rule. Instead, the tradition appears to have developed from a mixture of clothing history, practicality, and changing fashion.
A Tradition That Goes Back Centuries
The left-right button difference became established long before modern mass-produced clothing.
Historically, clothing was often designed according to a person’s social position, occupation, and lifestyle. Wealthier women, in particular, frequently wore elaborate garments that were difficult to put on without assistance.
That may have influenced the placement of buttons.
One widely repeated theory is that women’s clothing was traditionally fastened by servants. Since most people are
