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

Bette Davis..?spell check 🙄
Just found the edit button! So corrected previous post.

Possession was THE neo-Victorian novel. I haven't read it for a long time but read it with a real chuckle, as Wyatt was bang on the money about how precious academics get when they're onto a unique archival find they think no one else has discovered yet.

You spend a few years poring over these old documents with a magnifying glass and produce a couple of 'ground breaking' publications which shift the whole field of interest, thanks to this new information.

In most cases, you'd then find about two handfuls of people who are actually interested! (And I speak from bitter experience 😂)

I was very sorry to hear she had died. Wonderful, witty and entertaining writer.

Morning all.

I'd like to join if I may? i am tentatively dipping my toe into this world as it is an aesthetic I love but did not realise people actually use IRL so am very inspired!

I am a chubby 49 year old who has never had a style (other than 'just-come-in -from-mucking-out-the-horses'. I'd love to find the real me.

I have loved the pictures posted here and appreciate so much all the thoughts and suggestions on the thread.

Just to add... I am also a very big fan of reading and the books referenced here. The Secret Garden is a particular favourite I think I re-read every year.

Oh and (yet) another post from me.

My older son (13) has in the past taught me about cottage core and so forth. i asked him this morning if he knew Dark Academia and got a withering look for my trouble and he asked the question if i understood now why he was so obsessed with the Brontes and Jane Austen.

He does have a strong aesthetic for his own appearance and his bedroom so I really look forward to exploring more of this with him as well.

I love The Secret Garden. I think it's a lot darker - sinister even - than people give usually it credit for.

Gotta love a 13 year old boy obsessed with the Brontes and Austen! 👏🏼

He’s going to be so interesting!

I would love to see photos of actual non-thin middle aged British women wearing dark academia rather than 18 year old Japanese girls.
I got a needlecord shirt dress recently in a dark teal but I think it makes me look even larger so it might have to go back.

Thanks! He is great. He said to me confidingly at the weekend; 'You know mum... i am really not one of the cool kids'. I told him he was actually really quite super cool.

He's home today with asthma complications and we have spent a happy couple of hours pootling around youtube at all sorts of cottage core vloggers and vlogger accounts of living in small apartments in Paris (his other obsession).

I love needlecord @worstofbothworlds but really have not yet worked out how to wear it.

I used to tell my similarly quirky teenager that doing what makes you happy and not bothering about fitting in with the herd was actually much much cooler than conforming to someone else's idea of what cool is. She is also very keen on the Brontes (team Emily). Your son sounds fantastic.

Can’t believe I missed out on an afternoon with Bette. I’m thinking of running away from family Christmas to a cottage somewhere. Just me, Dh and the dogs. Any suggestions?

Welcome @OrangePumpkinLobelia (and son!) Hope his asthma is better today. Loads of cord around this year... have a look at https://www.wearsmymoney.com/fashion/keep-it-corduroy-2/ for some ideas or where to look. Lots of pieces in there that could come over to the dark (academia) side...

Thanks so much @Notsosecrethistory !

Ds is on the mend, thanks. He is relishing a day at home with icecream on tap.

Thank you so much for the link! I am loving the Oliver Bonas pearl buckle shoes and the wide cord trousers...... have hunted out a new notebook I have stashed (love stationery and buy way too much!) and am taking notes.

I am so happy I found these threads!

Welcome @OrangePumpkinLobelia - your son sounds so interesting! I wonder what he'll end up doing when he's older? My son was fascinated by everything to do with Japan as a teenager and ended up living there for a couple of years teaching English .. you never know where their interests will lead them in life.
I am a keen reader and love a notebook too. You are definitely in the right place!

@worstofbothworlds don't send the teal needlecord dress back if you can find a way to make it work with the rest of your wardrobe because it sounds lovely. I have one that might be quite similar. I'll try to post a photo later.

@BonjourCrisette much cooler, I agree. It took me a long time to figure that out myself but you are absolutely right. I've got back into knitting recently and some people consider it a boring hobby only suited to elderly women (that being regarded as a negative thing is a whole other discussion!) but I like it and who cares if it's cool or not it is cool anyway

@Zebracat I would say Northumberland with long walks on windy beaches (and you can have the bonus of a visit to Barter Books in the old station at Alnwick) or a cottage in one of the villages on the Fife Coastal path. You can walk from tearoom to pub to tearoom all along the coast. Both places are perfect for dogs.

@Notsosecrethistory great link to some fab cord clothes!

My teal dress with velvet coat on top and my favourite Ten Points boots

I’m going to the Scottish Borders with DH & my four dogs.
The Cumbrian coast is lovely too, not at all touristy like the nearby Lakes.

Oh my goodness, I have just discovered this thread…I feel like I have come home!
I’m only up to page six, so I have quite a bit of reading to do, which fills me with glorious anticipation.
I have just finished knitting myself a beret. A lovely rustic wool in charcoal. I shall be pairing it with the vintage Laura Ashley riding coat that I bought in summer from Vinted.
I was over the moon to find it! It still had the original tags on it and it fits perfectly.
Current read is Frankenstein.
I’m thrilled to have found you all!

I love that teal dress and coat @highlandcoo It looks terrific and is a lovely colour.

Inspired by this thread i (and DS) spent quite some time online shopping. The Oliver Bonas shoes I fell for sadly were not available in my size but I found a pair I liked from next and am wondering if i can jazz it up with a fun shoe buckle. I also bought a vintage-esque cloche hat and some long sleeved super soft tshirts for DS in his chosen colours of teal, burnt orange and forest green.

I think I shall very much enjoy being more considered about my clothes.

I've not been on the thread for a few weeks . @highlandcoo that's a lovely coat .
I finally found a broach - it's a thistle , I'm also searching for a dove broach I think TressiliansStone has one.

I've bought a coat off Vinted - it's vintage no label of fabric . Hasn't arrived yet 🤞it's ok.
I'm considering the seasalt shoes 2nd image from @Notsosecrethistory corduroy links .

On the subject of corduroy I've got a couple of dresses by Nomads - not a well known brand so overlooked on Vinted .

I have new boots. I have a foot problem so got wide fit. I might polish them darker.

I also need a beret - I have a very large head and all the shops where you can try on hats are not open any more - so I may have to knit one. I do quite fancy a tam o shanter actually.

@OrangePumpkinLobelia I used to live in a tiny Parisian appartement! Google meubles convertibles for endless fun.

I forgot about my all time favourite shoe shop. I can't justify them, but I would love some artisan handmade clown shoes.
www.art-peaux.com/

Those boots are lovely.

@worstofbothworlds excellent boots! I'm sure you will wear them loads.

Talking of knitting hats (I also have an unfeasibly large head!) I was thinking of this one:

https://www.shop.sweetfiberyarns.com/collections/patterns/products/brae-pdf-pattern

@highlandcoo
That's gorgeous. Love the colour too.

@TheDarrellRivers I forgot to say welcome to the thread! How impolite.

Also, I meant to ask .. do you have a photo of your riding coat which sounds like a great find? And also your charcoal beret? Both sound lovely.