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Pretty much every teenager in America has read Catcher in the Rye, it’s a high school rite of passage thing. It’s my favorite book along with many other upper-middle-class white men I know. We seem to think alike. It’s the story of lost and wandering Holden Caulfield, an upper-middle-class (probably just plain upper, actually) white man who is battling with the trials of adulthood.
1. Hatin’ on the phonies
Coat by Billy Reid, henley by Dries van Noten, Jeans by Ralph Lauren, boots by Michael Bastian
2. Expelled from Pencey
Coat by Moschino, sweater by Michael Bastian, pants by Ralph Lauren, boots by N. Hoolywood
3. Catchin’ Phoebe
Coat by Burberry, sweater by Todd Snyder, pants by Trussardi, shoes by Louis Vuitton
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Miss Havisham, Link from Zelda, Count Dracula, Dickie Greenleaf
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Join me in a bit of delayed patriotism will you? Nathan Hale is probably in my top 10 American history figures of all time, and I imagine many others share that adoration. His exact appearance is still a mystery, there were no portraits or likenesses of him created during his life. Although he met his end as a spy captured by the British during the revolution, he was not always able to participate in the effort. Due to his studies at Yale and other commitments, he was kept from joining the Militia. It was when the army needed somebody to go behind enemy lines that he volunteered, ultimately leading to his untimely demise. History has gilded his end, as it tends to do, with the famous quote, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” Good man.
1. CT-Born
Coat by Louis Vuitton, suit by Michael Bastian, shoes by Billy Reid
2. Yale Educated
Coat by Billy Reid, pants by Louis Vuitton, shirt, tie and scarf by Michael Bastian, shoes by Gucci
3. American Made
Coat by Andrea Pompilio, suit by Billy Reid, shoes by Louis Vuitton
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Phoebe Caulfield is one of the more underappreciated characters in literature. Although Catcher in the Rye focuses on the exploits and development of Holden, much of his character is based on his relationship with his younger sister. In fact, his entire fantasy about catching children “in the rye” is centered around his desire to protect her and childlike innocence in general. Phoebe, when contrasted with her older brother, is far more mature than he and sees him as an idealistic and misguided young adult. Eventually, Holden learns from her judgement of him as he reluctantly grapples with adulthood. They’re both well-born kids of Manhattan, but the strike me as cooler than your average Dalton or Spence student. Phoebe definitely would’ve grown up to run shit, and been more into The Bell Jar than Gossip Girl. In conclusion, the Caulfields dominate.
1. Buffalo plaid is big in this crowd.
Coat by Michael Kors, dress by Chloe, shoes by Derek Lam
2. Holden, you’re crazy, I like you, but you’re crazy.
Coat and skirt by by Altuzarra, shirt by Band of Outsiders, boots by Fendi
3. Hanging out on a cliff, near that rye.
Coat by Billy Reid, shirt by Creatures of the Wind, skirt by Carven, shoes by Altuzarra
HOLDEN CAULFIELD
Holden Caulfield was the first post on Textbook, so I figured why not re-do it since it’s been a couple years. Anyways, we all had to readCatcher in the Ryein high school and we all know it’s a good book. Holden plays the part of spoiled New York City brat who bounces from school to school and calls people phonies. He has a sister named Phoebe and hates Stradlater. So imagine a rich kid bumming around New York and there you go.
1. Stradlater SUCKS
Coat and scarf by Billy Reid, sweater by N. Hoolywood, pants by Michael Bastian, shoes by Band of Outsiders
2. Hey Phoebs
Coat and sweater by Andrea Pompilio, jeans and shoes by Junya Watanabe, shirt by Band of Outsiders
3. Pencey Prep
Coat by Billy Reid, suit by Michael Bastian, boots by Rag & Bone
More Stuff:
Arwen from Lord of the Rings, Catherine de Medici, Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones and the Post Index.
JAY GATBSY, THE GREAT GATSBY
In a recent discussion at the office, we were going over our favorite books from high school. All the usuals made their appearances, Catcher in the Rye, Pride and Prejudice, A Separate Peace, Of Mice and Men and of course The Great Gatsby. I’ve posted Jay Gatsby before and Daisy twice but thought I’d take another look with the new collections. The brief rundown is—Gatsby is rich and has a crazy love affair with Daisy, but Daisy is a greedy trollop who only cares about status. Gatsby dies and despite their love for each other, that bitch doesn’t even show up to his funeral. Good god woman, have some respect. In the crazy Jazz age of East and West Egg, there were some great parties and plenty of money floating around, so you’d best believe Gatsby had some good style or…steez.
1. What’s up Daisy, look at my designer jeans…yah, a lot has changed since high school.
Coat and scarf by Corneliani, cardigan, shirt and tie by Canali, jeans by Junya Watanabe, boots by Paul Smith
2. Daisy, you just killed that woman! (edited from man, i read the book over 10 years ago, gimme a break)
Coat by Rag & Bone, pants by Salvatore Ferragamo, shirt by Junya Watanabe, cardigan by Billy Reid, shoes by Hermes
3. This party SUCKS, but at least I look AWESOME
Coat by Thom Browne, suit and shoes by Yves Saint Laurent
