Why I’ll Pass on the Vinyl Car Monogram

*Update insert June 2010: Ok- I have lived with this post for a year.  It embarrasses me a bit as I think it is the only negative I have EVER written on this blog.  But, I know some of you LOVE IT as too many people to this day bring it up to me (and all with a giggle as it seems to be many people’s favorite post)  Well, ok, I’ll keep it up.  But, I will say this….drum roll please: I still don’t like the car monogram, but really, if you want one, do it.  I don’t DETEST them anymore.  I mean if you are lugging around kids all day and looking at a monogram in your rear view mirror makes you happy – GO FOR IT!  Life is short; have fun with it.  Back to the original post now.

Remember when monograms only showed up on towels, bags, wool sweaters, childrens’ clothing and stationery?   With the evolution of plastics, many other things are now monogrammed.  Manufacturers figured out that for every Mary cup they made, there were multiple M names that would buy that same cup.

Growing up with the name Liza, I can tell you that I was always optimistic when I saw the name necklaces hanging in each new store I entered: Maybe this one will have Liza, instead of the Lisa and Elizabeth that were always present. But alas, I never was able to benefit from the mass marketed necklaces, pencils, and friendship bracelets.  I even sent away for some customized stickers with rainbows when I was about 9 or 10.  They came back with sharpie handwritten Liza on each sticker.  Even at that age, I knew they were too lame to put into my sticker collection (which was the envy of the neighborhood…but it was never complete without the professional name sticker, which that blasted Lisa Campbell pointed out)  Well, today, I can just pick up a “L” clipboard, coffee cozy, vinyl bag or polka dotted paper at just about every store I walk into.

Even more interesting, at least to me, is what is being done with the personalized three letter monogram that can now be manufactured on the individualized level.  In today’s world of the custom made bumper sticker, the custom made monogrammed car sticker has come into vogue.  Well, I think vogue may be too loving a term.  I have to break my silence right here and right now: I detest the monogrammed car sticker.  I know, strong words for any monogram in the South.  How dare I say it?  Here goes: it has taken the elegance of the monogram and placed it at the same level as the tacky sticker I forever wanted as a nine year old.  Monograms belong many places, and our region is known for embracing the monogram with gusto.  BUT- hold off- DO NOT MONOGRAM YOUR CAR!  Wow- I’ve said it.  My fingers are crossed that none of you have one, because, well, that would be a teeny bit a-w-k-w-a-r-d….

Image Courtesy of thepaisleypolkadot.blogspot.com

Ok- before I go any further, I know this post may be offensive to some.  There are many of us Southerners that just can’t help but slap a monogram on everything possible….be it a house flag, your car, and I’m sure your car mats next (I know someone just read that and thought, “hmmm, car mats”……knock yourself out.  I bet you’ll make a million dollars! )  For those who have this sticker, please don’t hate me.  I get it: there is blank space and you CAN put a monogram on it, so why not?  My point is this: it goes against my every bone to be controversial; on this topic we will have to agree to disagree!  So the virtual hand shake has been had.  Thus, let me go on….

I mean, think about it: what has traditionally gone on the back of a car?  Stickers of things you wish to PROMOTE.  May it be a political candidate, a funny quote, your child’s school.  You are advertising some thought or entity.  By placing your monogram on your car (usually centered in the back windshield) you are advertising YOURSELF, promoting YOURSELF.  It’s just kinda ….icky.

So, I was wondering if I was the only one who felt this way.  I sent out emails to some StyleBlueprint lovin’ friends asking their opinions on the monogrammed car sticker and here is what I got back:

“It screams to me, “My life is better than yours because it is MONOGRAMMED.”

” I think when someone does that, they look like as ASS!”

“The vanity sticker at it’s worst.”

“They aren’t so bad.  But, I don’t want one.”

“A sad decline of the once classy monogram”

“Remember in the late 80’s, early 90’s when Raybans took their classic aviator style sunglasses and trimmed them with leather?  They took a classic thing and junked it up.  Just like the car monogram.”

The rapid fire response I got let me know that I was not alone!

And then, my friend sent me a picture of one from her road trip.  I kid you not that the car monogram read MLF.  Can you imagine? If you don’t know what this means, I would blush too hard to spell it out here.  It is the same as MiLF.  Google it.  Really, if you are going to make embrace the car monogram, make sure in the new pervasive text language that it doesn’t stand for something obscene.

So, please, before this gets too much out of hand, DO NOT EMBRACE this trend…..there is a place for a monogram and A CAR IS NOT IT! But your umbrella on the other hand, now you  are talking…..

For more unfortunate monograms, I mean I could giggle for hours, please see Cake Wrecks

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