Why are the buttons on men's and women's shirts placed on either side?

Ouadie Rhabbouron

It's the kind of detail you notice by chance… and then can't ignore. One day, while putting on a heathered shirt or comparing your jacket to someone else's, something becomes obvious: the buttons aren't on the same side on men's and women's clothing. A mere quirk? Not at all. This difference, still very prevalent today, stems from long-standing habits that continue to influence how we dress.

A subtle but almost universal difference

Generally, women's clothing has its buttons on the left, while men's clothing has them on the right. Most of us have become accustomed to this without ever really questioning it. Yet, this convention is neither natural nor practical for the person wearing the garment—especially if they are right-handed. 

So why continue like this, century after century, when fashion itself has largely evolved?

A 19th-century legacy

To understand, we need to go back to the mid-19th century. At that time, women's clothing was anything but simple. Women wore several layers of clothing: petticoats, corsets, voluminous dresses… Getting ready in the morning was almost like a well-rehearsed choreography. 

In wealthy circles, women were often helped by servants to dress. According to historical sources cited by Live Science, this system directly influenced the placement of buttons. Since most people are right-handed, placing buttons on the right side of clothing made it easier for the person dressing them… but mechanically placed the buttons on the left for the wearer.

A practical logic… for someone else

 

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