Front zip vs back zip

[photoguy207]

I always purchase skirts with a front zipper. My thoughts are that its more masculine looking than back zip.

In addition, I have found that back zip fits differently. I have tried skirts on in my size, which is 16, in both and have never found a back zip skirt that fits in a 16. Plus there is no button, just a small hook.

I just got in a back zip pleated leather skirt from JCrew. Was really neat looking but just didn't fit so it's going back. I like that leather look but haven't found a front zip pleated leather skirt yet.

[dillon]

I have both front and back zipping skirts. I have no issue with fit, but in general don't like the weakness of most backside zippers in skirts made for women. I'm aware that they are made to be unnoticed, but having a stronger zipper even intergrated into the style of the garment does give a slight plus to most front zip skirts. What I really don't understand is side zippers. Why are they are on the left side? Are not most women also right-handed? Or is ambidexterity supposed to be some inherent talent of females, or some virtuous feminine art? Someone please enlighten me...

[crfriend]

What I really don't understand is side zippers. Why are they are on the left side? Are not most women also right-handed? Or is ambidexterity supposed to be some inherent talent of females, or some virtuous feminine art? Someone please enlighten me...

That's down to the same reason why women's blouses button "backwards" from men's.

Once upon a time, long, long ago, women of means had servants to help them dress (such was the complexity of some garb). (Men were usually expected to dress themselves.) The plebes, wanting to ape the elites, opted for the same design. It stuck.

Today this shows up where garments designed for women are fastened "men's-style" mostly where it would have been too costly to change the machine-programming to produce a "left-fastening" garment. This is especially evident in dungaree-inspired skirts which almost universally fasten in the men's manner.

[r.m.anderson]

Another feature of some women's clothes is the zipper in the back of tops; blouses; some sweaters leotards and then how do they do that with those darn fool buttons
in the most difficult unseen places out of reach (same could be said for the bra).
Women appear to be a great deal more ambidextrous then men doing contortionist acts to put clothes on although as noted in the past women had assistance in
getting dressed.

I have found that back zip fits differently. I have tried skirts on in my size, which is 16, in both and have never found a back zip skirt that fits in a 16. Plus there is no button, just a small hook

The reason for this is simple the zipper is placed in the back center seam and follows the curvature of the buttocks for a contour fit that most men do not have
back there. Oh men do have a curvature back there don't get me wrong it just more flat (and not as appealing). How else to explain how a zippered garment
follows the contours of the hour glass figure narrowing as it gets near the waist. As for the hook instead of a button that is a bit more cosmetic - a button sticks out
and does nothing for the flat smooth look while the hook is inside the garment and is an aid in getting in and fastening the zipper. First fasten the hook and eye
and then pull the zipper shut. Some of you may have found out without the top fastening that the garment is hard to pull together the two zippered sides tend to
just resist the zippered action. This sometimes results in moving the zippered side to the front for ease and then when fastened rotating the skirt around to the
back. With a tight fitting zipper and waist this can be a small problem yanking out that tucked in shirt/blouse. With back zippered pants this is not an option and
can be real frustrating especially with people who have not had the experience of doing it regularly.
Another reason the skirt fits awkwardly is that sometimes the skirt is longer in hem length in the back than the front. Sometimes not but beware when the back
hem is much longer than the front - this helps with sitting covering the hinder but then the front becomes more of a problem - Remember what the nuns told the
girls when seated "To cross the legs and close the gates to hell" ! things do tend to ride up !
Skirts with a fixed waist measurement are not as forgiving as those with the elastic. Not much working room and the skirt is proportionately differently to hang
off the smaller waist.
If you have never cross dressed wearing these back zippered garments then you have an experience awaiting you when you do !

Trial and error a never ending battle to get the right fit.

[denimini]

I have both front and back zipping skirts. I have no issue with fit, but in general don't like the weakness of most backside zippers in skirts made for women. I'm aware that they are made to be unnoticed, but having a stronger zipper even intergrated into the style of the garment does give a slight plus to most front zip skirts. What I really don't understand is side zippers. Why are they are on the left side? Are not most women also right-handed? Or is ambidexterity supposed to be some inherent talent of females, or some virtuous feminine art? Someone please enlighten me...

I have a few skirts with a left side zip and find it just as easy to undo it with my right hand reaching across - usually need both hands because those sort of zips are usually associated with flimsy material.

[Caultron]

I don't find that the zipper location isn't much of an issue when putting the skirt on. Just operate the zipper wherever it's convenient and then rotate the skirt into "proper" position. And the same in reverse for taking it off.

[dillon]

I don't find that the zipper location isn't much of an issue when putting the skirt on. Just operate the zipper wherever it's convenient and then rotate the skirt into "proper" position. And the same in reverse for taking it off.

That's what I often have to do. My question was really about why such things exist. I think Carl answered it, and for all i would know, he wasn't even BSing me, LOL!

[tesjolts]

I prefer front zip...it helps pee in a public bathroom urinal.

Cheers,

Tes

[skirted_in_SF]

I prefer front zip...it helps pee in a public bathroom urinal.

Cheers,

Tes

The time I used the urinal while skirted at work, I just lifted the front.

[partlyscot]

All other things being equal, given a choice, I go for a front zip as well, back zip won't stop me though if I like the skirt otherwise. I find no difference in fit, sometimes the back zip is a little better. As already mentioned, a skirts zip position is of no importance when putting on or taking off, zip up in front and rotate. Dresses, of course, are a bit harder. I have one or two that require partial zipping up before donning, to be able to get the zip closed, I can usually reach to the bottom of the zip, but I can't get a clean pull and they fight. I've never used the front zip at the urinal, they usually aren't long enough for that anyway. I will note that for people walking in behind, lifting the hem, pulls the skirt up in a way that probably looks a little jarring.

[dillon]

I prefer front zip...it helps pee in a public bathroom urinal.

Cheers,

Tes

The time I used the urinal while skirted at work, I just lifted the front.

Exactly. One nice feature of skirts. Besides, even front zippers are usually too short to be useful for that purpose, as they weren't made for wearers who typically use urinals. As long as there is a modicum of space and shielding, it's most efficient just to hike the front of the skirt.

[JeffB1959]

Most of my skirts are front zip (denim) while I have a few side zip and perhaps a few back zip and the rest are pull on. Side and back zip can be tricky, not because of the zipper itself, but because they're usually fitted and can be a tad problematical when it comes to fit. I usually wear a size 14, but fitted skirts can vary, some fit well and others are either too loose or too tight, even in the same size range.

By the by, when I go into a public restroom in a skirt, I use a stall, but that's just me.

[Kirbstone]

As RMA writes, the trick with the zipper, wherever it may be is to have a hook or other fastening at the top to bring the surfaces together so you don't have to fight with the zip to close it.

As to using restrooms while skirted, as mine are at the longest knee length , elevation is the name of the game!

Tom

[Rev Paul]

I prefer front zip much more what I'm used to when wearing slacks, jeans or shorts.

[crfriend]

I prefer front zip much more what I'm used to when wearing slacks, jeans or shorts.

The benefit of a skirt is that it's possible to put the thing on "backwards" (or sideways) and rotate it into place afterwards. Try that with trousers.

I think the best explanation yet has been the one that points up the different curvatures that men and women have and that a well-fitted and tailored zip can produce a much more flattering line than one in the front or at the side can. I hadn't even thought of that until putting my brain to work on the 3D problem involved.