Dark Academia, Fashion

8 Places to Shop for Dark Academia

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Hi, I’m Mariel and I’m a shopaholic.  Ok, just kidding, my shopping habits aren’t that bad.  It’s definitely one of my favorite things to do as someone who is into fashion, but I am also pretty good at staying within my personal budget.  How do I do it?  I’ve listed my favorite affordable places to shop for dark academia as well as a few places that are pricier but great quality that will last you a long time. 

1. Thrifting/Secondhand

Thrifting and buying secondhand is the #1 most affordable and sustainable option.  Not only that, but you can find some great vintage pieces that truly fit the dark academia aesthetic!  If you don’t have any brick and mortar thrift stores around you, you can also shop secondhand online.  My personal favorite sites/apps are Depop and Poshmark, but some other options are Mercari and ThredUp.

2. H&M

H&M is a great affordable option for dark academia.  Their workwear section has many options for blouses, blazers, and slacks.

3. ASOS

ASOS is another affordable option to shop for dark academia that has well-priced blazers, suits, coats, and even shoes that can translate well into the aesthetic. I also love that their extended sizing lines (petite, tall, curvy, maternity).

4. Uniqlo

Another fairly affordable option is Uniqlo.  I love Uniqlo for basics such as turtlenecks, blouses, and even pants.  This is a great brand for your dark academia essentials.

5. Madewell

I also like shopping at Madewell.  Their clothing style doesn’t inherently fit the dark academia aesthetic, but I particularly like their fall collection for finding some hidden DA gems.  Madewell can be a bit pricey, but they often have great sales.

6. Aritzia

Aritzia is a great store for some dark academia pieces that have a bit of a modern twist.  Their “classic but trendy” style is perfect if you don’t want to go all out into the DA aesthetic.  Like Madewell, Aritiza is also a pricier option with great sales.

7. Banana Republic & J. Crew

Banana Republic, J. Crew, and other stores that specialize in workwear are also great for finding blazers, blouses, and nice slacks. I like Banana Republic and J.Crew because they often have 40%+ off sales, so they can also be very affordable.

8. Chuu

Chuu is a Korean brand with a very feminine style, but I feel that many of their items can work well with the dark academia aesthetic as well.  In particular, I love their frilly blouses, plaid skirts, jackets, and coats.  This brand is also a bit pricier than H&M, ASOS, and Uniqlo, but the quality of most of their items is pretty good.  The one downside is that since it is a Korean brand, the majority of their items are one-size and fit on the smaller side, so it’s not very inclusive.

BONUS: YesStyle

Another very affordable option is YesStyle. YesStyle carries items from Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese brands, and many of these brands are even more affordable than the other options on this list. The quality can vary widely since they are different brands, so I highly recommend only buying items with plenty of good reviews or brands that you know. Additionally, because they are Asian brands, the sizing runs small, which is great for petite people, but definitely check the size charts and measurements before purchasing!

Use my link for up to 10% off on your purchase!


Hope this gave you some ideas for places to shop for dark academia!

[updated 12/21/2020 to include more products + bonus shop]


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