The positioning of buttons on men’s shirts to the right and on women’s shirts to the left stems from longstanding social and cultural customs. Delving into the rationale for this configuration provides a glimpse into historical fashion contexts and elucidates the persistence of this convention in contemporary style.
During the 13th century when buttons were first introduced, they were considered a luxury item, and only affluent women had access to clothing adorned with buttons. The decision to place buttons on the right side for men and the left side for women was not solely based on functionality but also mirrored societal distinctions related to gender and social status.
In that era, common women relied on fabric ties or wooden clasps to secure their garments, while middle and upper-class women flaunted ornate ensembles fastened with lavish buttons crafted from gold, silver, pearls, gemstones, and ivory — setting the groundwork for the dichotomy between high fashion and everyday wear.
Wealthy women of the time donned buttoned attire, though they were dressed by their servants rather than themselves. Given that most individuals were right-handed, placing the buttons on the left side facilitated the task for the person assisting in fastening them. This sartorial choice subtly signaled affluence within the family — a hallmark of the elite class.
As for men, the tradition of buttons on the right side may trace back to military practices. Given that a majority of men are right-handed, positioning the buttons on the right side facilitated access to concealed weapons. Historically, the act of drawing weapons predominantly involved a movement from left to right during activities like hunting, hence the alignment of buttons and clasps on the right side to complement this motion.
Although times have evolved, menswear continues to retain echoes of its military origins. The practice of manipulating buttons with the left hand endured through generations of warfare, contributing to the enduring tradition of button placement — now ingrained in fashion as a norm, rather than a necessity. This enduring practice signifies both continuity with the past and an artistic element within contemporary style. Hence, the distinction in button placement between men’s and women’s shirts perseveres.
