Why are women's blouses buttoned the opposite way from men's shirts?

NikMom

According to the book 'Evolution of Fashion', both men's and women's buttons were on the same side until 1625. Buttons on jackets, rather than shirts, started to appear on opposite sides about 1635. The reasons for the switch are obscure. One theory is that men wanted their right hand free to have immediate access to a weapon, such as a sword, and preferred to open and close their jackets with their left hand. Women, generally holding children on their left arm, preferred to button and unbutton their clothes with their right hand. It was also easier for maids to dress women in clothes that buttoned in the back. Try reading 'The Little Button Book' by Diana Epstein for facts and trivia about buttons. Oct 11 01, 5:50 PM

Jack Flash

The generally accepted theory for this is that it is an inheritance from sword-carrying days. The sword was fastened to the left and a man buttoned his coat left over right to ensure the right-hand portion would not flap, or get caught up with the sword hilt, as the weapon was withdrawn from its sheath. A woman buttons her coat (or blouse etc) the reverse way and it has been suggested that this is because women usually carry babies on the left arm (although I have to say that my wife disagrees with this theory). Oct 12 01, 3:22 PM