Exposed zippers

Aquamarine

I was about to get rid of a black sheath dress because it has an exposed zipper, which felt dated. But looking through some of the NAS offerings, I saw dresses with exposed zippers (and also on another site). Are they back? Or did they never leave?

5 months ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from Aquamarine

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. Good question. I think they had a real "moment" some years ago, and then sort of faded out, but you know, as long as moto jackets remain iconic, *some* exposed zippers will always be a thing. I have a few items with exposed zippers still, of the more sedate variety, and they don't bother me. I would say, if you still love and wear the dress, then why not keep? But if it feels past its prime for you, then let it go. Sometimes a thing can be "in" again and still not stir our fancy. Or vice versa!

5 months ago

cat2

Veteran

Did you genuinely like the exposed zipper, or did you just buy the dress because that’s all you could find? I always felt silly with my exposed zippers, so dumped them as soon as I could. But if you like a bit of deconstruction, no need to toss it.

5 months ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I wouldn't get rid of a piece because one feature seems dated (well of course I wouldn't, my whole wardrobe would be in jeopardy), but if the dress is not speaking to you I wouldn't keep it either. How's that for some confusing advice?

5 months ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Yeah, confusing. I can’t remember if I cared about the zipper when I got the dress! It’s a very simple black dress except for this one feature. (And the zipper is dark, not a shiny gold or anything like that.) Even if exposed zippers are back, I’d have to see if they are significantly different this time around.

Dress is ok, nothing exciting but I did like having it for certain occasions.

5 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

In 40+ years of marriage DH never, ever made a negative comment about what I chose to wear - until I came home with a top that had an exposed zipper down the back! He couldn’t articulate why he disliked it so much, so I chalked it up to ‘poison eye’.

I did wear the top on days when I went to work, and he didn’t have to see my outfit. Eventually, I did donate the top.

Weird, hunh!?

5 months ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

That's a tough one. Some exposed zippers are cool aesthetic statements. Most exposed zippers that I've seen are a tailoring shortcut, requiring less time and skill than setting in a hidden zipper - which means it can be produced more cheaply by a clothing manufacturer. I think it's a case of "you know it when you see it". I have a black Ann Taylor jersey maxi skirt that I thrifted years ago, and it has a gold zipper up the side, and it's somehow so good, it doesn't look dated. I think it's because the zipper itself doesn't look cheap or plasticky, and because it fits the slinky mood of the skirt.

Setting aside all dialogue of "dated" vs. "back in", if you genuinely aren't enjoying this dress, I say pass it along to someone who will. But I wouldn't rely on this year's NAS to make that choice for you, unless you really like what you're seeing, and think this dress can give you a similar effect.

5 months ago

madeline

Veteran

My thought is to put the dress in your holding zone for now.

5 months ago

Joy

Veteran

I used to avoid exposed zippers as dating but now just avoid them on dresses and skirts. I think stores are trying to get rid of them. They tend to rule the sale racks. A sign of loss of favor. When things appear in discount stores beware of lasting much longer.

5 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nothing dated about an exposed zipper!

5 months ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Good to know, Angie!

5 months ago

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