Dirndls with Zippers?

Readers, I'm finally starting to sew that dirndl I've been talking about. I'm using Burda 7443 as a starting point, but the fit has been eluding me so far--I'm on muslin number 4 at the moment! If you're considering this pattern, you should know that it is extremely low-cut. In fact, I think it's meant to sit underneath the bust rather than at the mid-bust point like a typical dirndl. Also, the underarms are very high and the straps very wide-set, which created some fitting issues for me. I had intended to blog the whole muslin process but it became a little overwhelming with so many changes. I really feel like I'm challenging myself with this project, though, so that's a good thing.

Anyway, I know many of you are experienced dirndl wearers and sewers, so I wanted to get your thoughts on the closure. The Burda pattern has a zipper closure, as does my dirndl that I bought in Passau. I've lightened the picture below so you can see the zipper below the lacing. (Perhaps it's more typical to use a zipper when there will be lacing to conceal it?)


I've since had the chance to examine higher-end dirndls by Tostmann Trachten, Lena Hoschek, Julia Trentini, and Gossl--and they all close with either hooks and eyes or buttons.

Lena Hoschek DirndlI love the clean look that this Lena Hoschek dirndl achieves with hooks and eyes, for instance. Also, dirndls take a lot of pressure since they're so tightly fitted, so I've begun to wonder if a zipper will be strong enough to withstand that pressure.

As a side note, the Burda pattern calls for an invisible zipper, which just seems like madness to me. I've had invisible zippers split from the stress of just a fitted sheath dress in a medium weight fabric, so I can't imagine what an interfaced dirndl bodice would do to one--probably chew it up and spit it out.

So I'm definitely leaning towards hooks and eyes to get a nice clean finish. But I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter, readers. What do you think of the zipper closure on a dirndl?