bdavro23
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Supposedly it's a carry-over from the time when Jews in Eastern Europe were forbidden to carry weapons. Most men are right handed and would carry a blade or gun near their left hip to be drawn across the body. A traditional left-over-right buttoning coat facilitates this (especially double-breasted), allowing a right hand to reach into the left side of the jacket without the right side of the jacket holding it tight to the body. Jews would thus wear their coats buttoned in the opposite direction as a visual cue that they were unarmed and unable, if right-handed, to conveniently draw a weapon.
That's what I have heard. No idea if it's the true origin. But it's a real tradition:
View attachment 1243907
Not sure I love the cut of this guy's coat, but its got a sort of futuristic vibe to it that I kind of like....