Bustle or Not

I must add that my dress does have a little loop at the end of my train to help carry the end. I’m thinking this should be enough!

My aunt many years ago had a short train that she chose not to bustle. She tripped on it a few times and guests accidentally stepped on it.

There are many different types of bustle. Depending on your dress, some can have a flipped bustle, where the fabric is tucked up inside the dress at the hem. There's an article about bustle types here, and it's the third one mentioned.:

https://www.nkbride.com/blog/2019/7/16/basics-of-bustling-styles-and-how-tos

You might like this one as it's much less visible, but not all dresses can accommodate this style so best to speak with your seamstress about it:

View Quoted Comment This actually is a type of bustle! My cousin had a finger loop. I think it will probably be fine if that loop ensures people won't step on it

View Quoted Comment Hi Jasmine,


Thanks for the reply! I didn’t realize this was considered a type of bustle. When I think about it now it makes sense! It helps keep the dress off the ground. I bought the dress already with the loop at the end. I think I’ll just stick with that.
Thanks again!

I had a bustle on my dress and it broke so I used the wrist loop the whole time. It actually was kind of a pain (but I had a ball gown style with a decent train). If your dress isn't heavy and the train isn't long I don't think it's a big deal!

The loop at the end of the dress that comes from the manufacturer is a hanging loop, NOT a bustle. The hanging loop is not designed to support the weight of the train with any additional force on it (like what would happen when you are moving around), only when hung statically on a hanger. There is a type of bustle that is a wrist loop, but I'm pretty sure it is sewn into the dress differently, in a way that is a bit more structurally sound than the hanging loop included on your dress when you purchased it.

I would absolutely have a bustle installed (you can always choose not to use it if you don't want). Any bit of fabric dragging on the floor is likely to be stepped on and could damage the dress. There are many different types of bustles and if your train isn't very long to begin with, the bustle required would likely be very subtle. I think its fine to leave your dress unbustled for photos and your first dance, but being able to get that extra fabric out of the way later in the night, when your dance floor gets packed or you are carefree running up to the bar for another drink, will be advantageous.

Although you might not like the look of a bustle, I think you’ll like the convenience and safety of it. You want to easily maneuver around your reception without worrying about fabric dragging behind you, creating chances of tripping or it being stepped on (and possibly ripped).

I was married before & my dress had a pretty short train….there is still a footprint on it where it got stepped on 😂 That being said, my current dress has a VERY long train and I am debating on the bustle. We are having a dinner only reception in a small venue & the most movement I will have is going from table to table. I saw a video on how to lift & carry your train over one arm & that seemed doable. Also considering a wrist loop & will figure all of this out at my dress viewing. But I will be prepared to bustle if I must.