Have you ever wondered why the buttons on men’s and women’s shirts are on opposite sides? Well, we may have an answer … sort of.
If you are accustomed to ironing piles of laundry, you might have noticed that the buttons on men’s and women’s shirts are on opposite sides. (Go and check, it’s true!) We were wondering whether this is just something designers do without thinking twice, or if there is an actual reason for it.
The most obvious theory
The difference between men’s and women’s shirts originate back to the 13th century, around the time buttons were incorporated into clothing. During those times, only wealthy women could afford clothes adorned with buttons.
These buttons were usually placed on the left of the garment to make it easier for maids to fasten the buttons. The general assumption was that most people were right-handed. Men dressed themselves, hence shirt buttons were on the right-hand side.
…but there might be other reasons
While the above theory seems to make sense, there are some glaring inaccuracies in it. Elite men during those times also had help getting dressed and their garments had far more buttons than women’s dresses.
Another theory is that the difference occurred when the mass production of clothing started, making it easier for seamstresses to distinguish between men’s and women’s shirts. Some people have suggested that women’s shirt buttons are on the left to make it easier for them to unfasten the buttons when they are holding a baby and breast-feeding.
Another suggested reason for the difference is that during medieval times, men used to carry their swords in their right hand, making it easier for them to unfasten their buttons with their left hand.
Whatever the real reason may be, this difference sure is interesting!
PHOTO: Spree.co.za
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