Having someone help you dress was once a clear sign of wealth and privilege. Only upper-class women could afford such luxury. Therefore, left-sided buttons quietly became a symbol of status.
During the Victorian era, this design choice also reflected cultural ideas of femininity and women were seen as graceful, refined, and dependent. The left-sided buttons reinforced this image, distinguishing their fashion from the more “practical” men’s clothing.
The Men’s Side: Function Over Fashion
For men, the button placement had very different origins. Most men were right-handed, and during times of war or hunting, they carried weapons on the left side. Having buttons on the right made it easier to open a coat or jacket with the right hand and draw a weapon quickly.
This layout remained in men’s fashion for centuries, passed down from military uniforms to everyday shirts. Over time, it became another way to visually separate men’s and women’s clothing.
From Practicality to Tradition
As society changed, women started dressing themselves, and men no longer carried swords but the button difference stayed. It no longer served a practical purpose, yet fashion designers kept it as part of the heritage and identity of each gender’s clothing.
Even today, this design continues as a fashion convention rather than a necessity. It’s one of those small details that remind us how history often lingers in the things we wear every day.
What It Means Today
