I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely ready for fall. This summer in New York has been way too hot, and I could not be more excited for mild weather, crunchy leaves, and pumpkin everything! To me, no trend encapsulates fall better than the academia trend. First appearing in 2020, light and dark academia are definitely some of my favorite microtrends to pop up during the pandemic. Both aesthetics focus on a moody, refined look, with Savile Row-inspired suiting and billowy button-up skirts. Much like cottagecore, Barbiecore, or fairycore (too many cores!), this hyper-specific trend has found its way into the mainstream. However, I consider academia dressing to be much more approachable, as the timeless fall staples can fit into any capsule wardrobe. Read on to discover how you can incorporate this stately trend into your fall sewing calendar!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 4 yards of Grasmere Rainy Day Medium Weight Linen Woven
- 2.5 yards of Snake In The Grass and Ivory Plaid Medium Weight Linen Woven
- 7 pieces of Italian Transparent, Black and Lily White Abstract Swirls Narrow Rimmed Plastic Button – 32L/20mm
- 1 pack of Dritz Nickel Sew On Snaps Size 10 – 4ct
- 1 pc of 085 Beige 9″ Regular Zipper
- 1 spool of 10 Black 1000m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- 1 spool of 70 Dark Bone 100m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- MDF168 – The Janet Cosplay Sewing Pattern (click the link for the free download!)
- MDF293 – The Liv Pants Sewing Pattern (click the link for the free download!)
For this look, we stitched up the Janet Cosplay vest and the Liv Pants in two gorgeous, fall-ready linens. A vest and trouser ensemble is the perfect way to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall, and to keep yourself prepared for those changing temperatures!
Tops
Every good academia-inspired ensemble needs a dramatic poet blouse, so stitch up the Cardinal Blouse in a cotton voile for a Byronic look. We love the Wren Shirt’s dramatic sleeves and versatile look, perfect for experimenting with prints and trims. Finally, the Janet Vest is a preppy staple that will look great in everything from wool suitings to cotton sateen!
Bottoms
The Liv Pants are one of our most popular patterns, for a good reason! They’re exceedingly versatile and can be made from any medium or heavy-weight fabric. For a dark academia look, we suggest plaid fabrics or our Grasmere linens. I love the Cassia Skirt for a miniskirt moment, and I think it would look great styled with a simple turtleneck, knee-high boots, and a beret! For a twist on the paperbag-waist pants look, try the Nova Pants, with two cuff options ideal for experimentation.
Dresses
The Calanthe Dress is the ultimate fall dress, combining preppy button detailing with puffy long sleeves for a fantastical, yet classic look. I am a proud sweater dress adherent, so the Citrus Dress is one of my favorite patterns, and perfect for pairing with our chunky rib knits! The Queen’s Gambit is on any dark academia-adherent’s must-watch list, so serve up chess player couture with our Gambit Pinafore dress.
Outerwear
Outerwear is a key component to any academia-inspired look. While it may seem a little early to wear coats now, it’s never too early to start sewing your winter wear! The Nepeta Blazer is a must-have piece for layering, no matter the season. When temperatures drop, rely on oversized shapes that update the classics, such as the Clark Coat or Lita Trench.
Are you a fan of dark or light academia clothing? Let us know in the comments below!
2 comments
Well timed because I have been pinning and making project boards like this XD I probably shouldn’t have it set to private, I should open it up but it’s still kind of a mess. XD
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful.