Home 5 Things You Should Never, Ever Monogram (And Five Things You Should) We asked, and you answered. By Betsy Cribb Betsy Cribb Betsy is the Home and Features Editor at Southern Living. She writes about a veritable potpourri of topics for print and digital, from profiling Southern movers-and-shakers and celebrating family traditions to highlighting newsy restaurant openings and curating the annual holiday gift guide. Prior to joining the Southern Living team in 2017 as the style editor, she worked at Coastal Living as an assistant editor covering pets and homes. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 28, 2022 Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Khara Scheppmann has 12 years of marketing and advertising experience, including proofreading and fact-checking. She previously worked at one of the largest advertising agencies in the southwest. brand's fact checking process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article Don't Monogram: The Front Door Don't Monogram: Boots Don't Monogram: Sandals Don't Monogram: Cars Don't Monogram: Scarves Do Monogram: Bookbags and Backpacks Do Monogram: The Shower Curtain Do Monogram: Sweaters (And Other Clothes) Do Monogram: Totes Do Monogram: Bedding When it comes to the Southern affection for personalizing things, Reese Witherspoon sums it up best: "If it isn't moving, monogram it." But just because you can, doesn't necessarily mean you should. We had ideas about what to embellish (or what not to) with that lovely trio of initials, but we wanted to bring our all-important question—"To Monogram, or Not to Monogram?"—to you. We posted a series of ten "Heck Yes/No Way" questions on our Instagram story in search of (very scientific) opinions on monogramming everything from front doors to scarves. Here's how nearly 10,000 of our Instagram followers and arbiters of Southern taste responded. Laurey W. Glenn Don't Monogram: The Front Door The South says, "No way!" Sure, we've all seen the painted wooden monogram wreaths hanging on front doors, but 64 percent of our followers aren't fans of that neighborhood trend. Want to personalize your front porch more subtly? Try a monogrammed doormat instead. Don't Monogram: Boots The South says, "No way!" It seems that some things are too sacred, even for monograms. And when it comes to boots, 74 percent of our Instagram voters agreed that their old faithful kicks are better without that personalized touch. Don't Monogram: Sandals The South says, "No way!" While Jack Rogers, the favorite summer sandal, offers monogramming, it looks like most of our crowd isn't going to take them up on it—79 percent of our Instagram voters would instead go the plain-Jane route when it comes to their Jacks. Don't Monogram: Cars The South says, "No way!" Monogrammed license plates and car stickers—you've seen them in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot, your neighbor's driveway, or en route to church; however, none of those cars belong to the 85 percent of our folks who say that monogramming your vehicle is a bad call. Don't Monogram: Scarves The South says, "No way!" Receiving your first pashmina is a veritable rite of passage in the South: "Congratulations! You're a woman now." Yet, despite the number of scarves that inevitably pile up in a Southern woman's closet, you won't find any monogrammed ones in the mix—71 percent said it's better to skip the scarf monogram. Do Monogram: Bookbags and Backpacks The South says, "Heck yes!" Yes, we love a monogrammed backpack for the sheer cuteness of it. Still, we feel that 79 percent of our voters are all-in on the monogrammed bookbag trend for a more practical reason. It's harder for little Jane Ann to confuse her embroidered purple backpack with her signature script initials with her siblings or another classmate. Do Monogram: The Shower Curtain The South says, "Heck yes!" While the "yay" side overtook the "nay" side in this great monogramming debate, it was the most divisive of all the items: 54 percent to 46 percent. Regarding personal bias on the matter, I'm all for a white waffle weave shower curtain personalized with a large, colorful monogram. It's an easy, low-commitment way to bring in a splash of color, plus you can coordinate it with your towels (monogram towels, of course). Do Monogram: Sweaters (And Other Clothes) The South says, "Heck yes!" While I'm all for baby bloomers and small children's clothes featuring a monogram, monogrammed clothes for adults is a different story—but 60 percent of our readers say it's a stylish move. Maybe I'm missing out. Do Monogram: Totes The South says, "Heck yes!" Monograms and totes go together like lemons and sweet tea: They're better together! Of all categories, this is the closest to unanimous because 89 percent said they were on board with the monogrammed tote. Gift givers, take note. "They've been there 30 years," says Olasky of the Sheraton-style beds. The designers sharpened them up with fresh canopies, duvets, and shams by Leontine Linens. Laurey W. Glenn Do Monogram: Bedding The South says, "Heck yes!" Bring on the monogrammed shams. Of the Instagram-style mavens, 69 percent think monogrammed bedding is a smart move. And to the 31 percent of our voters who aren't fans of personalized bedding, take a peek at the heirloom-worthy monogrammed linens from New Orleans-based Leontine Linens—they may just change your mind. So there you have it: Pick your side of the monogram battle. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit