Sloane Ranger Danger

Last night was my first venture into Sloane Square/South Kensington territory, where I was fortunate enough to encounter the new generation of Sloane Rangers in their traditional heartland. For those unfamiliar with the term coined in 1982, "Sloane Ranger" refers to the young, self conscious, upper/upper middle class living in the fashionable and affluent part of West London. The archtypical Sloane was of course Princess Diana who personified the group with her penchant for pearls, hair bands, blouses with pie crust collars and navy blue velvet. Typically with names like "Hooray Henry", "Ra-ra Rupert", Caroline, Charlotte or Camilla, these rich, well heeled yuppies prioritised wealth, manners and elongated vowels. With the Neo-Sloane, although sharing the sentiments of their predecessors, gone are the obligatory Husky (ie. a waterproof vest in navy or green), Hermes scarf and labrador in tow, in their place are the must have straightened, blonde streaked hair, fake tan, expensive jewellery, jeans, fur gilet and heels or Tod's loafers, just a little swankier, wankier and skankier, as exemplified by their new style icons, Kate Middleton and Sienna Miller. As I stood on the Kings Road at Sloane Square surrounded by Range Rovers, I felt a little out of place in my Lady Di homage ensemble; velvet dress with bow, frilly blouse and navy Alice band, but "Daaaaaaaaaaaarling, it's amaaaaayzing, yaah?"