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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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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.
i was interested in out of print clothing (OoP) from the get go. first-if you put the catcher in the rye on anything, i’ll buy it (you may remember holden caulfield inspired this blog). but after chatting with them a little bit i got a much better idea of the mission behind their efforts. their team works closely with publishers and artists to ensure the integrity of each piece, awesome. more importantly, OoP partners with books for africa to donate one book to a community in need for every shirt sold. 1 shirt, 1 book, 5 shirts, 5 books, you get the idea. i love to see partnerships like this because so many times we’re told, a portion of “sale x” will go to the fund for “xyz.” in the end, i trust that some portion of my money got there but i have no idea what’s done with it. knowing that by buying a catcher in the rye shirt could mean somebody across the ocean could read my favorite book is a pretty lasting feeling.
1: out of print clothing: i want all of these. chill, they have women’s too (including i know why the caged bird sings)
phoebe caulfield is a strong part of her brother holden’s life. she represents the innocent type that he so longs to protect from the world. she, in her youth and demeanor is the catch the catcher in the rye is trying to save…if that makes any sense. phoebe is portrayed as a wise and mature kid. you can tell she’d be one of those completely cool characters and very little in life would rattle her. upon growing older, i’m willing to bet she’d sort of steer clear of the fashion scene and would be a roll with the punches type. the collegiate vibe going on this fall would suit her quite well.
1: dress by dkny, coat by cynthia steffe, shoes and socks by karen walker
2: blazer and cardigan by rag and bone, shirt by peter jensen, skirt by dkny, hat by dvf, boots by erin fetherston
3: jacket by dkny, dress by erin fetherston, shoes by peter jensen
