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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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henlake7 · 14/10/2024 15:42

I love spooky old buildings, I work in an old victorian hospital...at night! I am usually the one to volunteer to go to any creepy areas overnight coz I just like scaring myself!!LOL😆

@Pleasenomoreglitter I know Disturbia has some nice long plaid skirts at the moment.
Having a slobby day today so wearing an oversized camel jumper and wide legged brown plaid trousers. I started the day making another attempt at wearing leggings but its just a 'no' from me. I have a size 8/10 body and size 14/16 lower legs! LOL

Beowulfa · 14/10/2024 15:48

I recently discovered Disturbia, and had favourable comments on a goth dress from young folks in the office today. Good to know the knitwear is worth checking out too.

Darklane · 14/10/2024 20:58

House of Bruar has long plaid skirts. I love their tweed jackets, they also have wool berets.
DH plants, I think Clematis Etoile Violette has the right feel,it’s one of the easier group 3 ones too.

Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - the conversation continues
PyreneanAubrie · 14/10/2024 21:57

Darklane · 14/10/2024 20:58

House of Bruar has long plaid skirts. I love their tweed jackets, they also have wool berets.
DH plants, I think Clematis Etoile Violette has the right feel,it’s one of the easier group 3 ones too.

I could do House of Bruar from head to toe, I love their style!

Pleasenomoreglitter · 15/10/2024 07:45

Darklane · 14/10/2024 20:58

House of Bruar has long plaid skirts. I love their tweed jackets, they also have wool berets.
DH plants, I think Clematis Etoile Violette has the right feel,it’s one of the easier group 3 ones too.

That's out of my price range and not quite what I'm looking for. I like some of the ones Disturbia have, but from the description they sound quite thin material. I want that style but heavier. I may have to search fabrics and make my own. I do sew and knit so should really!

henlake7 · 15/10/2024 12:46

PyreneanAubrie · 14/10/2024 21:57

I could do House of Bruar from head to toe, I love their style!

Just had a look, they have some beautiful stuff dont they?
Probably just out of my price range. Also I dont really do wool and leather (unless I get something second hand) so alot of it is out for me.

Just going through my book collection and found what must be the most DA thing I own!😁
A gilt edged, embossed cover copy of Marmion by Walter Scott. I think I bought it as much for the inscription inside as anything else...
'For Laura's library,
A gift from Robin
March, 1853'

Chrysanthemum5 · 15/10/2024 13:09

Hello again! I was out at the weekend and went into Hobbs te in there that I loved but I bought this coat in the sale:

https://www.hobbs.com/product/petite-saskia-shower-resistant-trench-coat/0122-3991-9057L04-NAVY-14.html?cqsrc=googleeads&cqcmp=20413593267&cqqnet=x&cqplt=gp&utmmsource=google&utmmedium=cpc&utmmcampaign=20413593267&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-I10kW3i2CJYMcvv0RJzuyFV

It is everything I've been looking for in a raincoat/trench for years so I'm delighted!

PyreneanAubrie · 15/10/2024 13:15

House of Bruar is well out of my price range @henlake7 , but a girl (well, old hag) can dream...

Oh how wonderful to own a book with an inscription such as that - I'm not surprised that you would treasure it.

PyreneanAubrie · 15/10/2024 13:20

Is a duffle coat Dark Academia? I'm only a trainee at this, being as I'm a confused mash-up of country house/witchy goth/austere novelist kind of thing.

I spotted a nice duffle in the new Seasalt collection and it struck me that it may fit well into the DA wardrobe...

weareallcats · 15/10/2024 13:57

PyreneanAubrie · 15/10/2024 13:20

Is a duffle coat Dark Academia? I'm only a trainee at this, being as I'm a confused mash-up of country house/witchy goth/austere novelist kind of thing.

I spotted a nice duffle in the new Seasalt collection and it struck me that it may fit well into the DA wardrobe...

I think it’s on the line - might depend on length/fabric/colour. I do love a duffle coat though!

PyreneanAubrie · 15/10/2024 14:02

weareallcats · 15/10/2024 13:57

I think it’s on the line - might depend on length/fabric/colour. I do love a duffle coat though!

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/cardinham-recycled-wool-duffle-coat

I fancy it because I could wear it with long skirt or cords/jeans, flat boots and some handknits. But, like I said, I'm an amateur at this...

Cardinham Duffle Coat

A classic, fully lined duffle coat in a warm recycled wool blend, with wooden toggles, generous hood and pockets.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/cardinham-recycled-wool-duffle-coat

weareallcats · 15/10/2024 14:03

I’m a total amateur too! It’s a lovely coat.

henlake7 · 15/10/2024 14:46

I feel like it crosses with alot of other looks so its good to take elements from.
I love that tweed, cord, chunky jumpers and boots look, but I also like abit of goth or retro!
and those rich autumn colours are perfect for this time of year.😊

Im giving up my DA card for the day though....between nightshifts and CBA so wearing primark joggers and hoodie!LOL😄

Singleandproud · 15/10/2024 14:58

Montgomery Duffle coats are the best £££ though unless there's a sale on. They were the traditional manufacturers of them and during the war they are extremely thick and good quality.

Somethingsnappy · 16/10/2024 16:49

There is an Irish company on Etsy that have some absolutely gorgeous celtic-inspired plaid skirts and dresses, amongst other things. Expensive obviously, as hand-made, so I'm just trying hard not to give in to temptation!

weareallcats · 16/10/2024 17:05

Somethingsnappy · 16/10/2024 16:49

There is an Irish company on Etsy that have some absolutely gorgeous celtic-inspired plaid skirts and dresses, amongst other things. Expensive obviously, as hand-made, so I'm just trying hard not to give in to temptation!

Oooh. Would you share the link?

MovingCrib · 16/10/2024 17:18

I didn't know there were threads on Dark Academia as an aesthetic - thank you for the links at the beginning. I'll happily peruse them all.

I'd like to steer more towards dressing DA. I'm kind of an academic/librarian hybrid in terms of work but have strayed too far away from this look for my liking and dress more classically than I really am.

Somethingsnappy · 16/10/2024 18:06

weareallcats · 16/10/2024 17:05

Oooh. Would you share the link?

Look up Celtic Fusion Design on Etsy. They are absolutely fab!

stillhelenahandcart · 18/10/2024 20:13

Hello people! I was on my way to the university library to leave back a gothic tome about vampires (which was late - pun totally intended) and heard chatting in the staff common room. And here you all are! I was on threads one and two and have been catching up with this one with pleasure. Nothing to contribute yet, but planning a few flat lays now that my favourite season is upon us again.
Lovely to meet old - and new - friends again!

Notsosecrethistory · 19/10/2024 12:07

Ahh hello! I am really happy that this thread is back, with added people...

Somethingsnappy · 21/10/2024 14:37

I've been reading all the threads, and really enjoying them, but have only just posted something myself a couple of days ago. It only really just dawned on me a few months ago that my lifestyle and style tastes have an actual name! So that was exciting.

It is still too warm for me really at the moment to be able to wear the lovely tweed coats (I get so hot as I walk everywhere), but I just bought a Jack Murphy Irish tweed waistcoat/gilet on Ebay, so I'm hoping that can act as the go-between for now.

Notsosecrethistory · 23/10/2024 14:59

First Disturbia order arrived, and I like most of it.

There is a lovely checked midi skirt, but I'm really a trouser sort.

The Dianne trousers mentioned upthread are great! With my boots and long coat they gave a sort of steampunk vibe that I enjoy very much. Some of the rest was a bit 'thin' feeling in the fabric, so back it goes, but maybe in the future I would try some knitwear.

henlake7 · 26/10/2024 12:48

Just bought a lovely Disturbia mini dress that has a tarot card pattern, kinda slightly DA, slightly goth....but still mainstream!😀
I agree the dresses do seem abit thin but I dont mind picking them up if they are on sale. Plan on wearing my new one with chunky boots, tights and big cardie.
This is one of the things I love about being in my 50s, I no longer worry about wether I 'should' be wearing something....if I like it, I'll wear it!😎

Notsosecrethistory · 29/10/2024 11:34

@henlake7 that sounds lovely!

Faldodiddledee · 29/10/2024 11:54

The thing I'm liking this season which is Dark Academia is - mini-skirts, or rather above the knee skirts as they are on me, positively lengthy compared to the ones my daughters wear. I think wearing them is making me feel a bit young again, it reminds me of me in the 90s, but in a more styled and longer way- I have a tweed one, and a black one I wear with an oversized tweed jacket. Long coats also great with shorter skirts. I don't like midi very much and long skirts look great with shorter jackets, but long coat, long skirt, too much plus I hate climbing stairs in a very long skirt as I usually trip up.

I am a bit dubious about pleats though or anything with a hint of school-girl for obvious reasons, I'm over 50 and it's all wrong anyway. But might consider one if a darker plaid/tartan, roll neck black pullover and long black boots.

I've also gone back into long boots and I love them.