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?

🤣🤣🤣

@Bookist as we are now leading the zeitgeist on this thread, it is imperative that you read the book. I am really enjoying it and think it is right up our collective leaf-strewn, dark and stormy street 😁

Nodding along vigorously to all the "Where's my [insert random item I've never seen before].

Let's call my DH Bob. In our house, we have the phrase "a Bob Look", as in, "Have you actually had a search for [said item] or just a Bob Look?"

It's a handy phrase and you may use it as you please 😁

Moomins, monocles and subversive satchels - completely joyous!!

@Merryhobnobs it really doesn't matter what you say, I am going to insist everyone pictures you silently walking along the hushed aisles in stylish brogues and lorgnettes in the Bodleian Library, giving out hard stares to anyone being too loud. Just roll with it 😆

Wearing a lovely silky (but not shiny) maroon blouse today with a pie crust collar and slight frill with slim back trousers, tan leather Chelsea boots and a tweedy check blazer. It has a thin line of maroon in the mostly brown checks so I feel it all goes quite nicely. Simple gold jewelry and a black and gold library brooch. . It feels like an autumnal outfit and I like it. The blazer hardly gets worn as it is a little oversized and I'm tall and chesty so sometimes feel funny with proportions but it feels good today.

Library is quiet today but I am happy enough with that. It has been a challenging work week. My throat is tickly and one of my kids was up during the night with a cough. One thing guaranteed with young kids is that they like to share germs with you. So kind.

I wouldn't want you to build up a misleading picture - I'm quite a basic seamstress! For those of you who like the idea - I'm mostly self-taught and you'd be surprised how easy it is to produce something wearable. Once you can thread the machine and sew a straight line you're golden on most things (Vogue tailoring still v much beyond me...).

Sewing is my hobby too, although I don't make nearly enough time for it. I would suggest a beginners course at somewhere like Sew Confident is an ideal start. Mostly I've made my kids items. Hoping to get an overlocker for my birthday if my car doesn't cost a fortune at MOT time.

I love this idea @teawamutu

I can thread the machine but my straight lines still need some work 🙈. You’ve inspired me to get practicing again!

Just be prepared to hate the first couple of things you make. Rite of passage...

Uncannily accurate. Words were had.....

@Merryhobnobs that is a dreamy outfit - really gorgeous.

I hear you on the germy kid thing...when DS started nursery I think I was battling snot for a full year before his immune system kicked in!

Listen all you budding dressmakers - this thread has been expensive enough for me already. Now you're making me want to buy a sewing machine! And a tailor's dummy, and lots and lots of gorgeous fabrics, and ribbons and lace and buttons....😁

I love 'like the Delia effect but more highbrow.....'!
Please don't put boot polish on your brooches (that's NOT a metaphor)....it would ruin your jackets.

@venus7 no, I decided against the boot polish in the end! Knowing me they'll end up naturally grubby over time 😂

Naturally grubby may be part of the look!

Heading into town for the evening in grey-blue Comptoir skinnies, the blue velvet jacket, a most excellent men's grey t-shirt with a Liberty fabric back, and battered khaki utility boots.

I also wanted to share this Vivienne Westwood gem, which seems very DA-philosophy to me.

@teawamutu your outfit sounds fierce - have a fab night!
Love the quote ❤️

Love that quote. I think if you look important and intelligent then you also somehow look sexy, by default?

@teawamutu your outfit sounds lush. I envy your ability to wear shirts. I'm narrow shouldered with large boobs so shirts make me look too buxom. Same with turtle or polo necks, I really love them but they just don't love me. A black polo neck jumper must be a cornerstone of any DA wardrobe.

Just ordered it. Damn you @helenahandcart78 you'll be the ruin of me <shakes fist in the air>

@Bookist mwahahaha! My evil work here is done...for now...

Having a little browse of the M&S website as I'm in the office in Belfast city centre on Monday so am planning a visit. I'm cautiously excited by all the wide leg trouser variations - including cords. And there's a satiny pleated skirt in dark berry which also looks promising.

Anyone been in recently and tried any of these on?

Vivienne Westwood was awesome.

Some other gems:

”You have a more interesting life if you wear impressive clothes”

and

“The best fashion accessory is a book”

Enjoying the quotations! This one was clearly said in a sarcastic manner, but I love it:

"Dear me, let us be elegant or die", from Little Women... Speaking of: Jo March is my ultimate DA icon. I have wanted a 'stiff gentleman's collar' always!

Brilliant @RedLem0nade and @evtheria! Yes, Jo March is another DA heroine. When I read the book in my teens, I was upset she didn't end up with Laurie. I cringe a bit at that now!