When Your Own Initials Are Enough

SP loves a monogram. In this house, shirts, towels, correspondence cards, stationery, blazer buttons, cuff links, signet rings, bathrobes, tote bags, luggage, anything that’s not tied down or impossible to push a needle through, cowers in fear of being monogrammed. Bottega Veneta said it right in the early eighties when the company proclaimed “When your own initials are enough.”  SP could not agree more.  Celebrate your initials. We may not all have been born with grand names like Astor, Kennedy, Rockefeller or Vanderbilt, but we all have elegant initials. Hell, even Bobby Joe Bucktooth will look sophisticated when stitched in classic Roman BJB.

SP disagrees with visible labels on clothes or cars or anything. The occurrence of Coca Cola sprawled on a sweater, Nike splashed on jacket, even Levi’s on a little red tag stike me as unnecessary and distracting. The flaunting display of brands can – in some circumstances — seem gauche or pretentious. The one exception allowed, of course, is the little alligator, but that goes without saying. Lacoste is a tennis shirt and it’s an animal, not a name. In the same vein, we appreciate whales and ducks and lobsters and nautical flags embroidered on belts and sometimes, pants.

SP cuts the labels out of everything, and would NEVER wear a company’s name emblazoned on a shirt, not even the revered Polo. As much as SP loves what Ralph Lauren does, I would never wear his name flashing across the chest or on any other article of clothing. And don’t even get SP started on those giant embroidered polo rider and pony that cover the entire left chest of the shirt that seem to be popular of late. Not only is it extremely tack-ola, but think about it. Is RL paying you? If I am right, you are paying him. Then why in the world would you give this company free advertising? The same goes for fence builders or contractors or gardeners or tree specialist. If you want to place your advertising on my property, then pay me. I even cut off the label of Levi’s. But I digress. Oh, where did that rant take us? Monograms, that’s the thing we’re talking about.  So which monograms, which font, style? Where do you place it? Are there different rules for men and women? So many questions, so many choices. Well, hold on. Monograms, to be continued………..

SP recommends: The eternal Boat and Tote (yes even for men) from www.llbean.com. Check out the plush and affordable towels with easy monogram feature at www.landsend.com. And to make up for disrespecting Ralph Lauren, please visit www.polo.com and check out the new monogrammed polo shirt. The pony is tucked discreetly at the hem and your monogram sits where that famous pony used to. It’s like they’ve read my mind. Or this site.