Convenience for the Helper
Crucially, women of the gentry and higher social standing rarely, if ever, dressed themselves. Their elaborate garments—which included complex bustles, corsets, multiple underskirts, and gowns fastened by dozens of tiny hooks, lacings, and even smaller buttons—necessitated assistance. They relied entirely upon a lady’s maid or staff to manage the intricate, time-consuming process.
Given that the vast majority of the global population (estimated then, as now, at around 90%) is right-handed, the design choice was made purely for the convenience of the helper. When a maid stood facing her mistress, the buttons placed on the garment’s left side positioned the buttonholes on the right, making the fastening process quicker, ergonomically more comfortable, and visually clearer for the maid’s dominant right hand. The decision was practical for the dresser, not the wearer. This small bit of labor-saving efficiency gradually evolved into an unquestioned, industry-wide standard for all women’s garments.
The Symbolic Value
Over time, left-side buttons transcended their original function as a simple aid for servants. They became a quiet, yet powerful, non-verbal signal of refinement and economic privilege. The left-over-right closure tacitly communicated that the wearer belonged to a household affluent enough to employ assistance. As clothing design simplified and the need for elaborate staff diminished in the 20th century, this design convention did not disappear. What began as a mere functional choice for the wealthy became an enduring symbol of traditional feminine elegance, a stylistic custom passed down through fashion houses and mass manufacturing lines.
