If you're familiar with these films: Kill Your Darlings, Maurice, The Riot Club, and even Wild Child, we're already on the same page.
What does "Dark Academia Aesthetic" mean? Well, From the term itself, the overall imagery and atmosphere of Dark Academia screams the words erudite, brooding, and often paired with the label pretentious and impractical — let's say, "scholarly but make it emo."
The aesthetic is rooted in Eurocentric upper-class prep schools making the overall style oozes with the panache and sophistication of a Classics English Professor with a penchant for letter writing and scented candles (if you know what I mean).
Since Dark Academia is not a general trend in the Philippines, living your Dark Academia fantasy would be pretty rough. However, there are alternatives that can help fulfill the aesthetic! Here are some local stores to help you live your Dark Academia fantasy.
Fountain Pens
An essential accessory to the Dark Academia aesthetic. Fountain pens have this timeless look of elegance to them—with its distinct nib that takes some time getting used to at first but is rewarding when you do. The Bamboo Company sells an affordable fountain pen beautifully crafted from Bamboo wood. Talk about eco-friendly and wallet friendly! If you wanna explore variety and get into the art of calligraphy, we highly suggest checking out Everything Calligraphy as well!
Journals
Picture yourself at a cozy cafe jotting down your musings on your leather upholstery journal. What a scene, right? Fortunately, you can avail such notebooks through Alunsina Hardbound Books! An indie Filipino crafts business that centralizes on making leather-bound journals! Not really in the market for leather journals? No worries! You can buy minimalist journals through a local store called Common Room.
Leather Bag
Bags are another article that help compliment and elevate your scholarly fashion sense. If you're in the market for leather bags, try checking out Straightforward. They have a variety of bags and pouches that come in different colors, and for the added bonus: they're made from Vegan Leather!
Scented Candles
Having scented candles makes your room have a soothing atmosphere that puts you in the right headspace to study, read, or work on your personal projects. Luckily for us, littlesybil holds a wide catalogue of different scented candles and even room fragrances!
Letter Writing Set
There's a certain allure brought about by sending or receiving a handwritten letter to your friends and loved ones. It's a craft that's lost in the digital age of emails and instant messaging. Impractical as it may be, handwritten letters still give off that personal touch that makes these messages more intimate and meaningful. Letter Stamp provides you products such as wax seal stamps and embossing kits, while Liham provides letter kits that you can write yourself, or have them write for you in their different packages!
More Style Tips!
Those who adhere to the style would often wear dark or warm-colored tweed coats, a sweater vest on top of their button down and tie, some vintage-patterned slacks, and have a knack for owning fountain pens, and leather satchels embossed with their initials. Occasionally some wear round framed spectacles to further complete the look i.e. the style of Allen Ginsberg in the film (or DA Harry Potter for those who cannot distance themselves from their Potterhead phase).
The aesthetic oozes with the panache of a Classics Literature Professor often depicted in popular media—intrigued by the disciplines of History, Mythology, and Victorian-era Literature combined with an aura of mystery to their overall character. Hell, if you could throw in a big wooden pipe to smoke out of, a la Dead Poets Society, go ahead!
