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Original poster

How to single women dress on their own?!

106 replies

Happilyobtuse · 06/11/2025 22:18

I bought a dress to wear for an event. It is a black tie event and the dress is a gown with the zip at the back. I have just realised I have no way of getting dressed for this event and leaving the hotel without help from another person! The event is in a different city from where I live. Made me think, how do single women get dressed when designers keep putting zips at the back! I have a few dresses with zips at the side but the one I want to wear for this event has a zip at the back. I am totally stumped. If I was at home my husband or kids would help. Wise mumsnetters give me a suggestion! Please don’t say change the dress! I love this one!

OP posts:
TheAlertLimeSnail · 06/11/2025 23:05

I love the dress! What's the brand?

Can't say I've ever had this issue myself, but I do have bendy arms and elbows.

ByPeachPeer · 06/11/2025 23:04

TheLivelyRose · 06/11/2025 22:21

I ve never understood how women can't do up a back zip.

I've honestly never had a problem doing up a zip at the back.

You reach behind your back and push it up as far as you can and then you put your arm over the top and reach down between your shoulder blades to grab the rest

This. I don't understand how people can't do it either.

FancyCatSlave · 06/11/2025 23:00

Actually I’ve just had a memory unlocked
of being unable to unzip a dress to get out of it after a work do in Glasgow and asking a bemused taxi driver to help. I’d had many wines….

Lavender14 · 06/11/2025 22:59

I've done this before, zipped as much as I could, worn a jacket over the top and asked a friend/another woman to zip the rest on arrival. I would just ask a female staff member.

OverlyFragrant · 06/11/2025 22:58

Hotel receptionist before you leave

FancyCatSlave · 06/11/2025 22:58

I can usually do them myself but there’s definitely been a few occasions I couldn’t but I’ve just always asked a member of staff to help, I clearly have no shame 🤣

TwistedWonder · 06/11/2025 22:55

TheLivelyRose · 06/11/2025 22:21

I ve never understood how women can't do up a back zip.

I've honestly never had a problem doing up a zip at the back.

You reach behind your back and push it up as far as you can and then you put your arm over the top and reach down between your shoulder blades to grab the rest

Absolutely this. I’m nearly 60 and never in my life needed another person to help me get dressed

Legomania · 06/11/2025 22:54

I used to have a boss who would come back from the gym after lunch and get us to do her dresses back up

EvelynBeatrice · 06/11/2025 22:49

Just ask lady at front desk… or housekeeping. Common request.

Original poster
Happilyobtuse · 06/11/2025 22:43

InterestedDad37 · 06/11/2025 22:41

Put it on back to front, then slide it round 🙂

It is quite a fitted dress so not one I can slide around and get my arms in. I think the zip puller from amazon is my best bet!

OP posts:
InterestedDad37 · 06/11/2025 22:41

Put it on back to front, then slide it round 🙂

Original poster
Happilyobtuse · 06/11/2025 22:36

FurForksSake · 06/11/2025 22:30

Or you shimmy the dress upwards if possible, reach the zip and zip up and then drop it down and continue? Amazon have zip pulls that clip on as well as through I think.

It is a narrow fit. That wouldn’t work unfortunately. This is the dress.

How to single women dress on their own?!
OP posts:
AquaFurball · 06/11/2025 22:31

https://amzn.eu/d/gVH5AeB

With these

Previously used a straightened paperclip taped to a pencil but those concealed zippers require a finer hook.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk

https://amzn.eu/d/gVH5AeB?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5440056-how-to-single-women-dress-on-their-own

BMW6 · 06/11/2025 22:30

Long thin cord through zipper hole, drape over shoulder, one hand on bum holding dress in place and gently pull on cord with other hand to pull zipper up.

Women have been able to dress themselves alone before zips were invented.

FurForksSake · 06/11/2025 22:30

Or you shimmy the dress upwards if possible, reach the zip and zip up and then drop it down and continue? Amazon have zip pulls that clip on as well as through I think.

Original poster
Happilyobtuse · 06/11/2025 22:29

FurForksSake · 06/11/2025 22:26

Silky ribbon through the zip pull, the ones you cut off tops that keep them on the hangar in the store work. Or amazon sell zip pullers.

A zip puller you say?! I must investigate this at once! Thanks! 🤗

OP posts:
catin8oot5 · 06/11/2025 22:29

I’ve got one dress that is particularly tricky. Last time I wore it I went round to my neighbours!

User415373 · 06/11/2025 22:28

I just put something through like a bit of string and just use that to pull. I learned that as a child.
Obviously this only really works for dresses, I once had a jumpsuit I struggled with and visits to the toilet were a nightmare. I just used to ask some random to help!

theprincessthepea · 06/11/2025 22:28

This has probably made my arms very flexible. I usually pull it up halfway from the bottom. Then when it’s halfway I go over my shoulders and pull the zip from the middle of my back to the top.

A lot of my dresses (post kids) are stretchy or have front fastening these days - so I’m not sure if I’m as flexible.

FurForksSake · 06/11/2025 22:26

Silky ribbon through the zip pull, the ones you cut off tops that keep them on the hangar in the store work. Or amazon sell zip pullers.

Original poster
Happilyobtuse · 06/11/2025 22:26

TheLivelyRose · 06/11/2025 22:21

I ve never understood how women can't do up a back zip.

I've honestly never had a problem doing up a zip at the back.

You reach behind your back and push it up as far as you can and then you put your arm over the top and reach down between your shoulder blades to grab the rest

Honestly I can do this with most of my clothes, I have reasonably long arms and quite flexible as I have done yoga since I was a child. But with this particular dress it is proving tricky as the zip is not one you can hook and is hard to pull. My husband helped me and it was easy for him but I just can’t seem to do it on my own. 😭

OP posts:
ThisHangryTiger · 06/11/2025 22:25

OP I totally understand you on this. You could always pop down to reception or ask a nice passer by to help 😁

I've been known to arrive at a party (DH was away) and ask a friend on arrival to do me up!

Verite1 · 06/11/2025 22:25

TheLivelyRose · 06/11/2025 22:21

I ve never understood how women can't do up a back zip.

I've honestly never had a problem doing up a zip at the back.

You reach behind your back and push it up as far as you can and then you put your arm over the top and reach down between your shoulder blades to grab the rest

Exactly this

mrsmalcolmreynolds · 06/11/2025 22:25

TheLivelyRose · 06/11/2025 22:21

I ve never understood how women can't do up a back zip.

I've honestly never had a problem doing up a zip at the back.

You reach behind your back and push it up as far as you can and then you put your arm over the top and reach down between your shoulder blades to grab the rest

This!

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