Your wedding day is an unforgettable day of your life, and the wedding dress you choose is one of the essential elements of that day. You select a dress that complements your style and makes you feel confident. However, sometimes your wedding dress may have extra fabric that extends beyond the length of your legs. If you want to dance at your wedding and be without distractions, bustling a wedding dress is crucial.
What is Bustling a Dress?
Bustling a wedding dress refers to the process of folding or securing the extra fabric and the train of the dress to the skirt’s inside or outside. It involves lifting the train of your wedding gown and attaching it to the waistline, creating an elegant and tamed bustle effect. By doing this, you prevent the hem of your dress from dragging on the floor and protect it from damages caused by people stepping on it.
Why do you need to Bustle your Dress during your Wedding?
Bustling a dress serves a practical purpose on your wedding day. You don’t want to trip or fall because the hem of your gown suddenly gets caught under your heel. Also, if you have a long train, bustling your dress will make it easier to move around and dance.
If you don’t bustle your dress, you’ll have an unlimited trail while walking down the aisle or during a dance, but you risk bending or tearing the fabric as different guests move around. Besides, the extra fabric of your dress requires ample space, which may cause inconvenience to your guests.
Types of Bustling
There are several types of bustling, and each style depends on the wedding dress design, ceremony, and the bride’s preference. Let’s explore the different bustling styles:
The French Bustle
Also known as an under bustle, the French bustle style involves securing the dress’s train beneath the wedding gown in a way that looks like a layered hem. A dressmaker adds ribbons or loops to the bottom of the wedding gown, which the dress’s train hooks into or secures via buttons. The French bustle is an excellent choice for brides wearing a mermaid-style or a fitted bodice dress.
The American Bustle
The American bustle or over bustle is another popular style of bustling, suitable for ball-gowns and A-line wedding dresses. This style involves pulling the back train of the dress to the waistline and securing it over the backside of the bridal gown with ribbons or buttons. You can use the American bustle option if you want to show off the dress’s train, or if you love the look of a more voluminous dress.
The Austrian Bustle
The Austrian bustle works well for dresses that have a lot of fabric layers in the train. This type of bustling involves pulling up the bottom hem and securing it in place with a decorative clasp or buttons. The dress then falls into pleats, creating a chic effect.
How to Decide what type of Bustle to Use
Consider your wedding dress style, length, and design before deciding on bustling options. An A-line or ball-gown bride could go with an American bustle, while a bride with a fitted or mermaid-style dress could opt for a French bustle.
Besides, choose a bustling style that allows you to maintain mobility and adjust if necessary. Choose a bustling style that does not distract from your dress but adds elegance to it.
Conclusion
Bustling a dress is an essential element of your wedding day. It keeps you comfortable and moves around more easily, without worrying about tripping or tearing the fabric. Understanding the bustling options available and picking which style best fits your wedding dress ensures a successful and comfortable wedding day.
FAQ
Does a bustle make your dress shorter?
A bustle is a method of adjusting the length of a dress or gown, particularly a wedding dress, by lifting and securing the train with hooks, buttons, or ribbons. It is a practical and elegant solution for brides who want to enjoy wearing a long train down the aisle, but would like to be more mobile and comfortable during the reception.
So, does a bustle make your dress shorter? The short answer is yes. When you bustle your dress, you essentially gather the extra fabric of the train and bring it up to the level of the hemline or above. This creates a new hemline that is shorter than the original length of the gown. The exact amount of shortening will depend on the type of bustle you choose and how many points of attachment you need to secure the train.
It’s worth noting that the amount of shortening that occurs with a bustle is generally minimal. A well-executed bustle will still allow the bride to enjoy most of the romantic and dramatic effect of a long train, while getting the practical benefits of a shorter hemline. For example, a ballroom bustle is a popular style that tucks the train under the skirt and attaches it at pickup points around the bodice of the gown. This gathers the train into a full, rounded silhouette that creates a sense of movement and drama, while allowing the bride to move freely and dance without tripping over the train or getting it dirty.
A bustle can make your dress shorter, but it’s important to keep in mind that it’s only a temporary alteration. The length of your gown will return to its original state when the bustle is removed after the wedding ceremony. Therefore, it is important to discuss your bustle options with your seamstress or bridal salon consultant and choose the best style that suits your personal style, wedding venue, and overall vision for your big day.
Is it necessary to have a bustle?
When it comes to your wedding dress, there are many details to consider, and one of those details is the bustle. A bustle is a method of gathering up extra fabric in the back of the dress and securing it with buttons, hooks, or ties so that it doesn’t drag on the ground. Whether or not a bustle is necessary depends on the length and style of your dress, as well as your personal preferences.
If you have a long train on your wedding dress, it is highly recommended that you have a bustle. Without a bustle, your train will be cumbersome and difficult to move in, making dancing and socializing nearly impossible. Additionally, dragging the train on the ground can cause damage to the fabric, as well as potentially ruining any elaborate beading or lacework.
Most wedding dresses do not come with a bustle pre-installed, as the seamstress will need to custom-fit the bustle based on your individual measurements and the length of the train. Some dresses may include a simple bustle mechanism, such as an elastic loop and button, that allows you to easily gather up the train yourself. However, this type of bustle is not suitable for all dresses, particularly those with very long or heavy trains.
If you are unsure if you need a bustle or what type of bustle would work best for your dress, it is best to consult with a bridal consultant or seamstress. They will be able to advise you on the best options for your dress and ensure that the bustle is properly installed for maximum comfort and ease of movement. having a bustle can help you move around your wedding day with ease, allowing you to enjoy all the festivities without being encumbered by your dress.
What makes a dress too short?
There are a few factors that can contribute to a dress being considered too short. First and foremost, a dress is generally considered too short if it reveals more than intended. This can vary depending on the setting and type of dress, but a good rule of thumb is that if you can’t pick up something from the floor without flashing the entire world, the dress is probably too short. Similarly, if you find yourself pulling on the hem every three steps to try to keep it in place, it’s likely that the dress is both too short and too tight.
Another factor that can contribute to a dress being too short is comfort. If you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious in the dress because you’re worried about it riding up or exposing too much skin, then it’s probably too short. You should be able to move freely and comfortably in your clothes, and a dress that’s too short can be restrictive and distracting.
It’s also worth considering the context in which you’ll be wearing the dress. A dress that might be appropriate for a night out with friends or a party might not be suitable for a more formal or professional setting. If you’re unsure whether a dress is too short for a certain occasion, it’s better to err on the side of caution and choose something more conservative.
What makes a dress too short is subjective and can vary depending on the individual and the situation. However, if you’re constantly tugging at the hem, worrying about flashing others, or simply feeling uncomfortable, it’s probably a sign that the dress is too short and it’s time to find something more appropriate.