Today's Journal

Monogram Trends

Traditionally, table linens were monogrammed reflecting the name of the wife.  Table linens and other "household goods" considered to be in the "domain" of the worman.  The traditional three-letter monogram would be a large initial in the center for the shared last name, a smaller initial on the left for the wife's initial of her first name and a smaller initial on the right reflecting the initial of the wife's maiden name or middle name.

 So, if Sarah Mary Jones married John Black, the monogram on table linens, bed linens and towels would be....SBJ...or SBM.

Current trends, however, reflect the reality of our lives...and our names! 

Today, there really are no rules, however, there are trends. A traditional monogram for a married couple would use the shared initial of the last name as the large center letter, the husband's first initial as a smaller letter on the left and the wife's first initial as a smaller letter on the right or vice versa.  So, if Sarah Mary Jones married John Black, the monogram could be SBJ...or JBS.  Of course, a single initial B would always be correct.

But, that is just the beginning.

When a couple uses a hyphenated last name, the hyphenated initials can appear together (and larger) in the center. So, if Jennifer Maxwell marries Tom Adams, they would become Jennifer and Tom Maxwell-Adams.  Their monogram could be JMAT or TMAJ...or they could choose to use only 2 initials, their new last name...MA...or  a monogram created by the inititials of their first names...JT.

Life partners who keep their own names could use monograms in a similar fashion, combining the first letter of their last names or first names.

And what about the O' and the Mc....you simply use the O or the M! 

The beauty of a personal monogram is that it is....personal.  It reflects you, your family, your commitments.  You choose how you wish to design you own monogram! 

For some background information on monograms, see my article in the Ideas section...Monograms, A Lasting Tradition.  Explore Julian Mejia's options for exquisite monogrammed napkins....simply stunning!