However you feel about it, dark academia is undeniably an extravagant and stylish aesthetic. If you want to see what it looks like in practice, here are a few examples to give you a feel for its vibe.

The search term “dark academia aesthetic” peaked on Google as one year turned to the next, gaining traction on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Tumblr.

The latest aesthetic of the moment is known as "dark academia". This trend draws on the ambiances of horror films and dusty libraries, as well as preppy and gothic styles.

Her signature braids, dark lip and mostly black ensemble are pretty much TikTok’s favorite dark academia aesthetic from 2020. However, it’s clearly a style that isn’t going away any time soon.