The buttons on men's and women's clothing are in opposite positions due to an unexpected history.
//Summary - Level-B2//
Men's and women's clothes usually have buttons on opposite sides—right for men, left for women. This comes from history: men dressed themselves, so buttons were placed for right-handed use, while women were dressed by servants, making the left side more convenient. Other reasons include ease of breastfeeding and horse riding. Today, many clothes are unisex, so button position is less critical. Still, knowing the history helps us understand why this difference exists. When shopping or trying on dresses, check the button placement—it often tells you whether the design was originally for men or women.
1)
Buttons are in different positions on men's and women's clothing.
Have you ever felt uncomfortable putting on men's clothing with a button design if you are a woman, or vice versa?
Buttoned clothing, such as shirts, often has the buttons on the left for women and on the right for men.
Therefore, when men and women exchange clothes and try to wear the clothes of the opposite sex, they often find it difficult because the buttons are in the opposite position.
So why are the button positions different depending on gender? It is related to the history of clothing.
2)
The reason why buttons are in opposite positions on men's and women's clothing is:
It is said that the history of buttoned clothing began in the 13th or 14th century. Initially, clothes with buttons were difficult to sew, put on, and take off, so they were only worn by the upper classes, including aristocrats.
The fact that buttons and buttonholes are in opposite positions on men's and women's clothing seems to be primarily related to the unique culture and customs of the upper class.
3)
Men's buttons are on the right side to make it easier to put on.
Even for the upper class, it was natural for men to dress themselves.
In those days, when right-handedness was the norm, as it is today, it would have been easier to change clothes if the buttons were on the right and the buttonholes on the left, allowing each button to be unfastened and fastened one by one.
It is also said that buttons were placed on the right based on military uniforms, designed so that weapons carried in the pocket could be quickly accessed with the right hand.
4)
Women's buttons are on the left, reflecting the tradition of having their clothes put on for them.
Women did not dress themselves but had servants do it for them. Compared to men's clothing, women's clothing is often complicated in design and challenging to put on by oneself.
If the servant dressed them was right-handed, it was easier to fasten and unfasten the clothes if the buttons were on the right (the wearer's left).
Incidentally, there is a theory that buttons on women's clothes are on the left side for convenience when breastfeeding and horse riding. Relaxing the chest area with the dominant right hand while holding a baby was easier.
Also, when riding a horse sideways with both feet hanging down on the left-hand side, fastening the buttons on the left side meant less wind blew into the clothes from the front, reducing the impact of the cold.
5)
Nowadays, many clothes do not consider the position of the buttons.
However, many clothes have recently been sold without considering whether they are for men or women.
Unisex clothing, which both men and women can wear, has become popular. While the buttons are always on the right, the front isn't tilted too far to either side.
It's great that people of all body types can now wear the same clothes and don't have to worry about whether a smaller or larger size is available. Another advantage is that people of the opposite sex can wear matching clothes, not just people of the same sex.
6)
Check the position of the buttons when you put on your clothes.
As we mentioned, the buttons on women's and men's clothes are in opposite positions because of the history of fashion for the upper class, where clothes are either something you "wear yourself" or something "someone puts on you."
Once you understand the reason, you won't need to think about it. When trying on clothes with buttons or looking at them in a shop, pay attention to the position of the buttons and the front.
The buttons on men's and women's clothing are in opposite positions due to an unexpected history.
