day dress with two zippers (metal and nylon)

persephone60

Registered Guest
So, I have a day dress with two zippers. One is in the front, and it looks like a nylon zip. One is on the side seam, and it's a metal zip. Based on color, style, and, and the nylon zip, I'm thinking 60s? (Though I would appreciate any input.) But I guess I was more wondering if anyone had seen dresses with two different types of zippers before. I realize the front zipper could be a replacement zip, but I don't see any signs that it is--i.e. different stitching, signs in the fabric there was a different type of zipper sewn in, etc. Thanks!

Here's a pic of the dress. I'll follow up with zipper pics (and a pic of the label).
 
Does the front one have a flap at the back? I would suggest they used a nylon in the front to protect the wearer's chest as a metal one would rub and be quite painful whereas at the side perhaps strength was more of an issue.
 
That makes sense. The side metal zipper sits against the skin, and the nylon zipper doesn't (it's not really a flap, but it is covered by fabric).
 
The nylon zipper is not original to the dress - you can see from the stitching, which is sewn on top and not finished, that it has been added. If you look at the facing, it may be clearer - if original it would have been stitched into the facing, not sewn on top like this. I hope that makes sense.

My guess is that it was added in to either replace other fastenings (are there any signs of buttons or press studs?) as it was easier to use, or added into a top that did not have any fastenings - a look at the interior will help here too, as it should be clear if it was added, the fabric may have been taken out of the side seams or darts. A possible reason to add it, is to facilitate breast feeding or make it easier to put on and off.

Agree with '60s, I would say early to mid '60s.

Nicole
 
Nicole, that makes sense (though I'm not 100% sure I'm following your facing comment). I looked at the interior again, and I'm not seeing signs there was once other fastenings (except a snap that is still there a the top). There is also a decorative flap that lays over the zipper (so that the zipper can't be seen when wearing the dress). I'll take a couple more pics from the inside:
 
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