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Pastel Academia is one of the many variations of the Academia aesthetic and subculture. While pastel color palettes are a defining aspect of the aesthetic, it also revolves around having a passion for learning and studying, especially the arts and literature. The aesthetic is somewhat less mature and more child-like than other academic aesthetics, with value placed on optimism, positive outlooks on life, and adventuring. Visually, Pastel Academia draws inspiration from East Asian and European cultures, mixing them with modern and pastel themes to form the aesthetic.

The aesthetic was created by the pastelacademia instagram, and gained a large following because of the social medias and wiki page.

About[]

Pastel Academia is another variation of the 'Academia' aesthetic. What makes Pastel Academia different from other Academia aesthetics is that it is very clear and easily identifiable. Pastel Academia focuses on having a passion for learning, exploring, and studying. Like other academia aesthetics, Pastel Academia is about finding romanticism in education and learning new things. Unlike the more popular variation, Dark Academia, people who identify with Pastel Academia are more life-loving. They find happiness and peace in the little things like hanging out with a small group of friends or going to small cafés early in the morning, similar to people identifying with Light Academia. What makes them stand out the most, though, is their child-like and more immature personality than other variants. They are optimistic, hopelessly romantic, curiosity-driven, young-at-heart individuals. This is not to be associated with them infantilizing themselves (to be discussed later in more detail). Pastel Academia stands out when compared to other academia personalities(the elephant in the room, if you will).

Arcitecture

Visuals[]

Pastel Academia visuals are heavily inspired by European and East Asian cultures and the environment. For example, the architecture of European-style buildings, specifically universities like Oxford and places like Alnwick Castle, along with countryside and outskirt environments of Japanese provinces such as Chichibu, Shirakawa, and many more. However, if you live somewhere where there isn't much to explore, you're still encouraged to go out and explore places. Look for secret gems in the urban city and create your own homely Pastel Academia environment.

Studying[]

Cute cafés and secret studying spots are also a huge part of Pastel Academia. Having a cozy space to study in and having cute supplies - like washi tape and personalized notebooks - are also part of Pastel Academia. Cute supplies are just supplies that are supposed to help people study more; this means that they don't have to be expensive. Pastel Academia isn't limited to people who can afford expensive school supplies.

Hobbies[]

When they are procrastinating on their studies, pastel academics enjoy partaking in creative hobbies which help them calm down or play the role as a beacon of productivity and calmness. This can include journaling, painting, drawing, biking, knitting, crochet, playing an instrument, cooking, watching series and movies, editing, photography, and much more.

Media[]

The following media have some kind of relation to Pastel Academia, mostly in terms of visuals or themes (i.e., school settings), but also in their prevalence in the community.

Movies[]

  • My Neighbor Totoro
  • Gake No Ue No Ponyo
  • Whisper of the Heart
  • Kiki's Delivery Service
  • Only Yesterday
  • The Garden Of Words
  • Your Name
  • Tamako Love Story
  • K-12 (TW: sensitive content)

TV Shows[]

Anime[]

  • Sailor Moon
  • Cardcaptor Sakura
  • K-On!
  • Love Live: School Idol Project
  • Ouran High School Host Club
  • Lucky Star
  • Fruits Basket
  • Gakuen Babysitters
  • Gochuumon Wa Usagi Desu Ka?
  • Kiniro Mozaic
  • Karakai Jōzu no Takagi-san
  • Marmalade Boy
  • Nyanko Days
  • Non Non Biyori
  • Wakaba Girl
  • Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
  • Yuyushiki
  • Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu
  • Comic Girls
  • Saint Tail
  • Komi-san wa komyushou desu
  • Tamako Market
  • Koisuru Asteroid
  • Yuru Yuri
  • Tokyo Mew Mew
  • Lovely Complex
  • Hidamari Sketch
  • Shugo Chara!
  • Yumeiro Pattissiere
  • Acchi Kocchi
  • Kpfuku Graffiti
  • Ore Monogatari!
  • SanshaSanyou
  • Slow Start
  • Kageki Shoujo!!
  • Himoto! Umaru-chan
  • Sugar Apple Fairy Tale
  • Blue Archive

Dramas[]

  • Love Alarm
  • Girl's World

Books and Manga[]

Books[]

  • Little Women
  • Little Princess
  • The Secret Garden
  • Daddy Long-Legs
  • Winnie the Pooh
  • The Secrets of Divine Love
  • Anne of Green Gables

Manga[]

  • CLAMP No Kiseki
  • Kirari Books Meisouchu!
  • Fushigi Neko No Kyuu-chan
  • KiraKira★Study ~Zettai Goukaku Sengen~
  • The Life After Retirement of Magical Girls
  • Kitchen Princess
  • Nanatsu Boshi Tea Time
  • Kilala Princess
  • Pixie Pop
  • Bocchi the Rock
  • Tsuki Ga Kirei Desu Ne
  • School Resort!
  • Yumemiru Renaissance
  • Cinderella Collection

Webtoons[]

  • Odd Girl Out
  • True Beauty
  • HEART Anthology
  • Cursed Princess Club
  • Your Smile is a Trap
  • Saphie The One-Eyed Cat
  • My Kitty And Old Dog
  • The Kiss Bet
  • Choco Latte
  • Aerial Magic
  • Smile Brush
  • Small World
  • Strawberry Seafoam
  • Teacher Cat
  • Boyfriends

Music[]

While Pastel Academia does not have it's own specific genre of music, certain genres such as K-pop, Lo-Fi, soft ballads, soft pop, and movie/musical soundtracks are popular among members of the community. Typically, music associated with the aesthetic can be enjoyed while studying, similar to other academic aesthetics.

Videos that could fit this aesthetic[]

Music Videos[]

Fashion[]

Pastel Academia clothes example

An example of Pastel Academia-style clothes.

Pastel Academia fashion focuses on comfort and pastel colors. A common form of the style takes inspiration from school uniforms (both real and anime) and recreates the silhouette with a pastel color palette in order to suit the aesthetic, as well as adding cute motifs and accessories. Casual outfits in pastel colors are often seen in the aesthetic as well, however. Makeup is not often seen as the focus of the fashion, so light and natural looks are common.

Pastel Academia clothes example 2

A second example of Pastel Academia-style clothes.

Clothes[]

  • Sweater vests
  • Plaid designs and patterns
  • Trousers
  • Skirts
  • White Lolita-style dresses
  • Collared shirts
  • Pastel or floral hijabs
  • Sweaters
  • Knitwear
  • Turtlenecks
  • Sailor-style uniforms
  • Mary-janes
45d8add36555717256702d417d855191

A simpler/casual pastel academia outfit.

Accessories[]

  • Bows
  • Neckties
  • Schoolbags and totes
  • Berets
  • Hairclips
  • Watches
  • Bracelets
  • Friendship charms
  • Lace socks
Pastel Academia hair

An example of Pastel Academia-style hair.

Hair[]

  • Pigtails
  • Two ponytails
  • Hair Down with an accessory
  • Braid(s)
  • Half-up, half-down twin-tails
  • Puffs (for natural hair)

Makeup[]

  • Rosy pink/red/peachy blush
  • Peachy eyeshadows and glosses
  • Gradient lips
  • Dewy foundation/concealer

Notes[]

The two main aspects in almost every aesthetic is the ideals, personality and the visuals.

The Ideals & Personality[]


  1. Clearing Up Misconceptions

There could be controversy in the future about this aesthetic being too "childish" to the point where people label it as infantilising. In no way shape or form is the intention of this aesthetic to attract or entertain pedophiles or imitate children. There is a huge difference between enjoying what society labels as 'childish' things and infantilising yourself to entertain adults. Pastel Academia stands for people who never or rarely got to experience being young, even if it's a time in their life they miss. Whether it's part of their personality or something that was developed throughout their life due to their environment, the innocence of this aesthetic is solely to give those people a safe space where they can express their love for studying arts, literature, and much more while standing up to people who tell them to "act their age" just because they are passionate about certain things like going on picnics, pastel colours and collecting things that make them happy. There is no place in this community for individuals who infantilize themselves for the pleasure of pedophiles, incels, and others.

  1. Respect & Inclusivity

The Pastel Academia subculture is inclusive of people from all walks of life. Any race, gender, sexuality, and spirituality are welcomed here. People who marginalise and discriminate against other people are not welcomed in this subculture by any means. Respect is the number one ideology of this subculture. We do not associate with people who claim to be of this subculture but chose to harm and inflict any kind of disrespect onto others for any reason. We aren't immature in the sense that we act like children, but in our interests and hobbies.

  1. Personality
  • As mentioned before, the Pastel Academia aesthetic focuses on people who are more child-like at heart. They are usually optimists whose strength is that they often think creatively and outside of the box. This makes them academically suited for studies like literature and the arts. However, they don't have to be confined to just those subjects in particular.
  • They love giving and occasionally craft gifts for their loved ones. In a relationship, they are caring and loving toward the other person/people.
  • They are also quite spiritual despite their child-like tendencies. They are always searching for meanings to things due to their curiosity through religion or any other practice. This also drives them to philosophy.

Resources[]

External links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic.

Vendors[]

Playlists[]

Pinterest Boards[]

Gallery[]

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