Men’s clothing took a different route entirely. Historically, men’s garments were built with practicality in mind, especially when weapons were part of everyday life. For centuries, men commonly carried knives or swords on the left side of their bodies so they could draw them with their dominant hand. With buttons placed on the right side of a shirt or coat, the fabric naturally opened from left to right, keeping it out of the way during quick movements. It also meant the garment remained tighter and more secure on the side closest to the weapon.
This subtle feature became deeply associated with military uniforms, discipline, and practicality. Over time, right-side buttoning didn’t just become normal for men — it became a sign of structure and order. Even when swords disappeared from daily life, the design endured as part of the silhouette expected for men’s fashion.
Fast forward to today, and those centuries-old decisions still live in closets around the world. Most people don’t think about why their shirts fasten the way they do because the habit is so deeply ingrained. But that’s what makes the detail fascinating — a tiny piece of hardware on a garment still carries echoes of how society once worked.
Women no longer rely on maids to help them dress. Men no longer need to keep a sword clear as they reach across their body. Yet the buttons remain where history placed them. Modern clothing manufacturers could have switched the system decades ago, but traditions in fashion are stubborn. What once was practical eventually became aesthetic, and what was aesthetic eventually became standard…
