Have you ever noticed your blouse buttons the opposite way from a man’s shirt?

Yours opens right over left. His opens left over right.

It’s not random. It’s history, stitched into every piece of clothing.

Watch the Full Episode Here

THE HISTORY BEHIND

For men, the closure was left over right. It kept the right hand free to draw a weapon — quick, efficient, out of the way.

For women, it wasn’t about weapons. It was about being dressed.

Centuries ago, upper-class women were often dressed by handmaidens. Placing the buttons on the left made it easier for a right-handed handmaiden, standing opposite, to fasten them smoothly.

What started as pure practicality — weapons for men, attendants for women — became fashion law. Over time, it turned into a clear distinction: men one way, women the other.

At Reckless Ericka, we honour that tradition.

Every blouse and dress opens right over left. But for our unisex Cuban shirts, we button them the menswear way — left over right.

Because design should carry history… but also adapt to today.

So the next time you button up, remember — you’re fastening more than fabric. You’re fastening onto centuries of storytelling.