Do The Bustle: Great “Pick-Me-Ups” For Your Wedding Day

by Mia Bolaris-Forget (Staff Writer)

A long, elegant sweeping train that continues to make an entrance and a statement “after” the bride has reached her destination by the side of her man, ready to become his bride, is what most brides-to-be envision. Ah, and what an entrance such a train will make as the MC ushers them in as husband and wife. But, now what? It’s time for your first dance, and the last thing you want is your train trailing behind you, making it difficult for you and the groom to take your ever so carefully rehearsed step.

Well, traditionally speaking the “blushing” bride would simply scoop up her train and toss it over her free forearm, or have a loop attached underside that allowed her to slip it on to a free finger and that’s how she danced and partied all night.

Not much of an option for “free-spirited” brides. So, for brides that opt out of the option
of a removable train, wedding experts suggest they “do the bustle”, allowing brides to gather up their gown in a way that allows them to move and groove feely and easily all night long.

The Overbustle or Ballroom Bustle: Today, among one of the most common types of bustle and named because it tuck the train in such a way as to transform your wedding dress into more of a standard ballgown. The transformation takes place with buttons or hooks strategically sewn at the waist with loops positioned on the train to coincide with the buttons or hook so when the two are brought together, the gown gives the “illusion” of being one length.

The Tufted Bustle: Designed specifically for intricate gowns that feature trains that are intricately ruffled, gathered and contain equally intricate appliqués. In fact the placement of each appliqué is essential to maintaining the delicate detail and design of the dress. For such a dress, experts make each tuft a bustle point and attach each tuft to the one above.

The French Bustle: This very “regal” looking bustle is also commonly known as an underbustle because it hooks under the skirt. And, according to experts makes is the perfect bustle for trains featuring delicate designs below the waist, especially since an overbustle may likely cover up some of the essential intricate detail.

Typically, a French Bustle is more “romantic” as it achieves more fluff due to the way it is tucked making folds more prominent and noticeable. But, it will add a little extra padding to your butt.

Experts taught this bustle as the most secure using ribbons that you tie in place rather than hooks or buttons that they say may come undone.

The Austrian Bustle: While not as common as other bustles, it is just a beautiful and just as intricate. This bustle is created by sewing bias tape running down along the back seems of the dress and running a ribbon through it, so that the ribbon can be pulled to give a look similar to that of balloon shades.

The Pick-Up Bustle: This bustle is usually chosen for dress with shorter trains. Only one pick-up point is selected and anchored much lower on the dress than in other bustles. The back of the dress or train is then fastened to this (lowered) point.

The Pick-Up Bustle French Style: Similar to the Pick-Up Bustle which is secured at only one point, but using a set of ribbons and loops so that the (shorter) train is gathered under the skirt. Ideal for gowns featuring much of the detail high on the train or those with little or no design on the gown.