Talk to me Tuesday: Bustles

Every so often I have brides ask me "Can I cut off the train?" The answer is always yes. You can do whatever you like with your dress once it's yours. Usually when a bride doesn't want a train on her gown, I show them their options to bustle it. A bustle holds the train up so the bride doesn't have to worry about stepping on it or having someone carry it around all day. Bustles allow the train to be let down for pictures or when the bride is walking down the aisle, and to be put up when the bride is dancing or walking around. A bustle should not be confused with a train loop. A train loop is a loop of ribbon on the underside of the train used to hang the train on the hanger. It is not for the bride to loop around her wrist or to fasten the train anywhere except on the hanger for transport.

There are two styles of bustle: regular/English and French. A regular or English bustle usually consists of one or more hooks and eyes to pull the train up. It usually makes the train look like a triangle pulled up to the bottom of the zipper.

English Bustle

A French bustle fastens under the gown. It consists of ribbons which are tied together to keep the train up. French bustles have a ballooning effect on the top of the train. If a bustle fastens in one place, it's called a one point bustle. When it fastens in 3 places it's a 3 point bustle. The most extensive bustle I've seen was 12 points.  

Three Point French Bustle

When you get your alterations done your seamstress will sew in your bustle. Bustles are different for everyone because of height differences. A bustle is way cheaper than having the train cut off and it gives you the option of having your train down in pictures.