We rarely think about the design details in everyday items, but some have intriguing histories—like the “locker loops” on the backs of shirts.

Introduced by menswear brand GANT in the 1960s, locker loops were initially practical. They allowed Ivy League students to hang their shirts in locker rooms, preventing creases. Over time, these loops became more than functional, evolving into a cultural phenomenon.

In Ivy League culture, locker loops symbolized relationships. Young men would remove their loops to signal they were “taken,” while women often wore their partner’s scarves in exchange. This romantic gesture sometimes turned chaotic, as women reportedly tore the loops off shirts of boys they admired. Unfortunately, the tightly stitched loops often left the garment damaged or unwearable.

Though campus customs have shifted, the loops remain a nostalgic nod to this unique tradition in American fashion history.