Do you monogram? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you monogram?

rachylou

Veteran

Just had a thought, thinking about Logos and Pippa - does anybody here monogram? Feel it makes things nicer?

When I was young I had the monogrammed sweater. Maybe labels for sleep away camp, school. My dad's handkerchiefs I think had his intials. And people would do it if they sent their laundry out. And I guess silverware was monogrammed so when people stole it you could tell whose it really was.

I'm ok with it on my forks. But big silver serving plates, that makes me feel like I'm eating off a tennis trophy... I would do a sweater again, but it would be very kitschy IMO. Very Royal Tenenbaums.

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from Beth

Parsley

Veteran

I like monograms on things like handkerchiefs and linens, but I don't actually have any.
Back in the preppy days I had monogrammed sweaters and the whole deal, but I don't see myself doing that again any time soon.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I don't but I've thought about doing it on towels and luggage. I can't think of anything else I'd like it on for myself.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

This might make you laugh. First, no. Secondly, the only time I see my initials regularly is to mark manhole covers. Giggle. MH - that's me! (no middle names/initials in my family)

MsMary

Veteran

You mean, other than my "MK" Michael Kors bag?

I do like a man's shirt with discreet initials on the (preferably French) cuff. Or cufflinks. Handkerchiefs, definitely. Luggage, yes, that would be nice. Stationary, fo sho. And I have my full name engraved on my business card case, which I really like.

MsMary

Veteran

Oh, coming back to say when I bought my iPad they were running a special and you could get free engraving on the back. I couldn't think of anything clever enough, so I copied what they showed on the web site:

"Your engraving goes here."

MRL

Veteran

I have a monogrammed scarf, but that's all. I like it in small doses, only!

El Cee

Veteran

My "secret preppy" side loves a discreet, tastefully done monogram on things like leather goods, linens, silverware, certain jewelry items (signet rings, brooches), and (like MaryK suggests) stationary. Rachylou --- You made me laugh so hard with your reference to "eating off a tennis trophy". My very waspy cousin has a monogrammed gravy boat/tureen that reminds me so much of a sports award.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Interesting. I am quite preppy but not a monogrammer. I embroider names on Landsend and LL Bean totes for gifts and my kids love to see their name or initial on things but I have nothing except my charm bracelet from when I was 6 and an initial pin, but nothing else.

ETA: I think Pippa gets a kickback or discount so that's the only reason she keeps her tags prominent. Not judging (I'd do it too) but just saying.

Echo

Veteran

Monograms always struck me as old-fashioned, but they can be tasteful and fun in the right places.

Diana

Veteran

Nope. Too preppy for me. Also, since I didn't change my name when I got married, I'm not sure what we'd get on the linens anyway?

Monograms also weirdly remind me of middle/high school. Back then, everyone either had a Jansport backpack (unmonogrammed, with boho touches like leather bottoms and floral embroidered stripe) or the monogrammed llbean/Eddie Bauer backpack (very preppy, navy or black), and never the twain shall meet. I was a Jansport girl.

Susie

Veteran

My lunch bag is monogrammed! And I have a silver pendant with a cursive S.
We have one of the large LLBean canvas bags with our boat name (Asolare) on it. I think that's it. In general, monograms are a bit too preppy for my taste.

karymk

Veteran

I love monograms and am working on uncovering the perfect one so I can do kitschy things with it. For example, a huge tone on tone monogram on a grey sweatshirt. and on my Coton Doux pajamas from Paris!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well my grandmother used to monagram her towels and her cars (!) and I can't escape that association. She was a stylish lady but not my style at all.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have monogramed business cards.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I have a monogrammed locket that I received for my tenth birthday. My students are always asking, "Is that an antique?" How shall I answer them?

I would love to have a monogrammed signet ring, and I've always like those canvas bags with monograms!

minimalist

Veteran

I read the subject as "do you mammogram?" and clicked thinking whether to share....well, I'll save that for any eventual OT medical thread. Was confused by all the tea-towel and sweater talk, then it clicked. Whew!

So, um, one recognizable-logo'd bag I like is Goyard's cat bag in their new grey. (I like other bags of theirs as well, but this one fits everything I'd carry on a plane including Bose headphones, Monbento boxes, Stanley coffee travel mug, Camelbak water bottle and sundry cat paraphernalia. Sorry but I do not know the brands of the cat cr@p. Yes the Goyard lady let me put all this stuff in the display bag.)

Many people have their Goyard bag/suitcase/etc monogrammed, or even a family crest painted on. Can't imagine liking that, for myself. But one of their services that's apparently a big deal is to have the monogram changed when the client divorces. How do you all handle monogrammed items in case of name change?

rachylou

Veteran

That's an excellent point, Amy. I guess monogramming isn't quite for the 21st century.

I have just remembered, I have a whole set of duffle bags from LL Bean or Lands End (it's appalling but they're one and the same to me). I used their monogramming service to put my online "handle" on them (from the days of BBS).

Anonymous

I don't monogram anything. Don't know why I don't, though. I've never thought about it.

I do like personalized stationary, though.

S.C

Member

No, not sure why. I think monograms are better suited for nick-nacks vs clothing

Beth

Veteran

I monogram sometimes. We have monogrammed towels that were a wedding gift from a decade ago, and some old monogrammed silver from family. I do like monogrammed table linens but don't have any. For the monograms themselves, I prefer tone-on-tone, low contrast or blind embossed. I'm less a fan of monogramming things like pillows, coasters, etc but don't have any real reason why.

I don't monogram my clothes/accessories for the same reason I prefer not to wear logos.