How to be Chap: The Surprisingly Sophisticated Habits, Drinks and Clothes of the Modern Gentlema n

by Gustav Temple (Editor), Di Ozesanmuseum Bamberg (Editor)

A tweed suit, pipe, umbrella, and hat; a large dose of British humor and no sports ―well, except for cricket. The Chap is the modern English gentleman, and he’s out to conquer the world. How to be Chap explores the roots of the English gentleman and follows them to the present day. Today’s chaps live according to their own rules ―with hats, pipes, and, of course, British humor. Inspired by men such as Beau Brummell and Lord Byron, they maintain proper English ideals and virtues. By stepping back to tradition, they’re advancing a lifestyle revolution. In this book, chap expert Gustav Temple explains how a chap dresses, where he goes on vacation, which sports he plays (cricket) and which ones he doesn’t (everything else). From the historical foundations of British gentlemen’s culture to today’s dos and don’ts, How to be Chap provides thorough answers to chap-related questions and plenty of cultivated laughs.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published March 11, 2016

About the author

Gustav Temple has been the editor of The Chap magazine since 1999, when Britain’s finest gentlemen’s quarterly was launched. The Chap, now bi-monthly, recently celebrated its 15th year of publication and continues to spread the word of anarcho-dandyism through its pages, as well as via its annual gathering of the excellently dressed, The Chap Olympics. Mr. Temple is the author of six books, including The Chap Manifesto (2001) and Cooking for Chaps (2014). Mr. Temple’s grand quest is to rid the world of pantaloons de Nimes, sportswear off the sports field and uncouth behaviour. He believes that a man who is properly dressed has much more to offer the world than a slovenly fellow, and that society ultimately benefits when there is more dandyism on the streets.

Reviews

[Tim Wainwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top shelf, old boy.

[James Slaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on an interesting sub-culture. Historical and modern aspects are present with dozens of aspects (e.g., music, literature, fashion) covered.

Not that I want to be chap, but I have some chap aspects, and appreciated the well thought out format.