Zipping Yourself Into Your Dress Without Asking For Help Is Actually Possible

The back-zip dilemma is a headache for anyone who has to go it alone, particularly those with limited mobility or dexterity. Happily, there are ways to get the job done with a minimum of twisting and fuss. There are actual products you can buy that clip to the zipper and make it easier to pull up. One (developed by a woman, natch) was featured on NBC's "Today" show. But if you don't feel like spending a wad of money just to get dressed, there's an easy hack that uses something you already have in your bathroom.

As the TikTok video by @vivakolor illustrates, you can use dental floss as a zipper aid. Before putting on your dress, unspool a length of floss and thread it through the hole in the slider (the puller part of the zipper), leaving an equal amount of floss on each side. Put the dress on, then use your right hand to grasp the floss. Hold the bottom of the dress fabric down with your left hand as you pull the floss upward. The slider will move with the floss until the zipper is in place. Pull the floss out of the slider, and you're good to go!