Calling all the Eccentric, Bohemian, Dark Academia types!

[LadyHenryofRawlinsonEnd]

Or 'Mad Art Teacher in Space', as a poster described herself in an archived MN style thread of old. I think it was about quirkiness, but many years ago now - thinking we need a new one?

Anyone wish to share pics, links, ideas, thoughts?

I love styles of the past, particularly the 20's mixed with a slight bit of soft, floaty 90's indie. I still wear long strappy indie dresses with my docs and a crochet cardi or scarf .
I don't do anything particularly wild to be honest, a fairly pared down version of bohemian with a passion for natural fabrics and floaty Japanese style dressing gowns in silk or embroidered cotton..

I'm 47, a painter (so wfh) and like to hover about in nature collecting twigs and weird stones. I should like to channel Gormenghast's Lady Fuschia (my more rustic side) or perhaps the fictional character Lolly Willows by Sylvia Townshend Warner (my 20's hermit bohemian side)...

I am currently urban based but dream of plans to escape to a small cottage surrounded by dusty books and too many plants like a character from an Iris Murdoch novel.
I'm not a hippy, exactly, but do prefer a bit more texture and creativity style wise. I also love people watching, but there seem to be less and less sub cultures or independent styles about these days.

I had a phase in my late 30's where I urged myself to conform to a very conventional, prescription-type wardrobe, (Breton tees, trench coat, 'current' jeans and expensive accessories like a cumbersome Mulberry bag - all shatteringly expensive) but quickly outgrew that

I can't locate much that I like in typical stores now, but do occasionally enjoy Toast or Plumo. I certainly don't stand out, but do prefer searching ebay, etc for unique, well made stuff, clothes that are very 'me' rather than dictated by passing trends. It is still quite difficult to source some items though, so would love to hear where others shop!

I also loved the Monty Don thread a while ago!

Anyone care to join me?

I got a L as a 12/14 but could have got the M too for a tighter fit.

The Whistles boots are amazing. I got married a few years ago in a slightly ersatz 1974 Halston/Yves St Laurent style - black wide knee length high boots, cream wool A-line midi skirt and short cream wool zip up jacket - but if I'd seen that dahlia boot in cream I would have rethought!

I wanted to do a mannish suit but I wasn't slim enough dammit and I just couldn't be arsed to lose it I feel in the mood now though.

Your wedding outfit sounds 😍

In terms of shoes, I only wear so called barefoot shoes (foot-shaped, flat, zero drop). Just got these recently, mainly to wear with black. I love the embossed leather.

@NegroniLover Tilda Swinton should be our mascot! She combines the romantic gothic with the austere androgyny with the arty with the retro with the modern with the conceptual/intellectual. Perfection.

@roselune they look like an excellent option for those of us who need/want more width.

Totally agree with you on the Tilda Swinton front! She has long been an idol of mine!

Thanks @roselune l
Lovely boots. I just got a lovely gift from dh of my dm boots.
Mystic flower I think they are called. Just currently breaking them in. They were like cardboard - ouch!

This is another style I love - I'm considering these trousers but need to lose the weight first

Mystic floral garden boots

In my head my body shape is still similar to that models. In reality....not so much [cry]

I feel your pain. Hate photos of myself at the best of times but just now it is painful. I seem to have the middle aged spread. I cant really do waistbands atm.

I carry my weight around my middle- the worst place! So 2023 is operation slim down for me!
I wore bottle green dms in my 20s but not since then. My teen has the patent shoes now & they're so cute on her.
I wear Whistles Asha boots a lot these days for flat everyday boots.

I never wore them in my teens. My daughter [ 16] wears mine ha ha......

I carry my weight there and now my chest :( Ive never had a chest and I actually hate it.

I covet this coat so badly but can't afford it. It's by The Landskein & they have some fabulous tailoring

I love that coat. I have to go for and do life things, I may come back in next day or two but if not I will save this thread and post again when I see lovely stuff or have a question. Lovely to meet you all!

@LadyHenryofRawlinsonEnd thank you for the thread. I just realised that art teacher in space is a genuinely perfectly description of my thing 😁

@WinterDeWinter I remember Molly Parkin I am pretty sure she used to write a column for Cosmopolitan in the 80s. I thought she was fantastic. I love Westwood but have never been able to afford it. I have a lot of quirky and not so quirky tartan skirts and in fact had a layered tartan/tweed skirt on yesterday. Was it you who mentioned capes ? I would love a cape but would feel very out of place where I like as it’s mostly country clothing. Those of you who have capes or wool coats do you wear these to work ? I don’t work outside of the home now and live a very quiet life so my lovely collection of coats never get an airing.

@667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast Oh lord no mine was Kensington Market/Hyper Hyper/Kings Rd (references for those who lived in London)or homemade 'get the look' stuff, deffo not real Westwood- I was 14 or 15 I think!

@667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast I wear wool coats to work v often. I have a Cape but its v dressy & I wear it in the evenings going out.

Have you seen this brilliant thread? www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4363808-where-can-I-find-decently-bohemian-clothes?page=1

Has anyone mentioned Oska yet? They have some nice stuff in their sale. The words 'made from a sporty Japanese taffeta' struck a little chord with me……

Ooh @AChristmasCaro that thread looks great - i have to crack on now but even from the first few posts I've seen The Row which I'd never heard of but which definitely fits some of my more Japanese-y leanings! Christ, the prices though.