Gendered Buttons

Thomas Müller-Vahl

Buttons are gendered: Their position on either the right or left side of a garment determines whether it is supposed to be worn by men or women.

Although a multitude of historical theories try to explain why this tradition started in the first place, none of these give any convincing reasons why this should still be the case today.

Gendered Buttons is a clothing collection made truly for both men and women. For this purpose, the way buttons are classically used had to be overcome. Gendered Buttons explores different ways to react to the convention of gendered buttons, playing with or abolishing it altogether. The Button-Up Shirt, for instance, is characterized by alternating Buttons and Buttonholes. A pattern of creases is thus created, with the fabric repeatedly changing the way it overlaps. The presented Jacket combines both styles of buttoning into a single button placket. Thus, it is no longer apparent which gender the garment is intended for. Instead, the wearer is free to choose how to button this Jacket.