Deborah Chan
A bustle is an alteration made to the back of a wedding dress to lift and secure the train to the dress, allowing brides to move around freely and comfortably during their reception. There are several types of bustles, including the American bustle, French bustle, Ballroom bustle, and Royal bustle, each creating a unique look and feel for the dress. The American bustle, also known as the over-bustle, involves lifting the train and securing it over the back of the gown at the waistline, creating a dramatic and cascading effect. The French bustle, or under-bustle, is the opposite, with the train folded under itself. The Ballroom bustle creates the illusion of a seamless, floor-length gown, while the Royal bustle adds dramatic folds to the dress. Brides can also opt for wrist loops to carry the train, although this may not be comfortable for the entire event. Ultimately, the choice of bustle depends on the silhouette, fabric, and personal style preferences of the bride.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To lift the train off the ground and secure it to the dress so that the bride can walk and dance freely without tripping. |
| Types | American/Over, Ballroom, French/Under, Royal, Traditional/Over |
| Attachment Methods | Hooks, buttons, ribbons, loops, wrist loops |
| Cost | $75 to $250 on average, depending on the number of attachment points and layers to be bustled |
| Who Attaches It | Maid of honour, bridesmaid, parent, close friend, wedding coordinator |
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What You'll Learn
- The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is a popular style that adds drama to the back of the dress
- The ballroom bustle is a flattering style that hides the train, creating the illusion of an untouched, floor-length gown
- The French bustle, or under-bustle, is best suited to dresses with minimal trains and embellishments near the waist
- The royal bustle is an elaborate, vintage-inspired look that adds dramatic folds to the gown
- Wrist loops are an alternative to bustles, allowing the bride to carry the train on her arm
The American bustle, also known as an over-bustle, is a popular style that adds drama to the back of the dress
The American bustle is a modern iteration of the traditional bustle, a padded undergarment or wire frame worn under the skirt at the back, just below the waist, to add fullness or support drapery. Bustles were popular in the mid-to-late 19th century to keep heavy skirts from dragging and losing their shape during everyday wear. The American bustle is a popular way to pick up the train of a wedding dress, creating a cascading feel as the fabric folds flow over the rest of the skirt.
The number of pickup points can vary from one to five, allowing for an ultra-dramatic look that transforms the silhouette of the dress from the back. This style makes the train disappear, giving the illusion that the gown was floor-length all along. The American bustle is often used interchangeably with the traditional bustle, with the main difference being the placement of the pickups.
The opposite of the American bustle is the French bustle, also known as the under-bustle. This style has the train fold under itself instead of over, creating an understated two-layer hem that adds design to the back of the gown. Seamstresses often add colour-coordinated ribbons or numbers underneath to make it easier to bustle the dress. Brides typically bustle their dresses after the ceremony and before the reception, although some may opt to leave their train flowing for the first dance.
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The ballroom bustle is a flattering style that hides the train, creating the illusion of an untouched, floor-length gown
A bustle on a wedding dress is an alteration that allows the bride to walk and dance freely without tripping over the train of the dress. The ballroom bustle is a particularly flattering style of bustle that completely hides the train, creating the illusion of an untouched, floor-length gown. This style can be used on most dress silhouettes, as it does not change the look of the dress.
The ballroom bustle is achieved by adding several points under the dress for the train to attach to. This can be done using hooks, buttons, or ribbons. The train is then lifted and secured over the back of the gown to the waistline, creating a cascading feel as the fabric folds over the rest of the skirt. This style also adds volume to the bottom of the dress, as the train is pinned into itself.
The ballroom bustle is a popular choice for brides who want the look of a floor-length gown without the hassle of a train. It is also a good option for those who want to be able to move around and dance comfortably during the reception. The ballroom bustle is typically done after the ceremony and before the reception, although some brides may choose to leave their train flowing for the first dance.
The process of bustling a wedding dress is usually done by the maid of honor, a bridesmaid, the mother of the bride, or another trusted person. It is important for this person to attend the final fitting to learn how to properly bustle the dress. While a bustle can add a new dimension to the wedding-day look, it is important to note that it may break during the reception due to the weight of the dress.
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The French bustle, or under-bustle, is best suited to dresses with minimal trains and embellishments near the waist
The bustle of a wedding dress refers to the process of altering the back of the gown to function as if it had no train. This is done by fastening the train to the rest of the dress so that the bride can walk and dance freely without tripping over her dress. Wedding gown trains are often long, so the purpose of a bustle is to tie the train up into a manageable length.
The French bustle is also less complicated to execute than other types of bustles, such as the Austrian bustle, which is rare due to its complicated design. The ballroom bustle is another option that completely hides the train, giving the illusion of a floor-length gown. However, this type of bustle is typically the most expensive given that more bustle points need to be sewn in.
Ultimately, the type of bustle that a bride chooses will depend on the style and silhouette of her wedding dress. It is important to consider the length of the train, the placement of embellishments, and the desired level of drama and flair for the overall look. Working with a seamstress is essential to finding the right bustle style to suit the gown.
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The royal bustle is an elaborate, vintage-inspired look that adds dramatic folds to the gown
A bustle on a wedding dress is an alteration made to the back of the dress to lift the train off the ground and secure it to the dress. This allows the bride to move freely and dance without tripping over her dress. A bustle can be created using hooks, buttons, loops, or ribbons.
One type of bustle is the royal bustle, a grand and elaborate style that is perfect for brides seeking to manage a substantial, dramatic train on their wedding day. The royal bustle, also known as the Victorian or Cathedral bustle, is designed to handle long, dramatic trains by folding and arranging the train and securing it with several attachment points. This creates a multi-tiered, cascading effect, often resembling a waterfall, that adds volume and a touch of classic elegance and luxury to the gown. The royal bustle is an excellent choice for brides desiring a regal, fairy-tale aesthetic and can be paired with various silhouettes, including A-line and ball gowns.
The process of bustling a wedding dress typically occurs after the ceremony and before the reception. It is important to enlist the help of a maid of honour, bridesmaid, parent, or close friend to bustle the gown, as it is nearly impossible to secure a bustle while wearing the dress. Additionally, a professional seamstress or dressmaker is often required to ensure the bustle is secure and supports the weight of the train without damaging the dress.
The royal bustle can be simple or elaborate, depending on the desired look. For an elaborate, vintage-inspired style, the royal bustle can be crafted to include dramatic folds that add instant visual interest to the gown. This look is achieved by gathering the train and affixing it to the dress at several points, creating a tiered effect that enhances the voluminous appeal of the gown. The result is a spectacular and impressive dress that is sure to attract attention.
Overall, the royal bustle is a versatile and elegant option for brides seeking to combine functionality with regal, vintage-inspired style on their wedding day.
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Wrist loops are an alternative to bustles, allowing the bride to carry the train on her arm
A wrist loop is an alternative to a bustle for a wedding dress. A wrist loop allows the bride to carry the train of her dress on her arm. While some brides find wrist loops elegant, fun and flirty, others find them annoying and impractical, especially if the dress is heavy.
Wrist loops are typically used to hang the train on a hanger to prevent wrinkling, but some brides have started wrapping the loop around their wrist to carry the train. This can be a good option for brides who want to show off the beauty of their train, such as those with a lot of lace and beadwork. It can also be useful for photos to prevent the train from dragging on the ground. However, some brides have found that the wrist loop gets in the way and can be tiresome to carry for an extended period.
Additionally, a wrist loop may not be practical for a heavy dress, as it can cause pain and discomfort to the bride's wrist and arm. It can also be challenging to dance or move around with a wrist loop, and there is a risk of tripping.
On the other hand, a bustle is a process of altering a bridal gown to function as if it had no train. This is done by fastening the train to the rest of the dress using hooks, buttons, or ribbons, allowing the bride to walk and dance freely. There are different types of bustles, such as the American bustle (or over-bustle) and the French bustle (or under-bustle), which create different looks and levels of drama.
Ultimately, the decision between a wrist loop and a bustle depends on the bride's preference and the style of her dress. While a wrist loop can be a unique and elegant option, it may not be practical for all dresses, especially those with heavy fabric. A bustle, on the other hand, provides more comfort and mobility, allowing the bride to move around with ease during her special day.
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Frequently asked questions
A bustle is an alteration made to the back of a wedding dress that lifts the train off the ground and secures it to the dress. This allows the bride to move around and dance freely without tripping over the train.
There are several types of bustles, including the American bustle (or over-bustle), French bustle (or under-bustle), ballroom bustle, and royal bustle. The American bustle has hooks scattered along the waistline that lift and hook the train over the top of the gown. The French bustle is the opposite, with the train folding under itself. The ballroom bustle completely hides the train, giving the illusion of a floor-length gown. The royal bustle creates dramatic folds by gathering the train and affixing it to the dress at several points.
The cost of adding a bustle can vary depending on the number of attachment points, the number of dress layers, and the location. On average, it can range from $50 to $250, but some people may pay up to $400.
