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Weekend


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June 21, 2002

Strange But True!

  • A weekly column of incidental information, off-the-wall observations and other random facts about the world.
    • By BILL SONES and RICH SONES, Ph.D.
    Special to the Journal

    Q. Why do women's clothing have buttons on the left side, whereas men's buttons are on the right?

    A. The most widely accepted explanation points to the fact that women have traditionally worn more restrictive clothing than men, such as a corset with garments fitted tightly over it, making it difficult for a woman to dress herself, says University of North Carolina costume historian Nancy J. Nelson. Hence she would employ a dresser.


     
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