Have you ever noticed that men’s and women’s shirts button on opposite sides? This subtle design difference has a fascinating history that dates back centuries. While today’s fashion is becoming more gender-neutral, this small detail remains a holdover from traditions rooted in class, warfare, and outdated gender norms.For men, buttons are typically placed on the right side, while women’s shirts fasten on the left. One popular theory traces this back to the days when wealthy women relied on maids to dress them. Since most people are right-handed, left-side buttons made it easier for servants to fasten their mistresses’ garments. Men, who dressed themselves, had buttons on the right for convenience.

Another explanation ties the design to combat. Men often carried weapons, and right-side buttons allowed them to quickly unbutton coats with their dominant hand while keeping their sword or pistol accessible. Women’s fashion, not designed for battle, kept left-side buttons as the standard.

Some historians also suggest the difference reinforced gender distinctions, especially during the 19th century when women wearing masculine styles faced social stigma. Today, while some brands are moving away from gendered buttoning, most still follow this centuries-old tradition—a small but persistent reminder of fashion’s past.