The reason why is almost as old as buttons themselves.
Fashion can be pretty puzzling at times, especially when you start diving into its long, intricate history.
While figuring out why certain pants go well with specific shirts is usually straightforward, exploring the origins of various fashion trends can lead you into an endless maze of quirky details that may not seem all that useful.
One of these curious details involves something we use daily: buttons.
Since their invention about 800 years ago, buttons have become a staple on clothing for both men and women.
If you’ve ever noticed a man and a woman wearing almost identical button-down shirts, you may have seen a small but distinct difference – men’s shirts button on the right side, while women’s button on the left.
Over the years, people have come up with many theories about where this gender-specific buttoning originated.
But to understand the actual reason, we need to look back at the early days of buttons and who first wore them.
The answer lies in the period when buttons were introduced and the lifestyles of those who used them.
When buttons became a fashionable addition to clothing in the 13th century, they were often worn by wealthy women who were dressed by handmaidens.
Since handmaidens were typically right-handed, placing the buttons on the left side made it much easier for them to dress the ladies they served.
On the other hand, men generally dressed themselves, and many also carried swords as part of their daily attire.
Paul Keers, author of A Gentlemen’s Wardrobe, explained to The Guardian: “A gentleman’s sword was always worn on the left side, so that it could be drawn with the right hand.”
“If a jacket buttoned right over left, the handle of the sword would be likely to catch in the jacket opening when drawn, so any serious swordsman would demand a tunic which buttoned left over right.””As an indication of a masculine lifestyle, this tradition was then extended to other items of menswear.”
This buttoning style continued simply because there was never a need to change it.
However, some believe that the difference in men’s and women’s button placements took on greater importance during specific periods, such as in the 1880s.
“It was fashionable for women’s clothing to look more traditionally masculine,” fashion historian Chloe Chapin shared with Today.
“However, it was illegal in many places to be dressed like a man in public, so perhaps having a difference in buttoning confirmed that you were wearing a female dress.”