Pulled my shoulder

[Maria 60]

We had a gala charity function last week and my wife went through all her dressy dresses, she hasn't worn them in years and more then half don't even fit her but yet she holds on to them and very off limits to Maria.
She's away for a few days and this morning she told me if I was bored and wanted to have fun with those dresses to go for it because she really doesn't care for them anyway and you know I went for it.
My wife always told me if im trying on a dress that has a zipper to use it, but you know us men "yeh yeh whatever". Well I tried but I don't understand how women reach, usually my wife will ask me to help her zipper a dress but most of the time she will do it on her own, I couldn't do it and those dress zippers are so fragile compared to other ones. Women must have some kind of trick shoulder.
So I started trying on the dresses with the zippers zipped up and after trying on a few dress it got worse because I started to sweat. At one point I couldn't get one of the dresses off over my chest, I had no choice but to ruin the dress, but no matter what I did I couldn't tear it or unzip it, it was unbelievable how well built this dress was. It took all my force to get it off and being in a uncomfortable position I pulled my shoulder and have all kinds of scratches on my upper body. I couldn't believe the situation I was in. I was trapped and could barely move and use any body strength and I felt so helpless, but what was I to do go next door and ask a niebour for help. This happened to me in the past but with the sleeves and I didn't want to ruin that dress.
I'm sitting here now in pain and laughing at myself of the situation I was in and just thinking to myself it must really be a pain being a women.
Another interesting day in our journey.

[Sandi Beech]

Ha yea I have had that happen. I bought a cheap Elvira dress for Halloween. The dress was supposed to be tight but I could not get it off and had to cut it to remove it. Like you said, if you start sweating, it just makes it more difficult to remove.

Sandi

[Dragster]

I too had that problem. In my early teens (almost 70 years ago!!) I had experimented with my mother's girdle, stockings, bra etc. and then found one of her ballgowns. Obviously, I couldn't resist trying it on. It had a tight black taffeta bodice, zipped up the side, and black netting over a full length pink satin skirt. I zipped it up and then put my arms into the shoulder straps before hoisting it up my chest. It was very tight and I enjoyed prancing around in it with the skirt swishing around my stockinged legs, but when time came to remove, it the zip had jammed; some loose material on the inside had caught in the zipper. I was stuck in it for quite some time hoping that my mother did not come home early I did eventually manage to free it off, but not without hearing a ripping sound where one of the seams had come apart. I was fortunate that she never attempted to wear that gown again herself.
I wore it many times after that with just the straps over my shoulders: I never risked that zip! When my mother died, and we cleared her house, I managed the secrete away that gown and I still have it. I've attached a photograph, but I'm too big now to even get both straps over my shoulders. I had ideas about re-modelling it with a laced up corset as a top, but with my wife's attitude to CDing, that's not going to happen. Still, I'll enjoy prancing around our bedroom in it when she's out and enjoy the swishing feeling of satin on stockinged legs.

Tony
Sorry but this freezes when I try to attach a photo, so I'll try again tomorrow

[JocelynJames]

Been there , done that too , Maria. Some dresses I?ve bought have been medium , or size 8. I wear mens medium shirts( I know now they are not the same). After nearly dislocating a shoulder because my shoulders are more a size 12, I succumbed and now buy my size

[NancyTO]

Been in that situation a few times, but just temporarily fortunately. I still have a zipper pull hook made from a coat hanger in my closet just in case. :)

[Aka_Donna]

Ibid, once. Now forget that style. Hurts too much

[Helen_Highwater]

I've had zippers jam which has made life difficult but fortunately always managed to wiggle out of the situation.

I've developed a strategy for dresses with back zips. Dress on, get the zip as high as you can. Then pull the dress up as if taking it off, this brings the zip higher up my back such that I can reach it without having to contort too much. Then finish pulling up the zip and wriggle the dress back down. Reverse the process to take off the dress.

What I find harder are under arm, side zips, especially if it's a tight fitting bodice. It's that last bit right under the armpit I struggle to reach. It was one like that which jammed 1/3 of the way down that gave me palpitations getting it finally off.

[alwayshave]

Maria, been there done that. Consider this: 346856

[CarlaWestin]

Yeah Jamie, I was going to mention that just a piece of string with a slip knot is a good rescue tool.
But, what's not to like about being stuck in a dress? A few of my sexier maid dresses have eyelets at the collar for little padlocks.
Well, and maybe a corset, too. And maybe some of my heels.

[audreyinalbany]

that gizmo is fie for zipping UP, but the problem is zipping back down again

[Stephanie47]

I totally avoid dresses with zippers for the reason you are describing. In my more youthful days I did buy a few and encountered that problem. In days of old I remember some of my mother's dresses had a zipper up the back and also a side zipper. Those dresses were before invention of stretchy fabrics, so the side zipper could help the dress conform to the hour-glass shape. Beware, if you're trying on your wife's or partner's attire, it may be dangerous.

I do have to add that I did snap a bra strap of my mother's sole black bra as a youthful/teenage offender of using another person's clothes. The bra from the 1950's or early 1960's had zero stretch. I was never confronted but I knew, they knew. and they tried unsuccessfully to catch me in the act.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Maria, The String and a Safty pin Trick.

[DianeT]

Women do have a trick indeed: they wear clothes their size and gender. Male frames aren't fit for women's dresses, so if the size is close you will probably have issues with the shoulders. If you already have difficulties slipping into one even before zipping it up, then just drop it.
As for grabbing the zip, the trick has been communicated by GGs many times on these forums: if the handle has a hole, tie a small thread to extend it. Tying to the main block of the zipper will generally not work because the handle must be pulled to unlock most zippers. If there is no hole, you will need a different trick. Maybe ask the GGs here. I noticed that lying on a bed rather than standing could help in some situations, as you can relax most of your muscles.

[JCDScottish]

I would at times go a size up and try to squeeze into anything with a zip but got to the stage i avoided them

[Traci H]

As much trouble as zippers can be, there is something appealing about them, at least to me. There is no equivalent garment for males with a zipper in back. Then the fact that you are sort of enveloped has a certain amount of appeal. YMMV of course. Having to deal with it like women do is part of the appeal I find. Kind of like back or side zip pants. Doesn?t exist on the other side of the aisle.

[Michelle_G]

I mainly use the same technique as Helen; zip as high as i can while pulling down on the back of the dress, then pull the back of the dress up while reaching down over my shoulder. I also have a length of ribbon tied to a paperclip which works as well in case my shoulders don't want to cooperate.

[docrobbysherry]

What Jamie said! And, there's this cool tool called a "scissors", Maria!:battingeyelashes:

Instead of tearing something off u can cut it off! Or, if u simply cut the thread in a seam? The top/dress can actually be repaired and worn again!:eek:

[Natalie5004]

I remember once I was dress shopping at a vintage clothing store I stepped out of the dressing room and asked a woman customer to zip me up.

[Jillcder]

I will never forget the first time a sales associate helped zip me in a very tight fit and flare style dress before entering the dressing room she told me not to even try zipping without her help. Yes I did buy the dress and what a fond memory.