
Wedding dresses with long trains may look beautiful and ethereal when walking down the aisle, but they can be a problem when it comes to mobility, especially on the dance floor. This is where a ballroom bustle comes in. A ballroom bustle is a type of wedding dress bustle that gives the illusion of no bustle at all, making it look like a floor-length gown. It does this by using hooks, loops, buttons, or ribbons to lift and secure the train under the dress, creating a seamless look. Brides typically add a bustle to their dress after the ceremony and before the reception to make it easier to move around and dance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To secure the train or any extra fabric of a wedding dress, so it doesn't drag on the floor, allowing the wearer to move around and dance more easily |
| Appearance | The ballroom bustle is designed to completely hide the train, giving the illusion of a floor-length gown with no bustle |
| How it works | Multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself delicately |
| Fastenings | Hooks, buttons, or ribbons are used to lift up and secure the train |
| Cost | Anywhere from $75 to $250, depending on the length of the train and complexity of the bustle |
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What You'll Learn

The ballroom bustle gives the illusion of no bustle at all
The ballroom bustle is a type of wedding dress bustle that is well-suited for satin or crepe dresses. It is flattering for most dress silhouettes as it completely hides the train without changing the look of the dress. This bustle style gives the illusion of no bustle at all, making it seem like the bride has been wearing a floor-length gown all along.
To achieve this look, multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold delicately into itself. This is done by adding several attachment points under the dress for the train to fasten to. The train of the dress flips under the fabric and is pinned into itself, creating a seamless and untouched look. This is in contrast to the American bustle, where the train is lifted and hooked over the top of the gown, creating a more dramatic and transformed silhouette.
The ballroom bustle is a popular choice for brides who want to be able to move freely on the dance floor without the hassle of a long train. It is also a good option for those who want to preserve the original look of their dress. By gathering the fabric centrally and through the back, the ballroom bustle creates an elegant and subtle effect.
While the ballroom bustle can be a beautiful choice, it is important to note that it may not be suitable for all dress fabrics or styles. It is recommended to consult with a seamstress or bridal stylist to determine the best type of bustle for your particular dress. Additionally, it is important to have someone familiarise themselves with the bustling process, as it can be challenging to do so while wearing the dress.
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Multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice
Multiple bustle points sewn around the bodice of a wedding dress is a defining feature of the ballroom bustle. This bustle style gives the illusion that the gown has always been floor-length, with no indication that it has been bustled. The ballroom bustle is one of the most flattering bustle types as it completely hides the train without changing the look of the dress.
To achieve this style, multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself delicately. This is different from the American bustle, where hooks lift and hook the train over the top of the gown. The ballroom bustle is also distinct from the French bustle, where the train folds under itself instead of over.
When creating the ballroom bustle, loops or hooks are added along the waistline. When the train is fastened across multiple points, it creates elegant pleats at the waist. This style can be time-consuming and may require some extra budget, but it is worth it for the seamless result.
The ballroom bustle is a great option for brides who want to preserve the look of their dress while still being able to move freely on the dance floor. It is an elegant solution to the challenge of a long train, allowing the bride to move with ease while still enjoying the beauty of a sweeping gown.
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The train is fastened across multiple points to create elegant pleats
A ballroom bustle is a type of wedding dress bustle that gives the illusion of no bustle at all. The train of the dress is fastened across multiple points, creating elegant pleats and the appearance of a floor-length gown. This style is flattering for most dress silhouettes as it completely hides the train without altering the look of the dress.
To create this seamless effect, several points are added under the dress for the train to attach to. This can be done using hooks, buttons, or ribbons that lift and secure the train to the back of the dress, making it even with the hemline. The multiple fastening points allow the fabric to fold into itself delicately, creating a natural waistline.
The ballroom bustle is often preferred for its discreet appearance, as it gives the illusion that the bride has been wearing a floor-length gown all along. This is in contrast to other bustle styles, such as the American bustle, where the train is lifted and hooked over the top of the gown, creating a more noticeable change in silhouette.
Creating a ballroom bustle can be a time-consuming process, especially when compared to other bustle styles. It requires careful fastening of the train at multiple points to ensure that the pleats are elegant and secure. This style of bustle may also require additional ribbons to connect and secure the fabric, adding to the time and cost of alterations.
Overall, the ballroom bustle is an excellent choice for brides who want to seamlessly transform their look from ceremony to reception, allowing them to move freely and comfortably on the dance floor without sacrificing the beauty and elegance of a trailing train.
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The bustle is secured with hooks, buttons or ribbons
A ballroom bustle is a flattering wedding dress bustle that hides the train without changing the look of the dress. It gives the illusion of a seamless, untouched, floor-length gown. To create this illusion, multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself delicately. This bustle style typically requires more bustle points to be sewn in, making it the most expensive option.
The ballroom bustle is secured with hooks, buttons, or ribbons. For hooks, loops are added along the waistline, and the train is fastened across multiple points, creating elegant pleats at the waist. This is similar to the American bustle, where hooks are scattered throughout the waistline to enable the train to be lifted and hooked over the gown.
Buttons can also be used to secure the ballroom bustle. The buttons can be placed at the multiple points where the train attaches to the dress, providing a secure fastening method. Ribbons are another option to secure the bustle. Ribbons can be attached to connect and secure the fabric, with multiple pickup points for added flair. This is similar to the French bustle, where ribbons are often used to secure the train tucked under the silhouette of the gown.
When deciding how to secure your ballroom bustle, consider the overall style of your gown and the level of drama you want to create. Hooks and buttons can create a more subtle, elegant look, while ribbons can add a touch of flair and romance. It is also important to consider the colour and fabric of your gown when making your decision.
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Brides typically bustle their dresses before the reception
There are several types of wedding dress bustles, including the American bustle and the ballroom bustle. The American bustle, also known as an over bustle, has several hooks scattered along the waistline of the dress, enabling the train to be lifted and hooked over the top of the gown. This style can transform the silhouette of the dress from the back, making the train disappear.
The ballroom bustle, on the other hand, is designed to completely hide the train without changing the look of the dress. Multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself delicately. This creates the illusion that the dress was always floor-length, with no evidence of a bustle.
Adding a bustle to a wedding dress can be an additional expense, with costs ranging from $75 to $250 or more, depending on the length and complexity of the train. It is important for brides to be aware of this extra cost when budgeting for their wedding dress.
Overall, bustling the dress before the reception allows the bride to fully enjoy her special day without any concerns about tripping or tearing her dress while dancing or moving around.
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Frequently asked questions
A ballroom bustle is a type of wedding dress bustle that gives the illusion of no bustle at all. It makes it look like the dress was a floor-length gown all along.
Wedding dresses with long trains can be hard to move around in. A ballroom bustle will secure the train off the ground and into the back of the dress, giving you more freedom to move around.
A ballroom bustle can be added to your wedding dress by your alterations expert or seamstress. It involves adding multiple bustle points sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself.
Brides typically add a ballroom bustle to their wedding dress after the ceremony and before the reception.
The average cost of adding a ballroom bustle is anywhere from $75 to $250. The longer the train, the more elaborate and expensive the bustle.











































