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202 reviews for:
The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J.Crew
Maggie Bullock
4.0 AVERAGE
202 reviews for:
The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J.Crew
Maggie Bullock
4.0 AVERAGE
As someone who came of age during the Lyons era of J. Crew, who owned Minnie pants and an embellished cardi, who has used the term “arm candy”, and who still regularly puts on “Kiss Me Coral” lipstick and Essie nail polish — this read was equal parts fascinating and transportive.
My interest waned at the end, but I always struggle listening to non fiction.
Excellent overview of the rise and fall and rise (?) of an iconic fashion brand that was of its time.
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
As a child raised in the 80s, I loved the preppy look. I dressed like Alex P. Keaton in sixth grade and stole my sister’s copy of “The Official Preppy Handbook” to memorize it. Suffice to say I became enamored with the J.Crew catalog that year, in 1986, too.
Through the prep of the 80s and the minimalistic 90s, I stayed true, even when my college friends started wearing Abercrombie & Fitch Co., I was a J. Crew man through and through.
They forgot about me along the aughts years in favor of a more female-centered spectacle in which my clothes were relegated to the back of the store. That is, until the Liquor Store opened in NYC with must-have Timex Field Watches and Red Wing boots, the latter in which I neither could afford nor find in my size.
Along the way, I worked in men’s outdoor brands, taking cues from the fashion world, watching as how Norm Core and then Fast Fashion infiltrated the social conscious as fast as Instagram did in 2012.
Then came Everlane and Bonobos (two companies in which I nearly worked) and the rise of digitally-native, vertical brands erupted spew all over my beloved classic madras ties and barn jackets. Wear a classic roll neck sweater in 2014? Hell no. I was out, and I didn’t come back until the best jeans I’ve ever worn came from spin-off Madewell in 2018. I came back to J. Crew yet again.
That entire story is so eloquently told in Maggie Bullock’s new book, “The Kingdom of Prep.”
It’s a “holy shit wow” type of book.
Her research is intense. Her sources, open. From interviewing Lisa Burnbach to Jenna Lyons, she leaves no stone unturned in this vivid history of 20th century fashion and of J. Crew — both at once.
The story of Lacoste’s crocodile and Ralph Lauren’s polo man are well known, but do you know the first brand to not put logos on shirts? J. Crew. The first brand to label colors called sea breeze and not just blue? J. Crew.
For #brand students like me, it’s a brilliant history of what it takes to create — and keep relevant — a brand at the top of its game (“We’re more like a No. 2 pencil,” they famously said of how accessible they once were.) it’s a study in American Branding 101.
They changed the way we dressed. And now this book will change the way you think of them. Again.
Through the prep of the 80s and the minimalistic 90s, I stayed true, even when my college friends started wearing Abercrombie & Fitch Co., I was a J. Crew man through and through.
They forgot about me along the aughts years in favor of a more female-centered spectacle in which my clothes were relegated to the back of the store. That is, until the Liquor Store opened in NYC with must-have Timex Field Watches and Red Wing boots, the latter in which I neither could afford nor find in my size.
Along the way, I worked in men’s outdoor brands, taking cues from the fashion world, watching as how Norm Core and then Fast Fashion infiltrated the social conscious as fast as Instagram did in 2012.
Then came Everlane and Bonobos (two companies in which I nearly worked) and the rise of digitally-native, vertical brands erupted spew all over my beloved classic madras ties and barn jackets. Wear a classic roll neck sweater in 2014? Hell no. I was out, and I didn’t come back until the best jeans I’ve ever worn came from spin-off Madewell in 2018. I came back to J. Crew yet again.
That entire story is so eloquently told in Maggie Bullock’s new book, “The Kingdom of Prep.”
It’s a “holy shit wow” type of book.
Her research is intense. Her sources, open. From interviewing Lisa Burnbach to Jenna Lyons, she leaves no stone unturned in this vivid history of 20th century fashion and of J. Crew — both at once.
The story of Lacoste’s crocodile and Ralph Lauren’s polo man are well known, but do you know the first brand to not put logos on shirts? J. Crew. The first brand to label colors called sea breeze and not just blue? J. Crew.
For #brand students like me, it’s a brilliant history of what it takes to create — and keep relevant — a brand at the top of its game (“We’re more like a No. 2 pencil,” they famously said of how accessible they once were.) it’s a study in American Branding 101.
They changed the way we dressed. And now this book will change the way you think of them. Again.
Ohhh this was good…
I think the mere mention of J. Crew can stir up a memory for most people. Whether you were/are a fan… your cousin, neighbor… or you religiously watch Dawson’s Creek! A dishy read full of interesting stories of the retail world. A very niche subject… my shelves are full of fashion/brands/industry titles and this is a great addition!
A well researched look into J. Crew as well as trends, consumers and the business. The audio was excellent and the physical copy has a center addition of photos!
Thank you Libro.Fm
I think the mere mention of J. Crew can stir up a memory for most people. Whether you were/are a fan… your cousin, neighbor… or you religiously watch Dawson’s Creek! A dishy read full of interesting stories of the retail world. A very niche subject… my shelves are full of fashion/brands/industry titles and this is a great addition!
A well researched look into J. Crew as well as trends, consumers and the business. The audio was excellent and the physical copy has a center addition of photos!
Thank you Libro.Fm
This is a great book if you have any interest in business, retail or fashion. I learned so much!
informative
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic