Everyday Academia Style

Even during the pandemic, trends emerge and since late August academia style is back.

We are at the point where we are post holiday excitement and pre spring waiting. While I do love the fresh start that January offers I long for the time of gardening, farmers markets and patio dining. However this quiet time is useful for rest, planning and strategizing for 2021. I’m still waiting to hear if I should be investing in plane tickets or sweatpants but I think we’ve all accepted that we just won’t know until we know. This has a lot of people feeling nostalgic and cozy and hence why I think the cozy academic look is back.

I never think trends fully go away. Trends just go into hibernation and come back repackaged as something new. Wide leg jeans of the 90s are now boyfriend fit, the flares of the 70’s came back for a bit in the early 2000’s, etc. I think that is why vintage will always be in style (I’m starting to see more and more Laura Ashley inspired patterns coming back and I am very here for it). Academia style is a repurposed version of prep in my opinion. It’s Blair Woldorf meets The Craft meets Harry Potter.

Why is academia style making a comeback? Perhaps it is the fact that we are watching the younger generation be robbed of “right of passage” events like homecoming, football games, prom, graduation or at the very least… attending class. There have been no prom photos, no first day photos etc perhaps it has us all feeling a bit nostalgic about our academic days. I don’t know what it is but every time the fall rolls around and I start to see the back to school photos on facebook I get the urge to buy school supplies.

Maybe the textures and elements of academic style ease some of the longing of the past? The academia styles are warm, cozy and comforting.

The texture an elements of academia style probably already hang in your closet.

Academia style elements include

• tweed
• menswear pants
• pleats
• wool
• rich deep browns, blacks, hunter greens, burgundy and cream
• silk blouses
• dramatic pointed collars

Looking back at a few of my pieces these madewell high waisted pleated pants (that they didn’t remake for 2020 and broke my heart) will always be a favorite piece of mine for academia style. Also, many of the Madewell blazers can fall into the academia style category. I love the high waisted styles with the pleated menswear elements. It makes me feel tailored and put together. Blazers are great alternatives to cardigans or oversized sweaters that can dress up a graphic T or make a dress less formal. Both are great options to mix a bit of academia style into your everyday wardrobe.

I never like to commit 100% to a trend but to mix elements of it into what fits my personal style. I purchased this Free People plaid wool cape with my birthday coupon back in November and it’s been the perfect layering piece to mix academia style into my everyday wardrobe.

Where to shop for academia style pieces

• Sezane has amazing, high quality pleated trousers, silk blouses and chunky knit collegiate sweaters.
• Madewell is my go to source for boyfriend fit blazers.
• Asos has great affordable options on tweed and other elements of academia style.
• H&M has great prices on knit cardigans.

When I think of Academia style I think of sipping black coffee on a wintery Saturday morning, sitting by the fire reading a good book. Academia is moody, vintage and “old Harvard”.

Some ways to start mixing academia style into your wardrobe:

• wear a turtleneck instead of a t-shirt under a sweater or cardigan
• try a boot with a chunkier heel or laces
• layer your tops, turtleneck under a chunky sweater, sweater under a blazer
• try a higher waisted pant with a tailored belt
• Keep your hair styled simple. A low ponytail or natural

The academic style is relaxed, tailored and cozy. Perfect for this time of year.

How do you mix in pieces?

What are your favorite elements of this academic look?

What vibes do you get from the resurgence of academia style?

Tell me in the comments below!