Ladies' clothing always buttons right over left, men's clothing left over right. How has this come about? | Notes and Queries

NOOKS AND CRANNIES

Ladies' clothing always buttons right over left, men's clothing left over right. How has this come about?

'LADIES' were once dressed by maidservants; it is easier for a right-handed person to button another's clothing right-over-left. Men normally dressed themselves, and the opposite method is easier. Why such a custom should have spread from those classes rich enough to employ maidservants to ordinary people is something I should like somebody else to answer.
Simon Berlemont, Norwich.

IT MAY be easier for right-handed maidservants to button up their mistresses' clothing left over right, but it is also easier for a right-handed male to subsequently unbutton said clothing.
Jeremy Haworth, W Norwood, London.

THERE is a historical reason. A gentleman's sword was always worn on the left side, so that it could be drawn with the right hand. If a jacket buttoned right over left, the handle of the sword would be likely to catch in the jacket opening when drawn, so any serious swordsman would demand a tunic which buttoned left over right. As an indication of a masculine lifestyle, this tradition was then extended to other items of menswear.
Paul Keers (author of A Gentleman's Wardrobe), London W1.

I ONCE read in a scientific journal that babies are most frequently fed from the left breast, and in this position they are most conveniently kept warm by covering with the right-hand flap of clothing. Hence its fastening over the left flap.
Fay Charters, Middleton-on-Sea, W Sussex.

UNTIL the courts rule otherwise on the grounds of sexual discrimination, tailors should continue to button men's clothing left over right. Mine says that men often need to unbutton or unzip in a hurry and the vast majority are right-handed.
Max Engel, Northampton.