Pages

Celebrating the Preppy Lifestyle and it's sensibilities

MONOGRAM MAYHEM


It's official, monograms are now in fashion once again.  Yet monograms have always been a part of the preppy game of identifications.  It was Lisa Birnbach who said it best in the "Official Preppy Handbook," 31 years ago, "Preppies have known it for years: who needs LV or YSL when you can lay claim to a discreet EBW III."  Preppies are fiercely proud of their backgrounds and their names in particular, so much so that they will proudly display monograms on just about anything.



Of course, Preps understand that monograms must be used tastefully. The adage of less is more must have been written by a preppy.  You will never find a monogram on denim, tennis balls, gardens or the latest fad--automobiles.


Their usual "modus operandi" are eyeglass cases, golf bags, clothing, bags, rings, and many household items.

As to why monograms are suddenly the rage is something of a mystery.  One could possibly explain away monograms current appeal on human beings having an inherit need to display personal identification…possibly, or maybe Preps know what the fashion world is now catching on to…monograms are just plain fun.  O.C.C.Jr.






 ETCHED OUT - 1. Hip Flask ( www.weddingfavorsunlimited.com ).
2. Doorknocker ( www.avenuearabella.com ).
3. Monogrammed ring ( www.bentlyhandengraver.com ).
4. Garden Organizer ( www.LaPlates.com ). 5. Flattening Iron case ( www.poshmonogram.com ).
6. Table linen ( www.countryliving.com ). 7. Earrings ( www.mmmonogramming.com ).
8. Bucket Hat (www.personalizationmall.com ).  9. Towels
   (www.embroiderygarden.com ).  10. Pillows ( www.vintagegreenpillows.com ).
11. Loafers ( www.thepinkmonogram.com ).  12. Basket Bag ( www.thepinkmonogram.com ).
13. Clogs ( www.thepinkmonogram.com ).  14. Vintage Luggage ( www.fossil.com ).
15. Cuff links ( www.heathermoorejewelry.com ).  16. Silverware ( www.leopardantiques.com ).
17. Plate ( www.graciousstyle.com ).

THE PREPLIST

THE PREP CHECKLIST



Are you constantly referring to how great things were in days gone by?  Alternatively, see nothing wrong with serving food on paper plates to guests occasionally.  Is dancing the cha-cha-cha a hoot at a party?  The following is a brief list of preppy fixations.
Note-If you answer yes to more than fifty percent of the questions you are running the risk of being
preppy.                                                                                                                                                                 


1. Do you find debating stimulating, even if you're not sure of the topic?

 
2. Do you refuse to wear white after Labor Day?

 
3. If you could, would you monogram your tombstone?

 
4. Does the whole Ivy League thing bore you senseless?

 
5. Did you secretly wish to be expelled from boarding school?

 
6. When meeting someone for the first time, do you use simple speech or do you try to impress with flowery words?
        

5. Do you feel snobbery a pastime for the ordinary and uncivilized?

 
6. Is an old, rusty BMW or Volvo a sweet ride


7. Do you sometimes wear a headscarf (for women) or an ascot (for men) for fun?
 

8. Have you ever dreamt of one day sailing in the America's Cup?


9. Did your grandmother or mother own or inherit a sterling silver tea server the size of a jeep wagoneer?
 

10. Should tailgating be mandatory at all sporting events, even if booze is the only item served?



11. Do you loathe anyone without manners?

12. Do you consider civility the backbone of society?

13. Is a frayed garment simply a sign of character?

14. Do you feel lily Pulitzer is a god? 

15. Do you know what a "claw and ball" refers?

16. Does any male relative have a suffix after their name?

17. Can hors d’oeuvre be perfectly fine as food?

18. You know the difference between black tie and white tie, right?

19. Was the Catcher in the Rye required reading in your school?

20. Do you believe no self respecting woman would ever not own at least one pearl   necklace?

21. Do you vacation in the same region, with the same people most of the time?

22. Do you cringe whenever you hear drapes instead of curtains?

23. Is chintz the only acceptable fabric for summer slipcovers?

24. Do you refer to your dwelling as a house or a home?

25. Do you believe a tweed jacket is the perfect fabric for hunting?

26. Do you understand the meaning of the term “how nice”?

27. Is having a trust fund nothing more than a headache?

28. Do you believe everyone should invest in a good writing pen?

29. Are G&Ts great for summer? Hot cider great for winter, and bloodies great anytime?

30. Are J. Press and Brooks Brothers the only clothiers for real men?

31. Is fancy, tacky?

32. Are heirlooms nothing more than hand-me-downs?

33. Do you secretly revel in the fact that you found a great item in a thrift store?

34. Can you write a book on why manners matter?

35. Do you know the difference between antique and vintage?

36. Are you so over the pink and green thing?

37. Do you have more family photos and paintings than wall space?

38. Is old always better than new?

39. Have you ever worn loafers sockless to a X-mas Party?

40. Do you not get the whole prep thing?



O.C.C, Jr.

SPOTTING THE PREP

No rusty Volvo wagon would ever be complete without a slew of car decals to let the world know what you stand for and who you are.  If you own more than one of these, rejoice...you're probably a prep.





PREPPY DECALS AND LOGOS






 PREPPY READS










  1. The Great Gatsby.  F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless masterpiece.  Considered by many scholars as on of America's great pieces of literature.
  2. The Catcher in the Rye.  Mandatory reading at many a preparatory and should be read by anyone except adolescent boys.
  3. Hotchkiss. How has the Hotchkiss School managed to accommodate a hundred years of unprecedented change a century during which horse-and-buggy trails have become less familiar than the fiery trails of space-bound vehicles, and Victorian propriety has yielded to unabashed self-expression? The short answer carefully; certainly not without considerable tension and the constant need to mediate between the forces of tradition and innovation. Oh yes, also by following the golden rule: do not disturb the cherished memories of alumni and, more recently, of alumnae as well.
  4. God & Man at Yale.  In 1951, a twenty-five-year old Yale graduate published his first book, which exposed the extraordinarily irresponsible educational attitude that prevailed at his alma mater. This book rocked the academic world and catapulted its young author, William F. Buckley Jr., into the public spotlight.
  5. Old Money: The Mythology of America's Upper Class.  Written by Nelson W. Aldrich, Jr.  It is an entertaining and provocative book.  Nelson explores the ultimate fulfillment of the American dream of success:  the world of that distinctive class of people who have inherited wealth and thereby enjoy the most flagrant form of unearned privilege our democratic society allows.  Excellent essays and gossip.
  6. The Paris Review. Our very own George Plimpton co-founded it and that's good enough for most preps.
  7. Nantucket: Island Living.  A lovely book, especially helpful during the long winter months.
  8. Sister Parish Designs.  A coffee table read on the designs of the eccentric designer and socialite who made "chintz" a household name.  This is a great read for those determined to redecorate in the English Country Style, and quite frankly, who isn't.
  9. The Harvard Classics.  It was originally known as Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf.  It was Eliot who proclaimed that anyone who read 15 minutes a day from a collection of books that could fit on a five foot shelf, would have a proper liberal arts education.  We'll take his word for it, but still the classics are a must read...if you have the time.  
  10. The Washington Post.  This paper made the list because its one time affiliation with Executive Editor and "Old Guard" prep, Ben Bradlee.
  11. Yankee Magazine.  The true magazine for the New England prep. 
  12. Town and Country.  Aside from the great articles, one looks wealthier by simply skimming its pages.  A must read for the uber U.H.B              
 TOP MOVIES TO PREP BY








PREPPY MAN'S BASIC





By O. C .Cavanaugh Jr.




THE BASIC WEAR




Brooks Brothers Football Leather Briefcase
Not only does the feel remind of days on the varsity squad, but the Brooks Logo says you're smart too. Brooks Brothers $398.00







Donegal Tweed Driving Cap
The perfect cap, even when you're not driving.  This cap screams Ivy League, good times and great beer.
MurphyofIreland.com $49.00







Chukka Boot
This is a much better low boot than Clarks and without the "hippie" feel.  A nice piece of footwear to knock around and the scuffier they are the preppier.
Alden of New England $440.00






Cordovan Oxford
Preppy men know that you can't always get by on boat shoes, sometimes you have to look like a man.  The Cordovan is classic and reminds preps of the shoes their grandfathers wore.
dann-online.com $535.00






Silk Polka Dot Ascot
Yes we know, to wear one of these requires speaking like Thurston Howell III.  Yet, Preppies boiling over with confidence view them as sophisticated and fun, not to mention, they look great with Gucci Loafers (no socks of course).
J Press $89.00



Liddesdale Hunting Jacket
This brand is the first choice of Preps who hunt.  It looks good duck hunting as well an evening out.  Although it is not made of natural fibers means nothing, after all, it's British.
Orvis.com $149.00



J Press Regimental Bow Tie
The old saying, "men who wear bow ties do so because most men don't," holds true.  Bow ties are endearing, classic and studious, all the things true preps love.
jpressonline.com $49.00









Jarrett Bay Belt
No outfit is complete without the sartorial statement of a motif belt which is a preppy way of seeking out other preps.  Best of all, the Jarrett is made by Leatherman in Connecticut.
elizab.com $59.00






The Shaggy Dog
There are many imitators but they just can't get the feel like the Shaggy at J. Press.  What more can one ask for?  A broken in sweater in a multitude of colors that simply looks smashing under a sport coat.
J. Press $180.00





The Nantucket Reds
Another staple that has been imitated.  No one has ever been able to duplicate this salmon colored treasureEvery prep knows, you can't get that ideal fade unless you've spent numerous hours on the island.
Murray'sToggery-nantucketreds.com $72.50






 The Weekender
Timex, "It takes a lickin" and it's been around forever.  The only true preppy watch.  It looks great at work and for hardcore preps, the grosgrain band is a necessity.
Timex.com $40.00






Tropical Wool 2 Button Darted Blazer
Lisa Birnbach describes it as "the wardrobes backbone."  Nothing is more preppy than the blue blazer, crested is optional.....enough said.
J Press $555.00 




The Wellie
LL Bean Boots will always be a favorite, yet sometimes a good rain boot is all that's needed, such as the Wellies.  If they were good enough for the Duke of Wellington, then they're good enough for anybody.  Farmandcountrysupplies.co.uk $54.00









P3 Tortoise shell 
The P 3 model frames are as classic as it comes.  Everyone wore them in the 60s.  They must be the horn-rimmed, tortoise shell type or one runs the risk of looking like Roy Orbison...very un-prep.
bensilver.com $375.00

ONE MAN'S PREP WARDROBE

Recently, at a party the hostess asked me what I thought best characterized a male preppy’s wardrobe. I told her I couldn’t speak for everyone and that there were innumerable articles (and several books) on the subject and suggested what I owned personally might provide a general insight.
I informed her that dressing well is tricky --even for us men where our parameters are much more restricted than those of women. It’s easy to get sidetracked, and led into dead-ends. I’ve always tried to dress as simply and correct as possible -- which is, of course, no mean trick. For proof, sit in an airport sometime and count the number of well-dressed men you see parading past (if you can stop staring at the women).
What follows are a series of random probably overly subjective impressions accompanied by some photos. These are clothes that I enjoy wearing and have brought much joy into my life. The preppy garments depicted here are like old friends (Rupert Brooke had it right) although some of these comforting companions are newer and have replaced their earlier counterparts as they’ve either worn out or been distributed to (sometimes grateful) family members
Fortunately, as you know, the list of where a preppy should shop is brief. The list where one should NOT shop could fill a book - if not a public library system.
BROOKS BROTHERS, J. PRESS AND ORVIS: Not much needs to be said here. Stick with these three and you drastically lower your odds of making a faux pas.
LL BEAN? Be selective. Stay with a few sweaters, boots, wool socks, and flannel shirts. Unfortunately, this old company has strayed from the Faith and now could employ the following statement: “Practically all of our products are guaranteed to be made in the People’s Republic of China by slave labor. We stand firmly behind this junk. Not responsible for shoddy quality. Contact Customer Service.”
LAND’S END, EDDIE BAUER, OLD NAVY, THE GAP AND OTHERS? WARNING: Don’t try this at home.
THE CLOTHES:


HEADWEAR: In the summertime, I wear straw Fedora hats such as a white Borsalino with a black band. During the opposite season, I like these toasty wool caps from Vermont Originals -- as well as the tweed cap by Jonathan Richard I picked up in Ireland.




RAINY DAY STUFF: I prefer a Barbour Beaufort jacket in navy for casual damp days; for more formal occasions, I wear a trench coat from Brooks Brothers. For my feet, I slip on LL Bean Gumshoe Thinsulate Boots, or when out in the country green rubber boots (by Hunter of England) to keep me dry. 
 



DRESS SHIRTS: I’m devoted to Brooks Brothers -- 100% cotton with either button-down or forward point collars. Lightweight Brooks Cool shirts are great for humid, hot days. I buy the non-iron versions because I don’t like supporting the local laundry.
HMS BLAZERS: At present, I own six blazers (four Brooks Brothers [two navy, two striped] and two navy ones by Orvis). The Brooks striped version (Photo with a Brooks white non-iron shirt and Purple Label tie) is referred to as a “regatta jacket” and is probably closer to the original coats worn aboard the 19th Century Royal Navy vessel, which reportedly were of navy and white stripes with brass buttons. Obviously, nothing is more versatile than a blazer.
SNOW SHOES: I clump around in LL Bean shearling-lined boots with their heavy wool Ragg Socks. The apotheosis of warmth and comfort.

UBER-CASUAL SHOES: I like to move around in LL Bean Camp Mocs, Sperry Topsiders in either brown or navy, and Sebago Docksides in the same colors. 
     

Never any socks above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
They say nothing in a man’s wardrobe is more telling than his shoes and ties to indicate his level (or lack of) taste and breeding. The old adage of “show me what a man wears on his feet and puts around his neck and I’ll tell you everything about him” still holds. Here are my serious shoes:
DRESS SHOES: I’ve worn Alden cordovan loafers in burgundy for years -- as well as their black dress shoes. They last forever and can even be refurbished by the company. 


The jazzy two-toned Allen-Edmonds “Strawfut”  stems from a classic 1950s model. In brown calf leather and linen, this modern update may not be preppy but looks magnificent with summer suits. Gatsby would approve.


TIES: the introduction of Social Primer reversible bow ties for Brooks Brothers has made a major impact on me the past two years; I’ve collected the ones depicted here. 

 



Tons of compliments -- even from total strangers on the street. Women, I think, must subliminally associate bow ties with weddings. ?? The other ties shown are from Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label line.






 WINTER SUITS: the navy bead stripe double-breasted suit is by John Cooper Savile Row, London, teamed with a Brooks Brothers Special Order shirt and Churchill dot tie by Ben Silver. All my other suits (mainly Prince of Wales patterns and striped) are by Brooks Special Order. They’ve lasted for decades.




SUMMER SUITS: the same as my winter suits only in a light weight seasonal wool -- Brooks Brothers Special Order again. A blue seersucker suit accompanied by white bucks is brought out to face the dog days.



GO-TO-HELL PANTS AND BEYOND: Three simple rules apply to wearing Go-to-Hell clothing: location, location, location. Country clubs? Yes. Country/Western Bars? No. The former can lead to jovial conviviality, while the latter to a fractured skull in the parking lot. Wear with caution -- and only one at a time.
I only own three items of a Go-to-Hell nature a pair of lime green critter pants with embroidered flies (dear to a fly-fisherman’s heart), a pair of obnoxious electric violet corduroy “supercords” (both by Orvis -- shown here with a Jolly Roger Needlepoint belt by Smathers and Branson), and a bright pink tie (ala The Donald) by Umo Lorenzo of Italy.




















COLD SWEATERS: 
the LL Bean Norwegian classic is flanked by a pair of heather Shetland wool crewneck sweaters from Scotland. The hand knit Irish fisherman’s sweater is from the Aran Sweater Market on the island.











HOT SWEATERS: In the cool spring and early fall, I throw on a plain navy cotton sweater by either LL Bean or Brooks Brothers.
The v-neck shown is from the St. Andrews Links golf collection by the latter.


SHORTS: I wear patch madras versions by Cape Madras (Photo shown with a white Lacoste and red swordfish belt from Leather Man Ltd.), solid Bermudas by Brooks Brothers (11” seam), and a pair of Nantucket Red shorts are all I need to keep the irritating heat at bay.
“PREPPY”BODY INK? Unless you make your living throwing harpoons at terrified, fleeing whales, or are a member of an indigenous New Zealand tribe, or you’re patiently awaiting your execution on Death Row, then you shouldn’t have a tattoo. It couldn’t be more un-preppy -- especially for women. Bad, bad, bad.
RALPH LAUREN “BIG PONY” CLOTHING? A Big Mistake. Same goes for his current outrageously expensive Purple Label line. Preppy clothing is never this unnecessary or overly done -- and these two points may serve as litmus tests.
BELTS: My business belts are by Brooks Brothers in either black or dark brown leather. I do own one luxury belt -- an alligator from Ben Silver in Charleston. For casual wear, I prefer theme belts by either Leather Man Ltd. or Smathers and Branson. I realize that, ideally, someone you know should needlepoint a belt especially for you, but none of the doctors and lawyers I’m related to are into that. Anyway, these really are a delight to wear.


CASUAL PANTS: “Dalton” plain front Khakis by Jack Donnelly are my favorites. In three seasons, I also run around a lot in Nantucket Reds. (Photo shows them with Smathers and Branson Needlepoint “Bonefish” and “Grand Slam” belts). During the winter, I wear heavy corduroy “supercords” by Orvis and LL Bean 1912 Flannel Lined Chinos (Photo with navy “sailfish” belt by Leather Man Ltd.) 
























TOPCOATS: I have a classic double-breasted camel hair coat from Brooks Brothers and a “mantel” -- a long, navy wool coat with stag horn buttons I purchased in Germany. Euro-prep? No, only kidding.
CASUAL SHIRTS: For summer, I like mesh Lacoste polos, and Brooks Brothers linen or seersucker long sleeved shirts. For cooler conditions, LL Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel shirts are still a good idea.


SWIMWEAR: I’m loyal to the trunks from the French manufacturer Vilbrequin 
after all, a preppy has to be modest, and their designs are colorful and fun. Well made too.
That’s pretty much it -- not an overly large or groundbreaking wardrobe by any means, but one that I find gratifying and a pleasure to own and wear.
Then again, if times really get tough I can always just sell all this and start wearing blue jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops and the type of logo mesh baseball caps they sell at truck stops.

---Robert Reichardt, Fall 2011










Robert Reichardt, is a contributor to The Preppy Times and The Dandy American and the author of "The Preppy and the Trout" and "Karen, The Fuse Lady," a collection of comic plays.

ZEN PREP




You may ask what could be further apart and less compatible than Zen Buddhism and the “Preppy” way of life? On the surface -- nothing -- but a closer examination will reveal some surprising similarities, and the odd juxtaposition may not be as outlandish as it first appears.
So then Zen vs. Prep, or Prep and Zen. Z & P. Let’s see if we can use some Dharma (the search for truth)without turning into bums in order to discover some things each have in common -- and don’t.
To clarify, I use the term “Prep” here to encompass all that is well known regarding a specific group of people who adhere to a movement stemming from Northeastern American WASP behavior patterns -- originating in preparatory schools and Ivy League colleges -- who, in turn, initially flatteringly stole their core ideas from upper crust England. In contrast, Zen, of course, is a school of Buddhism characterized by a set of teachings and practices.
Are there major differences between Zen and Prep? Absolutely. Legend has it that the first Zen patriarch, Bodhidharma, spent nine years staring at a blank cave wall, and even cut off his eyelids so he could concentrate better and not miss anything. Contact-lens wearing Preps needn’t go to that extreme to reach their goals -- as we shall see with uncorrected 20/20 vision.
To begin with, both Zen and Prep are essentially ideologies with a consistent set of values and teachings -- interpretations on the best way to the wisest, most natural, spontaneous, and smoothest path through life -- with each emphasizing practical aspects as well. The pair is also comprised of material aspects -- outward manifestations that match their beliefs. In Zen, one surface illustration of this appears in the simplicity of bodily adornment and in Prep to the wearing of “classic” never-changing clothing.
Zen asks us to open our eyes to the wonder of being alive, and although Prep doesn’t reach quite that far, it does emphasize being aware of the kind of life you’re living. So Socrates examined life applies to both.
Simplify, simplify, simplify, urged both Thoreau and Einstein -- two fairly intelligent thinkers. Turn down the stress, free yourself, in other words. And in so doing this very act of simplification is where Zen and Prep coalesce -- nearly touching like the outstretched hands of God and Adam up on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Zen emphatically rejects over-elaborateness -- as does Prep in its penchant toward traditional upper-class patterns of dress and mode of living.
Simplification in Zen leads to peace and tranquility, along with the recognition and acknowledgment of limitations. Likewise, the Prep finds an inner satisfaction knowing that next year’s Milan fashion show will offer nothing new worth purchasing -- nor will the year after that and so on. Choosing a preppy wardrobe and pathway involves a terminus -- a deliberate limit as to what will ever be acceptable or desirable. And there is great comfort in following an aesthetic (or belief system) that tolerates no deviation, and better yet, it renders a potentially chaotic life simple. The need for experimentation (so far as what to put on to face the cold external world or how to act in it) is obliterated. So are some temptations. One’s pure Prep nature is enough. The simple wheel has already been invented, and so one need only slip on that blazer and khakis or a Lily dress, hop on and roll blissfully along with it.
Symbolism plays a significant role in Zen -- as it does to a Prep. The former reveres water (flexibility and purity), incense (selflessness as it consumes itself for others), the candle flame (wisdom), and the circle (completion, no beginning, or end). The Prep symbols (more like logos actually): French open-mouthed crocodiles, happy white whales, pink and green (yin and yang), monograms, and galloping horses with wooden mallet swingers aboard.
Zen’s emphasis on the direct transmission of information from Master to student rather than reliance on a scripture mirrors the mostly tacit way Preps are taught by their families. All one needs to know is expertly passed down by merely observing one’s surroundings. What is vital awaits the acolyte who only needs to seek the truth. And luckily, in the right Prep homes this is abundantly clear and on display 24/7.
Striving to “become” in Zen doesn’t exist -- one already IS everything (now if we could only truly believe that how much improved our hectic lives would be). Similarly, the fully realized Prep will see no need to expand the boundaries of his (or her) philosophy or aesthetic views. Doing so would be unnecessary and could only lead the believer into error. The Prep supermarket offers its’ all natural-fabric-wearing shoppers a meager, but well thought out variety of goods and concepts, thereby making shopping a snap and the express line quick.
Zen readily accepts the harmonious changes in the seasons -- as do Preps who welcome the springs and autumns with alacrity and greatly enjoy the rotation of their wardrobes -- a ritual of unpacking and packing that extends through life. Bright madras gladly gives way to somber wool, light deck shoes to heavier Bean Boots, and tennis racquets to skis. And vice-versa. By so doing, we spend our lives reacting to the predictable tilting of this planet’s axis.
Ironically, both the Prep exemplar and the Zen practitioner like having fun. Lots of it. It’s just that their ideas of enjoying themselves differ. For the Zen Man enjoyment is brought about by spending time sitting zazen (seated meditation), arranging flowers, scribbling a haiku poem, cultivating a rock garden, accepting and embracing the natural world, wall-gazing and deeply contemplating the unfathomable Koan riddles -- whereas the Prep may derive the same exhilaration from his or her hedonistic tailgating, drinking G & Ts and Bloodies with friends, or dancing uninhibitedly at a Charity Event in a new dress with matching accessories. Preps costume themselves for happiness as best they know it.
The Prep and Zen schemas each place value on their respective visions of enlightenment (satori or glimpsing into the real nature of existence); for the former this may evidence itself in avoiding purchasing inferior items from Eddie Bauer, J. Crew, or the LL Bean Signature collection, and for the latter in realizing that she already possesses everything within herself. Zen views enlightenment as finally freeing oneself from the incessant merry-go-round of births and rebirths. Nirvana. Yes, spelled just like the Seattle grunge band -- Nirvana. Being Prep brings forth an enlightenment that liberates one from the bondage of ever changing opinions, beliefs, and fashion whims -- even temptingly, drastically marked down sale items.
Zen and Prep put their emphasis on THIS world, and how best to spend ones given span on earth -- for it is only in the world of objects that we can have time, space and selves -- as T.S. Eliot once sagely observed. (A friend once told me that after this is all over he intended to meet St. Peter at the Pearly Gates wearing his well-worn, salt-water bleached Nantucket Reds and soup stained Hotchkiss tie. Will this qualify him for entrance? Maybe -- if they have a dress code.) Anyway, a person’s ordinary, mundane everyday life should be sufficient for everyone. This world contains more than its share of complexities and wonders and both Z & P devote themselves to analyzing and addressing them in their own fashion.
In conclusion, one may very well then ask could a Zen Buddhist Monk ever become a Preppy? A seemingly absurd question, but one, I think, worth considering. It’s possible, although the Zen Master would have to plunge his shivering bare toes into the icy materialistic stream more than he’d want. So I think the answer is probably no, the formers disinterest in the Prep world’s trappings would preclude that. And moreover, too many incongruities would surface; for example, to witness a bald, robed individual in sandals tranquilly shopping and sifting through the merchandise at Brooks Brothers or J. Press would create quite a stir. But it would be entertaining spectacle, wouldn’t it? Envision the Dali Lama trying on a pair of garish Go-to-Hell pants along with a button-down pink oxford. Then again, this question may also be answered by claiming that a mild practitioner of Zen (one who merely spends occasional time in meditation) would have no trouble being a Prep. Some already are.
Conversely, if Preps wanted to follow the total Zen path to enlightenment, they could give up everything, scissor their credit cards, donate all their possessions to the Salvation Army, and enter a monastery, but this is highly unlikely given the fact that his or her inculcation into the green and pink value system began from the newborn’s rocking cradle. Besides, sacrificing this much known comfort and satisfaction for the unknown rubs against human nature.
So, in the end, the essence of Zen and Prep boils down to just two ways of getting the most out of living.
Simple.
--- Robert Reichardt, November 2011


Robert Reichardt, is a contributing writer and author of The Preppy and the Trout, found at smashwords.com.