Why are the buttons on the right for men and on the left for women? Which side are the buttons on men's clothing? Which side are the buttons on the men's jacket

There are three main versions that explain why men and women button their clothes on different sides:

1. The custom of attaching fasteners to the left side of women's clothing comes from the Middle Ages. Then buttons in Europe served as decoration and were made of precious metals. Made of gold, silver and ivory, they symbolized wealth and high position in society. Only noble nobles could afford such a luxury. It was not customary for noble ladies in those days to dress on their own, they were helped by maids. For the convenience of the servants, the buttons were placed on the right, but in relation to the fastener. On the clothes, they were sewn on the left.

Men, even of a noble family, often dressed themselves, and therefore it was easier for them to fasten the buttons on the right. In addition, European aristocrats in those days often had to fight. And if necessary, an armed man had the opportunity to warm his right hand under the left hem of his clothes, in which he held a weapon.

2. According to another version, the buttons were sewn on from different sides so that women's and men's shirts could not be confused.

3. There is a third version, according to which it is more convenient for nursing mothers to hold babies with their left hand and breastfeed with their left breast, so that the right hand remains free for other activities. In this case, the child could be covered from the cold with the right hollow clothing.

On which side were buttons sewn in Russia?

In the days of Ancient Russia, a men's shirt-blouse was fastened on the left side. Until the first half of the 20th century, gymnastics were also fastened to the left.

At a certain age, each of us learns that men's and women's clothing is fastened in different directions. At first it was quite difficult for me to learn which side women's clothing (as well as men's) was fastened on, it seemed easier to remember which side of the buttons on the clothing. It's just that I'm one of those people who, when mentioning "left", always first remembers where the left hand is.

On women's clothing, the buttons are on the left side, and the clothing is fastened on the left side.

On men's clothing, the buttons are on the right side, and the clothing is fastened on the right side.

Zip fasteners male side.

By the way, if there is only one breast pocket, then it is performed on the left side.

Why so, and not otherwise, history evasively offers several options to choose from. Moreover, there is no option for opposition. Men's clothing began to fasten on the right side by itself, and women's clothing on the left for objective reasons not related to men's clothing.

However, nowadays fashion is quite democratic and you can easily find a fastener on the “male” side on women's clothing, especially in trousers. This is easy to understand, since it is much more convenient to open the zipper with your right hand.

It turns out that there are three main versions that explain why men and women button their clothes on different sides:

1. Medieval version

The custom of attaching fasteners to the left side of women's clothing dates back to the Middle Ages. In those days, buttons in Europe served more as an ornament and were made of precious metals. Made of gold, silver and ivory, they were a symbol of wealth and high position in society. Only noble nobles could afford such a luxury. It was not customary for noble ladies to dress on their own in those days, they were helped by maids. For the convenience of the servants, the buttons were placed on the right, but in relation to the fastener. On the clothes, they were sewn on the left.

Men, even of the most noble family, most often dressed themselves, and therefore it was easier for them to fasten the buttons on the right. In addition, European aristocrats in those days often had to fight. And if necessary, an armed man had the opportunity to warm his right hand under the left hem of his clothes, in which he held a weapon.

2. Practicality

According to the second version, the buttons were sewn from different sides so that it was impossible to confuse women's and men's shirts.

3. Taking care of mothers

There is also a third version, according to which it is more convenient for nursing mothers to hold babies with their left hand and breastfeed with their left breast, so that the right hand remains free for other activities. In this case, the child could be covered from the cold with the right hollow clothing.

Now everything fell into place!

Everyone has heard since childhood that there are differences between the location of the fastener in men's and women's clothing. How do you know which side is "female" and which is "male"? And where did these differences come from?

By all the rules, buttons and zippers in women's wardrobe items are on the left side... And no one can say for sure why this happened. There are several versions on this score. But all of them are unsubstantiated and have no foundation. Although some of them have a grain of common sense. For instance:

• for the convenience of feeding, when a woman could open her breasts, holding the baby with her left hand, and covering him with the hem of her clothes from the cold with her right hand;
• another suggestion claims that this was done so that the shirts could not be confused. When the female gender began to wear men's clothing, the trendsetters decided to make the zipper placement a distinctive feature;
• some sources state that a woman went to the market with a grocery basket in her right hand or a child. And it was more convenient for her to get the wallet with money that hung around her neck with the left.

Why are there such differences from men's clothing?

During the Middle Ages, when buttons were used as decoration or jewelry, only ladies from high society could afford them. Since they were made from precious stones and metals. And, of course, noble persons should not dress themselves. For this, they had maids, who found it more convenient to do this by grabbing the button with their right hand and pushing it into the loop with their left... Representatives of the stronger sex most often dressed themselves, and it was easier for them to button themselves with their right hand.

According to another version, it was believed that at the time of a duel or fight, a man could quickly grab a weapon from his bosom and outrun an opponent in battle.

But in Ancient Russia, a shirt-blouse, which was worn by men, was fastened on the left side. Until the middle of the twentieth century, military gymnastics also had buttons on the left shelf.

Generally, in the modern world these lines are gradually being erased... Jeans, shorts, trousers have already begun to be produced by the clothing industry without gender characteristics. They were joined by polo shirts, shirts, outerwear. With the development of feminism, stereotypes are being destroyed more and more every day. And the most stylish ladies choose fashionable items in the men's department of the store.

The world is filled with funny and hard to explain things. We get used to them, perceive them as unconditional. Meanwhile, they have their own history and explanation.

One of these mysterious patterns is closely related to clothing. The items of men's and women's clothing only seem to be the same. However, if you look closely, the arrangement of buttons, fasteners and even undercuts is invariably versatile. It is interesting that other wardrobe items - scarves and neckerchiefs - are tied and wrapped by men from right to left, and by women - vice versa.

Logic dictates that the clasp on men's clothing - from left to right - is more convenient. This is the case for at least 85% of people who are right-handed. Their right hand is much better developed. This is true for both men and women. The hypothesis that there are more left-handers among the fair sex did not come true.

In addition, women instinctively take and hold the baby to the left breast. Accordingly, the right hollow clothes are easier to wrap around - this hand is less busy. The idea is supported by scientific research on sex differences in brain asymmetry. That is, the way women fasten clothes from left to right can be explained from the point of view of physiology. However, this theory is being questioned at the present time.

Other theories explain the location of buttons on people's clothes not only by gender differences, but also by a person's religion. For example, according to Muslim customs, a man's clothing should be different from that of a woman. Religion shapes the thinking and habits of a person, its influence could have affected this detail of clothing.

There is a version justifying the location of the buttons from the point of view of military affairs. The fact is that an armed man in the cold season was obliged to warm his right hand under the left hollow of his camisole, because this is a guarantee of a quick reaction and an accurate shot! Therefore, the buttons should be located on the right.

Buttons came into active use in Europe in the 13th century. The medieval cut allowed for tight-fitting clothing. High social status obliged people to have many fasteners on it. They were made of expensive metals and ivory and inlaid with precious stones. Since then, buttons have evolved from a purely functional piece of clothing into a luxury accessory.

If men preferred to dress on their own, then the women's attire of aristocrats required help with dressing. Of course, simple peasant women buttoned themselves up - the lacing was always located in the front, they were not supposed to have heavy skirts and crinolines. And noble ladies always dressed with the help of maids, who found it more convenient to fasten the buttons on the left.

And finally, the latest version of this question ... In women, the location of the buttons on the left side is explained by the fact that ... it is easier for men to unbutton the buttons of the ladies)))

Nowadays, women do without outside help, but the tradition has remained. Thanks to it, you can even in complete darkness by touch to determine the gender of the owner of a coat or jacket.