Hailing from Oxford, Daniela has a strong focus on the dark academia aesthetic. She spoke to us about how this aesthetic developed and what being a #DuoWoman means to her.
Feminine, cosy and eclectic
Firstly, without a doubt, I can’t live without midi dresses. Regardless of the season, I find midi dresses to be really cosy and flattering. They can be dressed up or down to match the occasion, so they are a versatile fashion choice. My next must-have piece is tied to midi dresses and that’s knee high boots. I find boots to be my most comfortable choice of footwear, so I tend to wear them all year round. In particular, my black Haltham boots are a life saver because they elevate every single outfit in a really effortless way.
Another must-have in my wardrobe is anything gingham, but particularly in skirts and dresses. I think it’s a really fun and feminine pattern that I love to wear in the spring and summer. The last two must-have pieces would definitely be cardigans and trench coats. The weather in the UK is super unpredictable, even in the warmer months, so a cardigan or trench coat can be a really smart piece to have at hand. I mainly love trench coats for their timelessness, whereas cardigans can really elevate an outfit through the use of colour and texture.
Dark Academia is an aesthetic that reached popularity throughout the pandemic years and is particularly associated with the book The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which also happens to be one of my favourite books of all time. The aesthetic is characterised by a love for classic literature, a passion for learning and studying, and an admiration for art, history and cinema.
Intrinsically, it is an evolution from the Aesthetic and Decadent movement headed by Oscar Wilde in the Victorian era, which has developed into a fashion style that is slightly preppy yet timeless, and favours earthy and neutral colours. I had always had an affinity for Dark Academia things before I even realised such a term had been coined in online communities. But thanks to that, I was able to find and create a community of like-minded people that continue to inspire me everyday on Instagram.
When it comes to summer, I tend to stick with classic choices wearing a lot of white and beige tones. I must have at least 5 or 6 different white dresses, but I can’t help it - I think they’re the epitome of summer. I’ve been really enjoying the cowboy trend in fashion at the moment, so my go-to outfit is a white dress and my Saffron knee-high boots in Marigold suede which I think is a really classy interpretation of a Western boot.
To me being a DuoWoman means feeling confident and comfortable in my own skin. It reminds me to love my body for the wonderful, complex vessel that it is, while realising that finding your perfect fit doesn’t have to be a demoralising experience, but rather a really straightforward, simple situation thanks to DuoBoot’s inclusive range.
My favourite DuoBoots style is the Charlotte knee-high boot in dark brown leather because the style and colour are perfect as an everyday staple. My time is often shared between Oxfordshire and London, so I need a comfortable pair of boots that won’t tire me and fits nicely with my earthy toned, dark academia outfits. The Charlotte boot has been my favourite for making me feel put together whether I’m meeting my best friend in London at a nice coffee shop or going to our favourite museum, to being in the Oxfordshire countryside heading to my favourite pub for Sunday roast.
