This post will show you how to wear the dark academia aesthetic during the summer.
IDK about you, but when I think of the dark academia aesthetic, I immediately think of the fall season.
This fashion aesthetic instantly brings to mind crunching leaves, quiet libraries and museums, historied University campuses, and even the fictional academic worlds in Harry Potter or The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
So how can you dress in the dark academia aesthetic if it’s scorching hot outside?
Have no fear, this is where our fashion guide comes in! You can still embrace the dark academia aesthetic in the summertime by making strategic swaps and lightening up on the layering, instead focusing on prints and accessories.
Preppy meets gothic, romantic meets refined — this aesthetic has intellectual and literary influences, featuring classic pieces that are timeless. The goal is to look polished but with a hint of nostalgia and whimsy, drawing inspiration from classic literature and poetry.
Add a touch of elegance to your summertime wardrobe with these affordable dark academia outfits, clothing, and accessories that will help you stay cool in the summer heat while still looking elevated.
To start, here are some of the key elements to look for when styling summer dark academia outfits:
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Key Elements of Summer Dark Academia Outfits
- Stick with muted, neutral, and dark color palettes. This is the “dark” academia aesthetic, after all! Since it’s warm out, consider wearing browns, beiges, grays, and earthy tones rather than jet black to help keep you a bit cooler. If you do wear black, be sure it’s something that is lightweight! This leads me to the next point…
- Light and breathable fabrics are essential. This aesthetic often involves heavier materials like wool and knitwear, but those will certainly have you sweating in the summertime. Instead, go for cotton, linen, and lightweight knits (yes, there is such a thing) to help keep you cool. Loose-fitting pieces are another great way to keep things breezy.
- Intellectual and refined details are the cornerstones of dark academia. To master this aesthetic, you must look polished, which can be achieved by wearing classic pieces like collared shirts, pleated skirts and dresses, loafers, and similar timeless items.
- Vintage-inspired accessories will take your outfits to the next level and give them a true dark academia feel. From dainty watches to oversized glasses to hair bows, these extras will make all the difference. If you’re able to thrift these, even better!
Summer Dark Academia Outfits and Clothing
Light and Breathable Fabrics
Despite its dark color palette, this outfit features lightweight fabrics that will keep you cool this summer.
These linen-blend high-waisted shorts have a tailored silhouette and come with a belt, giving them an ultra-polished look. Wear them with a short-sleeve button-down shirt, like this black and khaki checked shirt made of 100% European linen. Like the shorts, this notched collar shirt features a breathable material that won’t weigh you down on a hot day.
Accessorize with vintage-inspired pieces like these textured black and gold pearl earrings, along with a structured tote bag. This burgundy red tote can be customized with your monogram, adding to its classic look.
Ballet flats are not only a major fashion trend this season but the perfect shoe choice for your summer dark academia outfits. This particular pair is Mary Jane-inspired, with a buckle and breathable mesh construction, making them ideal for the summer.
Vintage Polo T-Shirt
Collared tops have a polished look that will make you look put-together and refined.
This one is dark in color, but its short sleeves will help keep you cool, as will its lightweight, cotton-blend fabric. It has a ’70s prep-inspired design that perfectly fits that dark academia aesthetic.
Cotton Poplin Wrap Midi Skirt
This 100% cotton poplin midi skirt has a classic silhouette with a wrap-front design and button detail that gives it a retro flair. Its muted brown hue is right on the mark for your summertime dark academia outfits, and its cotton fabrication is perfectly breathable for the hot weather.
Wear it with a short-sleeve button-down shirt or blouse tucked into it, along with flats and vintage-inspired accessories.
Embrace Dark and Muted Colors
Dark, muted, and earth-tone colors, along with classic silhouettes, are the best ways to achieve the dark academia look. Even in the summertime, you can wear darker hues, so long as they are made with lightweight fabrics!
For example, this black sleeveless longline vest top is made with a linen blend fabric, making it a prime choice. Its tailored design and round neckline also add to its sophistication. Wear it either with flowy trouser pants, tailored shorts, or an A-line midi skirt, like this muted plaid print midi with pockets.
Elevate the ensemble even further with classy accessories like a dainty gold watch, vintage-inspired gold rope disk stud earrings, a black lettuce-edge hair bow clip, and some black slingback loafers. Loafers are the quintessential dark academia shoe, and a slingback version is ideal for the summertime, as they have a more open, airy feel than traditional loafers.
Black & White Polka Dot Mini Dress
This black and white polka dot mini dress has a vintage-inspired silhouette with a lapel collar, puff sleeves, and a fitted drop waist bodice.
Paired with some loafers or Mary Janes (plus white ankle or knee socks), you’ll be ready to romanticize your trip to the library, museum, or wherever the day takes you.
Pleated Pinstripe Mini Dress
White pinstripes help to break up the black hue of this pleated mini dress, making it more summer-friendly, along with its sleeveless tube design. Its fit-and-flare silhouette with a school uniform-inspired pleated skirt adds to its appeal.
Style it with some chunky loafers and white crew socks for the full dark academia effect.
Go Mad for Plaid and Other Retro Prints
Plaid is the quintessential print of the dark academia aesthetic; its prep school vibe gives it a refined and intellectual appearance that is timeless.
This plaid mini dress with mini puff short sleeves has a retro shift silhouette that will look incredible with some sheer white cotton crew socks and black buckled loafers. If you’re worried about wearing socks during the summertime, have no fear: these are ultra-thin and made from breathable cotton, making them the ultimate summer sock.
Don’t forget to accessorize with vintage-inspired accessories like a flower locket necklace, a buckled vegan leather shoulder bag, and some ’90s slim reader glasses.
Dark lipstick is another signature of the dark academia aesthetic, but in the summertime, you probably don’t want to wear a super dark, matte lip. Instead, try Clinique’s Lip + Cheek Oil in their iconic “Black Honey” hue, which will give you a sheer wash of color that is just dark enough while still looking dewy and summertime-appropriate.
Plaid Mesh Maxi Skirt
You simply can’t have enough plaid in your dark academia wardrobe, and this dark plaid mesh maxi skirt makes for an excellent addition.
With a classic column silhouette and a sheer mesh overlay, this skirt can be worn in the summertime with a sleeveless top (as shown above) and later on in the fall with a chunky sweater. It’s surprisingly versatile, and its dark plaid print is striking.
Plaid Pleated Mini Skirt
Plaid and pleats are two staples in dark academia, and together they are an unbeatable combination.
A plaid pleated mini skirt looks like it belongs on a private school campus, which is exactly the vibe we are going for with this aesthetic.
Play up the prep school look by wearing it with a button-down shirt and/or tailored vest, which you can layer later in the season when it gets chillier.
Complete Your Look with Timeless Accessories
Accessories are an amazing way to take your outfits to the next level, and with the dark academia aesthetic, it’s all about classic and vintage-inspired pieces. Plus, you can layer on accessories during the summertime without getting overheated, unlike layering actual clothing (which is a signature of this aesthetic during colder seasons).
Start with a plaid pleated mini skirt that gives off prep school vibes, and pair it with a cream-colored short-sleeve button-down blouse. This one has a frilled collar neckline, mini puff sleeves, and lace inset detailing, all of which add a classically feminine feel to it.
Now for the fun part: accessorizing! Opt for vintage-inspired items like a heart signet ring, a rectangular watch with a leather croco embossed band, and a top handle double-strap buckled backpack that looks thrifted. A tortoiseshell headband will also add a bookish feel, which is always the goal with academia-inspired outfits.
Since it’s summertime, go for slingback loafers rather than traditional loafers for an airier feel. This brown pair has a distressed effect and embossed gold accent, giving them a vintage-looking effect.
What do you think of our summer dark academia outfit guide?
Would you wear the dark academia aesthetic? Which outfit is your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!