Imagine you’ve found the perfect wedding dress with a long, beautiful train, but you are afraid to get it ruined once the ceremony ends. Well, there’s a solution for that: Bustles! Every gal should add a bustle to their gown to preserve the beauty of their dress. Bustles are used to lift the long trains of wedding gowns off the floor through a series of loops.
You can add more than one bustle to a dress. There are simple bustles and extensive multi-bustle combinations that can really add to the beauty of a gown. Bustles are custom designed for each dress and no two are alike. But for today’s post, let’s go over the bare basics. There are two types to consider:
THE OVER BUSTLE
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Over Bustle |
This sort of bustle is made by gathering the train and attaching it to strategic areas of the over skirt, creating an elegant look. This is achieved by placing the bustle buttons on the top of the dress.
THE UNDER BUSTLE
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French Under Bustle |
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Victorian Under Bustle |
This is also called the French or Victorian bustle. This type of bustle is fastened under the skirt using hidden buttons, giving a romantic feel of the dress. With an Under Bustle you create a set of loops and strings underneath the dress, so it’s not really visible from the outside of the garment.
WHICH BUSTLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
There are many things to take into account when creating a bustle. Where is the wedding venue? What is the style of the dress? And what is the bride’s budget? Usually the bustle is the last task of the alterations process, so this provides plenty of time to get to know the bride’s tastes and expectations. A seamstress will take all of these matters into account before making a bustle recommendation. The goal is to make sure your bustle is functional but also achieves a look that matches your dress and personality.
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Camille’s Alterations Specialist Lorraine works on a bustle for a bride. |
When it’s time to get ready for your big day, don’t let the number of bustles intimidate you. A dress with multiple bustles usually has multiple strings underneath the dress, so you (or your bridesmaids) can easily find the appropriate loops and have you bustled in a matter of minutes. Some brides choose to rehearse this process with their attendants, but due to the fragility of the dress, I’d suggest holding off until the day of.
If you’re unsure of which bustle is right for you, talk with your seamstress. Don’t be afraid to be a little creative and be sure to go with the flow of your gown.