Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

[Aggie]

Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have
buttons on the left?

[Grace Price]

 Womens' buttons are on the left side because years ago (say, during the Victorian Era), the women that could afford fancy clothing with a bunch of buttons would rely on maids to help dress them. So, if a servant (most of whom, naturally, would be right-handed) is going to routinely buttoning up a shirt/dress for someone else, that servant is going to prefer to have the buttons on their right side (which would be the left side of the garment).

[Aggie]

Correct!

 

[TeeBubbaDee]

How about someone you know putting your clothes on?

I mean me putting your clothes on you. Not me putting your putting your clothes on me. ;-0

[Apposite]

I don't know if modesty was something the upper classes concerned themselves with where those beneath them were concerned. There was so much hand to foot waiting on this and that, whether it be bathing or whatever.

[Grace Price]

I wouldn't mind someone dressing me....the dresses back in the Victorian era were so beautiful and elaborate, that it took 2 people to get them on.

[Aggie]

When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! And that's where women's buttons have remained since.

[Apposite]

So interesting! Thanks for sharing, both of you.

[P.A.]

Just to add a little to the discussion. The buttons on the sleave of dress coats that seem to do nothing were first placed there by Napoleon. He did not like his gaurds wipping their nose on there coat sleave so he had buttons sewed on so it would hurt their nose when they did it. Still stops me from doing it. 

[Bob Stepp]

I'm just happy if I can figure out the hooks on her bra.

[Bob Stepp]

I always exercise caution where I use that talent, especially at this point in my life....:-)

[Quinn]

I want to know why men's clothing has more pockets...especially that cool pocket on the inside of jackets.

[P.A.]

After vast research I don't know. The inside pocket is technically know as a ticket pocket because it was a place to put train tickets where they would not be lost or bent excessively. Today it is commonly used for a thin long wallet. The other pockets are just to carry stuff but one should exercise caution because too much stuff in your pockets can disrupt the fit of the jacket.

I hope that was helpful. I put a lot of effort into it.