
A bustle is an alteration made to the back of a wedding dress to lift the train off the ground and secure it to the dress. This allows the bride to move around comfortably and freely without tripping over her dress. The bustle is added to the wedding dress after embellishments and basic alterations have been made. There are several types of bustles, including the ballroom bustle, royal bustle, American bustle, French bustle, and the bow bustle. The style chosen determines how the train will be tied up, and bustles can be created using buttons, hooks, loops, and ribbons. The cost of adding a bustle ranges from $75 to $250 on average.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To add comfort and mobility, allowing the bride to walk and dance freely without tripping over the train of the dress |
| Types | Ballroom, French (or under-bustle), American, Royal or Victorian, Bow, Sling (or side sling), Wrist loop |
| Cost | $75 to $250 on average |
| Who can add a bustle | Seamstress, bridal stylist |
| When to add a bustle | Early on, after embellishments have been added or after basic wedding dress alterations have been completed |
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What You'll Learn
- Bustles are added to a wedding dress to lift the train off the ground, allowing the bride to move around comfortably
- There are different types of bustles, including the American, French, Ballroom, Royal, and Victorian bustle
- The American bustle is one of the most popular and simple styles, with the train hooked or fastened over the skirt
- The French bustle, or under-bustle, is the opposite, with the train tucked underneath the skirt to create a billowing effect
- Adding a bustle to a wedding dress can cost between $75 to $250 on average, depending on the number of points and style

Bustles are added to a wedding dress to lift the train off the ground, allowing the bride to move around comfortably
A bustle is an alteration made to the back of a wedding dress to lift the train off the ground, allowing the bride to move around comfortably. Wedding gown trains are often long, and the purpose of a bustle is to tie the train up into a manageable length. This allows the bride to walk freely without tripping over her dress.
There are several different types of bustles, and it is important to choose the right one for your dress and your personal style. The American bustle, for example, is one of the most popular as it is simple and easy to do on the day. It involves gathering the train and fastening it over the skirt, creating a cascading effect. The ballroom bustle, on the other hand, is a more flattering option that completely hides the train, creating the illusion of an untouched, floor-length gown.
The cost of adding a bustle to your wedding dress will depend on the number of bustle points and the type of bustle you choose. On average, it can range from $75 to $250. It is important to note that even with a bustle, there is a possibility that it may break during your reception, especially with heavier dresses. Therefore, it is recommended to have a designated person to help with bustling your dress and to prepare an emergency kit with safety pins, a sewing needle, and clear fishing line.
Overall, a bustle is a great way to add style and functionality to your wedding dress, ensuring you can comfortably move around and dance the night away without any worries!
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There are different types of bustles, including the American, French, Ballroom, Royal, and Victorian bustle
A bustle is an alteration made to the back of a wedding dress to lift and secure the train off the ground, allowing the bride to move around more comfortably. There are several types of bustles, including the American, French, Ballroom, Royal, and Victorian bustle.
The American bustle, also known as the over-bustle, is created by lifting the outside of the train and securing it over the back of the gown at the waistline. This style can add drama to the back of the dress, with the fabric cascading down the skirt. Brides can choose between one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for added flair.
The French bustle, on the other hand, is known as the under-bustle as the train folds under itself instead of over. This style is often used for gowns with a more natural waistline and creates an understated, two-layer hem at the back. Seamstresses may add colour-coordinated ribbons or numbers underneath the gown to help with bustling.
The Ballroom bustle is designed to completely hide the train, giving the illusion of an untouched floor-length gown. Multiple points are added under the dress for the train to attach to, resulting in a seamless look.
The Royal or Victorian bustle adds drama and dimension to the silhouette with its dramatic folds. This style is perfect for gowns with a statement bow or sash at the back, as the fabric is folded above the gown and secured with hidden ties.
These are just a few of the many bustle styles available, and each can be customised to complement the unique style of the bride's gown. It is important to note that adding a bustle to a wedding dress can be costly, and it may break during the reception due to the weight of the dress. Therefore, it is always good to be prepared with safety pins, a sewing needle, and clear fishing line on hand.
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The American bustle is one of the most popular and simple styles, with the train hooked or fastened over the skirt
Adding a bustle to a wedding dress is a way of altering the gown so that it functions as if it had no train. This is done by fastening the train to the rest of the dress, allowing the bride to walk and dance freely without tripping over their dress.
The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is one of the most popular and simple bustle styles. This style has the outside of the train lifted and secured over the back of the gown at the waistline. Loops or hooks are added along the waistline, and when the train is fastened, it creates the look of elegant pleats at the waist. Brides can choose to have one statement pickup or multiple pickup points for extra flair. This style can dramatically transform the silhouette of the dress from the back, making the train disappear.
The American bustle is similar to a traditional bustle, but the difference lies in the pickup placements. It is the opposite of the French bustle, also known as the under-bustle, where the train folds underneath the silhouette of the dress. The American bustle is also distinct from the ballroom bustle, which hides the train without changing the look of the dress, giving the illusion that it is a floor-length gown.
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The French bustle, or under-bustle, is the opposite, with the train tucked underneath the skirt to create a billowing effect
A bustle is an additional feature of a wedding dress that allows brides to move around with ease. It is a type of alteration that helps secure the fabric of the gown's train, keeping it from dragging on the floor. This is especially useful for gowns with long trains, as it enables the bride to walk freely without tripping over her dress.
The French bustle, or under-bustle, is distinct from the American bustle, or over-bustle. The French bustle is created by tucking the train underneath the skirt, resulting in a billowing effect at the back of the gown. This style is ideal for A-line, sheath, mermaid, and trumpet gowns, as well as large ball gowns with ample fabric to accommodate the bustling points. The process involves hooking the train to the inside of the skirt, creating a series of dramatic folds down the back of the dress. This results in an understated, two-layer hem that adds design and fullness to the back of the gown.
The French bustle is considered a stunning option that is not overly complicated to execute. Seamstresses often use colour-coordinated ribbons or numbers to help identify the hooks and make the process of bustling the dress easier. It is important to note that bustles can be intricate and delicate, and there is always a possibility of them breaking during the wedding reception. Therefore, it is recommended to have safety pins, a sewing needle, and clear fishing line on hand for quick repairs.
Overall, the French bustle is a beautiful and functional option for brides who want to showcase the back of their gown and enjoy freedom of movement during their special day.
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Adding a bustle to a wedding dress can cost between $75 to $250 on average, depending on the number of points and style
Adding a bustle to a wedding dress is not a simple task and should be left to a professional. The cost of adding a bustle to a wedding dress ranges between $75 to $250 on average, depending on the number of points and style. For instance, a five-point bustle can cost around $150 to $175. The price also depends on the type of gown, with gowns with more train fabric, like ball gowns, costing more to bustle. A ballroom bustle, for example, will make the train look like it has disappeared by adding several points under the dress for the train to attach to. This style completely hides the train without changing the look of the dress.
The cost of adding a bustle can also depend on the type of fabric and the complexity of the bustle. For instance, embellished gowns require extra care when adding a bustle to avoid damaging the intricate details. An Austrian bustle is a good option for these types of gowns as it is the easiest to operate. A French bustle, or under-bustle, is another option that is not overly complicated and results in an understated, two-layer hem.
The number of points required for the bustle will also impact the cost. A simple bustle with fewer points will generally cost less than a more complex bustle with many points. For example, a bustle with 12 different hooking points can cost close to $300. The cost of living in your area can also affect the price, with bustles in higher-cost areas tending to be more expensive.
It is worth noting that bustles can be prone to breaking due to the weight of the fabric they support, especially if the bride is an active dancer. Therefore, it is recommended to have safety pins, a needle and thread, or a clear fishing line on hand to make any necessary repairs on the wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
A bustle is an alteration made to the back of a wedding dress to lift the train off the ground and secure it to the dress. This allows the bride to move around comfortably and freely without tripping over her dress.
Wedding gown trains are often long, and a bustle ties the train up into a more manageable length. Bustles are intended to add to the bride's comfort and mobility, not impede it.
It is important to think about adding a bustle early on and discuss it at your alterations appointment. The more complicated the style, the more it will cost. Some dresses have built-in bustles, which can be convenient.
There are several types of bustles, including the American bustle, French bustle, ballroom bustle, royal or Victorian bustle, and the side sling or wrist loop. The American bustle is one of the most popular, with hooks added along the waistline to hook up the train over the skirt, creating a cascading effect. The French bustle tucks the train underneath the skirt to create a billowing effect, adding fullness to the back of the gown. The ballroom bustle hides the train to create the illusion of an untouched, floor-length gown. The royal bustle gathers the train and affixes it to the dress at several points, creating dramatic folds. The side sling or wrist loop attaches the train to the wrist, allowing the bride to lift it herself.
The cost of adding a bustle to a wedding dress ranges from $75 to $250 on average, depending on the number of bustle points and the type of bustle.











































