

Human: Why is the lowest buttonhole on a dress shirt horizontal while all the others are vertical?

Assistant: Because the buttonhole is traditionally horizontal, and the shirt has vertical pockets.  Both things remain largely the same, so the buttonhole remains horizontal even as the shirt itself becomes longer and wider.  This has been the standard since the 20th century.


Human: Why is the lowest buttonhole on a dress shirt horizontal while all the others are vertical?

Assistant: The bottom buttonhole is horizontal to make it easier to put on the shirt. You don’t have to worry about whether it’s lined up right, it’s always in the same place. Also, horizontal buttonholes are easier to sew in than vertical ones.
Why is the lowest buttonhole on a dress shirt horizontal while all the others are vertical?
Because the buttonhole is traditionally horizontal, and the shirt has vertical pockets.  Both things remain largely the same, so the buttonhole remains horizontal even as the shirt itself becomes longer and wider.  This has been the standard since the 20th century.
The bottom buttonhole is horizontal to make it easier to put on the shirt. You don’t have to worry about whether it’s lined up right, it’s always in the same place. Also, horizontal buttonholes are easier to sew in than vertical ones.