This book investigates the specific social codes, habits, and aesthetic markers that define the 'Sloane Ranger' archetype within British upper-middle-class society. Ann Barr, a journalist and editor, utilizes her observations of London's social circles to codify the lifestyle of this demographic. The text serves as a satirical yet descriptive manual, outlining the expectations regarding fashion, education, social etiquette, and career paths for those aspiring to or belonging to this specific social stratum.

The text is widely regarded as a definitive cultural artifact of 1980s British social history, capturing a specific moment in class identity with sharp, observational wit. It remains a primary reference point for understanding the sociological nuances of the era's upper-middle-class lifestyle.