Born out of a practical need - historically it was necessary to distinguish the shirts of the men of the house in wealthy families - today the embroidery of the initials is simply a whim of the modern gentleman , which gives an extra touch of charm and character .
But how can you indulge in this touch of style without falling into ostentatious inelegance?
The important thing is, first of all, that the embroidery is discreet and not excessive : it is a detail and must remain so.
Colors play a crucial role : generally the letters, followed by a period or less, are pale pink, light blue or gray on the white shirt, dark blue on the classic light blue shirt and red or burgundy on the pink one. If the shirt is more sporty, however, you can go wild and focus on brighter colors that highlight the initials.
The position is also important: generally the monogram is embroidered on the left side, between the fifth and sixth button counting from the top and at a distance of 7 cm from the buttoning. There are also those who prefer it on the collar or cuff, but the traditional position remains the most elegant and the most used.
So daring to wear initials on your shirt is allowed , but only with discretion.