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This is why men's shirts have a tiny loop on the back

  • <p>Ever ironed a shirt and wondered why there’s a loop on the back? </p>
    1/6

    Here’s the reason why men’s shirts have a tiny loop on the back

    Ever ironed a shirt and wondered why there’s a loop on the back?

  • <p>It turns out this tiny detail was a part of history. They were first used by sailors who’d hang their shirts on ship hooks while they were changing. Eventually the little sartorial details made their way to shore and into the home. </p>
    2/6

    Here’s the reason why men’s shirts have a tiny loop on the back

    It turns out this tiny detail was a part of history. They were first used by sailors who’d hang their shirts on ship hooks while they were changing. Eventually the little sartorial details made their way to shore and into the home.

  • <p>Back when there were no closets and washing pegs, these loops were used to hang up clothes on a line to dry or to hang on hooks at home. </p>
    3/6

    Here’s the reason why men’s shirts have a tiny loop on the back

    Back when there were no closets and washing pegs, these loops were used to hang up clothes on a line to dry or to hang on hooks at home.

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    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>They also have a bit of a romantic past. Shirt loops also became a trendy factor in the ’60s on button-down shirt worn by male university students. </p>
    4/6

    Here’s the reason why men’s shirts have a tiny loop on the back

    They also have a bit of a romantic past. Shirt loops also became a trendy factor in the ’60s on button-down shirt worn by male university students.

  • <p>Young ladies would try to rip off the shirt loops of the men they fancied. Men would also cut off their loops to show that they had a girlfriend. </p>
    5/6

    Here’s the reason why men’s shirts have a tiny loop on the back

    Young ladies would try to rip off the shirt loops of the men they fancied. Men would also cut off their loops to show that they had a girlfriend.

  • <p>Did you know about the history of the shirt loop? Let us know by tweeting us <em><strong><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://twitter.com/yahoostyleca" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:@YahooStyleCA;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">@YahooStyleCA</a>.</strong></em> </p>
    6/6

    Here’s the reason why men’s shirts have a tiny loop on the back

    Did you know about the history of the shirt loop? Let us know by tweeting us @YahooStyleCA.

<p>Ever ironed a shirt and wondered why there’s a loop on the back? </p>
<p>It turns out this tiny detail was a part of history. They were first used by sailors who’d hang their shirts on ship hooks while they were changing. Eventually the little sartorial details made their way to shore and into the home. </p>
<p>Back when there were no closets and washing pegs, these loops were used to hang up clothes on a line to dry or to hang on hooks at home. </p>
<p>They also have a bit of a romantic past. Shirt loops also became a trendy factor in the ’60s on button-down shirt worn by male university students. </p>
<p>Young ladies would try to rip off the shirt loops of the men they fancied. Men would also cut off their loops to show that they had a girlfriend. </p>
<p>Did you know about the history of the shirt loop? Let us know by tweeting us <em><strong><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://twitter.com/yahoostyleca" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:@YahooStyleCA;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">@YahooStyleCA</a>.</strong></em> </p>
Yahoo Canada Style

We now know why women’s shirt buttons are on the left, why your jeans has small metal buttons and a tiny pocket and why your backpack comes with a diamond patch. But have you ever given much thought as to why men’s shirts have a tiny loop on the back?

Click through the gallery above to learn its purpose and let us know if you’ve ever noticed or used your shirt loops by tweeting us @YahooStyleCA.