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

@helenahandcart78 I have fallen in love with the kilt in these photos. How short is it?

@bookist, they are two different ones. One has a duck egg blue, black and orange check, and the other has a dark burgundy, brown and olive green check. I would say both are mid thigh length so quite short but when worn with opaques and flat brogues or chunky loafers I don't feel they are too risqué!

Thank you, they're both lovely. Glad to hear they're short. The second any skirt reaches my knees I'm instantly reduced to a grump. No idea why, just something about my shape!

A frump! Though to be fair I can be a grump far too often too x

Cold-ridden and miserable today, so long black jersey dress (Cos, £3 charity shop, so comfortable) and black cable tights. Ventured out for milk and paracetamol in boots and Harris Tweed men's jacket, and felt mouldy but put together.

Now back home and wondering which/how many jumpers to put on. May go straight for the dressing gown 😷

Hi there. I've been lurking for a while! Really interested in this da look without it turning out frumpy.
I have been given a £25 Amazon voucher for my birthday. What would you buy to up the da vibe?
I am in my late 50's, only 5' 1" and about a size 16. I am a "spring" and get completely lost style wise. I have always thought I was an apple shape but a friend says I actually have a waist and might be a thick hourglass ( I do have big boobs 36 G)
Any thoughts. I know £25 isn't a lot.
So far I have been looking at this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B09SFS8L9R/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A3K0S8B90YFNJI&psc=1

I am the same with skirts. I can either do ankle length or above the knee. Anything else makes me look very dumpy. And frumpy. And grumpy too!

Gorgeous jacket @teawamutu! Get that paracetamol into you and as many layers as you can stand. Hope you're feeling better soon. Xx

@EducatingArti funnily enough I was browsing Amazon the other day and those tank tops popped up. I like the deep red one. I'm very reticent about buying clothes on line though - I prefer to have a good feel and a try-on! If you get one, let us know what it's like!

Oh poor you. Plenty of fresh lemon juice mixed into hot water + Ibuprofen (helps reduce inflammation in throats). And lots of rest x

You’re my twin? Well except that I’m older. Also 5’1”, size 14-16, 36G & diagnosed a Spring, well Blue Spring, House of Colour several years ago & was a definite hourglass till the weight accumulated post menopause, along with under active thyroid which makes it the devil to shift.
I have a couple of tops like that bought ages ago from Zara, been trying to shop my accumulated wardrobe as I’ve got far too much stuff from years ago. Should declutter but doesn’t help that most of it is nicer than the polyester that seems to be the rule in shops these days. They say no black for Springs but I do wear it & try to focus on the greys, browns, navy that are very DA. I don’t really like the bright “Spring” colours.
I live in separates, long dark skirt or trousers, sometimes jeans but no so much lately, with a top & cardigan. I have lots of soft jersey trousers, M&S, like these, so comfy
https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506862?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r9c1

Hi @EducatingArti

I’ve never had my colours done so I don’t really know what a spring can wear but I like the tank top ( was it the ginger colour?)

Here is my suggestion… I appreciate its polyester but I like the shape. There is a dark red that I like too. ( I’m a cool toned person and can wear both those colours but I’m not sure about “springs”). This rather than a knit would create a bit more of an hourglass shape. I like the style of shirt / blouse shown in the photo too.

Ooh, thank you both for your suggestions. @Darklane I live in stretch trousers from M and S. I have 3 pairs though one is starting to fall apart. I know what you mean about the bright Spring colours. I don't want to look like a CBEEBIES presenter although it has to be said I do look good in them and can look a bit "depressed" if I only go for darker colours.
@Divebar2021 Yes, it was the ginger colour which I look good in. Spring is a warm toned colour base so I don't tend to go for the colours you have linked but I will see if there are others. Double breasted stuff usually doesn't work for me, and fitted stuff is often tricky. If it fits on the bust, it is way too big elsewhere but I can see that the waistcoat is fastened under the bust so that might be different!

Thank you both for your suggestions.

I know what you mean about double breasted….. it can look a bit blocky. ( I used to be a 36G so I appreciate the struggles). I think I liked the slight cut away at the bottom rather than it going straight across. Anyway there will countless be masses of others in different styles and colours. I used to wear a men’s evening style that was all front and no back and loved that over a white shirt.

I'm thinking I will try ordering the waistcoat you linked @Divebar2021 in brown, plus my original choice and see what I think. I usually go for knitted/jersey stuff because of bust issues but maybe I need to start trying to find more fitted stuff that works as I usually look like a large sack of potatoes!

That’s a really nice waistcoat, lovely shape

So, um, given I already use a walking stick and own a cape...

How pretentious on a scale of 1 to 100 would it be to get a silver-topped cane?

(And if the answer is "99 out of 100", do I care?)

<puts cushion over squealing bank account to muffle screams>

Get one immediately. And a trilby.

You are a bad, baaaad influence.

Which is why I come here.

Already have the trilby. ✅

Naturally this does not stop me coveting Mirabai's deep red trilby-to-be...

Do you know what the perfect number of trilbys is, to own? All the trilbys you already own plus one more.

<helpful>

I want a silver topped cane too.

Ah now....I haven't read any, but hear they are not well written.
The N.S. had a rather scathing article about his books, which confirmed my fears.
N.S.......that is, surely, D.M. reading material?

I like this, very much. Umbrellas are useful, but oh!.....a hat.