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

January 12, 2026 by youssef

In the 18th and 19th centuries, upper-class women wore layered gowns, corsets, and heavily structured clothing that required assistance to put on. Maids — who were almost always right-handed — stood facing their employers and needed easy access to the buttons. By placing buttons on the left side of women’s garments, designers made the dressing process faster and more practical for the maids helping them.

Eventually, this became a marker of sophistication. Even when women began dressing themselves, the left-button tradition stayed. It didn’t serve a purpose anymore — but fashion rarely abandons the habits of the past.

Men’s clothing developed in an entirely different world.

Historically, men carried tools and weapons — especially swords — on their left side, leaving their right hand free to draw. Shirts and jackets that buttoned on the right made it easier to move without fabric getting in the way. This right-sided design became associated with functionality, order, and military discipline.

Over time, it became the standard for men’s clothing, long after swords disappeared from everyday life.

A tradition born from servants and swords still lives in your closet today.