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Jeanettew
08-17-2018, 12:43 AM
Hi Girls

this may be a silly question but how do you girls pull up a zip I just cant reach them, i did once but then it took me ages to get it undone

Tracy Irving
08-17-2018, 12:52 AM
If nobody is available to help, you can try attaching string or use a pair of pliers to reach a couple inches further. I have been fortunate enough to not find out if either of those ideas work.

Yukihime
08-17-2018, 12:56 AM
Because I can't fit many zippered dresses, I just buy dresses that can stretch. ^^; I've also had wigs get tangled into hooks, buttons and zips before, so I can't say I'm enthused with dresses with those types of fasteners. :D

Leslie Mary S
08-17-2018, 12:59 AM
I now almost attach a string to the zipper pull and loop it and tie the loose ends together. After pulling the zipper to closed (normally 'up' I then tuck the string into the dress. When I am ready to disrobe, I pull the string out and use it to un zip the dress. When Zipping up, I grasp the bottom of the zipper with my free hand, this makes it easier to slide the zipper up. When unzipping I hold the upper end of the zipper. This way I am always bulling away from the end.
I have tried the tread and paper clip but found the threat tended to break and the paper clip showed if I left it in place and sometimes polke my skin.

sometimes_miss
08-17-2018, 01:16 AM
Thread and an opened paper clip. Works for pulling it up, or down.

Tracii G
08-17-2018, 01:26 AM
Don't wear 50s style dresses so its not a problem for me.

emma30
08-17-2018, 01:54 AM
Hi i hook a coat hanger in zip eye then simply pull up .

Sandra_Dodds
08-17-2018, 02:34 AM
My only experience with this issue is when wearing my LBD and my shoulder almost goes into spasm as I reach over to finish zipping up. I find pulling up the neck as if you were trying to take over a jumper/pullover helps give more access but one of these days I'm going to try the coathanger tip.

Charlotte7
08-17-2018, 02:41 AM
Hello Jeanette, I use a variation on the 'bit of string' method in that I use a piece of appropriately coloured ribbon. But having read the coat hanger idea, I'm going to give that a go. As for not wearing 50's style dresses with a zip, well, for me, that's a non-starter, although I am fortunate that, even though it has a zip, the dress in my avatar goes easily enough over my head, so I can get in and out of that simply enough. Also, I am lucky to have a wife who will do the honours when she's around.

Beverley Sims
08-17-2018, 03:02 AM
I have little difficulty doing up a zip.

But when they get jammed trying to undo them..........

kayla_bayarea
08-17-2018, 03:21 AM
If you want a fancier option to thread and safety pin there's a product called ZipHer. Works the same way though.
https://www.primaproductions.com/

I personally bought two of them just in case they got discontinued or go out of business. It uses a metal chain and hook so it's durable. It actually looks nice and I'm really surprised that it is actually made in the USA instead of China.

Kiwi Primrose
08-17-2018, 03:56 AM
I manage by myself - left hand up to middle of my back, right hand down.

Charlotte7
08-17-2018, 03:58 AM
But when they get jammed trying to undo them..........

Oh, yes, the stuck zip, a nightmare scenario, particularly when you can hear your mother's footsteps coming up the stairs and it's her dress you're wearing !!

Teresa
08-17-2018, 04:41 AM
Jeanettew,
It can be a problem as others have said a thin cord can help but I've found puuling the zip up as far as possible with my left hand and then get hold of the top of the dress in my right and pull it up my back as far as it will go usually i can then catch hold of the zip with my left hand from the top . Obviously it doesn't work for all dresses , side zips should be easier but have to take care not to trap any loose skin under the arm . Stretch dresses are the answer but sometime it does feel great to be zipped up nice and snug in a bodycon dress !It also may help to put the forms in afterwards if it's possible just to provide some slack in the dress .

As Bev says getting stuck on the way down isn't good ! I was trying a black sequined dress in the changing area of a charity shop , I could hear another customer wanting to change but I was well and truly stuck in the dress but after some wriggling I finally got one arm clear , I was standing in my cami slip and bra when the curtain was pulled back ! I did ask at the sales desk what happens if someone does get stuck ? She replied with a broad grin, " We call the fire brigade !! " That did make a few other customers smile .

Jeanettew
08-17-2018, 06:30 AM
Thank you every one

alwayshave
08-17-2018, 06:47 AM
I once got caught in a dress. I was able to get my shoulders free. Once free, I twisted the dress to have the zipper in the front, easy from there. I do have a pair of 11 inch needle nose pliers, it did not occur to me at the time.

Joyce Swindell
08-17-2018, 06:58 AM
It's things like this that make me grateful for my accepting wife.

What I used to do is just take a regular wire hanger and pull it straight so the hook is on one end. Then hook it into the zipper pull tab and then step into the dress. Once on, the hanger is easy to grab and work up behind your back. Getting it off is usually just as easy once hooked back into the same spot and hanging down it's easily reached behind me.

dana digs sweaters
08-17-2018, 07:19 AM
Been here Charlotte :eek:

294826


Oh, yes, the stuck zip, a nightmare scenario, particularly when you can hear your mother's footsteps coming up the stairs and it's her dress you're wearing !!

BrendaPDX
08-17-2018, 07:40 AM
I am with Leslie Mary, the string method works best for me too.

KatrinaK
08-17-2018, 07:49 AM
Paperclip with string works for me

Paige Dehart
08-17-2018, 09:05 AM
you can order zipper pullers on line. there are a lot of styles such as this one.
https://www.whateverworks.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=KB7231&srccode=NXCKC6&utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparison&utm_campaign=datafeed&source=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5NnbBRDaARIsAJP-YR_7uOoiGCzUkSSx63749Z8GIw89ftNo9XGDoWRfedZ8axMQ3C _EEbIaAgjJEALw_wcB

Girl
08-17-2018, 11:58 AM
Usually someone does it for me but if I know there won't be anyone available to do it, then I use a piece of string. I don't think I would like to use metal things like paper clips or pliers in case they damage the dress.

GracieRose
08-17-2018, 12:52 PM
I find pulling up the neck as if you were trying to take over a jumper/pullover helps give more access
If there is no one to zip/unzip for me (most of the time) this is what I resort to also.
I do have to be careful not to stretch out the fabric though.

WandaRae2009
08-17-2018, 01:20 PM
Go fishing. I tie a piece of narrow ribbon to a fishing swivel hook The way the hooks are designed, they hold together and don't stretch out like a paper clip. then are also finer and stronger. Then I either remove it or tuck it inside the dress. You can make them different colors to coordinate with the dress, so it doesn't stand out if it happens to show a little.

Kimberly Adams
08-17-2018, 01:23 PM
I tend to wear shift dresses that aren't super tight or form fitting and generally have no problem with the zippers. I will start trying some more form fitting dresses soon. Just need to lose a few lbs.

BLUE ORCHID
08-17-2018, 01:42 PM
When using the string method Remember to hold the string out so the little zipper lock doesn't catch in the teeth.

Asew
08-17-2018, 01:56 PM
I never realized this was a problem. I have had a few zippered dresses in my lifetime and usually use one hand to move the fabric in a good position for the other hand to zip. Could also be my thin long arms.

joanne51
08-17-2018, 01:57 PM
I use a variation on the method used by Kiwi (alternating hands). I also pull the fabric down or up to bring the zip pull within reach.

Roxy
08-17-2018, 01:58 PM
Daily arm streching and yoga have been my friends for zippers and bra hooks

natalie_cheryl
08-17-2018, 01:59 PM
I bought a thing on Amazon to hook on the zipper an pull it

Tina Davis
08-17-2018, 02:14 PM
As a former competitive swimmer, my arms are still flexible enough to zip and unzip without any external aids. I love the feel of the dress closing up as I zip!

Sissy_in_pink
08-17-2018, 03:38 PM
I push the zip up as far as I can reach then I pull the back of the dress up at the back of my neck until I can reach the zip and using my other hand I pull the dress down from behind at waist level, undoing it is similar in reverse.

AllieSF
08-17-2018, 03:59 PM
Just Google something like "zipper helper" or some variation see what you get. I did that on eBay where I shop a lot and you can see all types of cheap and workable solutions. Good luck.

Emma Leigh
08-17-2018, 04:15 PM
I push the zip up as far as I can reach then I pull the back of the dress up at the back of my neck until I can reach the zip and using my other hand I pull the dress down from behind at waist level, undoing it is similar in reverse.

This is also my way of zipping up a dress ..although I never considered something as simple as a coathanger on the occasions I have struggled

Bobbi46
08-17-2018, 04:30 PM
How about putting a safety pin through the whole in the zip toggle which is permanently attached to a suitable length of ribbon, the put the dress on, reach round to the back, take hold of the ribbon and pull up when the zipper is at the top simply take off the safety pin and keepand ribbon and keep it for next time, hey presto! all done

Veronica Lacey
08-18-2018, 12:11 PM
When I ordered my first long dress with a back zip this was a concern as well. I attached a satin ribbon through the zip hole and used that at the beginning. After a short while I learned that I was flexible enough to zip up and unzip without extra help. Zipping the zip up from below as far as I could, then gently pulling on the dress from above to raise it up a bit and zipping the remainder of the way, then re-settle the dress to its normal position. Unzippping was simply the steps in reverse.

Helen Waite
08-18-2018, 01:33 PM
A cheap or free promotional lanyard works as long as the zipper tab has a hole to clip it on. 294891

Teresa
08-18-2018, 01:47 PM
Tina,
You've just reminded me how stobborn wet suit zips can be when I went Scuba diving , my instructor was a youg blond German girl so it was great to be zipped up by her !

Janice An
08-18-2018, 02:15 PM
A long string and a paper clip works for me.

docrobbysherry
08-19-2018, 02:00 AM
The problem I find with using string is it spins! My coat hanger one spins, too! Then, both of the problems below and others occur! (I have A LOT of older back zip dresses!):battingeyelashes:

I have little difficulty doing up a zip.

But when they get jammed trying to undo them..........


When using the string method Remember to hold the string out so the little zipper lock doesn't catch in the teeth.
I finally got tired of struggling with them and made a really good zipper puller out of a long, thin scrap of stainless steel in my junk pile. Riveted a wire hook on the end. Now, I can easily hold the zipper out and it can't twist when I zip up or down! (Took about 15 minutes to make!):thumbsup:

danam
08-19-2018, 08:13 AM
Thank you for posting this. A string! So simple! Geez, I'm such a dork for not figuring that out. I had major zipper trouble the other day when making a video. :Angry3:

Also, not to be a downer, but why do people feel compelled to post replies that essentially say, "I don't have this problem"? I find that odd.

Becky Blue
08-19-2018, 08:34 AM
I did use the paperclip to zip up once but then really struggled to get the zip down, just like Dana's great picture...it was quite scary

HollyGreene
08-24-2018, 09:29 PM
I have this problem with one of my favourite dresses, and the tab of the zip is thin and has no hole in it to hook or tie anything to. I did eventually discover that with care, I can pull it on and off while zipped up because it has just enough stretch to the fabric.
I try to find dresses without zips, or with zips up the side.

Zoeytgtx
08-25-2018, 10:46 AM
Made mine from a premade fishing leader line from Walmart. Small clip on the end attaches to the zipper pull. Leader was premade about 18 inches long and had a small lead weight already attached to the other end. Just feel behind yourself till you findthe small lead weight, bring it over your shoulder and pull the zipper up. Think it came in a three pack for about $1.50

JenniferR771
08-25-2018, 01:39 PM
Teresa has some good ideas.
Also, if you have a necklace with a chain that hooks...just take it off and hook the chain into the zipper pull. Pull up and unhook the chain. A full necklace is about 18 inches long.

lingerieLiz
08-25-2018, 07:26 PM
Only had a problem that I can remember once. Well my land lady did zip me up on several occasion, and her boyfriend did a couple times when she was busy in the kitchen. He acted like my dad. Most of the times I could reach back and start the zipper going up to my bra band area then I would pull my dress up reach over my back and hold onto the zipper tab and pull the dress down as I zip it up. I reversed it to take the dress off.

The only time I had a problem was that when traveling I had my assigned room mate come back early while I was trying on my new suit. I jammed the zipper. Close call.

Leslie Mary S
08-26-2018, 12:35 PM
Sticking Zippers. First make sure you are not catching some of the material in the zipper. Another trick is rub some paraffin or a bar of soap (dry). Once a bit of material starts getting into the system, in the teeth or under the slide, you will need to 'Iron it out' to remove the 'pressed in curl' or if the snagging material is on the inside trim the 'salvage'. If you bung up the teeth then you need to have the zipper replaced.