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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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Arraminta · 20/11/2024 22:03

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.

Could I ask what the Instagram page is, please?

Notsosecrethistory · 20/11/2024 22:07

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.

Agreed!

weareallcats · 20/11/2024 22:40

Arraminta · 20/11/2024 22:03

Could I ask what the Instagram page is, please?

https://www.instagram.com/aclotheshorse/

Enjoy! Hair, dog, front door…

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/aclotheshorse

SqueakyDinosaur · 20/11/2024 23:28

I'd go for Gellert for a wolfhound...

Arraminta · 21/11/2024 09:53

Thank you!

Arraminta · 21/11/2024 10:00

Oh her Instagram is just stunning! She's living my dream life. Do you think she really lives in that fairytale house?

henlake7 · 21/11/2024 11:19

Meanwhile here's me in my pokey terrace with my tiny handbag dogs.....not exactly living the life!
ah well, its aspirational isnt it?😁

weareallcats · 21/11/2024 11:32

Arraminta · 21/11/2024 10:00

Oh her Instagram is just stunning! She's living my dream life. Do you think she really lives in that fairytale house?

I found her blog and she says she does! It is very small though - 400 square feet (with that dog too!).

weareallcats · 21/11/2024 14:16

What is everyone wearing today? I love outfit sharing and prefer it here to the ‘what did it cost’ thread, as it is so inspiring (and less vulgar…although I have participated in that thread, so def part of the problem there). Maybe we should add what we are reading and any activities that might be of interest!

Today I have: a long brown skirt with moth and roses pattern (in black, so very subtle) from Disturbia; a little olive green long sleeved, v neck blouse from Free People (via Vinted) which is quite medieval/fairytale in style; roll neck jumper from Arket in a goldish beige and black zigzag (chevron?) pattern; burgundy woolly tights and lace up knee high boots (brown leather) from Celtic and Co. Don’t think I’ll need a coat today, as I’m not going outside much!

Perfume is Rose Dunes (Molton Brown)

Reading Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (3.5 stars so far)

Not doing anything exciting today - craft beer pub with dh later, but that’s it!

Notsosecrethistory · 21/11/2024 14:52

@weareallcats that sounds a gorgeous outfit

Just work today so, Disturbia trousers in a sort of muted plum check. Burgundy Doc Martens, black jumper and my big wool coat which I have pinned a cluster of vintage brooches to.
Reading The Book Forger still, not deep enough in to give it star rating (although I like that v much)
Perfume - By the Fireplace.

weareallcats · 21/11/2024 15:19

Sounds fab! Love the sound of the brooches. I only have one little lapel pin (an Alex Monroe turtle in gold), but I do love it! Where do you get your brooches from?

weareallcats · 21/11/2024 15:25

Another fab instagrammer:

https://www.instagram.com/cosyacademia?igsh=eGJtMHZqcWx6eHc5

I am so envious of the hair! My hair is reddish but much more subdued - I went a really bright copper once and felt really self conscious!

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/cosyacademia?igsh=eGJtMHZqcWx6eHc5

henlake7 · 21/11/2024 15:45

I love Disturbia stuff, esp the prints. I just wish their skirts and dresses were either better fabrics or lined.

Im having a relaxed day today. Wearing some furlined leggings (colour taupe but I like to think of it as 'milky tea'!) with a tweed miniskirt.
Then a dark green vintage looking Joanie jumper (it says 'eat your greens' on the front which appeals to the vegan in me). Then the winter standard of cardie and chunky boots.

Went for a run this morning which I do circling my local graveyard. I love the atmosphere and peace. Just have to make sure I dont run over anybody!😁

weareallcats · 21/11/2024 15:49

Agreed the Disturbia skirt is quite thin, but print was too amazing to pass up ( have a bit of a thing for moths)! I think it’s 100% viscose, so not the worst - have actually been thinking about getting a petticoat recently, which will be a first for me!

Arraminta · 21/11/2024 20:15

I've also seen a lovely Joanie dress on Vinted, it's a shift style mini dress in bottle green with a black velvet Peter Pan colour. It's a size 10 though which I don't think I can quite squeeze in to yet? Or does the sizing come up quite big?

henlake7 · 21/11/2024 21:19

I have lots of Joanie dresses in a size 10 and they are a perfect fit.
(I'm probably going to end up buying yet another in the black Friday sale!).

weareallcats · 21/11/2024 21:35

It depends on the style, I find - some are generous and others are more neat.

Notsosecrethistory · 23/11/2024 09:58

Joanie fans - they've got a big sale on at them moment!

henlake7 · 23/11/2024 10:12

I know....I was waiting impatiently for the sale!!LOL😊
Ordered the Etoile dark magic blouse and the Barbara dandelion dress. They've both been on my wish list for quite a while now.

weareallcats · 23/11/2024 10:23

henlake7 · 23/11/2024 10:12

I know....I was waiting impatiently for the sale!!LOL😊
Ordered the Etoile dark magic blouse and the Barbara dandelion dress. They've both been on my wish list for quite a while now.

I’ve ordered the dandelion dress too! Also the bees print. I already have it in the green oak leaf print and it’s a fab dress.

My dd is getting the Wednesday Addams dress!

napody · 23/11/2024 19:22

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!

Ohhh a wilderness of a garden by the moors.... perfection!

SqueakyDinosaur · 23/11/2024 20:01

I am happy because a crucial part of my winter wardrobe is longline cardigans, preferably in merino wool. I have ummmm several. But I'd been stalking ebay for a navy one with no success. Eventually it occurred to me to look in an actual shop, and Jaeger at M&S has supplied a perfect one. At vast expense, but given that I'm currently wearing a sludgy orangey/pinky/clay coloured one that's at least 15 years old, I reckon I'll get my money's worth.

henlake7 · 23/11/2024 23:03

Oooh, I love a big slouchy cardigan! I wouldn't do navy though as it's the colour of my work uniform.
Although I did get a gorgeous one in autumnal stripes the other day for the princely sum of £1 from Vinted.

Arraminta · 24/11/2024 11:29

weareallcats · 23/11/2024 10:23

I’ve ordered the dandelion dress too! Also the bees print. I already have it in the green oak leaf print and it’s a fab dress.

My dd is getting the Wednesday Addams dress!

Oooh, I feel some shopping coming on!