This is why sweatshirts have a V at the neckline

Details make all the difference. For decades, designers have been vamping up boring slick basics by giving them individual touches. Adding frills or a collar to a simple white T-shirt, for example, will transform it into an eye-catcher. But some style elements have more than just a decorative purpose – they can make your everyday life easier.

The little pocket beside your zip

Looking at the oil paintings of Napoleon Bonaparte, you can work out that the Corsican general – and later emperor – had a favourite pose: he angled one hand slightly, holding it under his jacket. In those days, the pose was said to signify determination and courage. In a nod to the ruler, the extra pocket next to a jacket’s zip was christened the Napoleon pocket. On many outdoor jackets, the pocket is reinforced, which turns it into a trusty waterproof protector for smartphones and such. By the same token, your valuables stay within easy reach – no matter how conceited you might look striking a Napoleon pose...

The loop on the back of your shirt

Perhaps you already suspected it, but here comes the confirmation: that little piece of looped fabric is actually intended as a hanger. Fun fact: it’s positioned between the shoulder blades so that the shirt doesn’t wrinkle while it’s hanging up.
The extra loop first became popular in the Navy. With storage space in short supply on the high seas, it was designed to make it easier for sailors to put away their shirts. Thanks to the small loop, just a simple hook was needed in order to hang them up. In the end, American brand Gant added a so-called locker loop to its shirts, allowing students to keep their shirts crease free – even in tiny dorm lockers. It was only a matter of time before other designers adopted the handy feature. But watch out: if the loop is on the back of the collar, it’s designed for attaching a bow tie, not for hanging up the shirt.

The leather patch on your backpack

Here’s another feature that won’t leave you hanging. Ba dum tss! It’s a square patch with two slits, also known as a «lash tab». It’s so much more than what I consider to be a blemish on the face of your backpack. In fact, it’s supposed to make life easier. Lash tabs serve as attachment points for the things that either don’t fit inside your bag, or are too wet to be packed.
They were originally present on outdoor backpacks so that alpinists could strap on their ice axes, shoes, etc. But the leather patches can also prove practical off the mountain top. Let’s say you’re out on your bike or on foot, and your hands are already full. Here, the lash tab comes into play, allowing you to attach a wet jacket or shopping bag to your backpack. One more thing about the material: today, the patches are made of plastic, which makes them water-resistant and more durable.

The extra V at the neckline

Unlike the shirt loop, the function of the V sewed into your neckline isn’t quite so obvious. It was originally developed in the 1920s for football strips. The thicker triangular piece of fabric under the round neckline was there to absorb sweat. In addition, the reinforced seam and ribbed insert allowed the top to be put on and taken off easily, without the collar losing its shape over time. This is because the ribbed band stretches as needed without losing elasticity. Nowadays, the V insert serves a purely decorative purpose, but it’s on the rise again as a result of the nostalgia trend.

We often accept things without questioning them. Which is a shame if they really do have a practical purpose. Is there any detail on your clothes or shoes that’s keeping you guessing? Let me know in the comments! If you missed the first part of this series, you can read it here: