Embroidered initials are often the prerogative of the custom shirt. They are synonymous with elegance and distinction. The color of the thread, their location and their size are nevertheless important. We tell you more in this article.
The history of embroidered initials
Initially, embroidered initials were thought to be only utilitarian: they allowed people to recognize who was the owner of the shirt within the large families or to find it easily at the laundromat.
The location of the initials had to be in a non-visible place on the shirt, often "Italian style" on the stomach, at the level of the fourth button. Indeed, one did not remove his jacket in society.
With time, and the advent of the washing machine, these initials have taken on a whole new dimension, and have become the prerogative of businessmen and gentlemen as a sign of distinction. They attest that the shirt was custom made. They bring character and classify their owner in a socio-professional category of standing. They also add a touch of personalization to a plain shirt.
The location
You can choose various locations for your monogram: on the wrist, on the chest at the level of the second button, on the corner of the pocket, on the sleeve at the level of the forearm like the English aristocrats or on the chest again but at the level of the fourth button, as the Anglo-Saxons do today in a very affirmed and energetic style.
On the chest
On the pocket
On the sleeve
We recommend that you choose a discreet location such as the wrist. The embroidered initials have a side even more elegant as they are not ostentatious.
The color
To keep it discreet, we recommend choosing a thread in the same tones as the shirt, with a color just a little darker. If your shirt is checked or striped, choose a thread in the strongest color of the shirt or opt for white. With a white shirt choose a white thread or a contrasting color like black or navy. Exit the fluorescent pink or carmine red, we stay on neutral colors. You don't want anyone to think from afar that you have a stain!
For the typography, you have the choice, but keep the font small.
The initials
We often write the initials of the first name and then those of the last name. But this can vary according to the text. Mr. William Chambon will probably prefer to put the initial of his name before the initial of his first name to avoid an unpleasant WC, just like Mr. Philippe Daquois and Mr. Pierre Quintis.
Punctuation is not used, and the letters are often in capital letters.
The technique
The monogram can be done by hand or by machine for a more industrial and widespread side today.
It is difficult today to stand out with a man's shirt, especially with formal shirts that remain in neutral tones and universal colors like blue, white or pink. The embroidered initials allow to distinguish oneself, they often come to sign a custom-made shirt, therefore of quality, and are synonymous of distinction and elegance for their owner, provided that they are placed in a discreet way and are chosen in the right color.
