First Dress Fitting Recap and Questions

It’s a gorgeous dress! I love the back. I’m hoping I make the right choice with alterations as well. I’m honestly a bit nervous about it. I really only need it hemmed and a bustle added, but even those things are going to be more than what I paid for my dress. I guess I should at least be thankful I caught the perfect dress on such a great sale to bring down the total cost of dress & alterations.

It’s such a Beautiful dress. No wonder you’re excited the hem should be starting across and by doing as she’s doing it will be. You can’t do the bustle until the hem is finished. I believe when it’s bustled you won’t see the buttons as well. The Knot has an article about bustles. Google American bustle. I think it would still show the buttons.

This is beautiful! Regarding your bustle comments, I'm sure if it's an experienced seamstress, they'll get the bustle to hold. They'll just do multiple bustle points. I'm so glad you love your dress!

Based on your description it sounds like she's recommending an under bustle (sometimes also called a French bustle). It's a pretty common suggestion for heavier fabric, especially if it has adornment (like the lace appliques and buttons your dress has). It's a very pretty look, I think; basically, the train kind of disappears when bustled and it looks like a full gown that is all floor length. Often, an under bustle is constructed using ribbon ties so the bustle is actually tied up under the skirt (using either with bows or knots) rather than just buttons & loops. If done correctly, it should be able to hold up to the weight of your dress. The most common alternative is an over bustle (or American bustle), which my daughter describes as, too often, looking like the bride is "pooping tulle." (Crude, but it's a good visualization....) With a heavy skirt like yours, the bustled part of the skirt would likely stick out a lot and not lay smoothly. My gut would be go with your alterations person's suggestion -- I think it will be beautiful. Good luck!

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Hi Anna,

Thank you!

I am so glad I'm not the only one worried a little bit! I am sure that all our worrying is going to be worth it in the end, and we will have beautiful dresses.

You are so lucky that you found the perfect dress at such a great sale! You must have gotten the dress really discounted to have the alterations cost you more than the dress. Best of luck to you! I am sure you are going to look stunning in the dress of your dreams!

View Quoted Comment Thanks, and yes I caught it on the $99 rack. And it’s perfect, just a little long because I don’t wear heels and it needs a bustle.

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Thank you, Leslie! This is helpful. I'm sure I'm worrying over nothing since my seamstress works with the bridal boutique where I purchased the gown. I'm excited either way!!

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That's a steal! I don't wear heels either, so that's where most of my alterations are, plus a bustle. However, all these little things do add up!

View Quoted Comment Yes, yes they do. I’m glad I went back and reread your original post. I need to look at bustle styles. My appt is June 17.

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Thank you, Elizabeth! Not knowing how it will turn it is a little nerve-racking but I'm sure everything will work out.

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Thank you, MOB So Cal! I initially thought my seamstress was recommending a French bustle, but when I mentioned this term to her, she said that she's creating an under bustle, not a French bustle. She said that she's going to use a button and a loop to hold the train.

I thought the French bustle is the same time thing as an under bustle, just like you described. I also thought how is my train going to hold up in a bustle with just one loop and button?

I think an added ribbon to my bustle would be super pretty, but I don't know if this is something I should bring up to her.

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I think there is something called a "train flip under bustle" that might be what she's talking about (Google it ) I'd just ask her to show you EXACTLY what she's recommending and how it will work. I don't imagine she means only one button and loop; I think it will take a series of buttons and loops. If she's an experienced bridal alterations person, I'd trust her to know what she's talking about, but at the same time YOU are the bride and paying the bill, so you have every right to know/understand exactly what she's talking about before you agree to anything. Daughter's dress was lace and tulle layers over a satin underskirt (but pretty much the shape and size of your skirt/train). Her dress had a three-point under bustle (with ribbon ties) for the lining layer and a three-point over bustle (with buttons and loops) for the lace/tulle layers. Even with fairly lightweight lace/tulle, the over bustle broke under the stress of her crazy dancing and we ended up having to fix it with safety pins half-way through the reception.... (The tulle layers actually tore, so her dress was permanently damaged when the bustle broke.... )The under bustle held all night. I'd just ask more questions before you agree to anything. Good luck!

My alterations were $360 and I had the same issue. I emailed my bridal store the same night of my try on and went back in today to make sure it was what I wanted. Im not super happy with the bustle but they explained to me why it need to be bustled that way.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to respond in great detail! I appreciate your advice. I spoke to my seamstress again and she described what you said. I am now more confident in what is going on. It is just a little nerve racking when I’m getting an 1800 dress that I love altered/ bustled! I am wearing the dress twice, one for the intimate ceremony this summer, so I want to avoid any major headaches. I’m sure everything will come together. Thanks for your kind words! It sure is appreciated, especially during these unprecedented times!

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I’m a little less worried now that I called and met with my seamstress again! I hope your planning is going smoothly! Best of luck to you