Wedding Trains and Bustles

Everday working with Brides,I see most of them face the dilema of what to do with the train on their gown when it's time for the reception and all its festivites. First of all, some may ask, "What is a train?" A train is the extra fabric on a wedding gown or formal that extends from the back hem length of the gown. Technically, the train is measured from the back waist to whatever length it extends to. I'll explain each length later. However,the big NO-NO that I express to each bride is DO NOT WEAR THE CENTER HANGER AT THE LOWER END OF THE TRAIN AS A WRIST LOOP. THAT IS NOT FOR THAT PURPOSE---GRAVE MISCONCEPTION. That loop is for hanging the train of your gown up on the hanger once you are out of it. That's all. The best way to explain it is, when you're mingling during your reception or having your first,father-daughter dance, many people are gonna be taking pictures; you want them to capture something beautiful and attractive. What your guest or even photographer is gonna get is a picture of the lining of the back of your gown flipped inside out. So, why not look beautiful coming and going. ( Food for thought)

Wedding gowns are worn for many occasions: Weddings themselves, Cotillions/Debutante Balls, Quincineras, etc. Many times the trains cannot be cut off the gown,so the only other option is to bustle the gown. There are so many ways to do this depending on how experienced your Dressmaker or Alteration Specialist is. So word of advice, make sure you get with someone who knows what they are doing. On the other hand, if you are the Dressmaker or Alteration Specialist, acknowledge your level of experience and don't bite off more than you can chew. Bustles are beautiful, but they are not always the easiest things to do.

Below is a description of each of the types of train lengths that a wedding gown can offer. The type of bustle you need will depend on the length of your gown. There again, get with an expert to help you with your gown.

Note: A bustle is a technique used by seamstress and alterations specialist to manipulate the train of a gown in a way that pulls it off the ground, fashionably, so it's not dragging the floor; usually to make it even with the rest of the gown's hem length. Sweeping Train: This is the shortest of the trains and is also called a brush train because it just brushes the floor. Usually, the back hem is only a few inches lower then the front hem.

2. Chapel Length Train: This is currently the most common train because it has the elegance of a full train but is still not overly cumbersome. A chapel train is generally 1 1/3 yards or 4 feet from the waistline.

3. Semi-Cathedral Length Train: A semi-cathedral is about half way between a chapel and cathedral length.

4. Cathedral Length Train: This is a popular choice for a formal affair or for that fairy tale look. A cathedral train is generally 2 1/2 yards or 7 1/2 feet from the waistline and is usually used for a formal wedding.