Dark Academia 2 - the conversation continues..

[highlandcoo]

Hello again to everyone from the last thread and welcome to anyone who enjoys talking about this aesthetic .. and if you have photos to share even better!

We've been discussing woollen jumpers, tweed skirts and jackets (with and without elbow patches), flannel trousers, fair isle tank tops, leather boots, culottes, berets and many other appealing garments, and more recently novels, poetry, libraries in general and even home decor with a DA vibe. Plus tortoiseshell spectacles and lorgnettes. I don't think we've touched on DA hairstyles yet although I've been giving that some thought ..

A DA quote I came across the other day: "I declare after all, there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library." (P&P of course)

If curling up in a wing-backed armchair in front of a log fire, with candles flickering, sipping tea from a china mug while reading your Jane Austen or Bronte novel sounds appealing, this thread might be for you. Or if you just like the clothes - that works too.

Our first thread below:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4861009-dark-academia-anyone-who-loves-this-style?page=39&reply=129785046

Thank you. It's actually from TU at Sainsbury's but is identical in quality to a Boden denim dress I have [and was £80 more expensive]

Oh that's my big chore for this week too. To my shame I have four double wardrobes brimming with clothes. And I'm pretty sure I don't even wear 30% of what I own. In fact there's one wardrobe I haven't even opened since last year.

I am determined to do a huge purge and create just one large wardrobe filled only with clothes I actually wear and love.

Outfit for today, black cotton shirt dress, mustard tights, chonky boots with my Aran cardigan instead of a coat

Morning all…. Finally cold here in the SE but my attempts at my DA outfit this morning did not go to plan. Does anyone else have a vision in their heads of how an outfit will come together that does not work in reality - everything was a bit off.
Started with a black pleated skirt which I was going to pair with a new chocolate brown merino wool top from Cos which sadly turned out to be very see through under electric lights. Thought I was ok because I had a new chocolate brown men’s cardigan from a charity shop but the oversized cardigan with the pleated skirt really took it to frumpsville. ( and that was really not the direction it was heading 😂). Anyway swapped out the brown top for a black fitted Cos top and added a brown checked fitted blazer ( part of a suit) and finished off with the ruinously expensive brown Toast boots, grey overcoat and brown Italian crossbody bag. The boots are getting their first outing. I feel good - I’m really starting to see the benefits of my healthy regime.

Where are we buying our tights from? I tried Snag for chocolate brown opaque but they only had woolly ones… I’ve gone to a different brand but they’re a shade lighter than I wanted.

@VisaWoes

You asked about Spitalfields and Shoreditch but I’m really not very au fait with that area. It used to be very hipstery… probably still is although I expect it’s more gentrified than it was. Other than the market at Spitalfields that has little shops in the vicinity I only really know The Truman Brewery which is a retail / art space but I haven’t been for a couple of years.

https://www.trumanbrewery.com/

There are a number of very decent vintage shops near Spitalfields. Happy rummaging!

@Divebar2021 my mustard tights are Snags

Morning all!
WFH today but with some Teams meetings throughout the day.
I'm wearing an orange knitted jumper with a short checked kilt which has an orange fleck. Black tights and brogues. Suitably Halloweeny I thought 😂 Accessorised with a heated blanket as it is very chilly today!

Love your dress @Iamanunsafebuilding. I have a similar one from Gap which I might pull out for an airing.

Do we have a list of DA books now we're adults? I capture the castle, secret history, and?

I'm very conservative when it comes to tights and mainly wear black opaques, or when I'm feeling brave, burgundy. I wear Wolford tights because they really last x

I got some nice "velvet touch" brown tights from John Lewis. Only ordered one pair to try them out but they were nice so I think I'll get more.

I am tall so snags have been a saviour to me. They do bring out new colours and specials quite often.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier , The little stranger by Sarah Waters?

@Divebar2021 I know what you mean about outfit planning . I didn't have time this morning so chucked on jeans with my favourite jumper . It is brown and blue fair-isle so a nod to DA . Via Vinted mens Hammond and Co - good brand to seek if that helps any one .

I work part time in a vintage shop having recently retired from the NHS and I am working today it's so cold .

Here’s an article about Dark Academia that references a couple of books - Maurice and A Picture of Dorian Grey… the writer also references Babel which I’m currently listening to but I am not in agreement with her analysis. If you broaden the scope of DA novels away from Academia then there’s quite a lot in play. I wonder if Sherlock Holmes might qualify given his eccentric brilliance and dark themes.

Try again

https://bookishbrews.com/dark-academia-the-truth-about-the-genre/

It would be interesting to have a British subset of DA which was a bit more “ stiff upper lip” and “blue stocking” then we can make it what we want 😏

Here we are in the library. I think health and safety would have a field day with that ladder

I've just finished The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. It very much belongs in the DA canon. A bit out of left field, but I think the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly are a good Urban Dark Academia read. All set in gloomy Maine, USA. A troubled ex detective, who might or might not be a fallen angel? Ghosts, books made from human leather, skeletons of molten silver and other assorted esoterica. Very atmospheric.

I watched Maurice at the weekend. It was really good. I definitely think Rebecca is in the canon. I also adore the Sherlock Holmes stories - murder and skulduggery amid pea-soupers, gas lamps, horse drawn carriages, roaring fires and glasses of brandy with a fine cigar. Totally DA in my opinion!

Heist?

My cousin Rachel......?

The End of Mr Y and The Midnight Library

Might Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books count?

Have just read that Dark Academia article by Bookish Brews, and while not actually dark to read (they're cosy + laugh out loud), they're definitely predicated on love of literature and glorification of the classics. Oh, and there are murders and mysteries.

The books wear their erudition lightly, though woven entirely of it.

@RedLem0nade I tried that Mango skirt on, I'm taller than you are and it was too short on me. Combined with a 'curvy' bum, it was a bit "Carry on Librarian" 😂 gutted.
Also, I tried a slightly longer, pleated grey/brown one. Got it out of the bag and realised I'd bought a version of my daughter's school uniform. Imagine me on the school run, looking like I've come in the uniform. The horror! Back it goes!

So, my wishlist has extended. V neck knit vest, and tweed skirt.