The Official Preppy Handbook

I find this book almost as useful as 1980s social history as I do an interesting post-mortem, as it were, of the WASP élite. Most social commentators have noted that the rise of the "bourgeois Bohemian", to use David Brooks' term, began its ascendancy in the early 1990s.

Thus, while much of the book is useless as a social guide, there's also the fact that the world it was written for no longer exists. It's rather a Götterdämmerung, so to speak. It's rare that a social class loses ascendancy in a single blow (Paris in 1789 excepted, of course) and thus, watching a way of life in its obvious twilight is extremely interesting, as the participants are always oblivious.

There is, of course, the argument that the way of life still exists, show more but it is my opinion that if it does, it has changed into something that the class celebrated in this book (which was a parody upon publication) ... well, they wouldn't recognise it, that's for certain. show less

I bought this book back when it was first published; I was young and impressionable and soaked it up like a sponge. I recently picked this book up and read it again. I realized, from the perspective of 30 years later, how much this book influenced me.

I need to buy a new kilt for my daughter because she has now outgrown the one I bought her when she was 3 (what practical garments they are, no other item from her wardrobe at age 3 still fits her now at almost 7) and told her that she can't get her ears pierced until she is 16. I have done online searches of local training facilities that offer riding lessons in hopes that she will soon enter her horsey phase (which I have never outgrown and am really looking forward to shopping for a show more pony).

I own an old house (historic restoration is such a rewarding hobby) and have priced documented William Morris wallpapers and haunted the second hand furniture stores and auctions (for those items that look like they've been in the family forever). I garden. My job title is one the list of acceptable prep careers. Although my dogs were not specifically mentioned as an acceptable breed, they are rather rare, (meaning that none of the rednecks around here would ever own these dogs) esoteric and I have 3 of them, which counts as a pack.....always desirable. The car I drive is preppy and it is a preppy color.

So I have to wonder if this book had a subliminal effect that influenced me over the years,or if my own personal inclinations have always been like this and the book just clarified it? Either way I've got to say that this book might actually be a better, more reliable guide to living than the bible. show less

The empress of the handbook genre. It was a Bible for many of the would be Preppies who bought it in the 1970s. And it is largely spot on, but rather dated in its recommendations and suggestions. But then, I would imagine that anyone reading it in the 21st Century is in it purely for the humor. Which is just as well, because the very act of learning and following rules to be preppy is the antithesis of prep.

The tradition is something you are born to, or not to. The more deliberate your look and the more complex your preparations to create it, the less truly prep you are. At least in my view, which is definitely the perspective of NOT being born to this world. Because ultimately, Preps are born, not made.

But none of that should deter show more you from reading this book. It is a wonderfully detailed and funny look at a small but powerful segment of society, and the one that will always be the standard against which other "handbooks" are measured. show less

Because I am a Jen Lancaster fan, I was OBLIGATED to find this book so I could read it and finally get her references to it. I had to go online and purchase a copy, and it was totally worth it. This satire is so funny, especially if you grew up in a Preppy infested area like I did in the Northeast. This is a really funny piece of social satire, very MAD magazine by way of Connecticut circa 1982.

Everyone you ever wanted to be! It does give out some information I wish was held back. As fun of a read, it leaves the door open for a slew of wannabes to give it a go. Though, you either know it or you don't... they always give themselves away.

I picked up this well worn and travelled copy at a bookcrossing meet up. It is a fun book that gave me a couple of laughs, though I did miss a lot of references to clothes and shops and universities. Very 80ies book.

After reading it, I still don't get the whole preppy issue.

I guess I just don't care that much about subtle details of US snobbery.