Dark Academia - anyone who loves this style?

[highlandcoo]

And where to find it?

This is how I want to dress this winter. More skirts and dresses rather than trousers as my waist is not the best and the trousers can look bulky unless you have a good waistline I think.

I love tweed and wool and flannel and autumn colours. Not black! Although brown is sometimes hard to find. Love brown leather for boots and bags. I really want to get away from jeans and chunky boots for a change.

I think I can knit some jumpers and cardigans. But I would love a big tweedy coat. I have a couple of really nice brown tweed hats from a shop in Edinburgh who made the hats for Peaky Blinders. But I need the right sort of coat to go with them. My long cosy puffy coat is cosy but totally wrong.

Any aficionados out there?

Loving the inspiration on this thread. Just had an email from One Hundred Stars, 50% off some items including some patterns of the Rachel dress.

@SqueakyDinosaur I've been looking at that coat too! They have my size in blue and black, but not brown sadly. It looks lovely. I hope you managed to get one.

That coat is beautiful and I'd love it in the brown. Unfortunately there's a significant disconnect between what I'd like my wardrobe to be (tweedy, formal, suitable for reading ancient tomes with a cup of tea) and the wardrobe my lifestyle requires (practical, easily cleaned, suitable for toddler wrangling and crouching in muddy parks in the rain for hours on end).

On that note, has anyone seen a stylish lightweight waterproof? Everything I've seen that would be practical looks like I'm about to do my Bronze DofE - and why are they all in teal or neon pink?

I love this thread.

I'm another one who needs to more to the navy and grey colour palette (don't suit warm, autumnal shades) but my love for a victoriana inspired shirt knows no bounds and has been consistent in my wardrobe since my uni days. I wish I could stomp around some fields in tweed instead of doing the nursery run before a day of corporate finance. 😂

I think it goes beyond just the wardrobe. I LOVE being a student and am plotting my next pointles course. I LOVE the promise/anticipation inherent in September and October for me.

@MoltenLasagne there was a whole thread running on stylish, lightweight waterproofs.

I know I have elements of this look, but agree my lifestyle doesn't run to long, trailing skirts anymore. I was going to add that Celtic & Co do lovely lace up boots. I have a couple of pairs of their Wilderness boots that last for ages. Will try to link later.

Waterproof cycling stuff that doesn't look like you're going up a mountain: georgiaindublin.com

I guess the material in practical waterproofs has to be about as far from DA's ethos as it could be, but I agree with you: sometimes, real life (esp. with small kids in the equation) doesn't really allow for wafting around in tweed/wool etc!

This, in brown, is ish-DA?
Probably not lightweight enough for what you're after, though.

https://www.newforestclothing.co.uk/products/baleno-worcester-ladies-3-4-length-coat?variant=41005046595775
(the brown shade)

I love these, for when waterproof is still needed but length not too cumbersome for what you're up to.
ie shinning up playground slide's ladders after a recalcitrant toddler...<sigh>

https://www.newforestclothing.co.uk/products/champion-ascot-ladies-riding-coat?variant=41142350676159
(in the olive shade)

and

https://www.cyclechic.co.uk/shop/clothing/the-whitstable-rain-cape-navy
(in the navy shade)

@quirkychick I love the look of the Wilderness boots. Do you have the calf or knee length version?

I've had really nice knitwear and a kilted skirt from Celtic and Co in the past and I like the quality of their clothes but have hesitated with boots as I have tricky feet. Are they fairly roomy around the toe joints?

Ooh, thanks for the tip-off: their Dublette (in navy or khaki shades) is very clever, with its adjustable length.

Beyond my budget, sadly, but I'll wait and see if it further reduces.

https://www.celticandco.com/womens/footwear/leather-boots/wilderness-boots?colourid=59&glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMKmBhCJARIsAHuEAPSNavL5KQPUvSCoyV-XHj0w5-KvQXGO7bZVA56uUVdvsfmcqxEP1BkaAhrJEALw_wcB

@highlandcoo These are the black wilderness boots, I have them in navy and they have lasted years. (Look good with skirts, especially a bias cut green and white tartan one I inherited). I do also have the knee length ones in light grey, they are not so robust and the lacing goes all the way up in holes not hooks - unless they've updated the design. Their woodsman boots look great too.

For anyone looking for a (slightly expensive - sorry!) Victoriana-but-just-about-normal-enough blouse, I have this in cream and it's absolutely beautiful on:

https://www.sezane.com/en/product/chlo-shirt/navy#size-4

I really want a pair of brown wide-legged tweed trousers - it'll have to be Ebay/Vinted/Depop, much like all my purchases this autumn, but if you are 2nd-hand prowling, there are a million plaid and tartan midi and even maxi Aquascutumn skirts on eBay that are worth checking out.

@quirkychick thanks! I like the hooks actually. And would probably go for brown.
Are they a fairly generous fit across the toes?

I think Olive clothing has some bits and pieces which fit this look. I'm always intrigued by it but put off by their ridiculous sizing ideas.... that aside, does anyone know if it works for tall people or have any sizing advice generally?

Footwear is a killer for me, as I have severe arthritis. I have a couple of pairs of Hotter brogues that are OK, but otherwise definitely not DA-compliant!

@highlandcoo they're not too bad - I have quite square feet with high instep - the swede and laces have quite a bit of give.

I have fallen back in love with more feminine tops and bought this in the sale from free people earlier in the summer. It needs a cami under but I had forgotten how much I used to like dark floral.

This is a great thread! I was on another similar one last year & there were some great suggestions.

I veer towards this aesthetic myself especially in autumn / winter. I'm v find of tweed, velvet, cord, wool & I like subtle embellishments - embroidery etc

I always have a victoriana type shirt / blouse on the go & I've bought quite a few things from Sezane.

I bought these boots last year & have worn them a lot! Only for going out, not during the day. They're from Whistles. I'm considering the green ones next.

I've been lusting after The Landskein coats & tried on The Jodie last year which is utterly amazing but out of my price range. But its my dream coat!

That Landskein coat is beautiful.
<adds to Lottery win wishlist>

Tbh I thought DA was navy, grey slate etc and the browns, rusts, greens was LA??

I’m not totally sure @Denimdreams

I tend to think of LA as floaty tea dresses and cycling to a picnic in summer whereas DA is layering up in tweed and wool for the autumn chill while walking to the library. But in my mind both are in a “sepia” colour way.

What does LA stand for?

Sorry- Light Academia!

Definitely Toast

I always think of Dark academia as Giles from Buffy, so all brown tweed etc but maybe thats just academia, no dark about it 😂

I have to go easy on the browns, so would translate it into colours I can wear and mix it in with more contemporary pieces. I guess it tends towards slightly gothy or bohemian to make it "dark"?

Yes I thought more gothy, stern governess, navy, black, slate with the odd lacy collar, button detail etc