After buying your dream wedding gown, don’t forget about choosing the perfect bustle to compliment your dress. A bustle is a set of hooks, loops or strings attached to the outside or underneath of your wedding gown to pull the train up after the ceremony to allow for dancing and better mobility throughout the reception.
Most brides don’t know there are many ways to bustle a wedding gown and the type of bustle depends on the fabric, style of dress and your personal taste. I have listed the three most common bustles so you can learn the basics to choosing the right bustle for you!
Over-Bustle (Ballroom Bustle):
The over-bustle or ballroom bustle is one of the most common and cost efficient ways to bustle a wedding gown. With this type of bustle the seamstress adds a loop on the back outer part of the dress that will go over a button that is attached at the bodice. Keep in mind, this choice is best for girls with lighter dresses since this bustle may break if the fabric is too heavy. You can choose a three point over-bustle where the train is attached at three different places on the back outside of the dress. This is better for a heavier fabric and if done correctly, it should look like there was no train at all!
French Bustle:
A french bustle uses a series of strings under the dress that tie together to form the bustle. These strings are usually numbered or colored for easy pairing. Once each string under the dress is tied together, the bustle is complete. In my opinion, this is one of the best bustles to use since it works well for most fabrics and usually lasts longer and is more secure than an over-bustle. Some brides will even have a double or triple french bustle to create more layers on the back of the dress.
Austrian Bustle:
An austrian bustle is not as popular but is gaining popularity. This bustle uses a string and a pull system (similar to blinds) that gives the look of a seam running down the back of the dress.
Even though hiring a seamstress to add a bustle is an additional cost in most salons take my advice and pay the extra money for the bustle or use a friend that is a skilled seamstress. I promise that adding a bustle to your dress will be worth every penny. No bride wants to drag the back of their dress around or have guests stepping on their dress all night long!!
Which bustle do you like best? We want to know!