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

The wide leg cords uniqlo have in at the moment are lovely - comptoir des cotonniers collab

Now that is a very major compliment!

@OrangePumpkinLobelia it certainly was - particularly as my own 'style' (very much in inverted commas!) tends to lean towards dishevelled-Kate-Bush knock off 😅

I bought a dusty pink round-neck, short sleeved merino jumper from eBay recently, which has me thinking autumnally again. It's lovely, and as I have approximately 38972959 cardigans, I have plenty of layering options with it.

Hello! I was just thinking about this thread today, and wondering about resurrecting it. So happy to see that great minds think alike!

I have got my eye on a pair of tweed trousers, a trench coat, and a jumper with elbow patches. (I haven't found this yet, I just know I want one)
One unexpected curveball is my teenager is very into this style now as well. All lovely, until your boots have been nicked!

@agapanthus1979 what do you wear with your cords? Shoes especially...

@Notsosecrethistory shoe-wise, brogues generally. I bought a purple pair with a bit of tweed on the top from Vinted recently, and can't wait to wear them!
If I'm wearing them to work, a shirt/blouse, perhaps waistcoat, and tweed or velvet jacket (I tend to bring out the velvet from Nov onwards 😆)

Is there such a thing as casual DA clothing do we think? And if so, what?

@agapanthus1979 that all sounds amazing! No wonder your students are impressed!

I definitely think so - I remember early on we talked about how there was a range of DA looks (eg. Edwardian to contemporary), so casual could vary the same way.

For me, examples of a casual DA look could be
• chunky black crew-neck jumper over washed black jeans, with classic Chelsea boots, and a blanket scarf swaddled about
• faded black fandom tshirt (I have an old one of the Evolution store in SoHo that I think works!) with a skirt (A-line grey tweed, or a full emerald cotton maxi, whatever) and shoes like the much-loved Hamble Oaks

Summer DA is hard for me, as I'm not a full on vintage kinda person. I just give up and let all the other personalities have a chance

Agree with this. My 'look', such as it is, is pretty casual at the moment

• Wide leg cords/jeans, tweed jacket
• checked trousers, boots, lightweight black jumper and trench coat
• vintage accessories

I have enjoyed reading these threads and vicariously enjoying the clothes. Sadly, DA doesn't suit me at all, as I am inherently hippy looking and always end up looking weirdly shaped and frumpy in wool and tweed. I manage to combine some DA elements with my bag lady/boho look, like my purple leather satchel, jewellery, boots and hats.
But I have grabbed a few book recommendations, so thank you!

Where I really let rip is in the house. My style was DA before it was named such.
I'm working on a dark moody blue space upstairs, completely colour washed, with stained floorboards, red rug and a red glass chandelier.
I would say that the dark yacht varnished panelling and floorboards in the bathroom has a DA vibe, too.
I have a dark red library, complete with red leather chesterfields, desk, globes, taxidermy, tiffany lamps, rugs and a glowing fake fireplace. It is my happy place!

@Giggorata I absolutely dream of having a dark red library!! If you wanted to share pictures, that would be amazing (appreciate you might not want to online though)

Thank you for bringing the thread back. I’m living vicariously whilst reclining in lounge wear. But can I introduce you to my fantasy autumn wardrobe?
Wide fit Mary Janes from Vionics, dress and cardigan from Poetry.

The really annoying thing is that I could have bought at least one of those things if I hadn’t just bought a black puffy coat, jeans and some really really dull tops. I need to start prioritising.

Hello! Please could I join? I was a lurker last year but fully embracing my DA side this year. Currently eyeing up this rather lovely-looking dress, as well as several velvet jackets on Vinted. It’s gloriously, autumnally crisp here but back up to 19 next week, so I’ll be sweating into my knitwear 🙄

Welcome @ADesignForLife (great username) I saw a dress like that in an outlet shop in a chocolate brown cord, and am kicking myself for not getting it.

@Zebracat I'm in leggings and an old hoodie, so living vicariously right now too!

Glad to see the return of this thread! Although I would probably define my autumn style as retro autumnal academia rather than dark academia!

Today I'm in sort-of twinset - dusty pink jumper, aubergine cardigan, both merino - with grey wide-legged trousers and pewter trainers (I can currently only walk in trainers).

I have literally just recognised a behaviour pattern in myself, which is that the advent of autumn always makes me want to buy a lot of candles. And this year, I really have!

I have also got some lovely autumn candles. Lit right now as I WFH with 1 ear on the door as I'm waiting for a delivery of a vintage bag which I am hoping will be worn this evening with cords, cream shirt and a waistcoat.

I have recently bought a very dark forest green satin shirt to go with my grey cheque work trousers which I quite like. I wear it with black brogues.

I also have a skin tone that suits plum shades so I bought some plum coloured eyeshadow and am going heavy on the eyes. It's a much bolder look than my typical look, but I am pleased with the results.

I've been eyeing up these rather lovely trousers and thought others might appreciate them. I've had a dress from them before which is a wonderful and beautifully made so I would have high hopes.

emilyandfin.co.uk/products/mabel-atlantic-teal-trouser?option1=8

I didn't know it until I spotted this thread but I may be low key into DA. I like a preppy style but not in pastel ice cream colours. In a lot of ways my favourite season is autumn and love the clothes that come with it, cosy jumpers, wool peacoat, chelsea boots and loafers or brogues with jeans and warm hats and scarves. That's my happy place for dressing. And burgundy, forest green, navy, black are the main colours I am drawn to.
I've already got a thread for this (sorry) but debating this bag from fat face. It's a lovely berry colour but I'm unsure of the backpack thing. Although the straps can be changed to make it crossbody or shoulder. I'd love some opinions. I like a satchel type of bag but this is a bit softer and possibly more versatile with the straps. It's a bit different to what I've had before.

I really like that bag - pretty perfect I’d say.

Just bought this from Next which I thought was a bit dark academia.