I still have my copy of “The Official Preppy Handbook," which was a great spoof on many of my friends and fraternity brothers at the University of Virginia, not to mention many of my law school class mates (e.g., my classmate Evan Thomas - now an author and bureau chief at Newsweek - was always the perfect preppie). Back in the 1970's, UVA was definitely a world of khaki pants, topsiders - I of course had some - and girls from women's colleges "down the road" dressed in their pink and green. The book was all too funny since it definitely was all too accurate on some of its points of satire. Now, a sequel if you will , called "True Prep" is coming out. I'll admit up front that I will likely buy a copy for laughs. The New York Times reviews the upcoming book and notes that the world of preppies has expanded and even includes gays. Here are some highlights:*
[E]ven for prepsters, it turns out, the world has changed.
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While the original book dwelled on such themes as the timelessness of preppy culture (“In a true democracy, everyone can be upper class and live in Connecticut”), the secret language of prepsters (“Summer is a verb”) and when it is proper to wear socks with Gucci loafers (Never!), the sequel will include segments on alcohol rehab and newfangled technology (no texting at the table, if you please). Edmund White contributes an essay on the gay preppy scene.
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And while “True Prep” dispenses a dollop of the upper-class frugality, many of its featured items are a bit more upmarket than the duck shoes and other L.L. Bean duds that dominated the first volume. Think Tory Burch, E. Goyard bags and the luxury jewelry brand Verdura.
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The new book also includes a section on black preppies, led by President Obama, noting that his wife, Michelle, often appears in J. Crew outfits.
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