So here’s the thing—just because it’s 30°C outside doesn’t mean we suddenly want to wear neon crop tops and flip-flops. Some of us still want to romanticize our life like we’re the protagonist in a haunted library romance, okay?
If you’re anything like me, you’re all about the dark academia aesthetic—but in summer, it can be tricky to pull off without literally melting into a puddle of lace and regret.
Don’t worry, I got you! Below are my favorite breathable, mysterious, and slightly melancholic fashion finds that let you keep your vibe without sacrificing your comfort. And yep… I hunted down pieces with affiliate links so we can romanticize and manifest coins, okay? (It costs you nothing extra — the seller just tosses me a coin or two for sending you their way. Win-win, right?)
Soft, Spooky, and Swimming: Summer Suits for the Mysterious Girl Era
Yes, you heard me. Just because we’re romanticizing dead poets doesn’t mean we can’t also take a dip in the lake looking like a cursed sea witch from 1924, okay?
You know how long I searched for swimwear like this?! I kid you not — I was this close to giving up on the whole summer swim vibe because all I kept seeing were the same boring bikinis over and over.
Below are my favorite breathable, mysterious, and obsession-worthy fashion finds from Amazon!
Affiliate link – costs you nothing, helps me romanticize life 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Some inspiration for summer beach vibes:
Source: Inst: @beige.vibes
Source: Pinterest
Dreamy Poet Blouses
Lightweight and breathable, they let you stay cool while still serving full 19th-century intellectual energy.
Look for soft neutrals, off-whites, creams, or even smoky greys, with delicate ruffles, subtle lace, or puff sleeves. The best part? You can pair them with literally anything — from vintage skirts to high-waisted shorts or even tucked into a tailored trouser.
🖤 Styling tip: Add a messy bun, a leather-bound notebook, and a little mystery
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest
Must-Have Linen Corsets & Waistcoats
If you want to feel like a romantic scholar who may or may not dabble in alchemy, you need a corset or waistcoat in your life. Especially in linen, cotton, or breathable natural fabrics that work for warm days without sacrificing the dark academic soul.
Corset tops give a soft structure to your look, while waistcoats add a vintage, bookish vibe that works layered or on their own. Pair them with long skirts, trousers, or yes — even over a poet blouse for the ultimate layered fantasy.
🖤 Styling tip: Layer over a tank top or wear alone with high-waisted trousers.
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Source: Pinterest
Soft Tailored Shorts for that Extra Dark Academia Spark
Okay, listen. We don’t need to wear denim booty shorts just because it’s hot outside. Soft tailored shorts — the perfect blend of comfort, elegance, and that quiet luxury meets literature student vibe.
These aren’t stiff, office-y shorts either. Think high-waisted, pleated, flowy, and made from breathable fabrics like linen or cotton blends. Choose earthy tones like beige, espresso brown, charcoal, or olive green — basically anything that screams “I read vintage philosophy on park benches.”
Style them with loafers, tank tops, or our fave poet blouses for the ultimate dark academia summer outfit.
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Source: Pinterest
Simple Summer Tops with a Dark Twist
Not every day has to be ruffles and lace — sometimes a good minimalist tank top can give just the right amount of mystery. The key is choosing the right fabrics, tones, and silhouettes that still whisper dark academia, even in a hot weather.
Look for ribbed or textured tank tops in earthy shades like oat, espresso, charcoal, moss green, or deep taupe. Square necklines, thick straps, and cropped-but-not-too-cropped lengths are your best friends. These tops layer beautifully under waistcoats or lightweight cardigans when the breeze hits.
You can also lean into the “I stole this from a poet boyfriend” vibe with fitted or oversized basics in vintage tones. Bonus points for buttons, subtle distressing, or raw hems.
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Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Source: Pinterest
Shoes for Wandering Sunlit Side Streets
You don’t need sky-high heels to feel powerful — sometimes the most magical steps are taken in soft leather loafers, vintage-style Mary Janes, or lace-up sandals that look like you’ve walked straight out of a forgotten novel. In a dark academia summer wardrobe, comfort and character matter just as much as style. Think worn-in soles, soft earth tones, and silhouettes that whisper stories. Whether you’re stepping into a secondhand bookshop or wandering a sun-dappled street, these shoes say, “I collect secrets, not blisters.”
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Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest
Jewellery That Feels Like a Memory
The right piece of jewellery doesn’t just complete your outfit — it casts a spell. This summer, go for delicate gold chains, vintage lockets, pearl drop earrings, or antique-style rings that look like they hold forgotten names. Minimal, meaningful, and full of character, these accessories feel like they were passed down from a poet aunt who once ran away with a painter. Layer them, mix metals if you dare, and let your jewellery be a quiet rebellion in a loud world.
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Affiliate link – click on the photo 🖤
Source: Pinterest
If you’ve made it this far, I hope this post gave you permission to romanticize summer a little more—your way. To dress like you’re on your way to write poetry under a willow tree or browse dusty shelves in a sleepy bookshop by the sea.
Dark academia isn’t just an autumn aesthetic. It’s a mindset, a softness, a slowness. Even in summer, you can choose vintage over fast, quiet over loud, thoughtful over trendy.
Wear what makes you feel like you could fall in love with a paragraph. Or yourself.
And if you do end up wandering around in linen shorts and a poet blouse, somewhere between the sunlight and the shadows… know I’m cheering for you from my own sun-dappled corner of the world.
