20 Casual dark academia outfits perfect for fall 2024

20 chic scholarly outfits to wear for fall

Autumn has arrived. The air is cold and crisp and the fashion is about staying cozy. Here we take a look at all my favorite casual dark academia outfits, perfect for fall 2024.

Whether you are walking in the rain, spending time at the library, or writing a new masterpiece, these outfits will ensure that you look cool and spooky, while still being comfortable.

Dark Academia

Dark academia is inspired by the style of the Ivy League colleges, and from studying in general. The dark side comes from horror stories, classic literature, and real-life mysteries.

Dark academia favors different materials, such as wool and cashmere, and certain patterns such, as plaid and tweed.

Casual Dark Academia

To create casual dark academia outfits, I take all the best elements from normal dark academia and make them more everyday friendly.

Instead of boots, I use a lot of sneakers. These are outfits you can wear in real life. They will not look like a costume, but you will still look intellectual and bookish with plenty of nods to classic college fashion.

This style is both timeless and modern. Fall 2024 is especially inspired by casual dark academia.

Peacoat + Knitted polo shirt + Boyfriend jeans

The peacoat and knitted polo are classic dark academia staples, but instead of wearing tweed pants or a skirt, I recommend wearing a pair of boyfriend jeans.

Embrace casual clothes

This simple switch keeps your outfit casual. The sneakers and beanie make the outfit even more approachable.

Cable knit sweater + Grey jeans + Loafers

A cable knit sweater is a must for creating casual dark academia outfits. To keep in line with the brief, I opted for a pair of grey jeans.

The chunky loafers are textbook dark academia and they pair perfectly with this outfit.

Plaid pants + Camel coat + Black turtleneck

This might be the most perfect casual dark academia outfit I have ever seen. The plaid pants combined with the white high-tops are just dreamy.

Plaid pants can be tricky to style, especially if you want to look “normal,” but this girl nails it. Simple, yet incredibly stylish.

The leopard scarf ties the look together, so make sure you get one.

Tweed blazer + Cardigan + White polo shirt + Jeans + Jodphurs boots

Preppy fashion is made casual by adding a pair of jeans.

A tweed jacket is a must-have for dark academia outfits, dress it down with the help of jeans and a cardigan.

A nice bag and a pair of Jodphur boots keep things elegant.

Plaid coat + Rust cardigan + Leather skirt

If you want instant dark academia style, a plaid coat is your best bet. It is preppy and surprisingly easy to wear.

A good cardigan is another important item. Here, I added some edge by adding the leather skirt.

Riding boots is another good way to capture this exact style.

White shirt + Camel blazer + Grey jeans + Riding boots

A crisp shirt will look great with a camel blazer. To empathize the casualness of the outfit, once again, we bring out the grey jeans.

The brown riding boots are both practical and comfortable. Add a plaid scarf and you have yet another winning outfit. Perfect for a romantic stroll. Or, you know, getting coffee with a friend.

Camel pants + Tweed blazer + Burgundy sweater

No autumn is complete without a dash of burgundy, if you ask me. I especially like the oversize aspect of her outfit. This feels very 2024. Your outfit will not look like it is stuck in the past.

For outerwear, I would simply add your tweed blazer.

Sweater vest + White shirt + Tweed pants + Loafers

The sweater vest is on trend, and also perfect for creating casual dark academia outfits. Just add a white shirt and a pair of tweed pants. Cuteness is guaranteed.

White blouse + Oversize leather jacket + Plaid skirt

An oversized leather jacket is one of the biggest trends for 2024, this item can absolutely work with dark dark academia style.

I would add a white blouse and a plaid skirt. You could also add a white turtleneck.

Peacoat + Turtleneck + Corduroy skirt

A vintage picture of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (an icon of casual dark academia outfits) serves as inspiration.

Her style was both practical and sporty, while always keeping it incredibly elegant. A black peacoat combined with a black turtleneck and a corduroy navy skirt is an outfit her modern-day version would wear.

If you don’t like too much black, remember that this outfit combination would work in most colors.

Red coat + White silk blouse + Dressy pants

What makes this such a great casual dark academia outfit is the combination of masculine and feminine. A pair of tweed pants combined with a poetic silk blouse, and as if that was not enough; a red statement coat.

Argyle cardigan + Black skirt + Velvet bow

The argyle pattern is another dark academia signature.

A cardigan is a casual item, that is also very dark academia.

I choose chunky boots to keep it cool and casual. A simple tote bag tells the story of your love for literature.

Tweed blazer + Black polo shirt + Black jeans

If you only get one item, I recommend a tweed blazer. All your outfits will instantly get more casual dark academia.

Here I took a tweed blazer and gave it a more casual spin by adding a knitted polo sweater and a pair of black jeans.

Field jacket + Blue shirt + Jeans + Riding boots

Dark academia is also about spending time in nature. Dress like you own your own haunted estate by investing in a field jacket.

I would keep the rest of the outfit simple and practical.

A blue shirt is another staple when it comes to this style.

Cream mock neck + Navy coat + Red plaid skirt

Casual dark academia outfits are also about the color story. When you want to channel this style, it helps to pick navy, red and white. Those colors always look preppy.

If you want more ideas on how to dress preppy (the style is very similar to dark academia) read my article Preppy fall outfits – 16 outfits channeling old money aesthetic.

Brown long coat + Brown cable knit sweater + Brown corduroy skirt

Dressing in dark academia style is all about choosing the right material. Plaid, cable knit and corduroy will all have you looking like an Ivy League student.

A rich chocolate brown color will help even further. You will look wealthy and mysterious.

Duffel coat + Sweater vest + Grey skirt

Here I’m showing two more great staples, perfect for fall 2024; a duffel coat and a sweater vest.

I especially like to combine those heavy items with the lightness of a short skirt.

Field vest + Brown jeans + White turtleneck + Riding boots

A vest is yet another great item to have in your wardrobe, it will look especially chic combined with a white turtleneck.

Remember what I said about brown? That’s true for a pair of brown jeans as well.

Beige blazer + Fair isle sweater + Tweed pants

Create one of the best casual dark academia outfits by combining a Fair Isle sweater with a pair of tweed pants.

The result is rustic and poetic. And as you can see, Ralph Lauren would approve. His design is inspired by dark academia and American sportswear fashion. His old ads are a goldmine for anyone looking for inspiration.

Brown corduroy blazer + Plaid skirt + Over-the-knee boots

To take a plaid skirt and make it more casual, I recommend combining it with a big chunky cashmere (or wool) sweater. If you add a brown corduroy blazer, you are clearly in dark academia heaven.

The only thing that could possibly make this outfit better is the boots and a colorful beret.

A final note on casual dark academia outfits for fall 2024

With very few items of clothes, you can create many different casual dark academia outfits. Especially if you combine those items with your everyday casual clothes such as jeans, sneakers and cardigans.

Creating successful dark academia outfits is about pushing your style a little bit, just add something more old school and something preppy, such as a vest, and you have yourself a seriously cute outfit.