Zipper wrong side

[Robert Duke]

I've had my Wested Raiders lamb about a year now. I love it but... I've never asked or known about the zipper... is it suppose to zip up the opposite of normal? Maybe since it's British and they drive on the wrong side of the road too

Robert Duke
http://www.DukeWhips.com

[Michaelson]

That is indeed the European version of the zip. We're (U.S.) actually the ones who changed the side when the garment industry started up on this side of the big water, just like us adopting the right hand side of the road....we didn't want anything to match what the British did after the Revolution, so if you get right down to it, WE'RE the ones who made the changes...not the British. Regards. Michaelson

[RIKRAK]

That all is true, however, on MY next jacket I'm going to request an American Zipper :arrow: . I can not get used to this English zipper, I've had mine about a year also really love the jacket but deep down I'm just an Ugly American.

Rick

[Robert Duke]

It kind of reminds me of wimmens clothing as to how all their buttons and zippers can be "backwards" too. Isn't that odd also? Ever thot about why wimmens buttons are opposite of mens?

[prettybigguy]

I have been unable or just unwilling to adjust to the British zipper. I just had my Expedition 's zipper moved to the "right" side.
I just wish that I could get a YKK #8 aluminum zip to put into my Expo like the one in my Wested. Trying to find one of those zippers in the US is almost impossible!

[Bjones]

I had a raincoat once with a euro zipper on it...was a bit strange, but one thing I look forward to is that the zipper pull will be behind the storm flap on my TOD and therefore not rattle when I walk with it open. I can handle the lh oddness for that reason....its not like I need to break any zip-up speed records.

[whipwarrior]

Yeah, but when you wear the webbing belt, the zipper pull housing clinks against the buckle whenever you walk.

[namebrand]

It kind of reminds me of wimmens clothing as to how all their buttons and zippers can be "backwards" too. Isn't that odd also? Ever thot about why wimmens buttons are opposite of mens?

From my understanding, women's clothing have the buttons on the opposite as men's as a carry over from Victorian times, or some such time period, when women seldom dressed themselves. Buttons were placed on the left side to make it more natural for the maid to button up the woman's clothing. Men dressed themselves so buttons were on the right side. I think that's how it goes...

[Michaelson]

Correct. Maids helped the lady of the house dress, and they mirrored the buttons on the ladies clothes from the mens, to aid in the connecting. Same with their shoes, (button type).

Speaking for myself, I've worn the jackets with the European zip for SO long, I've gotten to the point that I find the American zip awkward, I'm so used to reach for the zip on the left hand side now.

Regards. Michaelson

[whipwarrior]

Ditto here, Michaelson.

[namebrand]

I just get my hand maid to zip mine up for me.

[Swindiana]

What I've heard about driving on the left side is pretty interesting too. Supposedly, when riding a horse or escorting a lovely lady outside, this would be the best side to be on if ever needing to draw your saber/sabre to wave of any robbers or such, the best defending position and freedom of movement achieved... if right handed. (Left handed robbers were publically called "cheaters", yet very successful in their trade. I added this.)

Regards,
Swindiana

[Robert Duke]

Another reason why drivers are on the left/wrong side of the road in the UK is probably from driving a horse carriage in the right seat. This way the carriage driver could lash the whip in his right hand, being that most drivers are right handed. Thus being in the right seat it was easier for the drriver to see the road from the left side.