Why Women’s Shirt Buttons Are on the Left , The Surprising History Most People Don’t Know

Every morning, millions of people button their shirts without giving a single thought to why the buttons are placed where they are. But hidden in this tiny everyday detail is a story that stretches back centuries — a story about social class, fashion traditions, military habits, and the subtle ways history still shapes the clothes we wear.

Have you ever noticed that women’s shirts button on the left, while men’s shirts button on the right? It seems like a small quirk of design, but the reason behind it is far more interesting than most people realize.

It all began in a world where wealthy women didn’t dress themselves.