I bought a dark academia thrift store mystery box and loved everything!! 🍂 THRIFTING TIKTOK TRENDS

[@lestranged]

Before the name "dark academia" was coined (which is pretty recent), this style has existed a long time. It was often called preppy, Ivy League, Brooks Brothers, collegiate, and other names. Old style with a new name. The same thing happened with cottagecore, only the name is new but the style has been around a long time. Knowing the older names for things can help when searching for more vintage inspiration pictures.

[@TiffanyNguyen-iz1zz]

What did cottagecore used to be called?

[@lestranged]

@@TiffanyNguyen-iz1zz mori kei, fairytale, fantasy. hobbit, woodland, prairie, bucolic, pastoral, pre-raphaelite, any trend where people of wealth and leisure romanticize and cosplay a rural lifestyle but without the hard work, struggle and grime.

[@yuhansungscoffee]

@@lestranged nailed it

[@keziahherman6380]

The only issued with that is that dark/light academia follow a more strict color palette. It also cuts out a lot of the pastel, characterized, stereotypically “gay looking guys”characters in 2000s/2010s movies and pop culture.

[@Hannah-nh5qj]

@@lestranged Please tell me you work in the fashion industry. You would be a great fashion writer!

[@isabelleryan7566]

love that you included pictures of a variety of bodies wearing this style!! dark academia inspo is so often only shown on thin bodies which is always disheartening.

[@nonoticarly8778]

As a librarian who occasionally naturally dresses like this I'm offended with how accurate this is

[@benjicampbellsoup7040]

Is It Nice Being A Libarian?

[@sadgemini5697]

I want your job

[@nonoticarly8778]

@@sadgemini5697 Sorry I need it

[@michelleb7399]

Same. As I’ve caught my image in Zoom meetings, I have seen this in me this fall more than ever.

[@Emberchariot]

@@nonoticarly8778 😂😂😂 lol

[@annetanoh3891]

I like how you featured different body types in the explantion part. It maybe a small detail but I appreciated😅

[@alexasunshine83]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ld6140]

Sameeee

[@eliushi6220]

Me too!

[@cohenthomas04]

Same

[@marthabookdragon8857]

I really appreciate you finding larger models for the example pics. So many aesthetic photos on Pinterest are smaller peeps so I really appreciated you looking for more diverse body rep xx

[@emmy8526]

What I found touching in a discussion about this somewhere else was people saying that romanticizing academia through fashion helped them push through boredom/anxiety to focus on studying they needed to do.

[@shelleyelise8963]

THANK YOU for including a variety of body types when showing examples of the aesthetics! I literally cried seeing someone who looks similar to my body type, this just shows how easy representation is, just a couple pictures made me and Im sure so many others watching this feel included and celebrated!

[@lauren.13]

Dark academia is my dream aesthetic, this is gonna be so good! 📖🖤

[@alexasunshine83]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@thriftqueen1621]

Honestly I loved seeing the little bits of real life in this video. It shows that filming KZbin isn’t easy and doesn’t always go perfectly like people assume.

[@BekiBae]

thank you again for choosing my mystery bundles!!💖💖💖💖 i'm SO glad you liked the pieces. and i really do enjoy the background you always give on these different aesthetics

[@itselizabash]

Do you sell these? I'd be interested in a mystery box!

[@gabriella3001]

@@itselizabash Check the description! It has her Depop link and she sells a bunch of different style boxes there I think! :)

[@magicme39]

the link says not found, do you have an updated one? 💜

[@BekiBae]

@@magicme39 hey! i changed my shop name to catwalkcachet :)

[@miaferraina8915]

@@BekiBae would you be able to share a link? I'm still having trouble finding you 😕

[@katarinav7897]

You could style each of the pieces from the mystery box separately with another clothes from your wardrobe next time to create bunch of new outfits I think that would be awesome. ❤️

[@erikao3982]

As a professor, this is my aesthetic, but as someone living in Texas, I can never wear this style because it’s too hot 😭

[@alexasunshine83]

I feeeeeeel YOU!!!!! 🥵

[@benjicampbellsoup7040]

SAMEEE😭

[@LudmilaRamirez7]

@@erikao3982 rich much

[@benjalucian1515]

Erin - at least not until January. In Texas, this last February, my family members were burning tree branches from their yard in their fireplace to keep warm.

[@erikao3982]

@@LudmilaRamirez7 yeah I realize now how that came across. In reality I live in a small apartment and I don’t turn the air conditioning on like ever because I’m cheap 😭

[@aksez2u]

Wow - she did such a good job! I keep thinking about how challenging it would be to source all those pieces for a specific style AND size AND make a complete outfit! Well worth the cost, I think

[@layercakearts]

You and the reseller did amazing, great choices! So fun for kick off Autumn with thrifting academia vibes, I’ve been watching Rachel Maksy to learn how to add fun accessories like hats, glasses, book bag, penny loafers, etc. cheers!

[@juanitacarrollyoung2979]

I ❤ Rachel!!

[@halwen6281]

Thank you for showing diverse examples of academia. It made me happy to see another plus size body wearing an aesthetic that I love

[@aksez2u]

Plus size? Alexa is tallish but very slim. Am I misunderstanding something? PS. Big fan of all body types, no shade. Just confused 🙂

[@halwen6281]

@@aksez2u you’re good! When she was explaining the aesthetic, she included reference photos and a few of the bodies that she showed were plus size. It’s so so hard to find pictures of plus size bodies in popular aesthetics, so it was cool to see that she intentionally looked for them

[@aksez2u]

@@halwen6281 OH, I see! I agree (I may have been just listening to part of the video 🙂). I'm also happy to see more brands using models with a variety of body sizes. Hopefully one day it will be as obnoxious to have all size 2 models as it is to have all white models. Again, nothing wrong with size 2, we just want representation of other sizes!

[@Chewtubehuskyhouse]

Alexa’s mystery aesthetics is literally my fave series! It’s so fun to watch her branch out and get comfy with being un-comfy in her personal style evolution 💛

[@shaunasartoris3769]

15:20 I thrifted that exact dress last year and I can confirm it pairs super well with a turtleneck! (or really any tight long sleeve!) I’ll also wear long sleeve tees overtop the dress and cinch them with a hair tie so they crop at the waist portion. Super cute and versatile dress!! :)

[@crnyr_3624]

Dark academia theme is so pretty and aesthetic! Thank you for including basic introduction about the terms as well. It's interesting to learn both light and dark academia. Great video x

[@virtualsandra]

I love how thoughtful & inclusive you are when trying to explain what they are. We appreciate the mindfulness Alexa!

[@StephanieCook-wr4le]

Both were great mystery boxes! Like dark best, but light was good, too. Really cute light dress, but with, as you said, a thinner sweater, but from a distance looked good with that sweater.

[@skylarjohnson3903]

I’ve also been struggling a lot with my OCD lately so i know exactly how you’re feeling❤️

[@emma.l]

Yeah I have ocd too and so appreciate her mentioning it!

[@MWashburn1218]

Would love to see outfits made up of both the light and dark academia items mixed together. The white button up with the black skirt would look so perfect together.

[@jillkent6134]

I really like your mystery box videos firstly because you’re so happy and up beat and secondly because you try to style everything so well.

[@msjuier]

the vintage fashion not vintage values bit that you went over really shows how aware you are and it's very comforting to hear. keep doing awesome!

[@___KIT__]

I started dressing like this about 2 years ago and slowly grew my wardrobe! Im still growing it and I just wanna say this is one of the easiest styles to find second hand! If you know what you want, what flatters you most, you can find pieces that are versatile with multiple outfits! Hardest thing to find (at least for me) is shoes because womens loafers and mary janes were a little difficult to find in my size. Its also only good to wear in the fall and winter since theres a lot of sweaters and longer clothes. I live in a hot climate so I flip and flop back and forth between vintage/cottagecore in the spring and summer and dark/light/grey academia in the fall and winter! Works well for me and I feel comfortable and confident and happy when I do! It also allows me to dress like I purchased good quality and sturdy clothes, but also for cheap since 95% of everything I own is secondhand! ALSO! I suggest learning how to sew if you shop second hand, it allows you to fix what needs to be fixed, even if its just moving a button to make it actually fit (I do this ALLLLL the time cause Im midsized)

[@keelygallagher9382]

Your channel is so wholesome 🥰 thanks for using multiple body types as examples, and even just trying on by yourself, you were super enthusiastic for your own stuff without talking down to yourself or projecting about other bodies. You’re beautiful inside And out and it shows in the quality of your videos🥰❤️❤️

[@andreamolnarova2185]

Dark academia is one of my fav aesthetics. Honestly all these pieces are so well chosen that you can style each & every one separatelly & also mix the items from both boxes all together. Great purchase worth the bucks. This video also reminded me of how many DA styled clothes i actually have to re-purchase cuz i realized the ones ive been holding on to are desperatelly worn out lol :))) thanks for the ideas!

[@victori4s]

Thank you SOOO MUCH for including plus size dark academia examples during your explanation!!!

[@joyous2theworld]

I love how you tried comparing the styles and your kitty pumpkin shirt is so adorable

[@amber_sw3846]

I missed these types of videos!! … (I know most of the time the clothes aren’t what you want and it ends up going to waste) but these are really fun to watch once in a while :))

[@PowerageOf1970]

Yeeeesssss! Please make a dark academia outfits video soon with these pieces :,) Those boxes were so cool!

[@AmeliaLeanette]

The dark acedemia outfit all put together was PERFECT!!! Im obsessed!!!

[@cozyninos]

Dark academia season is my fave but I’ve been mixing 90s/emo/weeb elements with it 😅 (11:51 that look is so good ✨✨)

[@deannamariebauer]

Honestly even with my chub chub legs I found out last night that skirts and black tights are a thing that I like on myself also my eyebrows are full rn like there's no sparse areas or areas I trimmed too short so skirts are now a thing I will DEFINITELY be thrifting and my self esteem is just like at a 10 rn just thought I'd put that out there k thanks bye 😂😂

[@ossaobscura]

I loved the Dark Academia box and it seemed like it was more true to the basic aesthetic. You could definitely mix the tan sweater and the sweater vest with the DA pieces. I would love to see you do Goblincore! Lots of over sized striped sweaters, overall shorts, tights, Doc Martins.

[@musiqleigh8510]

The pearl button up and camel pants....were very sophisticated without being matronly. My fave piece was the khaki dress. With a white t-shirt or white turtleneck and white sneakers would look super cute.

[@emboykin7795]

I loved how laid back this video was! And you look great in all the outfits 😊

[@ErinR1213]

I love the Leafs sweater in the intro!! I love the Dark academia outfit!! You looked amazing in everything as always!! I love the explanation parts of the video!!🖤

[@Sweetinfernalcreature]

I love videos like this and omg Alexa, you’re always pretty but you’re exceptionally beautiful in this. Random I know but I just had to say it. :) love your videos and I’ve been following you for so long! Love seeing you and your channel grow and change.

[@alexasunshine83]

You are so kind! Truly, you have made my day 🥲❤️

[@dmreddragon6]

The t-shirt with the kitty/jack-o-lantren is adorbs! I love it. You looked so good in these academic looks, Alexa.

[@katmariemp3]

I didn't get diagnosed with OCD until this year either and I've been dealing with it for about half my life, hang in there!

[@virginiakrueger4780]

The dark academia is gorgeous on you. Love the light academia as well. The tan pants are loose in the waist, but if they were taken in or you went down a size, the pockets are placed such that they would no longer lay flat. You almost have to have the pants loose to have those kind of pockets work nicely.

[@LaurynAmini]

I always love when you explain the style/aesthetic in the video, it’s very helpful and cool to learn about it. Idk if that makes sense but I loved this video 🥰

[@calebmoore1121]

I loved this video so much. It actually helped me get ready this morning for work. I put together tan/brown plaid pants, muted green shirt and a brown sweater vest. Oh and paired it all with a pair of white AF1s!! Great video Alexa as always!! Have a great day!!!

[@emilyktall]

I think the light academia sweater should have went over the white button up in the light outfit! You would have still been able to see the pearls on the collar and it would have added another nice element to the fit

[@miyoko161999]

As someone who grew up loving the hipster and goth/grunge/alt fashion, I looove dark academia. I also have that Winnie the Pooh button up !! I got it from depop and would get compliments at Disney (: I’m so tempted to try a mystery box from this seller

[@miyoko161999]

Wait I just realized the depop isn’t available anymore, are they still active 😢

[@alexasunshine83]

I don’t believe so 💔💔

[@cypriscastle1996]

This is so cute. I would try the Creme Button down shirt unter the dress or maybe even a turtleneck. The boxes are soo great.

[@Cristina.Antoniuc]

Keep going girl. It was aesthetically pleasing to watch. We absolutely need more content from you ❤❤❤

[@fibromiteready2fight809]

I believe his name is Winnie, because Christopher Robin called him “Pooh Bear”. So, Winnie the Pooh bear.

[@alexasunshine83]

🤯 that’s what I thought but then I was like “who has ever just called him Winnie in the series? Has tigger? Rabbit?” Idk I went into a rabbit hole with that one haha

[@fibromiteready2fight809]

@@alexasunshine83 😂😂

[@nataliekaye8708]

And I believe he was named Winnie after a bear that came from Winnepeg (Canada)

[@SherbetLemonMate]

Hands down the best mystery box yet 👏👏 I have to be honest, I wasn't feeling the vibes of the black shirt but with the sweater vest? Perfection!

[@carissa859]

This video inspired me to try an aesthetic mystery box from Depop! Excited to see how it turns out!

[@saranielsen4248]

I have the exact same dress from the light academia box that I thrifted a couple years ago!!! I stopped wearing it but now I will definitely try it with a sweater underneath-So cute!

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

I'm so excited yessss gurl I loved your vlogs and you are amazing vibe and you are sweetheart and I umm just wanted to say that your editing is sooo good

[@eleanord1709]

Dark academia is just trying to look as pretentious as possible and I love it

[@rondaspencer1408]

I love your sweater in the intro! I don’t normally like leaf prints but your sweater makes me second guess that thought!

[@awayawaygoaway1531]

Omg I LOVE that outfit. I'm going to have find a mystery box and PRAY it's as good as yours

[@alexisbaloi]

THE VIDEO I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!

[@skrittle555]

that white blouse is soooo pretty omg. and the collar would look so cute poking out of big chunky sweaters :^)

[@caitlynjohnson7501]

I love the lilac color on you! So cute!

[@cassthomas9115]

I got some serious Buffy The Vampire Slayer vibes from these clothes! Like, Willow for the most part, but then the trench coat was most definitely Spike 🤪

[@sherryluu518]

When I think of this style, I always picture Eevee from the Mummy

[@alistultz7410]

Star of the show was the Halloween kitten shirt during the outro! I’m obsessed

[@hunnyfish9790]

Sending my support out to you, I was diagnosed with ocd a couple years ago but had it since I was a kid. I love your videos, I'm trying to find my own personal style, and dark academia looks great (: thank you for sharing!

[@travelingswede5774]

The ”I’m always sweaty even in fall” hit me on a spiritual level

[@set0401]

These mystery boxes were amazing! I loved all of the outfits you put together 💕 I think that winnie the pooh shirt would lool really cute over top of the white shirt and brown trousers; not sure if it would be considered a light academia piece or not tho 🤔 regardless, cute video, love your channel! 💙

[@charismacarrillo5736]

Alexa in this video is a whole vibe! I love it! Lol

[@sglanglois12]

Slytherin vibes for dark academia 😍🐍 also, I love your long sleeve mock neck that you have on! Thrifted or bought?

[@alexasunshine83]

Thrifted! ❤️❤️

[@robinkulaszewicz9685]

The “academia” looks remind me so much of vintage Ralph Lauren style. Love it!!

[@emilykostuch7736]

Omg the pumpkin cat shirt at the end was my favorite piece from the video. 😻

[@sagefright]

17:00 last outfit is a solid spongebob squarepants costume

[@alexasunshine83]

🤯 omg that’s amaZing hahahah

[@GlitterBug]

Haha the Winnie the Pooh part had me dying! His name would be Winnie and his classification would be a Pooh Bear. It would be like me calling myself “Kayla the Human.”

[@elizabeth5v]

Just me stuck thinking about how cute that light blue or purple long sleeves is that you were wearing in the beginning of the video💁‍♀️

[@lauravogt9380]

“I’m just a sweaty person. Even in fall.” - 🙋🏼‍♀️ so relatable

[@axnsophie2457]

I get so excited to see what's in the boxes haha, loved the video! :)

[@alexasunshine83]

It was such a fun box !! 🖤

[@rambleon57]

Your reaction at the very beginning credit of a good find "Oh, yes, yess, yesss..huhhh!!!"....very relatable 😂

[@memelassies3968]

I realised my style has a name, I've always only ever worn dark colours Burgandy, dark blue dark green grey and black and smart style and I have a navy blue and black double breasted trench coat too that I wear all year round, I love Dark academia so much looking into it has given me so much more ideas on how to put outfits together, I feel like it is one on the main UK styles everyone I know if wearing colour will wear the darker colours over bright unless going on holiday.

[@tarynbooth460]

Your shirt at the end of the video was so so cute!!! Definitely jealous about Winnie the Pooh shirt, I’m determined to find one at the thrift store one day. You’re the best ❤️

[@alexasunshine83]

Got my fingers crossed for you to find one thrifting!!! 🤞🏻

[@TheNikkePikker]

That beautiful white blouse 😍 I love these thrift mystery box video's!

[@alexasunshine83]

The pearls were so gorgeous !

[@eliushi6220]

Such an amazing video! Great items. They look so good on you. The Winnie the Pooh part really made me laugh. Especially when you said "Who is Winnie?".

[@user-ef6yd8vw1e]

The fact that u made this video just 3hrs ago and I got the urge to search up dark academia and also that ur fans r called sunshiners and my name already has sun . Btw ur video is amazing and u gotta new subscriber 💞

[@parch_mentpaper]

This is what i wear! But mixed with. Vintage. Love the vid!

[@rosemoon89]

My style is definitely a mixture of dark and light academia, boho, kawaii,grunge and sporty 🤣 I definitely like to many aesthetics 🤣 so I just dress what I want everyday. So my style changes daily.

[@alannamckown]

You should buy a styled box from my vintage store, it’s “mystery” but I style it specific to you with your requests!!

[@alexasunshine83]

Ooooh! That would be so fun! I’m not sure if I’ve seen any do that by me but I’ll check for LA vintage stores!

[@yolihervitale29]

Your complexion is made for dark academia!!! You look great in black!!!! ❤️

[@Alice-mb3xf]

I had no idea you had ocd Alexa! But as someone who was also diagnosed recently I feel for you. Sending lots of love 💗☺️

[@peacelovexoxo123]

I have never had a good mystery box but this girl really does a great job

[@erikao3982]

Omg your cat pumpkin shirt at the end! 🐱 🎃 I love it

[@ld6140]

Loving these asthetics and the more long videos!

[@essentiallymichellegriffit6288]

Love these styles and thoughtful thrifting within the mystery boxes✨thanks for sharing

[@bridgettesitton7018]

Wow everything looked great the pants and white blouse was perfect but that black jacket was everything 😍👌nice Job on the boxes that's not easy to do xxx❤🥰🙏

[@caseyfinnegan4139]

These outfits are sooo cute!!! :) As for the Winnie the Pooh name, the name is technically Winnie, and why he is called a "Pooh bear" is because when something would land on his nose, he would have to blow it off (like POOOO) like blowing air out.

[@iiizzzyyyy]

I absolutely loved the tan sweater with the cream dress with those boots 😍 amazing color palette

[@jabc4748]

im so happy you left the burp in BAHAHAHAHA

[@alexasunshine83]

I was genuinely so embarrassed hahahaha but I want to start letting myself relax more in videos, sometimes I think you only want to see “perfection”

[@jabc4748]

We love ya, burps and all! 🌞😜

[@monicasimmons7571]

I love this aesthetic so I'm very here for this!!

[@jennsa1875]

1 hour ago, wow This is the second video i watch of you and ily:)

[@dawnthediver]

Isnt the lining print of the trench coat the ink splat test therapists do in movies? Def adds to the dark academia vibe

[@merppa9842]

I can’t stop picturing the white button up with the dark academia outfit instead 😍

[@elainekim2704]

omg I'm dying over your kitty halloween shirt!

[@LudmilaRamirez7]

I dont like tags on my style or to put in a box styles, i love the idea of wear whatever you like even if a piece was categorized in another "aesthetic". But i have to say, i have a thing for the 40s and 90s style the childish style (overalls, mom jeans, snickers, crew necks, etc) and the dandy style (trousers, turtle necks, button ups, etc) and in top of that im a sucker for warm neutral tones/colors (ofc i love and wear other colors like pink, red, light blue, green), so its safe to say my "style" kinda fits the "light academia" concept 😂😂😂🔥♥️

[@monetshockley1232]

Oh my gosh, you sound just like Cloe from Bratz! I love it. Great video also! (: