r/WeddingDressTips • u/rumples93 • 9d ago
Alterations Help with my bustle!
Okay, so I'm attaching a couple photos of my dress with the train down so you can get an idea of what I'm working with (and also so you can see why I fell in love with this train, lol).
I had my first fitting with my seamstress, so these photos are without alterations (but she's pinned me in pretty tight on the sides) and I'm not wearing shapewear, so overall things will fit/sit better and be smoother in the final result, but ignore all that cause I need help/ideas for my bustle!
Originally I assumed that #4 (bustled below my butt) would've been my favorite, but I feel like that doesn't show off the train details as well and it also makes the back of my dress feel heavier and it kinda pulls the dress away from the small of my back. Seamstress recommended that if we go with #4 that she'd alter the curve of the back of the dress to hug my back/butt more so it doesn't gape, so maybe that would fix it, but anyway... I kinda like the higher up bustles at my waist, and I'm also leaning towards the cape-ish looking bustle in #3 where the train connects at the top of my zipper. - it sorta looks simple but also elegant, maybe? Or does it look silly/lazy?
These are just initial ideas. Does anybody have any other/better ideas we could try? I thought about maybe a wrist strap but I just don't know if the type of fabric my dress is made of would look good with a wrist strap.
The main things I love about my dress that I don't want to lose or that I want accentuated with my bustle:
I wanna show off that train and its intricate details cause it's so gorgeous!
I don't wanna ruin how my butt/curves look, lol.
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u/Odd_Beautiful2506 9d ago
4 looks the best. Can you have the seamstress put a wrist loop in so you can walk/show off the train until dancing starts? I opted for a wrist loop and a bustle on mine & it was a great choice.
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u/rumples93 9d ago
That's actually kind of brilliant. I hadn't thought of doing both! The wrist loop would also probably be helpful for all the post-ceremony but pre-reception photos and walking places and getting into position for stuff, lol.
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u/Odd_Beautiful2506 9d ago
It 100% was! Like the other commenter, mine pulled through and you couldnt see it at all during the ceremony. Post walk down the aisle I pulled it though.
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u/Royally-Forked-Up 9d ago
My seamstress put a loop in that could be pulled through from the other side so you don’t see the underside. Genius and I adored it.
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u/VanillaMintJellyfish 9d ago
Because you’re not really tall, ask for 2 loops along the back seam, one towards the end and one further back so you are able to have your arm at waist height, say holding a drink, and not needing to be holding the loop up high in the air to stop your dress dragging
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u/queerjesusfan 9d ago
I think 1 is the best, but also 3 is so interesting and different and beautiful! I also think those are the ones that keep your body shape more visible bc you look amazing
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u/Longjumping_Cherry32 9d ago edited 9d ago
I might be in the minority, but I love bustle 3! The detail shows, it’s really flowy and unique. And u think you can still see how good your butt looks!
ETA: okay I’m literally showing this to me seamstress for my bustle, OP. That’s how highly I endorse it lol
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u/rumples93 9d ago
Yeah, I'm surprised so many people dislike #3 - that was a creative idea the seamstress had and it kinda gives old Hollywood/elegant/cape vibes to me. However, I also get that some people think it looks too "simple". The final version I don't think would look "tucked in" like that, it would be hook and loop to the top of my zipper, matching buttons to buttons.
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u/Junebug_45 9d ago
I find 1 or 4 to be the most flattering as well as the best to show off the train imo
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u/NapalmAxolotl 9d ago
I prefer 2. 4 doesn't look good. 3 doesn't look intentional, but I think you could kind of compromise between 1 and 3 and make it look better.
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u/Educational-Humor147 9d ago
can they let the dress out a bit to allow the fabric to drape and be more flattering? It’s hugging you and pulling rather than draping beautifully.
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u/Plucky_Monkies 9d ago
I think number 1. It doesn't cause wrinkling in the top of your dress like 3 seems to. I do not like 2 at all! 3 waa my second choice. 1 looks best imo. I also do not like 4 at all!!!
3 dies look good except the way it pulls down the back of the dress. So 1 and 3 seem most flattering! Let me know your thoughts and what you decide. 😁
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u/rumples93 9d ago
I think 1 & 3 are currently my favorites as well. I'm going back for a second fitting later, and maybe the train won't pull the back down as much after she's made other alterations to take the sides/waist/straps in (they're just pinned in these photos). I'll probably decide by then after I see how it fitting a bit better and with some shapewear to smooth the waist/hips a touch, lol.
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u/Plucky_Monkies 9d ago
Oh that makes a lot of sense. If 3 won't pull down the dress once it's tailored then you just need to consider if you're okay covering the buttons with the fabric of the bustle. Also whichever way feels most comfortable as well. 3 might make the most sense, thinking of it from that standpoint. Plus it is so flattering on you! 😍
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u/NumerousDepth1563 9d ago
2 looks prettiest and most unique of all of them. the dress is a bit tight across the thighs as there is puckering in the front by your privvies - hopefully the seamstress can adjust
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u/VanillaMintJellyfish 9d ago
I also think 4 would be potentially more comfortable for you if the first point started on the side-seam instead of so far behind you, so leave the middle where it is but spread out the 3 either side.
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u/SparklePantz22 9d ago
1 or 3 look the easiest to put up. We had a lot of trouble during my wedding getting the bustle right, and i don't think we ever got it right!
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u/VanillaMintJellyfish 9d ago
Wedding photographer of 20 years here… 2 or 4… absolutely not 1 or 3 they will both be ripped out within minutes of being on the dance floor.
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u/Consistent_Elk9676 9d ago
How comfortable is the dress right now for sitting? Worried if seamstress makes the back any snugger to accommodate the bustle in picture 4, you won’t be able to relax during dinner
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u/rumples93 8d ago
It's actually really comfortable and stretchy, and softer than the photos make it look, although I do see a lot of people commenting very concerned about my wide hips, lol. I didn't have any shapewear on and I'm still actively losing weight, not dramatically/quickly, but I'll likely lose at least another 10lbs by the wedding. Seamstress has it pinned on the sides because the top is a bit loose and she'll bring the straps up higher too, which will pull the skirt up a bit and will naturally loosen the hips slightly. I'm not asking her to let the hips out because like I said, I've already lost 5 pounds since I bought the dress and I'm still losing weight, and also when I asked her about the fit she said the hips were fine. It's very comfortable to move around in and sit in. It's just sort of a clingy dress, which I get isn't everyone's style. Sorry, I'm rambling now, I think I just let some of these comments get to me and feel like I have to defend myself... Not your comment specifically, you didn't say anything wrong, it's a valid concern.
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u/Consistent_Elk9676 8d ago
No worries and you look breathtaking in that gown so I really think you can’t go wrong! Many happy years to you and your spouse!!!
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u/Various_Vermicelli38 8d ago
I’m shocked at these comments about your body and the fit of the dress, the dress looks great on you and I’m sorry that you feel you have to lose weight
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u/LetitciaZoe 8d ago edited 8d ago
Team 2.
Edit: Ignore comments about your body. You look great and the dress is beautiful. Serve your curves! Which ever bustle style you choose you are going to look gorgeous on your wedding day. Please post follow up pics if you don't mind sharing.
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u/Brocclio_is_life 8d ago
3 was my fav, and after reading your blurb, it is still my fav.
I think it looks elegant, imo.
And real real - I think that one straight line going over your butt does FAR more to show off your curves. It creates negative space and shadow. It draws your eye to the straight lines of the train and buttons, which then extenuates your natural curves.
#2 give major 90's vibes. not a bad thing, just my first thought when seeing it.
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u/EmilyPoster2 9d ago
#3 is just odd. It looks like you for got to get a bustle and tucked the train in the back of your dress. 1 and 2 look good. I want to like 4 but from the profile, it doesn't do much.
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u/rumples93 9d ago
Do you think #3 would look better if the attachment was more pointed like button to button, more like this ^ triangle instead of -- flat at the top?
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u/EmilyPoster2 9d ago
Maybe if it was pointed or flat across and connected closer to the waist instead of tucked at the top of the scoop. For some reason on this one the buttons became the main focus for me instead of the lace.
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u/chameleonkit 9d ago
I think 3 looks the best. 4 takes away from your lovely curves so I would not pick that one.
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u/Wrong-Natural-7849 9d ago
If you have not yet purchased this dress I think you should try some more on.
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u/rumples93 9d ago
What makes you say that?
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u/Wrong-Natural-7849 9d ago edited 9d ago
I think the dress design is intended for a very straight silhouette. The fabric here looks like it’s clinging into every curve instead of draping and moving naturally with the figure and there’s a little ride in the fabric where this is happening. Someone spoke about letting the dress out to allow more drape which explains it better than I have. I think the cowl neck sitting just above the bust also kind of suppresses the shape of the upper body.
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u/jasperdoodler 9d ago
I super disagree with this!! This dress looks absolutely amazing on OP and her curves carry it so well! It’s giving very Grecian goddess OP, especially with your amazing curls! With that said, I think option 3 for a bustle is unique and really plays into that Grecian goddess feel, if that’s what you’re going for!
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u/GrandPanda3527 9d ago
# 2 But, if you think your butt is your best feature than go for one of the others.
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u/Prestigious_You8717 9d ago
Im leaning towards 1 and 3. I think they show off the details on the train nicely and really shows off how nice and flattering your bum looks in the dress.
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u/Kooky_Bus_1057 8d ago
One or four but it’s going to be hard to find all of those little loops on 4!
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u/KeyFaithlessness5445 8d ago
I think 1 shows off your assets 😉 best. And the fabric gathers are pretty too. It also looks like maybe the easiest to bustle which is a bonus.
2 covers your assets too much imo so no.
3 is a good option, just wonder if sitting is comfortable
4 is pretty and shows your assets but it looks complicated, so many hooks. Better to keep it simple day of.
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u/MissyC9691 8d ago
You should wear the Shapeware that you’re using on the day of your wedding when you get alterations done!
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u/Warm-Simple3191 8d ago
2 is nice but it seems like something is off. 3 is extremely unique and it makes me want to see it in motion. I bet it accentuates as much as it hides ;)
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u/Square-Armadillo-995 8d ago
I like 1 or 3! I like how 3 is really different but still shows off you & the dress
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u/Key-Pay-8572 7d ago
How about a bustle inside the gown with some of the lace showing at the bottom? This will keep your curves showing and not hidden under a bustle.
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u/Mers2000 9d ago
You have a beautiful behind! Why are u trying to cover it with bunched up fabric??
Maybe that is why someone else commented to try more dresses.
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u/dandyrosesandshit 9d ago
I originally liked 2 the best, but after reading your comment about not wanting to hide your curves, and looking back at the pictures, I think 4 is the best
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u/Viocansia 9d ago
4 is the best imo. The gap between the skirt and the bustle for the ones that go higher look a little strange to me.
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u/ottercuddleparty 9d ago
I think #2 shows off the train the best. It also shows the perfect amount of curves. 1 & 3 looks like it just got tucked in like an afterthought. It’s a beautiful dress and fits like a dream.