I decided to take a page from Lisa Birnbach's True Prep (TP) and see how it fits into this chapter of the world. The italicised passages are from the above TP excerpt.
We wear Jandals (our word for flip flops) whilst Americans wear Jack Rogers but, like our beliefs around houses, the footwear's functions are ostensibly the same.
We would be remiss if we didn't point out that "Home" is a bit pushy. "Welcome to our home" is uncouth. "Welcome to the house" is unpretentious.
Growing up, I referred to my domestic residence as "my house" and I also find "home" to be syrupy and sentimental unless it's Dave Dobbyn singing "Welcome Home."
We have been raised as if at scout camp: cold showers, threadbare blankets, lumpy pillows, dry toast.
As to this preppy austerity, us Kiwis are raised on "waste not want not" practicality. We perch on squeaky bunk beds at school camp, wrapped in holey woolen blankets, and participate in shared lunches where everyone "brings a plate" (bring a dish to share).
I remember borrowing my older brother's Gortex jacket for a high school ski trip. Ten sizes too big, I didn't look cool, but my parents wouldn't run to a jacket just for a one trip!
As preppies love tradition, eveng ugly pieces are excusable if they have been inherited or have an interesting backstory...
That Crown Lynn dinnerset may be hideous but it belonged to grandma, as did those camp stretchers and that Paua mincer (aka abalone).
My Aunt gifted me a truly heinous cracked fountain ornament as a wedding present. It was left by my dead grandparents, and she said my grandfather bought it for my grandmother when they were courting.
Most of my furniture came to me randomly. My desk, festooned in Warholian Sex Pistols stencilling, was left by a former flattie (housemate). It's sturdy beauty reminds me of a William Morris quote: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I'm not particularly fussed about the punk pioneers but I love the divets, the cracked paint practicality of the hot pink piece.
As preppies make more money, they can't help but be swept up in the wave of the new materialism.
In my uni days, I slept on a mattress on the floor. I now have the basics, the cake if you will, and I can finally ice it (frost) and decorate it as I wish.
I have many fantastically frugal finds- mostly Kmart, Farmers, Nood, and Trade Aid. Kmart's homeware game is strong- the same "look" as Citta Design (a favourite of mine) bu at a fraction of the price. My Peter Alexander madras duvet (see below) is preppy perfection!! the pyjama king should do more linens.
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