Rhiannon Hendricks
A wedding dress bustle is a clever way to secure the train of a gown, allowing the wearer to move around with ease and dance the night away without the fear of tripping over. Trumpet-style wedding dresses are tight-fitting with a gentle flare at the skirt, and there are several ways to bustle a dress. The type of bustle chosen depends on the style of the gown, the bride's height, and personal preference. From American bustles to French bustles, there are many options to choose from, each with its own unique look and feel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To add comfort and mobility, allowing the bride to move around with ease and alleviating the fear of tripping over a long train |
| Types | American/Over, Ballroom, French/Victorian/Under |
| Considerations | Height, personal preference, gown style, number of bustle points, and type of fastening (hooks, buttons, ribbons) |
| Process | Consult a seamstress or bridal consultant during fittings to determine the best bustle style and placement. Assign someone to help with bustling on the wedding day |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bustle style for your gown
Choosing the right bustle for your gown is an important decision. A bustle is added to a wedding dress to secure the fabric of the train, allowing the wearer to move around with ease and reducing the risk of tripping. It also adds to the overall look of the dress.
Firstly, it is important to note that one bustle does not fit all, and there are many styles to choose from. The right bustle for your gown will depend on the style of your dress, your height, and your personal preference. For example, a trumpet-style wedding dress is tight-fitting with a gentle flare at the skirt, so a bustle at the top of where the skirt begins to flare will add drama and accentuate the soft look of the skirt.
A popular bustle style is the American bustle, also known as an over-bustle. This style is created by lifting the outside of the train and securing it over the back of the gown to the waistline. It is a simple style for the seamstress to create and easy to attach on the wedding day. Brides can decide if they want one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for added flair.
Another option is the ballroom bustle, which gives the illusion that the gown was floor-length all along. Multiple bustle points are sewn around the bodice, allowing the fabric to fold into itself delicately. This style is typically more expensive due to the number of bustle points that need to be sewn in.
The French bustle, also known as a Victorian bustle or underbustle, is another option. This style favors gowns with a more natural waistline, and the train is tucked under the silhouette of the gown. Ribbons are often attached to connect and secure the fabric, with numerous pickup points for extra flair.
Ultimately, the right bustle style for your gown will depend on your personal preference and the specific style of your dress. It is recommended to consult with a seamstress or bridal consultant to determine which bustle style will work best with your gown and to have them show you the different options.
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Working with your seamstress to find the right bustle
Wedding dresses, especially those with long trains, can be a hassle to move around in. This is where a bustle comes in. A bustle helps secure the fabric of your gown's train, giving you the freedom to move around with ease. There are several types of wedding dress bustles, and the right one for you will depend on your height, personal preference, and the style of your gown.
It is best to familiarise yourself with the various styles before heading into your first fitting and speaking to your seamstress. During your wedding dress alteration appointment, your seamstress can help you determine which types of wedding dress bustles may work best with your gown. A bustle should be created to fit your body and the natural fall of the wedding dress, so it shouldn't be any more constricting than the silhouette's own design.
One popular way to pick up the train is with the American bustle, also known as an over-bustle. This look is made when the outside of the train is lifted and secured over the back of the gown to the wedding dress's waistline. It's a simple bustle for the seamstress to create and easy to attach on the wedding day. This bustle adds drama to the back by creating a cascading feel as the fabric folds flow over the rest of the skirt. Brides also have some flexibility with this bustle to decide if they want one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for extra flair depending on what they think complements the style of their gown best.
Another option is the ballroom bustle, which completely hides the train without changing the look of the dress. In order to create this seamless illusion, several points are added under the dress for the train to attach to. This results in the look of an untouched, floor-length gown.
The French bustle, also known as a Victorian bustle or under-bustle, is another option. This technique is the reverse of the American bustle, as hooks pick up the train of the gown as they tuck it under the silhouette itself. Often, ribbons are attached to connect and secure the fabric and can have numerous pick-up points for extra flair.
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Learning how to do the bustle
The bustle of a wedding dress is intended to add to your comfort and mobility, allowing you to move around with ease. It is important to bustle a wedding dress, especially after the ceremony, to prevent the back of the dress from getting soiled and to reduce the risk of tripping.
There are several types of bustles, each with a unique look, but they all benefit the wearer in the same way. The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is one of the most popular ways to pick up the train. It is created by lifting the outside of the train and securing it over the back of the gown to the waistline. This style can be achieved with one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for added flair. The American bustle adds drama to the back of the dress, creating a cascading effect as the fabric folds flow over the rest of the skirt.
Another option is the French bustle, also known as a Victorian bustle or underbustle. This style favours gowns with a more natural waistline and is the reverse of the American bustle. Hooks are used to pick up the train of the gown as it tucks under the silhouette. Ribbons are often attached to connect and secure the fabric, with multiple pickup points for added drama.
The ballroom bustle is another style that gives the illusion of no bustle at all. The train of the dress flips under the fabric and is pinned into itself, creating the appearance of a floor-length gown with a fuller bottom due to the extra fabric attached underneath.
It is important to note that one bustle does not fit all, and the right style will depend on the specific gown. During your wedding dress alteration appointment, your seamstress can help determine which types of bustles will work best with your trumpet-style wedding dress. It is recommended to have a designated person, such as the maid of honour or another member of the bridal party, learn how to properly bustle your dress by attending your dress fittings. This will ensure that there is no stress when it comes time to officially bustle the train on your special day.
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The American bustle
To choose the right bustle for your trumpet-style wedding dress, it is important to consider your height and personal preference. During your wedding dress alteration appointment, your seamstress can help you determine which types of bustles will work with your gown. It is helpful to have your chosen bridesmaid attend your last fitting so that they can learn directly from the seamstress how to bustle the train on your wedding day.
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The French bustle
When choosing a bustle style, it is important to consider the style and length of the train of your gown. Familiarizing yourself with the different bustle types can help you determine the best fit for your dress and your personal aesthetic. It is also important to note that bustles are intended to add comfort and mobility to your wedding dress, so be sure to work with your seamstress to find the right style for you.
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Frequently asked questions
A bustle is added to a wedding dress to secure the fabric of the gown's train, allowing the bride to move around with ease and reducing the risk of tripping.
Brides typically bustle their dresses after the ceremony and before the reception. However, some brides may opt to bustle their dresses before the wedding to avoid any last-minute stress.
A popular bustle style for trumpet wedding dresses is the American bustle, also known as an over-bustle. This style lifts the outside of the train and secures it over the back of the gown at the waistline. Another option is the traditional over-bustle, where the train is simply picked up and secured.
The right bustle style depends on your personal preferences and the style of your gown. During your wedding dress alteration appointment, your seamstress can help you determine which bustle styles will work best with your trumpet wedding dress.
It is important to assign someone to help you with bustling your dress on your wedding day, typically the maid of honour or another member of the bridal party. They should attend your dress fittings to learn how to properly bustle your trumpet wedding dress.
