Congratulations, you’ve found the perfect gown. Now we move on to alterations! For most brides, alterations will include picking a bustle for their gowns. Placing a bustle in your gown allows you to pin up the train, giving you mobility all night. But, choosing the right wedding dress bustle can be confusing. So, we’ve created this list of bustles and the dresses they are best suited for. We’re here to help you choose the most appropriate for your wedding gown!
AMERICAN BUSTLE
This bustle pins the train over the top of the dress with buttons and hooks. Creating a cascading effect or pickups on the back of the gown. It adds extra details to the back of the gown while pinned, giving it a romantic look. Like the Valentina gown by FLORA, this is a simple Mikado gown with a slight Basque waist and a subtle sweetheart neckline. It also has a grand cathedral train. An american bustle is best for this gown since it is an a-line silhouette and the extra fabric of the bustle would flatter the back of the gown.
FRENCH BUSTLE
The French bustle is pinned under the skirt of the gown. This gives the backside of the gown a slight puff. This works best for mermaid and fit-and-flare silhouettes, where the bustle can flow nicely with the shape of the gown. The French bustle and American bustle are what most brides choose.
BALLROOM BUSTLE
The ballroom bustle, pins along the underneath of the dress making it seem like a floor- length gown. This is typically done on ballgowns, but it can be done to other silhouettes like a mermaid style. Such as the Whitney gown by Eisen Stein, a full lace trumpet silhouette gown, this gown could work with a French bustle as well, but because it is all lace a ballroom bustle could give this gown a clean and sleek look instead.
AUSTRIAN BUSTLE
The Austrian bustle is strings sown into the train of the gown. The strings are pulled up and create a cascading effect of ruffles on the backside of the gown. This bustle can be done on the backside of the gown or through the side of the gown to create a dramatic, asymmetrical look. This bustle can add nicely to an already vintage-style gown, and it also looks great on lightweight fabrics.
WRISTLET BUSTLE
This is a loop that is added to the fabric of the train, and you can hold it or wear it around your wrist. This romantic non-traditional bustle is best for lightweight a-line or silk sheath styles. While this bustle is unique and pretty, it might not be practical for all brides or venues. Always talk with your tailor about the venue and plans during your ceremony or reception so that they may recommend the best bustle for your wedding day.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Choosing the right wedding dress bustle can be intimidating, and we hope this guide has helped! With the right bustle, your gown will be just as stunning during the reception as it was during your walk down the aisle. Have an open conversation with your tailor about your wedding day plans and overall vision—these details can influence which bustle style is best suited for your gown. A good tailor will walk you through the options and can even pin each style in place so you can see how they’ll look before making a final decision.
Whether you’re gliding across the dance floor or strolling through a garden ceremony, your bustle should complement your personal style while giving you the freedom to move with ease and confidence on your special day.
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