I think I first saw the phrase “dark academia” around 2019 or so. It had cropped up among a slew of other aesthetics that seemed to just be a new way to describe vibes for Pinterest or TikTok. The thing with dark academia, though, was that it didn’t just apply to pictures of people dressed in moody browns and collegiate tweed; it also had a place in the bookish world. And, with big book releases coming out this season like Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, that place has only become more carved out and cemented.
If you, like me, still love a good dark academia read, especially in the fall, consider accessorizing the bookish areas of your life with the aesthetic. There are all manner of raven-embossed journals, Victorian-style moth bookmarks, gothic embossing stamps, and more.
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Jot your musings on literature in this black raven-embossed journal. $65
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This handmade notebook is 100% recycled and for the more nature-minded. $9+
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This perfume sounds bomb, less because of the snobbiness, and more because of its notes of freshly cut flowers, old books, and oak bookshelves. $15+
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These dark academia bookmarks give you the choice between different fine art prints. Get one or a set of up to ten. There’s also a code for free shipping depending on how many you get. $5+
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We love a good tarot card aesthetic. Luckily, this bookmark is also laminated. $4
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The visuals! This clear floral bookmark is a unique way to keep your place in your current read. $8
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This handmade microscope slide bookmark stars the raspberry pyrausta moth, and imitates certain science-y hobbies that held interest in the Victorian era. I live. $13
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Personalize the books in your collection with these embossing stamps, which let you add your own text and choose from a selection of dark academia visuals. $26
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These little stickers would be perfect on an ereader or a laptop. $3
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Are you fueled by ink? Madness? Metaphor? If so, you can represent that and your love of crows, books, skulls, and black kitties with this t-shirt. $32
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Here we have another way to accessorize your body *dark academically*. $7+
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Get cozy with this woven throw and its scene of a personal library. $85
After you stock up on the bookish dark academia accessories here, make sure to check out the best sci-fi and fantasy dark academia books, or even some good dark academia books to read with your book club.