Aglet -

Before buttons became common, aglets were used to finish the ends of ribbons used to fasten clothing together.

Technically, an aglet (or aiglet ) is a sheath or tag attached to the end of a cord, lace, or ribbon. Its name comes from the Old French word aiguillette , meaning "small needle". This is fitting, as the aglet acts like a needle to guide the lace through the shoe's holes. A Surprising History Before buttons became common, aglets were used to

While we mostly see clear plastic versions today, aglets have a rich history: Before buttons became common