Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - 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!

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)
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.

I love the DA aesthetic. I've been Joules-school-run-mum for too long and need to get back to my roots.

Starting with Scarlet Darkness in Amazon. I know, I know, but it's all I can afford right now and the blouses especially are just my sort of thing.

@TheYoungestSibling I think one of the greatest thing about loving the DA vibe is that it is fun to piece together with a bit of Amazon, Primark etc plus the treasure found in Vinted and charity shops. My tip is to seek out the towns/suburbs where lecturers, media professionals and the like live. The charity shops are goldmines! My friend lives in Didsbury, whoooee I’ve found some good things there 😆

I am in the market for a new perfume... and it got me thinking about what perfumes would fit the vibe...

I liked 'Whispers in the Library' by Maison Margiela, but it's discontinued. I've also tried Bibliothèque by Byredo, which had a lovely Goth-y feel, but it didn't suit my skin.

What other dark, academic, autumn/winter fragrances does everyone rate?

DD got a Ted Baker gift set from Boots a Christmas and it came with a Rose and Cassis spray, that was really lovely and unfortunately seems to be discontinued and looking online it went as down to a super cheap price which is annoying I guess I'd describe it as floral but not sweet.

Slightly masculine leaning woody scents - like Santal 33 (warmth from m&s is a good dupe) or Halfeti?

I mostly wear Molton Brown Rose Dunes or Diptique Philosykos.

Personally I prefer rose based perfumes, def not DA! But is there a perfume that smells of old books and vintage leather? that would probably work!😅

Been rocking the DA vibes 2 days in a row now. Tweed skirt, shirt and sweater vest yesterday and plaid shirtdress today (all with chunky boots and big cardie of course).
Come autumn my love of any kind of plaid/checked clothing really gets to shine!😃

Both those looks sound great!

I'm rocking checks too, whilst giving a nod to my inner witch.
Calf length black Toast dress with large cream check running through, black linen trousers underneath tucked into long black chunky lace up boots, knee length black cord shirtdress worn unbuttoned, fingerless mitts and a black snood.

(I can't wear anything perfumed because of migraine so nothing to contribute there)

The perfumes that I have which I think of as most DA (I have quite a lot of perfumes!) are Diptyque Philosykos (figgy) and Eau de 34 (warm, woody) and Artisan Parfumeur's Timbuktu, which is sharp and spicy and dry. Those are the ones I pick if I want to feel clever.

@henlake7 when I looked up the previously mentioned Whispers in the library perfume mentioned by PP the description is literally "A woody fragrance to stir memories of the distinctive smells of old books and the comforting atmosphere of a traditional library." 🤣 Shame it's discontinued but plenty of Replicas available, I've never bought a replica before though so no idea if they actually are similar - tempted to buy it for myself DD for Christmas, I love the smell of old books.

Think a couple of Jo Malone scents have a DA vibe such as black cedarwood and juniper, but also blackberry and bay.

My outfit today is also a Toast shirt dress, with leggings and boots. My coat was Tweed navy and green.

I def flit somewhere between art teacher and DA (quite often with a strong dash of romanticism) - leaning a bit more towards art teacherish today:

Brown cord dungarees, long sleeved teal t shirt, mustard cardigan, yellow nordic socks, brown biker style ankle boots, burnt orange suede satchel!

We should do more outfit sharing! I like reading about what everyone is wearing!

@Notsosecrethistory and @weareallcats If you are in M&S look for their Apothecary range and have a sniff of ‘Warmth’. I like a woody, smoky, slightly masculine scent and I think this one is really nice. Only £12.50 as well.

This is a fabulous thread - you're all so articulate and descriptive.
And how great to have people curating their looks and not , like me , wearing black and navy blue meh stuff.
And now we have fragrance advice !
Thank you @MurdoMunro
I can just picture you @weareallcats

This thread is like stepping into a secret library where everyone knows the best books and outfits! Loving the vibe—now excuse me while I Google The Witchery and mentally pack my lace-up boots for Edinburgh. 🕯📚

I think Aromatics Elixir by Clinique is the perfect DA perfume. My Mum always wore it during the Winter and I've carried on the tradition.

I’ve never come across this one - just googled it and it sounds lovely. Might have to go and have a sniff of it next time I’m in town. Clinique packaging might actually be the antithesis of DA, but they do a decent, actually brown, mascara if anyone else has spent their adult life hunting for one.

I'm meeting a friend for coffee later, we first met 27 years ago working in a university library so we've been Dark Librarians for a very long time!

My outfit is a white jersey shirt, an oversized brown cable knit tank top (love a tank top), smart dark wash jeans with a turn up and conker brown lace up boots. We have snow here so I'll add my Seasalt tweed coat and heavy, tartan scarf in creams and burgundy.

After years and years of just dragging on whatever was to hand to do the school run and then having to wear bland office formals it's such a joy to actually put together a considered outfit. Anyone else?

Definitely go and have a sniff. It has to be the original one though which comes in a gold tooled packaging (so quite DA). One of its base notes is Chypre which gives it that soft richness. I always imagine it's what the robe of a Persian Queen would smell of.

Ooh excited to be slightly in the club - I used too n wear Aromatics elixir when I was young and still had a life!

After years and years of just dragging on whatever was to hand to do the school run and then having to wear bland office formals it's such a joy to actually put together a considered outfit. Anyone else?
Well put !!

You ladies are an inspiration
I am loving taking a bit of extra time to find my look.

Today I am wearing brown beret 😍

Yes, me too. I spent many years teaching yoga and seemed to spend my life in gym kit. I have somewhat ‘lost my faith’ with yoga and given up teaching - it is such a joy to wear actual clothes.

I love this

@lilybloom2 I am a big advocate of the beret!

I am also wearing one today (well, outside) along with a chocolate brown roll neck jumper, burgundy wide leg cropped cords and lace up boots with a very chunky sole. Trench coat on top, which is not in the least bit warm enough, but I've got lots of layers...
Perfume is a sample of Eau de Papier. Does it smell like paper? Not really, but it's lovely...

Right. I need beret advice please.

I plonk it on and shove it a bit to the back. Looks nice enough. But I’d like to wear it more around my head and a bit more upright like I see some women do. Do you know what I’m trying to get at? Every time I try it I look like Frank Spencer.

Secondly. I would like a chocolate brown one and a dark earthy red one. I’m just finding beige or milk chocolate or raspberry tones with too much pink in them. Going to the city in a few weeks, any high street tips on where to look?