Shirt buttonholes

[washerdoctor]

Why is the top button hole on a shirt horizontal, when all the rest of the buttonholes are vertical?

[WoWo]

Because its easier to do up a button that has a vertical hole but to do it up may mean stretching the shirt a little to do it up. Over you beer gut this isn't a problem but around the neck this would be uncomfortable.

[WoWo]

Or is it because the top button whole is not normally attached to the main shirt but to a seperate piece of material. Having a vertical button would mean the eye would be very close to the edge of the fabic and there for me more inclined to split. Having it horizontal makes the fabric less prone to splitting

[pinus]

Also take a look at the cuff button hole. I've always understood that button holes are made so that tension will be against the end of the slot. Unless you're shaped like me, a shirt-front is not under tension.

[jackieskinne]

Because the horizontal buttonhole allows a little 'give' around the neck - also it's said that vertical button holes are stronger and of course on the body they are subjected to more strain!