Dark Academia: Inspiration for pre-fall and FW26
The women_s Pre-Fall 2026 collections will be rolling out from now through January_ offering early clues about what_s ahead. While many micro-trends flare up and fade_ the theme 'Dark Academia' continues to endure.
Our ongoing fascination with this brooding_ bookish spin on school uniforms may well be rooted in our collective nostalgia for places like Harry Potter_s Hogwarts or Wicked_s Shiz University. Let_s explore standout pieces from the latest Pre-Fall collections to identify next season_s key items and styling cues.
The sweater knit polo shirt with long placket
Inspiration - Scervino Pre-Fall 25
A brown knit polo shirt with an extra-long placket; styled with a pleated mini-skirt in the same color_ under a brown sheepskin coat with embroidery and brown suede boots.
The hybrid skirt
Inspiration - Antonio Marras Pre-Fall 25
A skirt half mid-length pleated check wool and half full-length pleated light brown wool over matching pants; styled with a light brown pinstripe jacket; a headscarf_ braided belt and loafers.
The long tipped cardigan
Inspiration: Rochas Pre-Fall 25
A black cardigan with cream tipping and letter embellishment; styled with a cream silk mid-length tunic with a frayed black placket under light grey pinstripe straight pants_ a skinny grey belt with R logo and black pointy boots.
The patchwork knit sweater
Inspiration: Ganni Pre-Fall 25
A heavy knit half-zip sweater in a patchwork of grey and cream squares; styled with a plaid wrap-front mini skirt_ slouchy boots and a brown pressed leather handbag.
The check suit
Inspiration: Thom Browne Pre-Fall 25
A houndstooth plaid wool and brown suede jacket with matching pleated mini-skirt. Styled with a blue and white striped shirt_ diagonal striped red and white tie and grey overcoat_ round lens sunglasses_ argyle socks with stripes_ a leather and plaid wool satchel and penny loafers.
The long shorts
Inspiration: Maria McManus Pre-Fall 25
Taupe below-the-knee shorts; styled with a grey thick knit vee neck sweater over a white t-shirt and black pumps.
The straight tweed skirt
Inspiration: Coperni Pre-Fall 25
A check tweed straight skirt with an attached harness and belts; styled with a black mock turtle-neck quarter-zip top_ black sunglasses_ a check tweed satchel and black pumps.
The knit vest
Inspiration: Ralph Lauren Pre-Fall 25
Look 5: a dark green cable-knit vest; styled with an oyster-colored silk shirt and a tan-colored bias-cut leather mini skirt_ a metallic belt_ long tan leather boots and satchel.
The vintage-style suit
Inspiration: Valentino Pre-Fall 25
A two-button blue blazer and matching knee-length skirt with a slit front; styled with a red polo knit with white tipping; oversized eyewear_ skinny white belt_ cat brooch_ black platform sandals_ a black satchel and white long and short socks.
The DB gabardine wool coat
Inspiration: Gucci Pre-Fall 25
A sixties style 10 button dark navy coat with flap pockets; styled with cat-eye sunglasses_ spectator loafers_ black satchel and gold jewelry.