On September 7th, one of our favorite tongue in cheek style guides, The Official Preppy Handbook, gets an of-the-moment update with the release of True Prep: It's a Whole New Old World. In celebration of the handbook turning 30, and the release of its predecessor, we've gathered up some upperclass-esque gems that would make Bunny and Muffy raise their Gin & Tonics in celebratiion of all things preppy.
In its new release, True Prep's author Lisa Birnbach and designer Chip Kidd bring Birnbach's philosophies of prepdom into our modern times — and thankfully maintain the humor and wit for which the 30 year old classic became famous. Over at Vanity Fair, we caught a preview of Birnbach's refreshed outlook on today's prep — Good news: vintage remains chic and lawn games are still a hit. When it comes to frugality, "Do keep repairing old appliances to try to extend their lives. Don't store them on your front porch or driveway."
Check out these positively conservatively smart and tailored items for your home and make sure to pre-order your copy of True Prep today.
Shown above, top row, left to right:
1 Collage
2 Wharton Chair by Ballard Designs - starting at $422.97
3 Crocomer Towel from Lacoste - $55
4 Big Card, Small Party Invitations by Kate Spade - $25
5 Bicycle Doormat at Garnet Hill - $20-$28
Bottom row, left to right:
6 Curious Scottie Hook via Anthropologie - $20
7 Burning Seed Matchbox by Jack Spade - $60
8 Argyle 4-Piece DOF Set by Ralph Lauren Home - $50
9 Halex Classic Badminton Set from badmintonsource.com - $29
10 Custoim WM. J. Mills & Co. Canvas & Lucite Tray at iomoi - $275
Veronica & Keith's Handmade Chic 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hunslet Dinner Plate
A Beginner's Guide to Superb Stir-Fry: Quick, Healthy Meals from a Wok
Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Comments (10)
LOVE Chip.
The RL Argyle DOF's are nice but his original Glen Plaid barware (when they were made by Waterford and produced in England) are MUCH nicer.
I remember when the Preppy Handbook came out in the '80's - It was meant as a spoof, but people took it literally...
...including me: I wore Sperry Topsiders and Bass Weejuns without socks, Izods and Shetland sweaters throughout High School, and breathed a great sigh of relief when Dad bought Mom a Volvo.
Oh, Buffy, these will all go swimmingly with my new Topsiders!
My "home" town so listed several times in the Preppy Handbook (I was quite proud). I was young (grade school), but I too, wore bass weejuns, grosgrain ribbon on my braid and loved my kilt. My first job was a summer camp counselor at the HUNT CLUB. You know, next to the polo fields.
We were transplants from California and never quite accepted, of course. My Mom call the ladies in the town the "Mink & Manure" set & marveled that they wore their large diamond earrings & mink coats over riding clothes only to a certain grocery store.
The good takeaways for me: I can play excellent tennis, drive like a pro in snow, know how to sail a little, and know how to talk to snobs at parties. Oh & I got an excellent education in that small town.
I moved back west the summer after Graduation.
I adore the Wharton Chair!!! Well planned touches can totally change a space...into something Mumsie would be so proud of!
"My Mom call the ladies in the town the "Mink & Manure" set & marveled that they wore their large diamond earrings & mink coats over riding clothes only to a certain grocery store."
Reminds me of the stories I overheard about certain Military Officer's Wives who would insist on shipping their Coupe de Villes and Rivieras to overseas duty stations in places like Italy, Japan or Greece - to drive to the Commissary and the Officer's Club wearing their Mink coats in the middle of the summer heat.
Oh, bepsf, it's like I have a twin.
This is perfect, I love the 'Curious Scottie' hook, and the Badminton Set is classic.
Great collage.
Cannot wait for the True Prep book. I've been filling my daily need for prep with http://urbanprepster.com/ until my pre-order ships!