Why Women’s Shirts Fasten on the Left — and Men’s on the Right: The Intriguing Story Behind a Common Daily Practice

Every day, millions of people around the world perform a small, almost unconscious action: buttoning a shirt. It’s so routine that we rarely stop to think about the design of the clothing itself. But look closely and a curious detail stands out—men’s shirts are buttoned on the right, while women’s are fastened on the left.

This distinction isn’t accidental. It’s a long-standing convention rooted in history, shaped by social hierarchy, daily habits, and even the realities of combat centuries ago.