Wedding dresses come in a variety of styles and designs, with varying lengths and trains. While a long train adds a sense of elegance and sophistication to a bridal gown, it can also be cumbersome and make it difficult to dance and move around. This is where bustles come in as they help lift the train off the ground, making it easier for the bride to move around and enjoy her wedding reception. And when it comes to bustle styles, the French bustle is one of the most popular and elegant. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into how a French bustle works and why it is a popular choice for many brides.
What is a French bustle?
A French bustle is a method of lifting and securing the train of a wedding dress. It’s also known as an under bustle or an upside-down bustle. In this style, the extra fabric from the train is gathered underneath the skirt of the wedding dress, which gives it a more elegant and streamlined look. The French bustle fastens the train to the inside of the dress, with the hooks and ribbons being hidden away from view, giving it a more seamless look.
How does a French bustle work?
The French bustle is created in such a way that the fabric from the train of the wedding dress is lifted up and tucked into the skirt, with the underside of the dress being exposed. The bustle is then held in place by ties or hooks that have been sewn into the wedding dress.
First, a tailor will identify the right areas to create hooks and loops. They will then sew a set of loops or ribbons into the underside of the dress and attach hooks or buttons onto the overlaying structure. Once you’re sewn in, you can choose how you want to lift your train to dance and move around comfortably.
On the day of the wedding, a bridal assistant can easily lift and secure the train onto the loops or hooks to create a beautiful bustle. This allows the bride to move freely and dance without the lengthy train getting in the way.
However, it is important to note that not all wedding dresses can be French bustled. Dresses that have a lot of beading, embellishments, or heavy fabrics might not necessarily work with a French bustle. In such cases, the tailor may have to come up with an alternative bustle style that can work with the dress.
Why is a French bustle popular?
One of the reasons the French bustle is so popular is because it creates a clean and elegant appearance, as if the dress was designed that way. Additionally, with hooks and loops being sewed inside the gown, it looks more professional and sophisticated than other types of bustles.
Another reason why the French bustle is so popular is that it creates a beautiful silhouette. By lifting the train and creating a smooth line from the waist-down, it showcases the bride’s figure and highlights the curves in all the right places.
Finally, a French bustle is an excellent option for brides who want to move and dance freely during their wedding reception without worrying about a long train getting in their way. With the bustle, the bride can enjoy herself and have a great time without worrying about tripping over her dress.
Conclusion
In summary, a French bustle is an elegant and popular way to lift the train of a wedding dress. It creates a streamlined appearance and helps the bride move freely without worrying about the length of the train getting in the way. Although not all dresses can be French bustled, it is a great option for those that can because of the beautiful silhouette it creates. It is no wonder why this type of bustle has become a favorite among many brides looking to add a touch of sophistication to their wedding gowns.
FAQ
Do you bustle before or after cocktail hour?
Bustling your wedding dress is a necessary step in ensuring that you can move around comfortably while still showcasing the beauty of your gown after the ceremony. Bustling itself involves lifting and securing the train of your dress so that it doesn’t drag on the ground. But when should you bustle your dress, before or after cocktail hour? The answer is that you should do it sometime between the ceremony and the reception.
The timing of when to bustle your dress depends on your specific wedding timeline. If you’re having a cocktail hour, it’s typically a good idea to bustle your gown before the grand entrance. This will give you enough time to make sure that your dress is securely bustled, especially if you are wearing a complicated gown with a lot of layers.
It’s essential to bustle your dress before the reception because you’ll be moving around and dancing, and having a train can impede your ability to move around comfortably. It can also get stepped on, which can be dangerous if it causes you to lose your balance and fall. Additionally, dragging around a long dress can cause stains and tears from contact with the floor, which can ruin your wedding dress.
If you opted to have a first dance, you’ll be glad you bustled your gown beforehand. You can now twirl and be swept off your feet without having to worry about tripping over your train. you should bustle your wedding dress sometime between the ceremony and the reception, before or after cocktail hour, depending on your timeline. This will ensure that you can move around comfortably and enjoy the festivities without having to worry about your dress getting damaged.