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Dark Academia Fashion Men: Aesthetic Outfit Ideas to Elevate Your Style in 2023

Become one with the dark academia style

If you like wooden colors and darkly mysterious styles, then dark academia fashion is your calling! The beauty of dark academia is that it appeals to those of you that want to be stylish but aren't into flashy and flamboyant clothes that are just a tad bit too colorful.


In this list, I've devised some suave dark academia style outfits for men so you can get out of those raggedy casuals and start dressing like you mean business. All of these pieces of clothing are available on Amazon and are certain to bring some gothic pizzazz to your wardrobe.


Anyway, here is the Agony of Adulting's list of aesthetic outfit ideas for men: dark academia edition!

But First, What is Dark Academia?

Dark academia fashion is a sartorial celebration of intellectual pursuits, classic literature, and the romantic ambiance of libraries cloaked in shadows. It's a trend that captures the essence of academia with a twist of darkness and melancholy.


Picture yourself strolling through ancient university campuses, dressed in tailored blazers, pleated skirts, and high-necked blouses, exuding an air of intellectual sophistication. Truly marvelous!


To wholeheartedly embrace the dark academia aesthetic, gravitate towards a color palette inspired by the mysteries of the past. Rich shades of deep burgundy, forest green, charcoal gray, and midnight blue form the backbone of this style. These colors evoke a sense of intrigue and depth, perfectly complementing the hauntingly beautiful ambiance you seek to embody.


Whether you're an actual student, an eternal learner, or simply captivated by the allure of scholarly chic, dark academia fashion offers an opportunity to express your intellectual side with grace and style. Embrace the classics, evoke the mysteries of yesteryears, and let your wardrobe become a canvas for the darker side of academia!

Easy Dark Academia Outfits

Simplicity is king when time is of the essence. We all love to dress well, but sometimes the passing seconds aren't on our side, and we must resort to "quicker" methods of looking good. Luckily, you don't have to turn to the dark arts to be stylish and can cast a spell for all to see with these simple yet ravishing outfit pairings.

1. The Scholar

Dark academia, scholarly outfit for men. Plaid pants, sweater vest, and long sleeve shirt.

Whether you're a student, professor, or eternal learner, this timeless outfit is reminiscent of a past long gone, yet lovingly represents a bright and fruitful future.


Perfect for coffee shop dates and university visits, you can't go wrong with the scholar. Here's what you'll need:

Brown sweater vest for men
White long-sleeve button down shirt for men
plaid pants for men, academia style long dress pants
Brown belt for men
Brown penny loafers for men, slip on shoes

2. Artfully Intelligent

Dark academia male, smoking pose

You may already have the jeans, the boots, and the sweater, but the main factor in this outfit is the peacoat. While plaid peacoats and trench coats can be quite expensive, they're well worth the investment if you want to take your dark academia style to the next level.


Regardless, this "artfully intelligent" outfit is pleasing to the eyes and quite versatile as it can serve any number of purposes. Here's what you'll need:

Plaid mens overcoat peacoat, tan colored
long sleeve sweater for men gray/grey colored
Wrangler Authentics Men's Classic 5-Pocket Relaxed Fit Cotton Jean
Brown boots for men

3. Boyish, Desirable, and Mysterious

Attractive young man in dark academia clothing posing

Next up is this boyish and dashing outfit that exudes a pleasant youthfulness, but also shows off ones experience. In other words, it says "I may be young, but I'm certainly not naïve."


Give these studious clothes a wear on your next trip to the library, grab a book, and prepare to gain some occasional gazes, for this darkly mischievous outfit wanes the intrigue of intelligent passerby's and bookish strangers alike.


Dark academia fashion for men has never been so... handsome.


Here's what you'll need:

Plaid blazer for men
Dark dreen v-neck sweater for men
White t-shirt for men, hanes
Mens green drawstring trousers
white sneakers for men

4. The Classic Academia Look

Grab a cup of hot joe to go, as this scholarly getup gives off a smart look and tells the tale of where intelligence was birthed. Book in hand, you'll wander the campus halls in this stylish outfit, attracting wandering eyes with your sleek sense of dark academia fashion.


Here's what you'll need:

Brown trenchcoat for men, academia style
Black turtle neck sweater for men, sophisticated look

MILORDE Men's Genuine Leather Dress Belt

Black dress shoes men

5. The Boy Who Lived

Inspired by the wizardry of Hogwarts and magical dress style of those who attend the illustrious academy, "the boy who was" pinpoints the stylings of one individual in particular and seeks to mimic his iconic style.


Here's what you'll need for this magical take on dark academia:

long peacoat for men with detachable scarf
white sweater men
Oxford sneakers

Dark Academia Style Peacoats and Trench Coats for Fall and Winter

When the seasonal chill begins creep in, it's time to bundle up and dress warmly. Dark academia fashion is perfect for this because it's a style that heavily relies on layers and will keep your body encased in a heavenly shroud of comforting darkness.


Peacoats and trench coats in particular are a staple to dark academia and no fall nor winter season shall be complete without them.


Here are a list of some of the best ones I could find:

Admittedly, it's a bit brighter than most dark academia style coats, but it fits well in the color scheme nonetheless. In my opinion, it lacks the subtle dreariness of typical academia fashion which gives it a certain umph when pairing it with contrasting colors.

Sophisticated and simple; these two words encapsulate the essence of this dark academia peacoat and allows you to bring volume to any outfit you pair it with. Use it on a brisk fall day to walk through the park as you witness the changing leaves or dawn it on a date at the ice skating rink on a romantic Christmas eve.

Channel the detectives of the past and bring back the ages of old with this sleek plaid trench coat. It's formal enough to match any business casual outfit, but has a versatility that can hold up to any dark academia outfit you devise.

Coming from the time when Jack the Ripper roamed the streets of London, you'll find the darkness within when you sheathe this foggy coat upon your body. You will hear the halls of the university echo beneath your feet as you traverse marvelously paved paths to an institute of learning, books, and desire.

And the final overcoat you should add to your wishlist this winter is this esteemed plaid trench coat. Once again, it's a bit lighter in color and spirit than you'd typically expect of dark academia, but that's the whole point! Be free to experiment and match light and dark to create a gradience unlike any other.

Summer Dark Academia Outfits

While dark academia is primarily a winter and fall style, some of us simply can't wait for the colder seasons and have an unwavering desire to dress in wool and plaid during the hot summer months.


Well, instead of suffering in sweat and heat, try out these dark academia inspired summer outfits:

Dark Academia Summer Outfit 1:

Dark Academia Summer Outfit 2:


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