The plutocracy of buttons

Buttons at the The British Button SocietyWhy do women’s clothes button from the left, while men’s clothes button from the right?

When buttons appeared in the seventeenth century, they were seen only on garments of the wealthy. It was the custom for men to dress themselves and for women to be dressed by servants. To button from the left is easier for a generally right-handed servant.

[via marginalrevolution]