Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady [マスマーケット]

I think I may have to toss this one, because I can't imagine who I would want to read it.

By its description, I should love this book. I pre-ordered it at Amazon's suggestion because I do have a history of enjoying books that aim to tackle the problem of emulating the class and tact of our most beloved role models in the modern age.

Upon first attempt, I immediately realized that this book is not really targeted at my age bracket (mid 20s). There is nothing updated, new, or interesting about the conventional wisdom that a woman should leave a bit to the imagination when getting dressed in the morning, for example. Anyone who picked up such a book for herself is already in that camp. But the fact that this book doesn't apply to my age set doesn't mean it's a bad book, so I continued reading in the hopes that I would be inspired to pass it on to someone a bit younger.

Reading deeper into the book, I am disappointed to report that not only do I feel it provides nothing new for the 20-something reader, I actually don't even think it would be a step in the right direction for most teens. Blasberg calls on celebrity connections to validate his authority on the subject of class, a pretense that is odd at best, as true social graces need not be confined to (nor defined by) those with wealth and power. So much of this book is about Blasberg himself and how much celebrities love him that I'm really quite surprised that it all made its way past an editor. The me-fest gets old quite quickly, as the remarks are often either of-topic, or related but also mean-spirited and really quite the opposite of classy.

Ultimately, if you are looking for a book full of petty commentary about celebrities and advice on how to avoid being a gossip target for other petty people, this would be a good book to pick up. Alternately, if your teenage daughter is hopeless and won't read anything but US Weekly, this might be an acceptable gateway drug to proper socialization. But otherwise, I'm pretty sure this is not the book you're looking for. I know that was my experience.

I became intrigued by this book after reading a couple magazine blurbs about this book. I actually love these kinds of books; they're can be useful, funny, and great reads at the beach or on an airplane. It looked interesting enough: someone who's often at parties and events around the world, hob-nobbing with the rich and the Botoxed, bestowing advice on what it means to be classy and the lack of this characteristic today. I figured the book would be full of insights from someone who associates with the upper crust, providing a unique perspective on the age old line, "Money doesn't buy class."

Unfortunately, if you read the premise above, sit for 5 minutes, and think about what YOU would write if you were the author of such a book, you'd be right on target. Everything in the book is quite predictable and even pedestrian. Tips for shopping online? Research to make sure the store is legit. Don't respond to unsolicited e-mails asking for your personal information. Doesn't everyone pretty much know this? Blasberg also provides a handy little chart that illustrates the logos of some luxury brands (e.g., Chanel, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, etc.), cautioning people to read the bag labels carefully so you don't end up buying a "Prado" instead of a Prada. Really? He even has a section on drugs (basically, don't do them) and cigarettes (don't smoke; they're bad for you, too). Don't get me wrong, his advice is sound, but it's nothing you didn't know already via common sense: don't be mean to servers because they could retaliate by spitting in your food; don't be rude to the people cleaning your hotel room because they could do horrible things to your toothbrush; don't send naked photos of yourself because they could end up all over the internet; don't pole-dance at a party because you're not Kate Moss; ad infinitum.

I hope the book would make up for the lack of insight on the advice department by adding some illuminating commentary on the elite he hangs with. Why is Kate Moss and similar people exempt from the rules (besides the simple declaration that she's a supermodel)? But, alas, nothing. The book is good eye candy, though. There are some funny pictures with a model demonstrating what's classy (a classic bag, boots, well-groomed hair) and what's not (thongs exposed under Juicy pants, Uggs, messy hair), but these are more for entertainment than for your edification; you could get the same kind of pictures by reading a few issues of MARIE CLAIRE.

I recommend this book for a bare-bones etiquette primer for a teenager who has absolute no common sense whatsoever. Nil. None. I mean, if you know a teenager who doesn't understand that her naked pictures could possibly end up on the internet once her two-week-old relationship expires, get her this book. If she doesn't know that posting her full address and phone number on Facebook is unwise, buy her this book. If she doesn't know that belching loudly, showing her thong, and dry humping that cute guy at grandma's dinner party might be a bad idea, then, by all means, by her this book.

On a positive note, if you feel you need a very basic starter list for books, art pieces, photographers, and films you feel you "should" know about but don't, you can find that here. It's not comprehensive at all, but Blasberg does include several note-worthy people and titles that will get any newbie off to a good start.

I really, really wanted to like this book. The author is interesting, the layout is great, and the pictures pique your interest. But it turned out to be filled with fluff. It's like reading air most of the time. This book reads more like those advice columns they have in OK! MAGAZINE (which offers such sage wisdom like, 'If it's hot, drink some ice tea to cool you down...put it in a nice cup and pretend you're on vacation at a resort'). Blasberg validates his sections by pointing out how his celebrity friends do this or that without adding any fruitful explanations. For example, he has an elite friend who is an absolute banshee to people in the service industry. All he can offer is to tell you not to do that. It'd be much more interesting if he elaborated on why he hangs around with such rude people. If he had owned up to this and had written how he hangs with these people because he sees an advantage in doing so, then at least he could give us a useful section about networking from his unique point of view. It would be pertinent to this day and age, where so many people worship celebrities in spite of their flaws. I'd flip through this at a bookstore for the pictures, but I wouldn't recommend taking it home. Chances are, you already know the advice bestowed within.

I was thumbing through a magazine recently and came across a blurb for this book which sparked my curiosity. How did Classy differ from the myriad other etiquette books on the market? After reading through a copy I found at a local bookstore, I have to say that I was impressed with Derek Blasberg's take on topics such as drinking, how to dress, logo overload and when to put down that blasted Blackberry. The subchapter titled The "Look at Me!" Era is, on its own, worth paying for.

Blasberg, a twenty-something writer in the fashion industry, is an insider who knows the movers and shakers and addresses topics you won't find in Emily Post (stripper poles at parties, sex tapes). There is solid advise here in a fetching package that should appeal to young females who might not be so inclined to pick up etiquette books by other authors. He lays out what comes across as attractive and, more importantly, what does not, even naming names to illustrate his point. The book's many photos give effective visual references to his words. Blasberg clearly understands the fundamental truth that many girls and young women mimic the behavior of their favorite celebrities because they believe that's the way to be perceived as attractive and desirable, but oftentimes, this behavior is crass, immature, and earns them a markedly different reputation than the one they want.

I am a big admirer of the book The Art and Power of Being a Lady by Noelle Cleary and Dini Von Mueffling, and while that book remains my favorite on etiquette, Classy goes a long way in speaking to today's impressionable, highly visual, celebrity-obsessed youth. The message: being classy doesn't mean being out of touch with the times, and just because a celebrity does something doesn't mean its smart. This should be required reading for teens and twenty-somethings who spend their time watching and/or reading about Paris, Kim and Lindsay (which Blasberg addresses as well), the casts of any reality television shows, as well as listening to any number of pop tarts on the charts these days. It could save them a world of embarrassment in the future.