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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:
Thread gallery
71
SqueakyDinosaur · 18/07/2025 11:10

If you can sew you could make some. Absolute piece of piss.

FeralNun · 18/07/2025 11:23

I can’t sew - well, I do hand stitch, but that’s not the same and I don’t have a machine. I guess it could be a long labour of love over the winter!

FeralNun · 18/07/2025 11:39

Oh good God, do not search for these or frilly knickers on Etsy. My eyes! Men. I ask you.

CoubousAndTourmalet · 18/07/2025 11:48

You sound like me @Somethingsnapped

Boots all year round, like Stevie.

I'm a little bit DA, a little hippy, a lot of witchy goth. Always dark or muted tones of black, grey, purple blue, sludgy greens and browns.
Ankle length skirts and dresses, always, and long lace-up flat boots. I have Oxygen Taff boots in many different colours.
Layers. Dress over skirt and t shirt, trousers underneath. In cold weather a cardi over the top and a handknitted lace shawl of some sort.
We're northern, we keep the house cool because we have big woolly dogs, so boots and layers makes sense all year.

I wear black jeans for dog walking in wet weather, but once back at home I swap them for the frock. Long and dark is my thing these days.

I was far more DA in my youth; teens and twenties was tweeds, cords, waistcoats, fairisle cardigans, lace up ankle boots, long wool scarf, duffle coat and a big leather satchel.

evtheria · 18/07/2025 14:19

FeralNun · 18/07/2025 11:39

Oh good God, do not search for these or frilly knickers on Etsy. My eyes! Men. I ask you.

Well now you’ve done it - you should know better than to tell us lot to not go in search of something, even if it is frilly knickers 😂 Off to Etsy, at once!

Notsosecrethistory · 20/07/2025 22:40

I have got a bee in my bonnet that I'd like a new watch - a very vintage style one, but with a sun and moon complication. I saw a lovely one today... £6000! Even knocking a 0 would be too much!

TressiliansStone · 20/07/2025 23:24

HOW MUCH!

<squeaky voice only bats can hear>

TressiliansStone · 20/07/2025 23:30

Mind you, I'm feeling the watch-love myself, after many years of not wearing them.

I have a meeting this week, which doesn't often happen, and while I don't quite like to to take the pocket-watch along to see people I've never met before, I have unearthed a lovely painted ceramic wristwatch from the bottom of my jewellery box.

MurdoMunro · 21/07/2025 06:59

TressiliansStone · 20/07/2025 23:24

HOW MUCH!

<squeaky voice only bats can hear>

😆

BurningTheToast · 21/07/2025 18:15

Just popping my head it - evening all.

On the subject of watches, I saw a lovely one on Vinted a while back which was very DA or at least DA-adjacent. The strap was made of Liberty print fabric and tied in a bow/knot. I'd post a pic but can't find one...

Notsosecrethistory · 21/07/2025 20:04

TressiliansStone · 20/07/2025 23:24

HOW MUCH!

<squeaky voice only bats can hear>

Yep! It's a few decimal places above budget. 😆

Arraminta · 22/07/2025 18:13

Greetings fellow Dark Academics. I haven't been around because the Summer is always a sartorial hiatus for me. I just cannot get interested in Summery clothes at all.

But the talk of watches has caught my eye. My birthday is coming up and I'm thinking of asking DH for a beautiful, vintage Yves St Laurent watch I've seen on Etsy. But I cannot choose between a gold face with brown leather strap, or a gold/silver face with gold/silver metal strap?

Any input gratefully received. I'll try and post photos.

Arraminta · 22/07/2025 18:17

This is the metal silver/gold YSL watch

Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - the conversation continues
Arraminta · 22/07/2025 18:20

And this is the one with leather strap (sorry it's black not brown).

Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - the conversation continues
MurdoMunro · 22/07/2025 18:32

The polls are open and it’s an early lead with one vote in for the leather strap from me, my hands are down. If it looks that good with the black strap it will be sweeeee-eeeet with the brown.

Arraminta · 22/07/2025 18:34

MurdoMunro · 22/07/2025 18:32

The polls are open and it’s an early lead with one vote in for the leather strap from me, my hands are down. If it looks that good with the black strap it will be sweeeee-eeeet with the brown.

Thank you. There isn't one with a brown strap, I mis read it!

MurdoMunro · 22/07/2025 19:13

Still looks blummin lovely with the black strap. Of course the other is very nice, classy, too. But I will always lean to the leather straps, they feel
more ‘bookish’ and I like that

MurdoMunro · 22/07/2025 19:20

I love the face on the second one too

weareallcats · 22/07/2025 19:28

I would choose leather!!

Notsosecrethistory · 22/07/2025 19:29

Leather strap, absolutely! Lovely!

TressiliansStone · 22/07/2025 19:42

The leather one here, too. I find the gold & silver one quite blingy and that's not me.

But maybe it is you!

Taste is so personal. Whichever does it for you, I'm sure it'll look glorious on you.

evtheria · 22/07/2025 20:33

I also vote for the leather strap, but I prefer metal wristbands (it’s the mixed metals and the size of the links that’s put me off). The leather strap will age beautifully and looks very elegant.

Arraminta · 22/07/2025 21:45

Aww bless you all for helping. In my heart of hearts I knew the leather strap was the one for me. Have sent DH the link!

Notsosecrethistory · 22/07/2025 21:59

Exciting, happy birthday to you @Arraminta!