This custom began in the 18th and 19th centuries, an era where dress indicated social standing. Affluent women, often assisted by right-handed maids, wore garments designed for assistance. Buttons on the left made it easier for a maid facing her to fasten them.
This style became a quiet mark of status and femininity. It signified a life of privilege with attendants, reinforcing period ideals that contrasted women’s fashion with men’s.
Men’s buttoning has a separate, practical beginning. Right-handed men, who typically carried weapons on their left side, needed swift access. Buttons on the right allowed them to easily open their coats with their dominant hand to draw a sword or pistol.
Over time, the practical reasons for these designs faded. Women began dressing independently, and men ceased commonly bearing arms. Yet, the button placements remained unchanged.
In the modern day, this characteristic persists as a matter of custom and gendered design rather than function. It is a small, surviving thread connecting us to the fashion of the past.
Ultimately, this minor stitch reveals how historically, gender roles and class were intricately woven into everyday life. The side of a button quietly shows that history is embedded in what we wear.