It is the inalienable right of every man, woman and child to wear khaki. Looking, acting, and ultimately being Prep is not restricted to an elite minority lucky enough to attend prestigious private schools, just because an ancestor or two happened to arrive here on the Mayflower. You don't even have to be registered Republican. In a true democracy everyone can be upper class and live in Connecticut. It's only fair. The Official Preppy Handbook will help you get there.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 84 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was a spot-on parody when it came out in 1980, but also a quite accurate and even useful "field guide" to the North American prepster. Almost 25 years later, it still holds up as humor, and also as a great guide to the prep look and lifestyle. And best of all, it may even be timely once again: An article in the New York Times a few days ago suggested that teen fashion trends are turning away from overexposure and punk and back toward plaid, chinos, polo shirts (with turned up collars, natch), even repp ties! Everything comes around a second time, so Lisa Birnbach call your office. It may be time for an updated edition for today's rising BMOCs.
All I know is that my copy is well-thumbed from two-plus decades of hard work, and it's showing no signs of irrelevance yet!
All I know is that my copy is well-thumbed from two-plus decades of hard work, and it's showing no signs of irrelevance yet!
62 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I first moved to new York City to work in the corporate world I came across Lisa Birnbach's Preppy Handbook. Suddenly everything made sense. I could understand why the blonde vice president in the elevator had the "executive look" and I didn't. I understood the vague references. Coming from somewhere where no one ever had tailgates, much less parties on them, it introduced me to a whole other way of life. I needed to understand preppies if I were to achieve success in the East and Lisa let me know the code. The book is a wonderful piece of cultural anthropology.
I routinely recommend this book to talented kids from other classes and other places who are trying to make it in the Northeast. Along with John Molloy's Dress for Success, this book made it possible for me to adapt to corporate life.
42 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am hard pressed to recall a humor book that was so very well done, that academics routinely cite examples from its pages. The Official Preppy Handbook has achieved that.
Lisa Birnbach and company, successfully documented the lives of the Prep School set, from youth to retirement. Along the way they explore in a brilliant and witty way, the mindset and lifestyle of this group. You learn immediately that being a Preppy is well beyond going to a private school. Preps exude Noblesse Oblige, while wearing Lacoste polos and drinking Bloody Mary's. You learn about their cars, colleges, clothes, food, jobs, music, pets, what they read and how they decorate their houses. You learn what "To Summer," REALLY means. You even learn their speech patterns, and prep vocabulary. Along the way you have a lot of laughs, while getting an education about what makes these people tick. Years later, I still pull out my pristine copy not only for laughs, but for reference as well. In recent years others have tried to follow this groundbreaking formula only to have missed the mark. You will find many books with: "In the traditon of The Preppy Handbook" in their titles. They do not even come close.
Sadly, this artifact is out of print. Perhaps someone will start a letter writing campaign to Workman Publishers, begging them to reprint it. It is REALLY that good!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Read
I was curious to read the book that spawned the fashion style from the early 80s which is the earliest of my fashion memories.
Published 1 month ago by S. Gupta
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic!
I owned this book during the 80's, but lost it. I really wanted another copy because my Boarding School was mentioned in the book Googled it before choosing Amazon. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Margo
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read!
After reading about this book in a magazine article, I ordered it. It was quite funny- a very entertaining read.
Published 2 months ago by Destiny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny and true
Excellent, polite customer service and very speedy processing. This product received is exactly as pictured. I am pleased. Will order again from these nice people.
Published 3 months ago by bryan kendall
1.0 out of 5 stars
never got the book!
i didnt get the book and my money was returned. not too pleased about that one. oh well! win some lose some
Published 4 months ago by Alexandra
5.0 out of 5 stars
prep book
The book was in new condition. The content was factual and funny. I did not have to wait long to receive it. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
Published 4 months ago by helen pederson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A cute classic.
I just love reading this humorous little thing. Wasn't around back then but I get to read it. :) Includes pictures, sarcasm, wit.
Published 4 months ago by rach
5.0 out of 5 stars
the official preppy handbook
Ive been hearing about this gem for years..I grew up in the fifties and sixties on the east coast and the " ivy league" style was the only way to go.. Read more
Published 7 months ago by scully
5.0 out of 5 stars
A prepster's must have
I saw this book title in the LL Bean catalogue and knew I needed to have it. I love the prep lifestyle and so try to embody it by the type and style of clothing I wear, to colors I... Read more
Published 7 months ago by pmritagirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Book That Changed How I dressed...
Lisa Birnbach's book was a seminal part of my college education. I dressed like a preppie and tried to act like a preppie and to party like a preppie. Read more
Published 7 months ago by allison hope weiner
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