Sep 19, 2007 1:55 am US/Pacific
Good Question: Why Are Buttons On Different Sides?
by Pallas Hupé
(CBS13)
The word button actually comes from French 'bouton', but buttons were around before France even existed. Early Greeks and Romans used shell and wood buttons to fasten their tunics at the shoulders. After that, though they were considered mainly decoration until the 13th century.
"Then it got to the point that clothing was more fitted and they needed way to get in and out so they added buttons," said Stephanie Cumberland, CBS13/CW31 station stylist.
And boy did they! Gold, silver and ivory buttons were all the rage among the wealthy, even leading to something called 'sumptuary' laws that limited how many buttons you could display on your clothes.
The question: Which side do men button on and which side to women button on?
"It's really easy if you remember where the buttons are. Women on the right hand side and men on the left hand side," said Cumberland.
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Stephanie points out it's the same for zippers and fasteners, and it's all for one simple reason.
"Men were very concerned that they may end up with women's clothes. They wanted to make a differentiation so a man could pick up a shirt and know was this for a woman or a man, based on where the buttons were," said Cumberland.
It really has nothing to do with how delicate women's hands are or one side being easier to button or unbutton than the other.
"No, it's just to differentiate men's and women's wear," said Cumberland.
Stephanie says it's okay for women to buy clothes that button on the left.
"With girls' they're never long enough, so I go to the boys' department to get their jeans because they're longer," said Cumberland.
She also warns to leave jackets buttoned up in your closet.
"The suit sits over about four to five inches when you store it, if you button it, it'll buckle so that's the rule. That's everything you need to know about buttons," said Cumberland.
Stephanie says knowing which side men's and women's clothes button on can help at a vintage clothing store. Just remember, women are right, men are left.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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