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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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PyreneanAubrie · 20/11/2024 08:42

Another dark book addict here, although I'm mostly fantasy or witchery 😁

I loved The Binding. I read it three or four years ago and it is beautifully written. For some reason I struggled to get into The Betrayals.

I'm sure most of these books have probably already been mentioned on these threads but just in case something hasn't had a shout yet:
The Atlas Trilogy - Olivie Blake
Ninth House & Hell Bent - Leigh Bardugo
The Cloisters - Katy Hays
A Study in Drowning - Ava Reid
Starling House - Alix E Harrow
House of Glass - Susan Fletcher
The House of Sorrowing Stars - Beth Cartwright
The Shadow Key - Susan Stokes Chapman
The House Between Tides & Women of The Dunes - Sarah Maine

Notsosecrethistory · 20/11/2024 09:36

@Arraminta I also loved The Binding, read it years ago, but might be worth a re-read. Also got the beautiful hardcover... is there anything nicer than a beautiful hardcover?!

I'm currently reading The Book Forger, which is a true crime book, and shaping up to be quite interesting.
But now I've got @PyreneanAubrie 's entire list to work through! @PyreneanAubrie if you like witchery books, you might like also like The King's Witches by Kate Foster, which I'm about to dig into.

PyreneanAubrie · 20/11/2024 10:01

Thanks @Notsosecrethistory . I'll check that one out. My current read is The Book of Witching by C.J.Cooke.

Funnily enough, I located The Binding on our bookshelves early this morning and placed it on the bedside with the intention of re-visiting it. My TBR pile is huge though, and just seems to keep on growing...

Notsosecrethistory · 20/11/2024 10:02

@PyreneanAubrie I was eyeballing the Book of Witching just this morning! Do you recommend?

weareallcats · 20/11/2024 10:03

Outfits for a beautiful, chilly day? So excited to wear my cold weather clothing (don’t like summer clothes).

Olive green silk blouse with brown cashmere tank over and midi cord A line cord skirt (It’s cream - not sure if that’s allowed on DA 😁). Brown woolly tight, long lace up boots, burgundy coat, green cashmere scarf, the C&R beret I linked to above, burgundy mittens and burnt orange satchel!

Loving my outfit today, although I have already got a dirty mark on the skirt!

weareallcats · 20/11/2024 10:04

PyreneanAubrie · 20/11/2024 08:42

Another dark book addict here, although I'm mostly fantasy or witchery 😁

I loved The Binding. I read it three or four years ago and it is beautifully written. For some reason I struggled to get into The Betrayals.

I'm sure most of these books have probably already been mentioned on these threads but just in case something hasn't had a shout yet:
The Atlas Trilogy - Olivie Blake
Ninth House & Hell Bent - Leigh Bardugo
The Cloisters - Katy Hays
A Study in Drowning - Ava Reid
Starling House - Alix E Harrow
House of Glass - Susan Fletcher
The House of Sorrowing Stars - Beth Cartwright
The Shadow Key - Susan Stokes Chapman
The House Between Tides & Women of The Dunes - Sarah Maine

I’m reading Ninth House at the moment! Have recently read The Cloisters too - amazing setting (and narrator).

henlake7 · 20/11/2024 10:11

Oooh, love a pair of cords! They def fit the aesthetic.
I got a couple of pairs on Vinted that Im waiting for. A lovely taupe wide legged M&S pair and a chestnut brown flared pair from Karen Millen (never tried this brand so hoping they fit!). Each pair was £3 each so...happy!😄
Also got a cardie that was calling to my inner scatty art teacher. A slouchy, stripey mohair number in beautiful sunset colours. It shall be my technicoloured dreamcoat and it cost £1!😊

I feel like academics have a reputation for being absent minded or quirky so there is alot of cross over with more boho individual styles. Also the 'dark' aspect crosses over with goth as well.

Arraminta · 20/11/2024 10:27

Notsosecrethistory · 20/11/2024 09:36

@Arraminta I also loved The Binding, read it years ago, but might be worth a re-read. Also got the beautiful hardcover... is there anything nicer than a beautiful hardcover?!

I'm currently reading The Book Forger, which is a true crime book, and shaping up to be quite interesting.
But now I've got @PyreneanAubrie 's entire list to work through! @PyreneanAubrie if you like witchery books, you might like also like The King's Witches by Kate Foster, which I'm about to dig into.

Beautiful hardback books are the closest thing to an addiction for me (well, that and coffee). I cannot walk past a charity shop without having a browse of their books.

Several years ago I decided to replace all my treasured but battered paperbacks with their hardcover version. It's very satisfying hunting for them.

PyreneanAubrie · 20/11/2024 10:35

Arraminta · 20/11/2024 10:27

Beautiful hardback books are the closest thing to an addiction for me (well, that and coffee). I cannot walk past a charity shop without having a browse of their books.

Several years ago I decided to replace all my treasured but battered paperbacks with their hardcover version. It's very satisfying hunting for them.

Yes, I love hardbacks too. Some of the covers and limited editions are so beautiful these days, it is worth the investment just to have them on the bookshelves. Nothing makes me happier than books... although lace-up boots and nice frocks come pretty close 😉

slug · 20/11/2024 10:58

@Singleandproud Your DD may like Dangerfield. They're an Australian brand the DD discovered on her travels. Great sales that mitigate the shipping costs.

FeralNun · 20/11/2024 11:42

Loving the book recommendations, thank you.

Today I’m wearing a green and burgundy brushed cotton midi dress (Sainsbury’s!), woolly tights, boots, and black beret and my beloved full length wool and cashmere wrap coat.

I was at my women’s circle last night and we were all thrilled to be wearing our winter clothes and knitwear! I wore a maxi dress the colour of beech leaves in honour of the magnificent autumn we are having here in the West Country..

weareallcats · 20/11/2024 11:44

Agree that books are a joy. I’ve started being quite ruthless though and now only keep what I have enjoyed - I was getting overrun!

weareallcats · 20/11/2024 11:47

Going to share my dd’s outfit too 😊.

Burnt orange cord culottes
Long sleeved navy t shirt
Green and orange cardi with dogs on
Cherry red dms
Olive green pea coat
Pear pendant necklace

Shes 15 and so stylish (and very slim, so has more options than size 14 me).

lilybloom2 · 20/11/2024 14:42

My outfit today is a woollen burgundy dress, cream tights, black boots, long green coat and beret. My long scarf is a floral mix of cream burgundy and green

SqueakyDinosaur · 20/11/2024 15:08

Loose grey trousers, aubergine merino wool jumper with sort of sludgy pink long cardigan over the top, huge dark red pashmina, long tortoiseshell necklace. Slightly let down by silver trainers but they're the only winter shoes I can walk in at the moment.

Beowulfa · 20/11/2024 15:26

I was in the British Library yesterday and was pleased to observe several women wearing what might be described as DA, plus some in related outfits I clocked as "my cup of tea".

I was there to collect a calendar ordered online, and nobly restrained myself from further book purchases. The bookshop there has a section of books about books....

I think long Edwardian-style skirts with tights are warmer than trousers in this sort of weather.

MurdoMunro · 20/11/2024 15:36

weareallcats · 20/11/2024 10:03

Outfits for a beautiful, chilly day? So excited to wear my cold weather clothing (don’t like summer clothes).

Olive green silk blouse with brown cashmere tank over and midi cord A line cord skirt (It’s cream - not sure if that’s allowed on DA 😁). Brown woolly tight, long lace up boots, burgundy coat, green cashmere scarf, the C&R beret I linked to above, burgundy mittens and burnt orange satchel!

Loving my outfit today, although I have already got a dirty mark on the skirt!

Sounds gorgeous. Unfortunately our boiler’s gone broke so I’m rocking a boiler suit and woolly hat today while I crawl about following pipes today. No style here. Also no nice smells if we don’t get the hot water working…😬

henlake7 · 20/11/2024 15:42

PyreneanAubrie · 20/11/2024 10:35

Yes, I love hardbacks too. Some of the covers and limited editions are so beautiful these days, it is worth the investment just to have them on the bookshelves. Nothing makes me happier than books... although lace-up boots and nice frocks come pretty close 😉

Yes! Older books especially can look so lovely. One of my favourites Ive never even read!
It has a sticker inside saying it was presented to Evelyn Hilliard in 1912 for good conduct (from the 17th Lancers regimental school no less!). Beautiful illustrations and gold details on the cover....
I love everything about this book! The author (the incomparably named Ethel F Heddle). The title, 'Clarinda's Quest'. And the cover art which is a lady in regency gown staring dramatically at the Sphynx.
I feel like if I read it though it will spoil the drama and romance I have built up in my head!!LOL😂

Another Vinted purchase arrived today which screams DA to me.
A beautiful deep purple Joe Brown patchwork dress in wool, tartan and brocade type fabrics. Cant wait to wear it with some thick tights, chunky boots and oversized cardie (£3.50! my love affair with Vinted continues!!😄).

Arraminta · 20/11/2024 18:07

Love reading about everyone's outfits. I have recently lost 22lbs (only another 10lbs to go) so am having a huge wardrobe purge of stuff that's now too big. I'm embarrassed to admit I have four double wardrobes brimming with clothes!

I've been waiting excitedly until I could finally slip into a size 12 Jack Wills blackwatch kilt, it's beautiful quality as the fabric is woven by Brontë Moon. Hopes were dashed though because although it fitted easily the pockets hang oddly and aren't even big enough to put my hands in. So it's in the purge pile....

Am determined to be absolutely ruthless and winnow down my clothes to only ones I look forward to wearing and that make me feel good.

Darklane · 20/11/2024 20:10

I should do that, have a purge.
Today I’m wearing a dark green Aran jumper, House of Bruar Christmas present last year, old comfy black trousers, fleece slippers or non posh green wellies from the feed merchants depending if I’m in or out.
Our house does DA shabby chic all by itself 🙄. It’s an old house, half way up the moors, complete with four very hairy dogs who kindly add their own extra layer to the rugs, lots of books( which should be culled) & craft stuff for hobbies.Although the house isn’t big, small & quirky, the garden is huge & like the Forth Bridge to maintain but still the wilderness tends to win over the cottage garden I pretend it is despite the constant wind, rain & acid mud. Oh how I miss the herd of goats & flock of geese that used do the pruning & mowing for me!

PyreneanAubrie · 20/11/2024 20:13

Oh gosh @Darklane - all that sounds like perfection!

Arraminta · 20/11/2024 20:37

Darklane as I'm sure you already know, the 'wilderness garden' has a symbolic role in many Gothic novels. You're just living a lifestyle that stays true to your Dark Academic principles. And I salute you for it.

weareallcats · 20/11/2024 21:09

I am inclined to think that non-posh wellies are the poshest of all! I think you’ve posted about your garden before @Darklane - it sounds so perfect and I love a wilderness (always thought 'a prettyish kind of a little wilderness’ is gorgeous sounding, even though we know it was not meant kindly!).

What dogs do you have? Are there DA dogs, do we think? I found the most beautiful page on instagram - more cottage core/folklore in style, but stunning pictures and the most astonishing dog - Irish Wolfhound.

whatwouldyoudoifisangoutofkey · 20/11/2024 21:35

Beautiful and big!

Dark Academia 3 - de vestibus agamus - the conversation continues
Arraminta · 20/11/2024 22:02

Oh they are so beautiful! I've always wanted a brace of Irish Wolfhounds called Gandalf & Cadellin.