( CNN ) T.J. Maxx has pulled a T-shirt from its shelves after a shopper tweeted an image of the shirt featuring the phrase `` Hang Loose '' and an illustration of a noose , leading to an uproar on social media . Beachwear company Tavik made the shirt , hence the surfing term `` Hang Loose , '' but the inclusion of the noose led posters on social media to draw connections to lynching and suicide . `` In which a t-shirt company manages to be completely tone deaf in not one , but two ways , '' one tweeter wrote . Tavik PR manager Kelly McElroy said the company regrets the design . `` We sincerely apologize for any offense caused by this T-shirt . This item was released without going through proper protocols and is not related to anything other than surfing . '' `` At T.J. Maxx , we take product matters very seriously and appreciate that this T-shirt was brought to our attention , '' T.J. Maxx spokeswoman Doreen Thompson said . `` As soon as we became aware of the offensive T-shirt message , we initiated the process to remove this item from our stores . `` We mistakenly purchased a few hundred units of the item , and unfortunately , with thousands of products coming into each of our stores every week , our product review process missed this item . We would like to apologize to our customers for any offense this may have caused . '' Tavik is taking steps to make sure the shirt is n't sold elsewhere . `` This T-shirt will not be sold by TAVIK or any other retailer , '' McElroy wrote in an email . `` We immediately pulled this item from all retailers and have destroyed our remaining units . ''
T.J. Maxx wears a T - shirt many times offensive from consumers after social media complaint . The shirt , made by retailers , reads ` ` Hang Loose '' and features an image of a noose . The retailer and shirt maker have apologized .