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Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - the conversation continues

840 replies

highlandcoo · 02/10/2024 22:17

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!

Now that the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is upon us, it might be time to start considering our autumn and winter wardrobes.

Last year as well as discussing leather lace-up boots, vintage handbags, antique brooches and many other desirable items, we pondered how to successfully pursue a DA aesthetic at work, at the theatre and generally out and about (without straying into Carry On Librarian territory, as one PP memorably commented) Grin
I learned about the Wrong Shoe Concept, and the Third Thing Rule .. every day is a school day!

However DA is much more than clothes, and we also shared our favourite childhood books .. memories of robins leading us through gates into secret gardens, the fiery red-haired independence of Anne of Green Gables, and our longing to go to boarding school, get into scrapes and partake in midnight feasts.

Thanks to our erudite posters, we learned about romantic Scottish history exploits recorded in 18th century documents, and considered the injustice of male family members being able to lock up women whose emotions became inconvenient, as well as discussing many inspiring women both in RL and in film.

And we debated the most DA place we've ever visited .. Oxford and Edinburgh featured strongly; in fact there was a suggestion that a perfect place for our DA AGM would be The Witchery in Edinburgh ..

If curling up in a wing-backed chair in front of a log fire, with candles flickering, sipping tea from a china mug while reading Pride and Prejudice or A Room of One's Own sounds appealing, this thread might be for you. Or if you just like the clothes, that works too.

OP posts:
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MurdoMunro · 10/12/2024 10:54

weareallcats · 10/12/2024 09:15

Thank you for suggestions re warm weather! I have some floaty/floral stuff - I’m also hoping I’ll be ok in cotton dungarees. Will def have a look for linen pinafores - that sounds perfect. I don’t particularly enjoy hot weather and like to be covered up really, as am very fair skinned.

Weather is variable - some days 20 odd, others in the teens. We’re going to Disneyworld…no judgement 😂.

I love the idea that you will take some dark academia energy to Disneyworld!

point of interest, I saw something the other day that made me go ‘ooooo’. If you get mixed up with your American Disneys there’s a clue as to which one is where -

DisneywORLd
DisneyLAnd

apologies if that’s something everybody knew but me (wouldn’t be the first)

PyreneanAubrie · 10/12/2024 11:02

MurdoMunro · 10/12/2024 08:12

Does a chocolate brown traditional duffle coat keep me in the club? I feel like it does, leaning towards the academic side of our room more that the put-together gothic. Worn with my culottes, cable knit tights and solovairs it all contributed to my ‘ready to kick ass’ mood when I stomped to work yesterday

I had a chocolate brown duffle 40+ years ago (when I was a teen) and I loved it. I used to wear it with cords and a fairisle cardi, proper early 80's student vibe. I presume it must have been charity bagged by my mum at some point after I moved out. I'm wishing I still had it now...🙄

PyreneanAubrie · 10/12/2024 11:31

Thanks @MurdoMunro , I'll have a look around. It would be practical for me as I find very long coats aren't great for dog walking.

MurdoMunro · 10/12/2024 11:47

As I said @PyreneanAubrie great pockets, an essential resource for dog walkers as well as academics 😆

FeralNun · 10/12/2024 12:36

I must say I’d love a duffle coat. But fear it would make me look like Paddington (fat).

I am wearing a teal thermal layer, barrel leg jeans, and a fairisle cardigan from Harleys. Cosy as!

Notsosecrethistory · 16/12/2024 11:28

Inspire me with your Christmas Day outfits please?

My outfits always end up on the scruffier retro side of dark academia. So, I'd like to be a bit more pulled together for Christmas Day. (or most likely Christmas Eve, as I'll be going out)

FeralNun · 16/12/2024 12:09

Ok, this will probably sound bonkers, but it will be a plain black top, full black maxi skirt with a lace over skirt, heavily embroidered with the constellations in gold. Gold bangles.

TressiliansStone · 16/12/2024 12:10

That doesn't sound bonkers: that sounds delicious!

weareallcats · 16/12/2024 13:37

FeralNun · 16/12/2024 12:09

Ok, this will probably sound bonkers, but it will be a plain black top, full black maxi skirt with a lace over skirt, heavily embroidered with the constellations in gold. Gold bangles.

Sounds gorgeous to me!

Notsosecrethistory · 16/12/2024 13:37

FeralNun · 16/12/2024 12:09

Ok, this will probably sound bonkers, but it will be a plain black top, full black maxi skirt with a lace over skirt, heavily embroidered with the constellations in gold. Gold bangles.

That sounds incredible... any pics of the skirt?

Notsosecrethistory · 16/12/2024 13:40

@weareallcats love love that tartan dress!

FeralNun · 16/12/2024 13:52

Notsosecrethistory · 16/12/2024 13:37

That sounds incredible... any pics of the skirt?

Sadly not - I’ve had it years and never worn it out. So I decided this Christmas was the time! I’ve had the shittiest year imaginable, and I’m trying to do cheering things like being impossibly overdressed for the festive season!

FeralNun · 16/12/2024 13:54

That tartan number is lush, @weareallcats

henlake7 · 16/12/2024 14:00

Love the tartan dress, very pretty!
Im going to be alone (and getting over a nightshift) so TBH Im probably just going to be rocking leggings and a christmas jumper.

Just picked out some nice DAish bits from Vinted though!😃
A tan corduroy pinafore dress and a wool plaid miniskirt, both £3. Also a chocolate brown leather satchel for £5.....christmas presents to myself!LOL

Notsosecrethistory · 16/12/2024 14:10

@henlake7 aren't presents to yourself the BEST?!
@FeralNun I'm sorry to hear the year has been a shitty one... get it in the bin, and hope for a nicer 2025. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to document your beautiful outfit for the lovely memory. (and if you want to share a skirt pic on here, I would love to see it)

MurdoMunro · 16/12/2024 14:37

I do not need a new Christmas dress.
I do NOT need a new Christmas dress.
I DO NOT NEED A NEW CHRISTMAS DRESS.

Shit. This isn't working.

FeralNun · 16/12/2024 14:49

MurdoMunro · 16/12/2024 14:37

I do not need a new Christmas dress.
I do NOT need a new Christmas dress.
I DO NOT NEED A NEW CHRISTMAS DRESS.

Shit. This isn't working.

😁 So if you don’t buy a new one (!) what are your options?

NowInNovember · 16/12/2024 15:27

I'm wearing this dress for Christmas.

Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - the conversation continues
NowInNovember · 16/12/2024 15:29

I'm not sure if it's exactly dark academia but I love it. It has a bit of a 70s look so it reminded me of The Holdovers and The Ice Storm, two films that I think dark academics would like. I have knee high suede boots to wear with it.

Notsosecrethistory · 16/12/2024 15:31

@NowInNovember I love it!

VictorianScreenTime · 16/12/2024 17:27

I can’t afford this but it’s on my window shopping list as a Christmas frock.

www.sophiedundas.com/collection/isla-velvet

Arraminta · 16/12/2024 17:36

VictorianScreenTime · 16/12/2024 17:27

I can’t afford this but it’s on my window shopping list as a Christmas frock.

www.sophiedundas.com/collection/isla-velvet

Oh that is Heaven. It's almost identical to a black velvet coat dress I bought from Laura Ashley circa 1996. It was back when LA used to still do proper silk velvet (not shitty polyester velvet).It was full length, had a black satin rever collar and cuffs and tiny buttons all the way down the front.

It was the sort of dress you would run passionately down the corridors of a deserted Scottish castle in.

weareallcats · 16/12/2024 17:37

VictorianScreenTime · 16/12/2024 17:27

I can’t afford this but it’s on my window shopping list as a Christmas frock.

www.sophiedundas.com/collection/isla-velvet

That’s lovely! I like the Rachel shirt too - very glad they don’t have it in any colours that suit me otherwise I may have been in trouble!