Okay, so I’ve been seeing “gothic academia fashion” all over my Pinterest and TikTok, and I gotta say, I’m intrigued. I’ve always loved that dark, moody vibe, but my wardrobe is mostly, well, not that. So, I decided to try and actually do something about it, instead of just saving a million inspo pics. Here’s how my little experiment went down.
Phase 1: The Deep Dive (aka Pinterest Overload)
First things first, I needed to figure out what this aesthetic even really is. So, I went down the rabbit hole. I spent, like, a solid two hours just scrolling through Pinterest, saving anything that caught my eye. I started noticing some common themes:
- Lots of dark colors: Black, obviously, but also deep browns, burgundy, forest green, and even some navy.
- Textures were key: Think velvet, tweed, corduroy, and even some leather accents.
- Classic silhouettes: Button-down shirts, turtlenecks, pleated skirts, trousers, blazers… you get the idea. Nothing too trendy or flashy.
- Accessories mattered: Think chunky boots, dark tights, maybe a vintage-looking bag or some subtle jewelry.
Phase 2: Raiding My Closet (and Failing Slightly)
Armed with my newfound knowledge, I went to my closet… and realized I owned, like, two things that might work. I had a black turtleneck and a pair of black boots. That’s it. My usual style is way more casual, lots of jeans and t-shirts. So, this was going to be a bigger challenge than I thought.
Phase 3: The Thrift Store Adventure
Since I didn’t want to blow my entire budget on a whole new wardrobe, I decided to hit up the local thrift stores. This was actually super fun! I found a really cool oversized brown corduroy blazer that fit the vibe perfectly. I also scored a pleated black skirt and a dark green button-down shirt that looked surprisingly good together. The best part? It was all super cheap!
Phase 4: Putting It All Together (and Feeling Pretty Cool)
Okay, so here’s where the magic happened. I put on the black turtleneck, the thrifted pleated skirt, and the corduroy blazer. I added my black boots and some dark tights. And… I actually felt pretty awesome! It was definitely a different look for me, but it felt surprisingly… me. Like a more mysterious, bookish version of myself. I felt like I should be wandering around a dusty old library or something.
Phase 5: Accessorizing and Experimenting.
After that initial success, I started playing around with different combinations. I found that even adding a simple black scarf or a vintage-looking brooch could really elevate the look. I also experimented with layering – a sweater vest over a button-down, or a long coat over the blazer. There’s actually a lot of room for creativity within this aesthetic.
The Verdict?
I’m definitely into it! It’s a fun way to change up my style, and it actually makes me feel more confident and put-together. I’m not going to throw out all my jeans and t-shirts, but I’m definitely going to keep incorporating some gothic academia pieces into my wardrobe. It’s all about finding that balance, right? Plus, thrifting is my new favorite hobby. So, win-win!
