For centuries royalty, bourgeoisie, and businessmen have used the monogram for a variety of reasons. Though some uses are more practical than others, the popularity grew in and out of society throughout time. Nevertheless, with the recent favor of traditional style, it seems necessary to explore the monogram itself as a matter of course. The history and ruling of the practice can be read in further detail below. However, the opinion here is that, as the Romans say, anything in moderation can be tolerated. More specifically phrased, if tastefully done, a monogram can add an element of detail and sophistication that speaks to meticulous style. For shirtings, try the bottom of the chest pocket or under the cuff. If that is perhaps a bit overbearing, then a well engraved pair of cuff links can be a good substitute.
The J. Crew Men’s Shop online offers a variety of casual, dress, and work shirts that can now be personalized in this respect.
Regardless of the decision to bear insignia on your daily wear, the practice has more practical uses that should not be overlooked. The personalization of stationary is a good touch when sending out letters of business, or personal matters. Letters and/or invitations carrying your monogram will be received in a completely different light, than those without. There is a distinct level of professionalism that is reached by utilizing personal stationary. If paper is a bit much, then start with envelopes or single folded cards. In any case, it is food for thought.
A recommended site for personalized stationary is: The Stationary Studio
Make sure to go with something simple and classic. This will send the right message without being too kitschy.
HISTORY
Historically, a monogram was used as a royal signature. Romans and Greeks used them on coins to identify their rulers. Then, in the Middle Ages, artisans began to use them to sign their work. Victorian-period high-class persons adapted the monogram for personal use as a symbol of their place in society. Now, monograms can be seen on just about anything: bags, shoes, purses, clothes, personal stationary, and, of course, towels. Towels are perhaps the most popular of these examples. Newlyweds will often choose new towels and the monogram to be embroidered.
One can look almost anywhere and find a monogram. Luxury car companies sometimes monogram the leather seats of their vehicles, monograms are sometimes used as company logos, and people walk around with monogrammed jewelry and bags all the time.
In the Victorian era, rules for monograms were quite simple and few. Female monograms had the first initial on the left, middle initial on the right, and last initial embroidered larger in the middle. But the rules are hardly simple anymore.
A monogram can be playful, whimsical, flamboyant, traditional, elegant, or understated; the number of choices today is almost infinite. Many still choose to use the traditional Victorian female model, but now there is a traditional male model of first, middle, last, all in the same size, and there are numerous styles to choose from. A monogram can be a whole name or just initials. Rules are now flexible, but for the purist, there are a few standards. First of all, monograms with three initials are generally in the Victorian format of first initial, large last initial, middle initial. Then there is the male monogram of same-size letters first, middle, last initials.
THE RULES
Although there have been periods in history when single initial monograms and two-letter monograms were preferred, the three-letter monogram has come to symbolize the standard layout.In the 19th and Early 20th Centuries, when the rules for three-letter monograms were created, it would have been fairly easy to decide which letters represented which parts of an individual’s name.A woman by the name of Alice Canfield Bostwick, for example, would immediately recognize this monogram as her own – first name initial (A) on the left, middle name initial (C) on the right, and last name initial (B) in the center, larger than the rest.