Do you live for dark, moody fashion? Big fan of Harry Potter, perhaps?
Whether you dabble in dark academia or are a full-on fan, there is stunning and scholarly eyewear to suit your look. I’m here to run through some of the top styles, complete with handy tips to seamlessly blend your glasses with your dark academia-inspired outfits.
Lower your lantern—the plot is about to thicken!
So, What’s Dark Academia All About?
In case you’re still considering the possibility that dark academia is your style, here’s a short introduction:
- Dark academia is more than a trend; it’s a subculture that’s been around for about ten years, starting out as a Tumblr trend.
- Now, it’s evolved beyond fans of Hogwarts to include people who simply love the romantic idea of hallowed universities, mysterious museums, and intriguing old libraries.
- The subculture sparked a fashion movement, with geek-chic taking on a new meaning. Think uniforms with a gothic twist—tweed, plaid, and wool, complete with classic tailoring.
- The style is English heritage meets modern, so it’s not just about being stuck in the past and dressing like a professor from the 50s!
Dark Academia Eyewear
Are you engrossed in the world of dark academia yet? Even if you’re not ready to dive in head-first, you might be inspired enough to give some of these styles a chance. Let’s explore how your eyewear can complement your aesthetic, whether you’re buried in a book, heading to campus, or showing up at the office.
Round glasses add a bit of Harry Potter magic.
Ah … Harry Potter—the series we all know and love! It’s become a classic for all generations and has even influenced dark academia fashion. The films offer some ideas (no cloak needed). A good pair of round glasses is a great place to start!
The delicate gold wire frames on these Miu Miu round glasses add a modern touch—perfect for adding a hint of glamor to heavy materials like wool and tweed. If you have a heart or oval-shaped face, they’ll highlight your features without distracting from your overall look.
Style your round lenses for success by incorporating them into your dark academia fashion:
- If you need classic work attire, pair your gold-rimmed glasses with a button-down white shirt worn under a grey wool coat.
- In the colder months, coordinate your round glasses with a knit pullover for a casual weekend outfit. Opt for a color like beige or brown to give it that academic feel.
- If you’ve decided Harry Potter is your muse, take some styling notes. To make your gold glasses pop, finish the look with a long, black wool coat.
Square black glasses complete any dark academia outfit.
Square frames are easy to coordinate with almost any outfit. They are perfect with a dark academia outfit, working well with intellectual-inspired clothes like cotton shirts and double-breasted jackets.
These Gucci glasses are classic and understated, ideal for pairing with casual outfits or dressier ensembles. The subtle gold logo adds a hint of luxury without being too distracting.
They look good on round and oval faces to add some contrast to the curves of your face.
Let’s be honest—dark academia isn’t just about looking smart; it’s also really cozy! So pull out your comfy pullovers to get started:
- Wear square glasses with a turtleneck, and throw on a tweed blazer to finish the look.
- Add a touch of feminine energy with a loose A-line skirt that looks like it could have come from Hermione Granger’s closet!
- Pair your jeans with a tweed blazer and closed-lace leather shoes. Add square glasses for a finishing touch. It’s a contemporary take on Oxford University chic.
Tortoiseshell frames add a vintage vibe.
Dark academia inherently plays into the past. Bring nostalgia to life with tortoiseshell eyeglasses! They were all the rage in the early 20th century and still give off that effortlessly smart look while remaining modern. The ever-popular caramel pattern is perfect for pairing with natural materials like suede, which are common to the subculture.
Pick a shape that works best for your face. Some timeless styles to select from include rectangular, round, and aviator shapes for that early 20th-century appeal.
These Cutler And Gross glasses feature frames that can be worn for decades! They don’t have any showy designer logos, so they make the perfect subtle statement.
Since tortoiseshell tends to come in shades of brown, it looks fantastic with other shades of the same color. The pattern is somewhat muted, so don’t be afraid to mix it with other prints like plaid or herringbone. Additional ideas include:
- For a dark academia spring look, wear your glasses with a linen dress and a tweed jacket or capelet.
- Coordinate your cozy cardigan with tortoiseshell glasses and tailored pants for a comfortable autumn outfit.
- Loafers and tortoiseshell frames are best friends. Pair your smart glasses with brown penny loafers to complete a classic outfit.
Aviator eyeglasses are the ultimate geek-chic accessories!
Do you want to give off intellect, confidence, and vintage cool? I know it sounds like a tall order, but trust me—a pair of double-bridged aviators does just that. They are perfect if you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard to fit the trend.
Aviator glasses work well with dark academia outfits because they’re not too bold or colorful. The focus remains on your style as a whole, not just your eyewear.
They complement heart, diamond, and square faces with curved lenses that highlight your cheekbones, jaw, and browbone.
This pair by Jimmy Choo comes with either black or gold frames. Black is perfect for coordinating with dark fabrics and daily wear, whether you’re running to lectures or working in an office. Gold is ideal if you want to add a touch of sparkle to an understated outfit.
Style your aviators with all your dark academia ensembles! They look great with everything from cashmere to tweed, so pull out your favorite librarian-inspired look. Here are some styling ideas for your closet:
- Pair your glasses with a tweed suit. (Yes, they still exist, and they still look great!)
- Aviators can smarten up casual clothes, so throw on your favorite wool pullover, jeans, and sneakers and layer them with your long coat for a head-to-toe on-theme outfit.
- This style adds a modern touch to button-down shirts, so pick one and opt for some comfortable wool or linen pants for a summertime look.
Pick Glasses That Look Good and Enhance Your Style
Dark academia outfits are fun to style and go perfectly with a range of classic glasses. Consider which shape and style fits your face best. Then, get ready to be the main character!
