Light Academia Is the Style Likely to Dominate the Fashion World

I, a self-proclaimed whimsical fashion lover, will likely always own a puff-sleeved smock dress and enjoy bow embellishments. But, as trends move forward, another Internet-famous aesthetic has bubbled up to the top, threatening to replace all things regenycore, balletcore, and cottagecore in my wardrobe. Light academia continues to trend among fashion influencers and "soft girls," thus influencing my own shopping list and outfit choices.

If the name sounds familiar, that's because the light academia trend has been on-the-rise. You also might be familiar with its sister trend dark academia, which embraces schoolcore to its fullest, combining structured blazers and button-downs with plaid skirts, sleek trousers, and bulky boots. In short, the look is basically what a brooding, mysterious cool kid would wear in a magical YA novel.

However, light academia is a bit more romantic. While there's still the whole preppy vibe, the pieces are looser and softer, and the preferred color palette also tends to be a bit lighter. Instead of favoring shades of gray and black, it's all about the beiges, whites, and, for spring and summer, the pastels. Think optimistic, super sweet main character, who enjoys reading books under a tree in a cozy sweater.

Clearly, I could write a novel based on this whole look — or I can give you actual visuals, courtesy of street-style photos. The good news is, if you've been recreating Kendall Jenner's vest outfits and invested in a tennis skirt after that whole '90s resurgence, you're pretty much ready to recreate these outfits using the pieces you already own.