holder is made from wood resin and features a blend of floral and ridged detailing with gold finishes that lend a warm, vintage vibe to your space. 

Why We Love It: They’re sold individually, so you can create a dreamy candlelit space customized to your concept and vision.

Aesthetic Stationery Supplies

Some of the key focuses of dark academia are intellectualism and its namesake, academia. Many people who are drawn to this style often have a deep love of learning and are constantly looking to study new things. To help get inspired for your next pursuit of knowledge, consider refreshing your stationery supplies with these moody accessories.

Image: Etsy

Anatomical Heart Card Set

Petite Paperie

Price: $

Activities as simple as writing your friends, family, or even yourself a letter can help you to begin to embrace this aesthetic lifestyle. This set of greeting cards is the perfect place to begin. With a vintage-style diagram of an anatomical heart, this card set features a blank interior so you have plenty of space to customize your messages.

Why We Love It: This set includes coordinating envelopes. 

Image: Etsy

Dark Academia Nevermore Journal

Lucida Mystica

Price: $

A large library of journals and notebooks are a must for note-taking, brainstorming, and dreaming. Complete with artwork inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven,” this hardcover journal features 75 sheets of double-sided lined paper, so you can begin writing your next novel.

Why We Love It: Each sheet has perforated edges to help you easily remove pages.

Image: Etsy

Personalized Skeleton Book Stamp

Southern Paper and Ink

Price: $$

A book stamp not only helps mark ownership of your library, but it’s also a fun activity to do during your next reorganization day. This book stamp features a skull on top of a stack of books that brings a gothic and moody finish to your novels. It’s also complete with customizable “From The Library” text wrapping around the skull symbol. 

Why We Love It: It’s self-inking, so you don’t need to worry about an additional ink pad.

Image: Etsy

Romantic Rose Wax Seal Stamp

Wax Seal Memories

Price: $

Wax seals make any piece of mail feel more dignified and elegant. Next time you write your loved ones a letter, seal it with a wax stamp. This stamp features a blend of skeleton and rose icons that adds a romantic-meets-moody feel to your letters and gift wrap.

Why We Love It: The stamp’s handle is interchangeable, so you can swap it out for something bold or keep it classic with the included wooden handle.

Dark Academia Oddities

Displaying small trinkets and oddities can make your space look more curated and inviting. Not only are these small items perfect for adding charm to your space, but they also make a great addition for photos.

Image: Etsy

Engraved Pocket Watch

Captain Goodie

Price: $$

Pocket watches are not just for completing your outfit—they’re also a great finishing touch for your shelves and accent tables. This pocket watch is made from metal with a bronze finish that gives it that vintage look that emphasizes signature dark academia style. With floral detailing carved all over the top, you can get your pocket watch engraved with custom designs to make it truly unique to you. 

Why We Love It: It doesn’t require any batteries!

Image: Etsy

Antique Style Magnifying Glass

Esmae And Rose

Price: $

For those hard-to-read textbooks and classic novels, a magnifying glass can save the day. This magnifying glass is made with gold finishes and a dark wooden handle that supports that warm, vintage feel dark academia lovers aspire to.

Why We Love It: It can be used for reading or for decorating your shelves.

Image: Etsy

Mini Snail Figurine

Andrisyru

Price: $

Small figurines and trinkets can bring charm to any space. Crafted from brass, these figurines feature a snail silhouette with textural detailing and swirling shells, complete with an antique-inspired copper finish that brings a whimsical appeal to your space.

Why We Love It: Their petite size can fit almost anywhere.

Image: Etsy

Amber Glass Apothecary Jar

Kuishi Home

Price: $

Apothecary jars were once used for holding medications, but now they’re the perfect accessory for holding your flowers, herbs, and other trinkets. This glass jar has an amber finish that infuses your space with warmth, and protects your goods stored inside from UV light. These jars are also available in a variety of sizes, so you can create a unique display on your shelves or mantel.

Why We Love It: They’re made from recycled glass!

Books With A Dark Academia Vibe

From Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allan Poe to Mary Shelley and Donna Tartt, dark academia has been found in Gothic literature for centuries, often taking place in gloomy and isolated settings, such as castles, abbeys, or cemeteries, and featuring dark and macabre themes, such as death, madness, and the supernatural. These stories explore the dark side of human nature to create a suspenseful and thrilling experience. 

If you’re looking to add some dark academia-inspired literature to your library, try out these novels.

Image: Amazon

The Picture Of Dorian Gray By Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Picture Of Dorian Gray tells the story of a young, handsome man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. While Dorian Gray turns to a life of crime, his beauty remains the same, but his portrait changes daily to reflect how evil and ugly he truly is.

Image: Amazon

The Secret History

Donna Tartt

The book that pioneered the dark academia trend we know today on Tumblr, The Secret History is a psychological thriller that follows a group of college students who begin to lose their morality as they search for transcendence away from their own banal contemporaries.

Image: Amazon

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley

A blend of gothic and science fiction, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein tells the story of the Swiss doctor, Frankenstein who steps away from his standard medical studies to reanimate the dead and create a monster fashioned out of scavenged body parts.