Zip up dresses in red and blue. And Inserting Zippers/zips! 371

 

Angela Lansbury wearing a red and white dress with a front zip. Photo copyright Angela Lansbury.

 Zip or Sipper?
Firstly, the word zip is British English. American say zipper. If you want to search online for a dress or other garment with a zip, or to replace a zip, or to speak on the phone to a shop or seller, remember that American say and write zipper. So if you break the tab, on American websites, or those aimed at American buyers, look for the word zipper.

Zip up dresses are wonderful. They are quick to put on. No buttons to lose. 

No decision making about a top matching a skirt or trousers (Americans call trousers pants.) 

I like a zip at the front. easy to put on. gives you the option of lowering the zip if you are hot. Raise it if about in public. Zip ups can be at the front. Or the back

Back Zips
If zips are at the back, they sometimes have a hook and eye at the top. You need somebody else to do this up. Unless you are an acrobat!.

Hidden Zips
I remember once pulling off a dress which was tight. What a struggle to pull it over my shoulders and head. 

Afterwards, when I finally extracted myself, with the aid of someone else, I had the dress inside out. I thought, I am going to have to let out one of both of the side seams. Either make a slit and add poppers, snap fasteners, press studs, or leave it open and wear a jacket, or cut it down to a top.  Or cut it in two. A matching top and skit. With a bare midriff or inserted waist band, to make a longer skirt. The skirt could be tied up with a ribbon at the side.

I inserted the side seam. It was lacking any turn back fabric. Firmly sewn together. The other side presumably the same.

I checked the other side. There was a tap at the top. I pulled it. Oh no. Oh yes. There was a side zip. A fine nylon zip. A concealed zip. So well concealed that even I as a wearer had not realized it was there.

What do I think of side zips? Clever, They eliminate the problem of needing a person standing behind you. But a front zip is my preference, every time.

HOW TO INSERT A MATCHING ZIP
If you are handy with a sewing machine, or don't mind paying a sewing service (sometimes offered at the nearest dry cleaning shop) you can put it a zip at the front of the dress. Take it to a big shop such as a department store and buy a long zip in a matching colour. Failing all else, go for a black zip and wear a black belt and black shoes with a black bag, black glasses, black hair or wig or hair band or hat..

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