Why are buttons on women's shirts on the opposite side?
Question
Why are ladies shirts called blouses and why do they do up on the opposite side from men's?Steve, Bromley
Answer
Name: Pat, EpsomQualification: None at all!
Answer: Shirts did up on the male side, so that it as easier for men in olden times to get their guns from their hips, as everything was put on the left-hand side of the body. If the shirt was done up the other way, the gun would get caught.
(James O'Brien: I'm not sure. I think buttons were made before guns, weren't they?
** Definitive **
Name: David, Guildford
Qualification: My wife used to do historical re-enactments
Answer: Years and years ago, ladies never dressed themselves, but always had a dresser to do it for them. A dresser would stand opposite them, so the buttons were placed on the opposite side as normal so that they are easier to do up.