You’ve probably never noticed it, but men’s and women’s shirts button on opposite sides—and the reason is a blend of history, class, and gender roles. While modern fashion blurs traditional lines, this small design difference still lingers.
Men’s shirts typically fasten on the right, while women’s fasten on the left. One theory traces this back to the days when wealthy women were dressed by maids. Since most servants were right-handed, left-side buttons made their job easier. Men, who dressed themselves, had buttons positioned for their dominant hand.
Another theory ties the design to warfare. Men needed to quickly unbutton coats to access weapons, so right-side buttons allowed for smooth, one-handed motion. Women’s clothing, not designed for combat, kept the left-side tradition.
Today, while some brands are ditching gendered buttoning, most still follow this centuries-old rule—proof that even the smallest details can carry big stories.
