while the simplicity of basics certainly makes them foundational staples for any wardrobe, i’d be lying if if said i didn’t love an unexpected detail every now and again. whether that’s a peplum hem, a frilled sleeve, or even a rogue pom pom, those little extra “somethings” can take a simple garment to a statement piece.

as you’re already well aware, i’m currently in the throws of wedding planning. which means that besides thinking about wedding music and centerpieces, i’ve also been thinking about my upcoming name change. i’m very traditional when it comes to these kinds of things so while it’ll be weird to all of a sudden have a different moniker than the one i’ve touted for the last 31 years, i’m really excited to take S’s name and in turn, get a brand new set of initials. which transitions me right into the point of this post –monogramming.

while j.crew has been offering it for years, madewell is relatively new to the monogramming concept. in fact, madewell has taken it one step further –offering not only just initials, but full phrases in a rainbow of thread colors. not only do they personalize apparel, but accessories like handbags, key chains and belts, too!

so in thinking of a fun way to honor my pending change in surname, i naturally turned to my favorite store for inspiration. why not get a chambray to wear on the morning of my wedding with my new initials (or perhaps “mrs. X”) embroidered above the chest pocket? not only would it be functional as i will need something that un-buttons down the front to ensure hair/makeup stay undisturbed, but it will also be a fun keepsake from our special day which i will undoubtedly wear over and over again.

below are just a few of the many items that can be monogrammed at madewell and j.crew. i can’t wait to order my own.

would you wear something monogrammed?