u/baby_anchovy

I bought this beautiful 1930’s dress at a market, it was very wrinkly and a bit dirty and I didn’t have a chance to try it on. I gave it a bath with silk soup and it came out beautifully! Since i could try it on, I didn’t notice that it lacked a zipper/buttons. I think based on the opening (3rd pic) that it used to have a zipper? However, the fabric is very thin, possibly silk crepe, and I’m not sure if adding a zipper would ruin the fabric? Would a sewing machine be too harsh?
I am planning on wearing the dress if I manage to do something about that hole 🤍