# Why do women only button the top button on a sweater? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 5, 2001, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043 "2001-08-05T22:49:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Starbury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043/21 "2001-08-06T15:33:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Demo \* > \*\*And on a related note, why do _vatos_ only button the top button on their flannel shirts? \*\* It allows for easier access to the gun that is tucked under their belt. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043/22 "2001-08-06T19:10:21Z")
It’s two, two, two sweaters in one! From the [Cotton Inc.](http://www.cottoninc.com/MediaServices/homepage.cfm?page=116) website: > [@](#): > > Grace Kelly knew it, Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn, too. The twin-set embodies timeless elegance. There are some clothes that always feel right and look great regardless of whatever else is going on in fashion. Certain classic pieces such as a simple, short-sleeved or sleeveless shell worn with a matching, button-down cardigan never really go out of date. > > This past Spring, some spectators were surprised when American designers sent models down the runway dressed not as cyber-punks, or medieval princesses, but as proper young ladies. Though the apparel industry’s current fascination with “glamour girl” chic was undoubtedly inspired by the casual style of ‘50s icons, the enduring appeal of these sportswear separates has less to do with the celebrities who popularized them than with the garments’ inherent good taste. If you button it all the way up, it’s too stuffy and looks too severe. If you don’t button it at all, it flaps around too much. The top button keeps it in place but still shows the sweater underneath – plus it’s very trendy. You can’t walk down the hall in my office without spotting a twin set or two. SpoilerVirgin Proud owner of a closet full of twin sets ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043/23 "2001-08-06T21:07:22Z")
Because that’s all the farther they can safely get. They button the top button first, then start to move down to the next one. But the next button is within range of the “boob-itational force” This is the natural attractive force all breasts exert. At ranges over 6 inches it is only strong enough to rotate the eyes so that the pupil faces the breast. However within 6 inches the force is strong enough that hands are forced into contact with the breast. If the woman were to attempt to button any button lower than the top one, she would be forced into fondeling the breast for hours in an attempt to break free, and not make it wherever she was going on time. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043/24 "2001-08-06T21:13:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SpoilerVirgin \* > > Proud owner of a closet full of twin sets I’ll show you mine if you show me yours! I love 'em. Then again, I dress real boring and conservatively. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2001, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043/25 "2001-08-07T00:00:41Z")
Maybe it’s because the sweaters don’t come with instructions on how to button them? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Witch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@The\_Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Witch)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2001, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043/26 "2001-08-07T00:56:25Z")
It’s a flapping thing for me. I want my arms covered, but don’t want the amount of retained body heat which would result from a full buttoning. Any other button won’t cut it because of gravity and windspeed–from walking if nothing else. Plus, ahem . . . pardon my indelicacy . . . but the boobage changes over the course of a month–sometimes even over the course of a day. Nothing is worse than buttoning a sweater that usually fits and having it strain and gap. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-only-button-the-top-button-on-a-sweater/75043.md?page=1)