Nothing says "Classic and Preppy" more than monograms and madras. Both are must-haves for the prepster. This is the time of year I love to wear madras. Take a look at some of the pieces I wore recently...lunching and shopping.
The skirt and light blue cardi are by Lilly and the white tee is monogrammed in light blue.
I wore my Lilly blue thong sandals and carried a white Bermuda Bag. Along with my pearl necklace and stud earrings, I wore my Cartier rollring wedding band. My nail polish was 'Lovie Dovie' by Essie and my lipstick was 'Laser Pink' by Chanel. My ponytail was adorned with a white grosgrain ribbon bow and my fragrance of choice for the day was 'Wink' by Lilly.
These madras capris are by Ralph Lauren and the pink button down oxford cloth shirt is also by Ralph Lauren.
I wore the 'Loopy 50th Jubilee Pool Party' flip flops by Lilly and a blue pony cap by Lacoste. My earrings are gold script monogrammed drop style and I wore my 'Oyster Perpetual' Rolex watch along with my rollring wedding band by Cartier. My ponytail was adorned with a pink grosgrain ribbon bow and I carried my pink monogrammed Bermuda Bag by Lilly. Lipstick--'Laser Pink' by Chanel...nail polish 'Lovie Dovie' by Essie. I've now developed another obsession y'all...my beverage containers simply must coordinate with my outfits!!! Love this white tumbler with my monogram in blue...too cute!!!
These madras capris and the white polo shirt are both by Ralph Lauren...comfortable and cool!
I wore my blue Polo flips flops, a navy pony cap monogrammed in white, and a white grosgrain ribbon bow adorned my ponytail. I wore these cute silver monogrammed earrings with the matching ring, my rollring wedding band by Cartier, and my 'Oyster Perpetual' watch by Rolex. My lipstick...'Star Red' by Chanel and my fragrance of choice for the day--'Lauren', by Ralph Lauren.
Southerners love to monogram their stuff! We put our own initials on everything in sight! I'll admit, I probably need to enter a Monograms Anonymous program, but who has the time? Showing off your monogram is a darling way to make your clothes, dinnerware, linens, stationery, jewelry, and almost anything personal.Here's a few of my monogramming rules:
~Monograms may be used with the first/last initial only. I am not a fan of the single letter monogram because I don't think it is as personal as the full monogram.
~For a single lady--Janice Kay Sessums would use the first initial of her given, middle, and
family surname; i.e., Janice Kay Sessums---jSk.
~In the South, after Janice Kay Sessums marries Kenneth Craig Gibson, she drops her middle name Kay. Sessums would then become her middle name and Gibson would be her surname. Her name would then be Janice Sessums Gibson and her monogram would be jGs. (This Southern tradition of dropping your middle name after you have married and using your maiden surname as your new middle name, allows people to recognize your name throughout your life.)
~If Janice uses a joint married monogram for items such as crystal, china, linens, et cetera, she would use the first letter of her given name, the first letter of her husband's surname, and the first letter of her husband's given name--jGk.
It's important to remember that Janice Kay Sessums may still use the initials of her maiden throughout her life, even if she marries. I still have jewelry from my single days, with my maiden monogram.
~When monogramming clothes, men's monograms are usually small and women's are larger. A man's monogram is always on the left side of the shirt or the left cuff, in small block letters in the order of the names; i.e., Kenneth Craig Gibson--KCG.
A traditional monogram consists of three initials. Your surname is in the middle and larger. For example: Janice Sessums Gibson is jGs.
~In the South, after Janice Kay Sessums marries Kenneth Craig Gibson, she drops her middle name Kay. Sessums would then become her middle name and Gibson would be her surname. Her name would then be Janice Sessums Gibson and her monogram would be jGs. (This Southern tradition of dropping your middle name after you have married and using your maiden surname as your new middle name, allows people to recognize your name throughout your life.)
~If Janice uses a joint married monogram for items such as crystal, china, linens, et cetera, she would use the first letter of her given name, the first letter of her husband's surname, and the first letter of her husband's given name--jGk.
It's important to remember that Janice Kay Sessums may still use the initials of her maiden throughout her life, even if she marries. I still have jewelry from my single days, with my maiden monogram.
~When monogramming clothes, men's monograms are usually small and women's are larger. A man's monogram is always on the left side of the shirt or the left cuff, in small block letters in the order of the names; i.e., Kenneth Craig Gibson--KCG.
A traditional monogram consists of three initials. Your surname is in the middle and larger. For example: Janice Sessums Gibson is jGs.
The interlocking font...
The circle font...
The diamond font...
Is there anything you should NOT monogram? Right off hand, I can't think of a thing! I'm getting ready to have a window valance monogrammed! Can you every wear too many monogrammed items at the same time? Probably so and I'm certainly guilty of this all the time.
Make it personal y'all. Monogram it!
Make it personal y'all. Monogram it!
22 comments:
I monogram every. single. thing. I have- I guess I'm guilty as charged too! Was just thinking I need a monogrammed baseball cap and then I saw yours, which sealed the deal for me! Precious.
I've been loving monograms here recently more than ever!!!
I sell thirty one gifts too, well I try to, haha....so that just adds to my monogramming obsession!
Simply Sara
You are so cute. I like monograms, too. I gave my son a lot of name so I messed up his monogram. He has four names.
Miss Janice, I love monogramming! My sister in law has a monogramming business, and I'm trying not to take advantage of that...lol ;) Nancy
I'm probably the last person in the South that didn't keep my maidenn name as my middle name. Even though they were prominent in Bama I decided b/c I never really knew them and I love my middle name I kep it.
Oh, I love, love monogramming! Wonderful post, Miss Janice! xoxo
I love the outfit with your pink oxford and pastel capris!
I have a quick monogramming etiquette question for you--a friend is getting married (eKj now) to a man with the last name S. I asked her what her name was going to be and she was she was probably dropping her maiden name, as she said she was more "traditional." Would her monogram be with her old middle name and new last initial? (And is it "traditional" for some to keep their middle name--even if we are Yankees?) ;)
You are sooo cute. Love how you modeled your outfits and gave the low down! I too am a monogram maniac so loved this post...and thanks for the monogram etiquette..equally important to loving them! This was great:)
All of my stuff is monogrammed which seems to perplex the boy. He shouldn't fret though because I he will be getting gifts in the monogrammed variety while associated with moi.
It took me about a month to realize this blog is satire! Well done! LOL!
such a great tutorial, thank you!
Dear Faun?
Sorry you feel that way! You have a nice day:-)
Miss Janice
Sweet Miss Janice, Dont you worry about those critical folks at all. I absolutely love your blog and especially your "what I wore" posts. In these days of fashion Babylon where no one even knows what is "in style" anyway it's nice to see what a well dressed lady is wearing on a regular basis. I'm also always glad to get tips on how to better myself as far as manners are concerned. If some folks out there think they are too important for such things then let them move along. If I didnt have a regular dose of Southern-ness from you (and my dear Auntie who lives near Chattanooga whom I call weekly) I would just go crazy! Ohio has it's good points but let's face it- the South is The South and its wonderful and you represent it so well. Bless you and your blog!
fully agree with Michelle, well said! love the what you're wearing posts
Oh Miss Janice I do love monograms! So much that I purchased an embroidery machine and started a business...I think EVERYTHING looks so much classier with a monogram and my favorite styles are the same as yours! I rarely give a gift that isn't monogrammed!
I have a monogram shop down the street and I take quite a few things there and they do a great job. I LOVE your 'what I wore' pictures. I think you should do it every single day.
I don't think Faun meant to be mean, y'all. Sometimes folks just don't 'get it', and that's okay. Janice is sadly, a dying breed and Faun has probably never met anyone like her - which isn't anything bad against Faun, either.
I hope I'm right. ;)
Kathie
Dear Glitterista,
Your friend's monogram is now: eKj. Her future husband's surname initial is S. With a traditional monogram, her new initials would be eSk {her first name initial, her husband's surname initial, and her maiden name initial}. I hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Miss Janice
hmmm...can you explain BFF?
Well again Miss Janice, I LoVe your post. I totally monogram every single thing...just got a purse and carrier and a laptop case all monogramed with my initials/name. I find it so sophistiated and an old time Southern tradition I love to keep up with. I even give linens with monograms to neices etc when engaged or getting married. Keep up the TRADITIONS!!!
I love monograms too. In fact, when we named our children I wanted to make sure their monograms looked good. My MERCY what on earth is WRONG with some people? The heat must be getting to them or something.
Love the Lauren perfume!! This was my very first "real" perfume and has always been a favorite!! I'm also finding that I am on a love affair with "White Linen" after many years. Some things just never go out of style.
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