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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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Notsosecrethistory · 04/04/2025 15:34

Ohhh, good work team!

Do you not all think I will boil in velvet though? I'm always warm at the best of times... I did see a sleeveless velvet Rixo one, maybe I should revisit it, in that case.

@TressiliansStone that velvet column dress would probably quite a good colour for me, and for the reduced price, I may well roll the dice on it, thank you... The Sunray detail on the wrap dress is stunning, if that was sleeveless it would be perfect.

@MurdoMunro "I'm going on a med cruise in my pastels" is exactly what I can't pull off. 😂 I'm worried if I wear something too dark and I'm going to stick out like a big crow in all the photos. (Normally fine, but not at someone's summer wedding)

@evtheria that Vampire's Wife first one is just glorious! I think I'd be too hot though... but it's perfection

Notsosecrethistory · 04/04/2025 15:35

I've never looked at reformation, but I like a few on there! Maybe I should try one for size, then go vinted-hunting...

TressiliansStone · 04/04/2025 15:45

Your colour, your size, sleeveless. Not got the sort of detailing of the others, and bras might be a challenge.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326516236419

PHASE EIGHT WOMENS SILK SUMMER OCCASION DRESS SIZE 10 | eBay

Beautiful green silk occasion dress.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326516236419

TressiliansStone · 04/04/2025 15:57

Do you not all think I will boil in velvet though?

If you think you will, you're probably right. I'm a chilly mortal so would need a jacket over those velvet dresses on a summer's day.

TressiliansStone · 04/04/2025 16:04

(My eBay search for Phase Eight sleeveless green dress has thrown up lots of maybes in the tones you seem to like.)

weareallcats · 04/04/2025 17:08

Also there is a vintage Laura Ashley dress in my favourites on vinted - I’ll put a link up - it’s an 80’s 18 (so prob a modern 14) but could be taken in?

www.vinted.co.uk/items/6040692875-laura-ashley-vintage-dress-uk-18-velvet-velour-ball-gown-green-maxi-sweetheart

Notsosecrethistory · 04/04/2025 17:59

Thanks so much! Some excellent suggestions to work through...

I've decided to stay away from velvet, I run too hot for it in July. I also think I need to avoid all black, based on what other people will be wearing...

I'm going to have a look at the eBay silk dress, and also hiring a Vampire's Wife dress (what a shame they shut down!)

https://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/products/1930s-loretta-bias-dress-slip-poppy

Thoughts on this? (I prefer it in the velvet, but what can you do?!)

1930s Loretta Bias Dress & Slip - Poppy

Another exquisite 1930s style dress - inspired by a mid 1930s original and has some fantastic vintage features! The 1930s was reknown for the bias cut, detailing and use of ligher fabrics such as silk, chiffon and georgette. We found this delightful ra...

https://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/products/1930s-loretta-bias-dress-slip-poppy

TressiliansStone · 04/04/2025 23:23

Haha, now I too am lusting after the velvet ones!

It's a lovely dress in the poppy version too. Looks like it ticks all your boxes very well indeed!

evtheria · 16/04/2025 18:47

Ring the tower bells! Send forth the pigeons (or owls), and light the beacons of Gondor of Mumsnet! Just saw this, thought it may appeal to the group, especially those in Scotland/thereabouts:

https://ow.ly/NI7150VAJmq

Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - the conversation continues
Notsosecrethistory · 16/04/2025 19:10

If I only lived in Scotland!

SqueakyDinosaur · 21/04/2025 18:31

@Notsosecrethistory

I recommend a browse on eShakti, which has some great stuff and you can customise length, sleeve and neckline options. I have 2 lovely long chiffon wrap dresses - I think the sub-brand was Wayward Fancies.

TressiliansStone · 26/04/2025 18:51

How did you get on with your dress-buying, @Notsosecrethistory ?

I am living vicariously here!

Notsosecrethistory · 26/04/2025 19:30

Not good @TressiliansStone I think I need to move away from black...

TressiliansStone · 26/04/2025 22:22

Ooh noo! The quest goes on?

Still at least you have a little time before July.

TressiliansStone · 26/04/2025 22:27

I've acquired a new toy...

My paws aren't the best, so I was contemplating a button-puller. Then it dawned on me that this is not a new problem, nor a new solution.

So I got myself this. Does shoe zips rather nicely as well, which my hip is thanking me for!

TressiliansStone · 26/04/2025 22:32

Meanwhile on the perils of fashion, I have the following sad story to relate from the Bury and Norwich Post, Wedneday 14 July 1790:

On Monday se’nnight died at Bath, Miss Uhthoff, sister to the Rev. Mr. Uhthoff, of Huntingfield, and niece to Sir Gerard Vanneck, Barr. —Her death was occasioned by the following melancholy accident:—Coming in cold from a walk the preceding evening, a fire had been ordered be lighted, when her favourite little dog jumped up be carried, and on stooping down to fondle him, her dress, which was muslin, caught fire. Her sister who was in the room, instantly endeavoured to extinguish the flames, but without effect, and ran into the street, screaming out that her sister would burnt to death. By this time Miss Uhthoff had got into the passage, where the draft of air meeting her, she was entirely in a blaze, when a gentleman ran over from the opposite side of the way, and threw his coat upon her, otherwise she must have been consumed to ashes on the spot.—In endeavouring to save herself the fingers of her left hand were entirely burnt off, and she was very much disfigured.—On being carried up stairs, she blessed God that she retained her senses but notwithstanding every medical assistance, she expired the next morning, in great agony.

The youngest Miss Uhthoff had nearly the same fate, her cloaths having caught fire, and a great part of her hair being burnt off.

whatwouldyoudoifisangoutofkey · 03/05/2025 17:27

May I presume to enquire why one might be perusing the pages of an eighteenth century broadsheet ?

MurdoMunro · 04/05/2025 09:52

I won’t be providing any content to Mumsnet until it resolves how they use our words to misrepresent, or indeed fraudulently, promote goods and services.

TressiliansStone · 04/05/2025 10:02

Oh no @MurdoMunro !

I saw but didn't click on a thread title like that. I probably need to go read it, don't I?

TressiliansStone · 04/05/2025 10:13

...And now I can't find that thread.

MurdoMunro · 04/05/2025 10:16

Yup. Which is why I’m breaking out onto threads I am on. There is a user called Wondermoomin who you may care to search for.

TressiliansStone · 04/05/2025 10:23

Thanks, I've got it from a bit of searching.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5326652-mn-have-used-my-quote-to-promote-a-product-ive-never-bought?page=1

It's currently headed by a pinned tweet by Justine saying essentially: you're right, we got that wrong, we're fixing it.

But I can see from the last page of that thread that people are still unhappy, so am reading through to find out.

I do so hate when the very few places remaining to me in the world mess things up.

MN have used my quote to promote a product I’ve never bought 🤔 | Mumsnet

AIBU to expect MN recommendations, where they quote a poster/member, to be genuine? I like being able to rely on recommendations in MN swears by...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5326652-mn-have-used-my-quote-to-promote-a-product-ive-never-bought?page=1

Notsosecrethistory · 04/05/2025 13:26

Yeah - sorry, I've been a bit quiet on here also. It's bad enough to have tabloids come in and lift whole threads for content, but this has unsettled me too
Shame, because I have things to discuss! 😂

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