With just three letters, you can communicate a lot. Modern text language is a good example, but this is especially true when it comes to clothing. Individual monograms have existed for centuries, and lettering is used to recognize you as a member of a group or city.
However, in the postwar era, branding your clothes or belongings with your initials was considered showy or wasteful — a method of flaunting your money with a series of small, delicately stitched needle strokes. We’re all in favor of some well-placed tasteful monogramming. We know, however, that less is more, much like the delicate initialing itself.
As a result, and to stop you from pasting half of the alphabet over your whole wardrobe, we’ve prepared a monogram manifesto. It’s a mix of defending the trend and showing you how to monogram like a modern person. Because this is an age-old tradition that isn’t deserving of the criticism it receives. To put it another way, FTW, monograms rule.
Select Your Items
Manufacturers now offer a wide range of monogramming alternatives to complement your personal taste. They can assist you in finding the size, color, and style you want, whether it’s jewelry, a bag, or a t-shirt. Gear from Comfort Colors Collection, monogrammed shirts, and rain jackets are some of our most popular wardrobe alternatives. You can also choose from a variety of purses and cosmetic bags, as well as personalized jewelry. Examine the options and determine which products require monograms.
Your initials don’t have to be on everything in your closet. Choose a few cherished pieces that you wear frequently and have them customized only for you.
Only Monogram Formal Items
Following the same idea, there are some items of apparel that will be seen by the public yet should never contain your name. While embroidering your initials on a shirt is completely okay – more on that later — you should never monogram a t-shirt. The monogram has a certain formality to it that should be followed at all times.
For instance, refrain from embroidering your initials on a pair of chino pants or a baseball cap. Keep the badge of identification and pride available for instances when you’ll need to dress up, demonstrate your commitment to your business, and introduce yourself to others.
Select Your Letters
The letters are first and foremost. Monogramming is fine and dandy, but you’ll only get away with it if you have suitable initials. It’s a harsh reality, and one that your parents should have remembered when filling out your birth certificate, but some people’s initials lend themselves to monogramming, while others don’t.
It’s a little more difficult than you might think to choose the proper letters for your clothing and accessories. It’s simple if you only have two initials. You’re done once you’ve filled in your first and last initials.
It tends to get a little more tricky if you have three or more initials. Counter-intuitively, the first initial is placed first, the last initial is placed second, and the middle initial is placed third. For a more creative look, the middle letter in the monogram (your last initial) is often significantly larger than the other two letters.
Select Your Font
Today, producers are happy to offer you both conventional southern-style font alternatives as well as some more unique designs. Some items have more font options than others, but the full font collection includes Circle, Block, Oval, Vine, Octagon, Script, Diamond, and more.
Some goods also allow you to use your entire name instead of initials. These are typically glassware goods that allow you to personalize a cup or tumbler with your complete first name. This is an unusual feature for monogrammed clothing.
Dimensions of Monograms
The letters in monograms are about 6 mm tall. The width of letters and numbers varies depending on the font. Block and Serif letters and numerals are 6 mm wide whereas Script letters and numerals are 8 mm wide.
Each special character’s size is proportional to the letters and numbers. As a result, the period and comma are both 1 mm and 2 mm in size, the ampersand is around 6 mm tall and 7 mm wide, and so on. The length of a monogram is determined by the amount of characters used.
Choose Your Favorite Color
You can choose from a variety of colors for your thread or vinyl. Over 20 color possibilities are available, including extremely uncommon selections like coral pink, bright orange, periwinkle, nude gold, and others.
When selecting fonts and colors for various pieces, make sure they complement one another in case you decide to wear them all at the same time. Whatever initial clutch or jewelry you wear with it should complement your monogrammed apparel.
The Best Place to Put a Monogram
Shirt monograms can be placed in a variety of places on the dress shirt, although some work better for particular men than others. Cuffs and collars are trendy, yet they can appear arrogant. After all, why put a monogram in such a prominent location if it has no use today? Monograms on shirt cuffs and collars can make the wearer appear snobbish or insecure, so choose a more modest place.
The left forearm is a good choice because it is hidden when a man is dressed in a suit or sports jacket, but anyone who sees him without it will notice. Keep it off your right forearm since you shake hands with that person and waving your monogram in someone’s face ruins the subtlety of the location. If the left forearm still bothers you, consider raising the shirt front a few inches above the pant line. Without a jacket on, a monogram will be visible but not as prominent as it would be on the pocket. And if you do wear a coat, it would only be displayed while unbuttoned.
Conclusion
When done gently, a monogram lends a sense of robust charm to one’s attire. Be sure to choose the appropriate letters, fonts and colors that match your other monogrammed apparel.
The location of your monogram is also very important. If you absolutely must have a monogram, place it on the front of your dress or accessories, right above your waistline, or on your left forearm. When a person wears a monogram in a prominent place, such as the shirt cuff, he appears to be putting on a show of faux class and rich pretension.
When you obtain your first clothing or accessory monogram, refer back to this guide to revisit everything you need to know about how to do it correctly.
