In nursing wear, "access type" is a design decision that directly affects how sellable a product is. Knowing the three main access types, and which product categories favor which type, helps you make the right assortment call when planning a collection.
1. Hidden zip access
How it works: A zipper sits in the chest area, invisible from the outside; a fabric layer conceals it.
- Advantage: Indistinguishable from a regular garment from the outside — no sense of standing out in social settings.
- Disadvantage: One-handed use is slightly less practical for some users compared with other types.
- Most commonly used in: Dresses, blouses, outerwear.
2. Layered access (cross-layer / wrap)
How it works: Two fabric layers are placed crossed or overlapping; access is achieved by lifting the top layer.
- Advantage: Generally the fastest and most one-hand-friendly access type.
- Disadvantage: The cut can add extra fabric volume on some body types.
- Most commonly used in: Pajamas, loungewear, casual everyday tops.
3. Snap-button access
How it works: A panel that opens and closes with snap buttons at the shoulder or side seam.
- Advantage: Generally lower production cost, durable and easy to care for.
- Disadvantage: Snaps can loosen over time with frequent use; quality control matters.
- Most commonly used in: Nursing bras, bodysuits, underwear.
Comparison table
| Access Type | Discreteness | Speed of Use | Cost | Typical Product |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Zip | High | Medium | Medium-High | Dress, blouse |
| Layered | Medium | High | Medium | Pajamas, loungewear |
| Snap-Button | Low-Medium | High | Low | Nursing bra, bodysuit |
Recommendation for wholesale collection planning
Rather than committing to a single access type, we recommend spreading different access types across your assortment box based on product category: hidden zip for everyday outerwear, layered for loungewear/sleepwear, and snap-button for underwear. This lets a single collection serve a wider range of customer preferences.