When you’re shopping for wedding dresses, it’s important to think about more than just the style and cut of the gown. You also need to consider how you’re going to wear it on your big day, including what type of bustle will work best for your dress. The two most common types of bustles are the American bustle and the French bustle. In this post, we’ll explore the French bustle in more depth, including what it is, how it works, and why it might be the right choice for your wedding dress.
What is a French bustle?
A French bustle, also known as an underbustle, is a way to gather the extra fabric of a wedding dress so that it’s off the ground. The goal is to create a smooth, elegant look that doesn’t interfere with your ability to move, dance, and enjoy your reception.
Unlike the American bustle, which pins the extra fabric to the outside of the dress, the French bustle works by folding the fabric underneath the dress and securing it with buttons or hooks. This technique is especially useful for gowns with heavier fabrics, or for dresses with a shorter train. It can also be a good choice if you’re looking for a more voluminous look that still allows you to move freely.
How does a French bustle work?
The process of adding a French bustle to your wedding dress will typically begin with a consultation with your seamstress or tailor. They will examine the fabric of your dress, as well as its cut and style, in order to determine the best way to create a French bustle that will work with your dress.
Once the appropriate locations for the buttons or hooks have been identified, the seamstress will create small loops of fabric that are attached to the underside of the dress. These loops will be used to gather and secure the extra fabric of the train, pulling it up and creating the bustle.
The number of buttons or hooks that are used will depend on the size and weight of the dress, as well as your personal preference. Generally, you’ll have at least three buttons or hooks on each side of the dress, but more may be needed if you’re working with a particularly voluminous or long train.
Why choose a French bustle?
There are a few reasons why a French bustle might be the right choice for your wedding dress. Here are just a few of the benefits:
1. It creates a seamless, elegant look.
Because the extra fabric is tucked underneath the dress, there are no visible ties or knots that might detract from the overall look of your gown. This can create a more seamless, elegant look, which is perfect for formal weddings or gowns with intricate beading or embroidery.
2. It’s ideal for heavier fabrics.
If your dress has a heavier fabric, such as satin or taffeta, you might find that an American bustle creates too much bulk and can be difficult to maneuver. The French bustle is ideal for heavier fabrics, as it allows the extra fabric to be tucked neatly underneath the dress without adding too much volume.
3. It’s good for shorter trains.
If your dress has a shorter train, you might find that an American bustle doesn’t work as well, as the extra fabric might not be long enough to create a flowing, elegant look. The French bustle can be a good choice for shorter trains, as it can create a more voluminous look that still allows you to move around freely.
4. It can create a more voluminous look.
If you’re looking for a dress with a fuller, more dramatic effect, a French bustle can help you achieve that look. By gathering the extra fabric underneath the dress, it creates the illusion of more volume and movement, which can be especially striking in photos and on the dance floor.
Conclusion
If you’re shopping for wedding dresses and trying to decide what type of bustle will work best for your gown, it’s important to consider all of your options. A French bustle can be a good choice for dresses with heavier fabrics, shorter trains, or for brides who want a more voluminous, dramatic look. Talk to your seamstress or tailor to see if this type of bustle might work for you, and get ready to dance the night away without worrying about tripping over your train!
FAQ
How much does it cost to get a French bustle?
The cost of adding a French bustle to your wedding dress can vary depending on a few different factors. On average, you can expect to pay between $75 and $250 for this alteration. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the final cost will depend on the complexity of the bustle, the quality of the materials used, and the expertise of the tailor or seamstress who will be doing the work. If the dress has many layers, it may require more time and effort to create a bustle, which can increase the overall cost.
Another factor that may impact the cost of a French bustle is the location of the seamstress or tailor you choose. Prices can vary depending on where you live and the local cost of living. Before making a decision, it’s always a good idea to research local tailors and seamstresses and get quotes from multiple providers, so that you can compare prices and services and choose one that fits your budget and meets your needs.
It’s also worth noting that there may be additional costs associated with getting a French bustle. For example, if your dress requires alterations beyond just a bustle, such as hemming or adjustments around the waist or bust, this can increase the overall cost. Additionally, if you choose to have your dress cleaned or pressed after the bustle is added, this will also add to the final cost.
Finally, keep in mind that the cost of a French bustle is just one factor to consider when budgeting for your wedding dress alterations. It’s important to account for any other changes or adjustments you may want to make to your dress, as well as any additional costs such as fittings and adjustments leading up to your big day. while adding a French bustle can add to the cost of your dress alterations, it’s a worthwhile investment if you want a more elegant and sophisticated look on your wedding day.
When should you bustle your wedding dress?
A wedding dress is one of the most delicate and expensive pieces of clothing you will ever own. It is understandable that you would want to keep it in perfect condition on your wedding day. However, since wedding dresses are often voluminous and trail behind the bride, they can pose a tripping hazard, especially during the reception. Therefore, it is necessary to have a way to lift the hemline of the dress off the floor and secure it in place. This is where a bustle comes in handy.
So, when should you bustle your wedding dress? The answer is simple: after the ceremony and before the reception. During the ceremony, you would want your dress to look its best, and a bustle can disrupt the overall appearance of the gown. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the gown unbustled during the ceremony. Once the ceremony is over and you are ready to celebrate, it is time to bustle up.
Bustling a wedding dress involves lifting the train of the gown and securing it to the back of the dress, creating a neat and functional hemline that is off the ground. A bustle can be placed in various positions, depending on the design of the dress and the bride’s preference. The three most common types of bustles are the over-bustle, the under-bustle, and the French bustle.
The over-bustle involves lifting the hemline of the dress and securing it above the waistline using buttons, hooks, or snaps. This type of bustle creates a beautiful and dramatic effect on the back of the dress. On the other hand, an under-bustle lifts the hemline of the gown and attaches it to the underskirt. This type of bustle is less visible, creating a subtle effect. The French bustle involves attaching loops to the underside of the hemline of the gown and threading a ribbon or string through them, creating a beautiful and feminine effect.
A bustle is put up after the ceremony and before the reception primarily for your safely and the safety of the guest. The majority of your bridal photos are taken before the bustle is put up. Most bustles are put up with buttons and loops or ties. It is essential to discuss the type of bustle you want with your seamstress or wedding planner to ensure you choose the best option for your gown’s design and your comfort.
Do you have to get bustle on your wedding dress before the wedding?
The decision to get a bustle on your wedding dress is purely a personal one and depends on the type of dress you have chosen. A bustle is essentially a technique used to lift up the train of your wedding dress so that it doesn’t drag on the ground or get in the way while you are moving around. Not all wedding dresses need a bustle, and it is important to consider the style and length of your wedding dress before deciding to get one.
If your dress is one length or a dress that doesn’t touch the ground, then there is no need for a bustle. However, if you have a dress with a train and don’t want to have your train down for the full wedding, then a bustle is a great option to have put in your dress. A bustle can be attached to the back of the dress and works by folding the train under itself and securing it to the back of the dress with buttons or hooks or a combination of the two.
Timing is an important factor when it comes to getting a bustle on your wedding dress. Ideally, you should have the bustle put in during the final fitting of your dress, which is usually two weeks before the wedding. This will ensure that your alterations are complete, and the fit is perfect for you. It is also recommended that you do a trial run of the bustle with your seamstress or another helper to ensure that it is secure and easy to use.
Whether you need a bustle on your wedding dress or not, ultimately depends on the style of your dress and your personal preference. If you have a dress with a train, then a bustle can be a practical solution to allow you to move around more freely without tripping over your gown. It is important to have the bustle put in during your final fitting and to do a trial run to make sure everything is perfect on your big day.
What was the purpose of a bustle on a woman’s dress?
In the mid-to-late 19th century, women’s fashion included large and heavy dresses with elaborate designs and details. These dresses were often made of materials such as silk, satin, or velvet, which were expensive and difficult to care for. To keep the skirt from dragging on the ground and to add fullness to the back of the dress, women wore a padded undergarment called a bustle.
The bustle was a frame made of steel, wire, or whalebone that was padded with horsehair or wool. It was worn under the skirt in the back, just below the waist, and could be adjusted in size to achieve different levels of fullness. The bustle was designed to provide support and structure to the dress, ensuring that it looked elegant and did not drag on the ground.
The size and shape of the bustle varied depending on the fashion of the time. In the early 1870s, the bustle was small and circular, resembling a cushion. By the mid-1870s, the bustle had grown to be much larger and flatter, resembling a shelf. In the 1880s, the bustle had evolved into a more modest size, with a slight protrusion at the back.
While the bustle was mainly functional, it also had aesthetic value. It added a sense of drama and grandeur to the outfit, emphasizing the woman’s figure and making her appear more elegant. The bustle was often complemented by other fashionable accessories, such as hats, gloves, and parasols, to complete the overall look.
The purpose of a bustle on a woman’s dress was to provide support and structure to the skirt, preventing it from dragging on the ground and adding fullness to the back of the dress. While primarily functional, the bustle also had aesthetic value, adding drama and elegance to women’s fashion in the mid-to-late 19th century.
