How to Bustle a Wedding Dress: A Guide for a Flawless Look

Bustling a wedding dress is an essential step to achieving a flawless look and ensuring you can move around comfortably during your wedding reception. The bustling process involves securing the train or any excess fabric of the dress to the back of the gown, allowing you to dance, walk, and mingle with ease. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bustle a wedding dress:

How To Bustle A Wedding Dress

Understand the dress: Before you begin bustling, familiarize yourself with the dress and its design. Wedding dresses can vary in style, so identify the type of bustle your dress requires. Common bustle styles include the over-bustle, under-bustle, French bustle, and ballroom bustle.

Gather the necessary supplies: You'll need some tools to properly bustle your wedding dress. These typically include a few large safety pins or small buttons, a needle and thread, and a measuring tape.

Enlist the help of a friend or family member: Bustling a wedding dress can be a bit tricky, so having an extra pair of hands will make the process much easier. Choose someone you trust and who is familiar with the dress.

Determine the bustle points: Locate the specific points where the train or excess fabric will be secured to create the bustle. These points are usually marked by ribbons, loops, or buttons sewn into the dress. If they aren't pre-marked, have your helper hold the train up at different lengths to determine the most flattering and practical bustle positions.

Prepare the bustle attachments: If your dress has buttons, loops, or ribbons already in place, skip this step. Otherwise, you'll need to create attachments. For a button-style bustle, sew buttons onto the underside of the dress at the determined bustle points. For a loop-style bustle, sew fabric loops to the underside of the train, matching them to the button positions.

Secure the bustle: With the dress worn, lift the train or excess fabric to the desired length and have your helper secure it in place. If using buttons, carefully button them through the corresponding loops or attach them securely with large safety pins. If using loops, thread the loops through the buttons or pin them to the dress.

Adjust and test the bustle: Once the bustle is secured, adjust and arrange the fabric to ensure it looks even and drapes naturally. Move around in the dress to check if it feels secure and comfortable. If necessary, make any minor adjustments to improve the appearance and functionality of the bustle.

Practice bustling: Practice bustling the dress a few times before the wedding day. This will help you and your helper become familiar with the process and ensure you can quickly and smoothly bustle the dress when it's time.

Remember to consult with a professional seamstress or refer to any specific instructions provided by the dress designer if you're unsure about bustling your wedding dress. Following these steps will help you achieve a flawless look and enjoy your special day with ease and grace.

Types of Bustles 

Overbustle: This style involves lifting the train of the dress up and attaching it to the outside of the gown, creating a cascading effect. The excess fabric is typically gathered and secured with buttons, hooks, or ties, allowing the train to be lifted and attached to the waistline or back of the dress.

Underbustle: Also known as a "French bustle" or "ballroom bustle," the underbustle lifts the train of the dress and secures it underneath, creating a seamless look. The excess fabric is gathered and attached to the underside of the dress with buttons or loops, lifting the train and creating a bustling effect.

Pick-up bustle: This style involves gathering sections of the skirt and attaching them to the waistline or back of the dress. The fabric is typically secured with buttons, hooks, or ribbons, creating a textured and gathered look throughout the skirt.

Train flip: This bustle style involves flipping the train of the dress up and attaching it to the waistline or back, creating a layered effect. The excess fabric is folded and secured with buttons or hooks, allowing the train to be tucked underneath and creating a shorter, more manageable length.

Ballroom bustle: This type of bustle is commonly used for full, voluminous skirts. It involves gathering the fabric at different points around the skirt and securing it to the waistline or back of the dress. The gathered fabric creates a beautiful cascading effect, resembling the elegant draping seen in ballroom gowns.

American bustle: The American bustle, also known as the "over-under bustle" or "outer bustle," combines elements of both the over-bustle and under-bustle. It involves lifting the train of the dress up and securing it both on top and underneath the gown. The fabric is gathered and attached with buttons or hooks, creating a layered and dimensional look.

Austrian bustle: The Austrian bustle, also referred to as the "Vienna bustle" or "waterfall bustle," is a more elaborate style that creates cascading layers and drapes. It involves gathering sections of the skirt and attaching them to various points on the back of the dress. The fabric is secured with buttons, hooks, or ribbons, creating a dramatic and flowing effect.

Italian bustle: The Italian bustle, also known as the "pleat bustle," is a style that creates pleated folds in the train of the dress. It involves folding and tucking sections of the fabric and securing them with buttons or hooks, resulting in a tailored and structured look.

Crinoline bustle: The crinoline bustle, also called the "pouf bustle," is a type of bustle that uses a crinoline or hoop skirt underneath the dress to lift and support the train. The crinoline adds volume and shape to the back of the gown, creating a fuller and more dramatic effect.

These are just a few examples of bustle styles commonly used for wedding dresses. Remember, the best type of bustle for your dress will depend on its design, fabric, and personal preferences. Consult with a professional seamstress or dress designer to determine the most suitable bustle style for your specific wedding dress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bustling a wedding dress is a crucial step to ensure a flawless look and freedom of movement during the wedding festivities. With various bustle styles available, such as over-bustles, under-bustle, and ballroom bustles, it's important to choose the right one for your dress. Consult a professional, practice ahead of time, and enjoy a hassle-free wedding day with a perfectly bustled gown.