The subtle details of clothing often hide interesting stories. Take a look at the back of your shirts, ever noticed that little loop? You’ll often find it on dress shirts for men, seemingly inconspicuous but with a couple of intriguing purposes you might not have known about.
While dress shirts are typically part of more formal attire, they can also be dressed down for a casual look when paired with the right pants and accessories. But that loop on the back? It wasn’t just arbitrarily placed there.
Originally, it was a thoughtful addition for those hitting the gym frequently. Its purpose? To make hanging the shirt on a hanger a breeze, especially when you’re on the go and need to transition from one place to another without fussing about where to put your shirt.
Interestingly, that little loop had a flirtatious function too. In the past, it was used as a subtle signal of relationship status. If the loop was out and visible, it supposedly indicated that the person was taken, hence not needing to hang around looking for a place to hang their shirt. However, over time, its significance has faded away, becoming just another mundane part of shirt design.
Fashion trends may have evolved dramatically over the last century, but some elements remain unchanged. Men’s clothing, in particular, holds onto certain timeless features. Case in point: the back-of-the-shirt loop.
Often termed a “locker loop” or even a whimsical “fairy loop”, it’s stitched onto most Oxford or button-down shirts. Its primary purpose? Hanging up the shirt. Legend has it that these loops trace back to U.S. sailors who used them to hang their shirts aboard ships.
During the 1960s, they became an integral part of mainstream menswear, especially on college campuses as part of the “preppy” look. Gant, a clothing manufacturer, is often credited with popularizing this button-down style across Ivy League campuses. The man behind the brand initially introduced this shirt design to Yale University’s shop for male students, and from there, its popularity spread far and wide.
While Pregnant The Pottery Party Turned into a Surreal Nightmare… – Full story here
Expecting my second child, I dismissed the notion that the second pregnancy wouId be more emotional. Little did I know, the emotional rollercoaster was reserved for my husband. My friend Ava, determined to get me out of the house, signed us up for a pottery party. Reluctantly, I agreed. Little did I know, this seemingly innocent outing would unveil a shocking revelation.
At the pottery place, we joined a group of women looking to relax and have fun. As childbirth stories circuIated, one woman shared a tale about her boyfriend, Malcolm, missing the birth of their son to attend the delivery of his niece Tess on July 4th.
Ava and I exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the uncanny similarity to my situation. When I showed the woman a picture of Malcolm, Tess, and me, her confirmation sent my world spiraling. Malcolm had not only cheated on me but fathered a child with this woman.
In shock, I Ieft the room, tears streaming down my face. Malcolm confirmed the affair, shattering our marriage. Now, five weeks away from giving birth, I face the painful reality of divorce, betrayal, and the introduction of a stepbrother from his infidelity.
As I navigate this unexpected turn of events, my focus remains on creating a loving home for my children, shielding them from the fallout of their father’s actions
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