I'd rather juggle a million projects that keep me busy than manage one day-in-day-out job. So, I'm always running! And it's all with a smile, of course.
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Thirty years ago, The Official Preppy Handbook and author Lisa Birnbach apparently took the world (aka the East Coast and their media outlets) by storm. The tongue-and-cheek reference guide spent 38 weeks at #1 on the NYT bestseller list, but being more interested with my upcoming conception at that time, I'm not one to act as a critic of the public's response to this "book." Along with Chip Kidd, Birnbach is now releasing True Prep: It's a Whole New Old World, which addresses today's preppy fashion and lifestyle in the new age of advancing technology, improved microfibers and the invention of polar fleece.
It's a cute concept, I'll admit. Preppy has come a long way from the days as A.C. Slater's pet nickname for Zach Morris. Brands like Lilly Pulitzer, J.Crew and Vineyard Vines have reinvented the prep look and stars like Kanye West have taken it from the Hamptons to the streets of Manhattan. Spend one day in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and you'll see more Nantucket reds, Vineyard Vines whale- and boat-embroidered ties and Easter-egg-colored polos than at a 1980s Pretty in Pink theme party.
If Birnbach's book really does derive much humor from poking fun at this sometimes-elitist-but-always-eye-catching style, then more power to her. Watching an adult man walk down the street in baby blue and lime green paneled pants and an embroidered bow tie is pathetically humorous, and I'll applaud Birnbach for laughing at this and herself. But let's be real. The people most likely purchasing this book will be the boarding-school-graduates-turned-yacht-owners catalogued in its pages. And will they even care?
Hopefully, it is funny. (Hey, after a few years living among and possibly testing a few of the aforementioned styles, I more than appreciate the humor in it.) But I was really unimpressed with her stint on The Today Show and her serious-sounding tone. She actually started to say that polar fleece has been the biggest revolution (with a larger impact than the internet!) for preppies, and I had to laugh. I started to wonder if she wasn't shining a light and a little humor but actually attempting to educate us outsiders. Is this really tongue-and-cheek or is this lady for real? Let's just hope it's the former.
I was just wondering if you happen to know what Chip Kidd's contribution is to the book? I am a fan of his work and was wondering if he is responsible for the cover design or more?
It looks like he's the graphic designer alongside her writings. I'm not sure if he's claiming the cover, but he's listed as the "graphic artist" so I'd assume so. It's currently hitting shelves, so hopefully you'll be able to pick it up in person and check it out soon.
I am a 38 year old Gen-Xer. I truly LOVED the original. I still have two copies of it, including a special hard case edition. But just as in the realm of film where sequels are often a disappointment, Lisa Birnbach's sequel to her 1980 "Official Preppy Handbook" is a huge letdown. It is not nearly as funny or well organized as the original. It lacks sufficient illustrations and visuals. Also, the print is tiny and it crams too much into too many pages. The last straw for me--the book is politically correct prep at its worst. For one thing, it took gratuitous pot shots at President George W. Bush and obviously fawned over Obama. Additionally, Birnbach writes that President Reagan's election was improbable. Huh? The Gipper won 40 states against Carter, and 49 states in his 1984 reelection. Indeed, the conservative Reagan era zeitgeist probably contributed mightily to sales of Birnbach's original book. Thanks to Ms. Birnbach for ruining great feelings about one of my favorite 80s cult classics. Republican preps need not purchase this book. In sum and in preppy parlance, this book is not key.
Hi, Thanks for sharing your opinion of the Prep books. I loved this term, "politically correct prep" and will probably be using it as a catch phrase down the line when reminiscing about my old DC 'hood! It's good to hear from someone who read and appreciated the first book. Her interview made this sequel seem like a desperate cry for a second round of attention and financial gain, and by your pin-pointed reasons, it sounds like the world could have done without the second book. I can see how a kitschy concept like this may have been intriguing and funny once, but we probably didn't need an updated version. Btw, have you looked on Amazon at the going rate for an original, hard copy Prep book? You've found yourself with an unlikely little investment in those books! :)
4 Comments
Caroline said:
I was just wondering if you happen to know what Chip Kidd's contribution is to the book? I am a fan of his work and was wondering if he is responsible for the cover design or more?
Driven Diva said:
It looks like he's the graphic designer alongside her writings. I'm not sure if he's claiming the cover, but he's listed as the "graphic artist" so I'd assume so. It's currently hitting shelves, so hopefully you'll be able to pick it up in person and check it out soon.
Texas Prep said:
I am a 38 year old Gen-Xer. I truly LOVED the original. I still have two copies of it, including a special hard case edition. But just as in the realm of film where sequels are often a disappointment, Lisa Birnbach's sequel to her 1980 "Official Preppy Handbook" is a huge letdown. It is not nearly as funny or well organized as the original. It lacks sufficient illustrations and visuals. Also, the print is tiny and it crams too much into too many pages. The last straw for me--the book is politically correct prep at its worst. For one thing, it took gratuitous pot shots at President George W. Bush and obviously fawned over Obama. Additionally, Birnbach writes that President Reagan's election was improbable. Huh? The Gipper won 40 states against Carter, and 49 states in his 1984 reelection. Indeed, the conservative Reagan era zeitgeist probably contributed mightily to sales of Birnbach's original book. Thanks to Ms. Birnbach for ruining great feelings about one of my favorite 80s cult classics. Republican preps need not purchase this book. In sum and in preppy parlance, this book is not key.
Driven Diva said:
Hi, Thanks for sharing your opinion of the Prep books. I loved this term, "politically correct prep" and will probably be using it as a catch phrase down the line when reminiscing about my old DC 'hood! It's good to hear from someone who read and appreciated the first book. Her interview made this sequel seem like a desperate cry for a second round of attention and financial gain, and by your pin-pointed reasons, it sounds like the world could have done without the second book. I can see how a kitschy concept like this may have been intriguing and funny once, but we probably didn't need an updated version. Btw, have you looked on Amazon at the going rate for an original, hard copy Prep book? You've found yourself with an unlikely little investment in those books! :)
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