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

Close up of vest top and brooch.

@SteveBuscemisRheumyEye you look absolutely lovely, and not fussy or themed, which can be a worry, I think when nodding at history. Very interested in the beret placement. I also have very curly hair and would wear a beret further back and with more hair escaping,but I like yours so may have to first buy a beret, then experiment. Which colour though. I have hair which is grey and brown, in a kind of reasonably pleasant blend, like a roan horse, my favourite jacket is a brownish cord, but I’m drawn at the moment to claret colours.

Actually, think I’ve found the one.

I'm no expert, but I think that's lovely use of a brooch, @EducatingArti !

Handy. 🤣

Currently eyeing this. It would go well with @SteveBuscemisRheumyEye beret.

Just how many berets is too many though? (I have 5) 🤔

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@LuciaPillson

I used to feel the urge to read the first two Gormenghast books every autumn. It's especially satisfying if you do so amidst the turrets of Edinburgh.

Yes, yes indeedy. Love those books. However, Hammersmith seems sadly lacking in turrets.

Arti all those wrinkles round the middle of the knitted vest would drive me insane. To combat that, I'd fold up the bottom cuffed edge so it doesn't come down so low and also tuck it into the skirt so the folded over part doesn't show. It's the perils of having an hourglass figure and clothing made in a straight up straight down tube which doesn't accommodate that. I think the makers of such garments labour under the misapprehension that because it's stretchy and will physically go over the hips it'll stay there, when what really happens is it rides up as soon as you move. Lovely broach, sorry about your grandma though.

I wish I could live in a House of Bruar catalogue.

Wear the brooch on one side, high up.

I like their stuff too (Hosue of Bruar, that is). I'm a big fan of capes! Got one of their hats somewhere, too.

The black, military style coat I'm currently wearing and the dove of peace brooch (it's an Edwardian silver sweetheart brooch).

Oh that brooch is lovely!

Is it upside down? Might just be in the photograph...

Here's my vintage (60s) brooch along with my necklace which I have fashioned myself from an old watch fob. I have a few, they have little inscriptions on the back from the 20s and 30s where they were given out as awards/commemorative tokens - for cricket in this case.

Thank you!

If you look at the picture you can see the two little doves with beaks joined in the circle. It's the right way up, but the intricate details can make them difficult to spot.

I'd really love one of the silver suffragette pins with the little coins on them, but have as yet never been able to find one.

Hello Tribe!! I've missed you!

I had a wonderful week away at the NI North Coast, which was everything I had hoped. Lots of bracing walks followed by a pint of Guinness and a bowl of hot Irish stew. Card games, board games, and movie nights. And, of course, books, books, books!

Had the post-holiday blues this week though, when I saw the mountain of work that was waiting for me. Nothing for it but head down, nose to the grindstone, and I am now caught up. Phew!

Loving all the talk and photos of hats, coats, brooches and canes. Lots of inspiration!

I have to admit I wore skinny jeans tucked into Sorel snow boots (or rolled up with DM boots) permanently when I was away. Anything else just wouldn't have been practical. I stuck to a DA palette though - deep purple, berry red, olive green, navy jumpers/blouses. And warm woollen coats, scarves and hats. I wore the controversial beret to the pub one day, and no one did a Frank Spencer impression so I'm taking that as a win 😁

Anyway, as we are approaching the festive season, and I have a few nights out planned, I was wondering what we think would hit the mark for being both festive and DA. In particular, is there any place for sparkle/glitter?? All ideas welcome!

That holiday sounds heavenly. And definitely a win for the beret!

Relieved to know it's not just me for whom the elegant dreams transmogrify into jeans the moment Practical Packing has to happen...

They are selling pure wool berets in Primark at the moment. Lots of different colours and they are only £5:50!

Thank you to everyone helping me with advice on my vest and brooch. I really appreciate it!

Evening everyone. I'm back from my lovely long weekend in North Yorkshire, then several very busy days just sorting out stuff and setting the house to rights after some building work. But, the house is now tidy, I'm up to date with the laundry, I've lit a candle and DH has just made me a cup of tea. So all is well with the world, and enjoying catching up on your posts.

I think jeans are just too useful and ubiquitous to exclude from your Dark Academia wardrobe. In Yorkshire I wore black, straight jeans with a burgundy chenille jumper, burgundy and charcoal tartan scarf and DMs. I also have a pair of chocolate brown Levi's that look good with a cream, oversized Arran jumper of mine. I think wearing jeans easily tips you into being a Preppy Dark Academic?

Hello everyone - I don’t really ever post but just wanted to say how much I love this thread and reading everyone’s musings.

Thought I would share that I got dressed for the office last week - grey/brown longish wool skirt ( the jigsaw one I got in a sale after someone posted it aeons ago), off white slightly frilled blouse and a lovely green/teal wool vest. Didn’t go lace up boots as it was the office so more chunky style. Anyway I walked downstairs to be greeted by my 8 year old with ‘do you have dress up day at work mum? Why are you dressing like olden day times??’ 😂

Oh that's just adorable, @Bigmousestrikesagain ! What did you say?

I just laughed. And then had a moment of doubt and went and checked the outfit again to ensure it didn’t look too ‘dressing ul’😁. I have two boys and depressingly they both always like it when I dress in more conventionally ‘pretty’ dresses despite my efforts to educate them otherwise!

Hello Ladies, I spent a wonderful couple of hours when I was awake in the night reading through this wonderful thread and thought I had better not lurk any further! I have found my tribe here, thank you.
I bought my first tweed skirt when I was 20 having lived in the Laura Ashley teen range of corduroy skirts, lambswool jumpers and shawls before that. I am 59, 5 ft nothing and rather rotund now so find it difficult to buy clothes that are my style or fit me, so have started to make and knit my own.
I love all of the books mentioned previously and I am an Anne of Green Gables girl(I walked down the aisle to the Anne’s theme from the Megan Fellowes adaptation) I never realised that DA was so me!

Welcome and have a , @HelloandGoodMorningPlease