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

Oh lucky you! Achill is such an amazing place. Can you see the Atlantic from where you're staying?

Loving the threads! I’ve always had a toe in the DA style, even as a child. I need to try and dig out some photos that I know I have as a teenager.
I have a question, I’ve found a large size mama velvet blazer that is described as having strong shoulders, I am 5’2” and a good size 14, if not a 16. Would you but it? Could I have it altered to fit? I missed out on a fabulous blazer this evening so I’m wondering if this could be a runners up!

Welcome into our cosy parlour, TheFoz.

I'm the world's most ignorant re sizing, so bumping this in the hope someone with a better idea comes along.

(If it were me, and I could afford it, I would buy the blazer and re-sell if it didn't work out.)

Hey @TheFoz I'd buy and re-sell if it didn't work out...

Today's outfit - tweed blazer with elbow patches, black top, rolled up jeans. (I know we've already mentioned that jeans don't really fit the theme, but if I'm suddenly required to solve a mystery, I've got to be comfortable). Plus brogues, beret, brooch. Three excellent Bs.

Hi @TheFoz

Im not an expert in sewing but I have bought a number of men’s blazers and have had alterations done. My
issue is mainly the sleeve length but I am 5’6” with reasonably broad shoulders naturally. You need to ask for some measurements with the garment buttoned up and compare against another blazer you have. I’d do the chest measurements ( pit to pit ) and sleeve length. I’m not sure how to measure the shoulders so I’m not sure what to suggest with that. Presumably it has shoulder pads …. Is that what they mean by strong shoulders? You could probably reduce the size of them. I’ve just bought a men’s vintage blazer in a bottle green velvet which is old C&A which fits me as a size 16. It’s a 40 inch chest. I’ve also picked up a men’s tuxedo jacket in absolutely pristine condition which is a 42 chest.

Hi @TheFoz

Im not an expert in sewing but I have bought a number of men’s blazers and have had alterations done. My
issue is mainly the sleeve length but I am 5’6” with reasonably broad shoulders naturally. You need to ask for some measurements with the garment buttoned up and compare against another blazer you have. I’d do the chest measurements ( pit to pit ) and sleeve length. I’m not sure how to measure the shoulders so I’m not sure what to suggest with that. Presumably it has shoulder pads …. Is that what they mean by strong shoulders? You could probably reduce the size of them. I’ve just bought a men’s vintage blazer in a bottle green velvet which is old C&A which fits me as a size 16. It’s a 40 inch chest. I’ve also picked up a men’s tuxedo jacket in absolutely pristine condition which is a 42 chest.

Although after the thread on bed bugs, I'm going to be freezing all my second-hand purchases for 4 days.

Takes minimum 80 hours to kill 100% at -16 C, apparently.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131208133632.htm

Exhibit A

I love the fact your pic is taken by a grave yard @Foz 😂
Puts the “dark” into academia…

😂😂 it was at my brothers wedding. Circa 1995.

Eh voici! My cane has arrived!

I did lay it out with cape and scarf, but chickened out of actually photographing them.

I'm finding this thread a little corner of comfort to visit in these difficult times. A cosy pool of candle light in a very dark world.

Now this I would love to see. Still experimenting with the brooches here, and as a natural scarf-wearer am somewhat trepidatious. If that's a word.

Plucking up the courage to do my outfit pics!
It was a bold 60s Georg Jenson that I pilfered from my mother.

I sent back my velvet tunic as when it arrived it was massive on me: I looked as though I was wearing a tent! Velvet leggings lovely though, and I like my black military coat and furry purple one. I'll post pics when I get a minute.

In the meantime I've caught the brooch bug: have managed to find a lovely Edwardian silver sweetheart brooch with two doves of peace on it. Given recent events I thought that seemed appropriate.

I thought we had them here. Son woke up a week ago last Friday covered in the nastiest bites you ever saw. Neither me nor DH had any. Poor kid.

We've had the place turned apart and bug experts in searching and testing for them. I barely slept for several nights and was itching all the time.

There isn't a trace of anything here, but those bites look like serious contenders for bed bugs. They had a school event two days before the bites appeared, with PJs and blankets brought in from home, so it's possible they got him there. They don't look like any flea bites I've ever seen, and I had cats for years.

It's been a peculiar couple of weeks, half my clothes destroyed through wardrobe damp then suspected bed bugs, so clothing had to be washed on a far higher temperature than was good for it! I'll be lucky if I have any clothes left at this rate ... 😭

Very apt, alas.

I missed out by seconds on a glorious bright green brooch which would have looked lovely on my much-loved purple jacket. Was being too clever by half and planned to swoop in at the last minute... and then forgot till just too late.

I'm seeing it as the world saving me from more unnecessary spending...

Oh my word! I hope your house remains bug-free!

I've been through moth-infestation trauma, and cockroaches with serial re-infestation from neighbours, but bed bugs sound like the worst of all infestations.

It was your doves of peace brooch I meant was apt.

Winter coats...
What are we feeling? I have a trench coat that I'm wearing at the moment, but I'm feeling the cold so much today, it may be time to go bigger.

Hi all
I've been away/super-busy but it's lovely to see our thread still going strong!

Welcome @TheFoz I'm looking forward to hearing about your blazer with strong shoulders if you go ahead and buy it.

@TressiliansStone I love your cane! So elegant.

@Notsosecrethistory I think including jeans is fine. A wee bit more towards the avant-garde perhaps .. which can be a very good thing. I like my jeans too and can't abandon them - although the skinnies are feeling increasingly wrong these days and I'm erring towards a cigarette leg instead .. and I have velvet jeans which might work well with a fair-isle sweater perhaps?
And winter coats .. I would love heavy tweed but live in an extremely wet part of the country. I have a navy parka and a really cosy khaki duvet coat which are not in the least DA unfortunately. Autumn and spring, I can manage a tweed jacket and love a velvet coat ( I have two; teal and taupe) and I also have a very classic navy wool long coat but in the depths of winter these just don't hack it I'm afraid. Any suggestions gratefully received ..

@SerafinasGoose the brooch sounds fab and would love to see your photos when you get a chance.

Channeling a wistful, Edinburgh vibe in South London 🤣

Ooh, lahvly.

I do like the moss green of the beret.

Love.

Where did you get your beret?

You look lovely!

House of Braur

My first real attempt at a DA vibe. I've bought the knitted vest top as new. I'm not sure about the brooch. I bought it as a Christmas present for my grandmother many years ago and then inherited it back after she died. Would appreciate constructive criticism. Sorry my mirror is rubbish so picture not good.