Finishing Touches
Trains
From Sweep to Monarch, you can have any length train you desire – or none at all! The only limitation is the width of your skirt. A full skirt such as a ballgown or box-pleat style can accommodate the longest trains, Monarch and Cathedral. You can match a moderate a-line skirt with anything up to a Semi-Cathedral train, and with a narrow or sheath style you can select a Sweep or small Chapel length.
Another excellent option is a detachable train. These attach invisibly at the back waistline of your gown, and give you great freedom: not only can you choose any length you want no matter what your skirt style, but you can take it right off when it’s time to dance! A detachable train can even be bustled so you can wear it picked up if you like.
Sweep – trails about eight to ten inches on the floor behind you.
Chapel – extends approximately one and a half yards from the waistline; trails about one and a half feet on the floor behind you.
Semi-Cathedral – extends approximately two yards from the waistline; trails about three feet on the floor behind you.
Cathedral – extends approximately two and a half yards from the waistline; trails about four and a half feet on the floor behind you.
Monarch – extends approximately three yards from the waistline; trails about six feet on the floor behind you.
Bustles
A bustle serves a practical purpose: it keeps your train up off the floor during your reception. But a bustle can also be a beautiful design element of your gown!
Big, full skirts with long trains look impressive with a many-pointed underbustle; the have the layered, whip-cream look of a pickup skirt. Small, tailored trains can come up off the floor with a single overbustle point for a refined look. Bustles can also be placed high or low in the skirt for a variety of effects.
Most brides choose their bustle styles at the final fitting. We’ll pin your train up in different styles and let you choose the one you like best! We’ll also give you and your chosen “bustle-partner” (whether that’s your mother, sister, or a bridesmaid) careful instructions so everything goes smoothly on your big day.
Underbustle – The skirt fabric is brought under itself to form folds. A point of fabric low underneath the skirt is brought up to a point higher underneath the skirt. The two points fasten together with ribbons sewn to them. There are as many points as needed to pick up the whole train. Sound confusing? It’s not – we take extra care to sew in color-coded ribbons so the bustler always know which ones to match up. You’ll never see that anywhere else!
Overbustle – The skirt fabric is brought up on top of itself. A point of fabric low on the outside of the skirt is brought up to a point higher on the outside of the skirt. The two points fasten together with a button and thread loop pair sewn to them (the button and loop match the color of the skirt fabric, so you don’t see them). As with the underbustle, there are as many points as needed to pick up the whole train.
Wrist Loop – A loop of silk ribbon is sew to the train hem. You place the ribbon loop over your wrist to pick up the back of the train. This classic “Cinderella” look is not as common today, but is always elegant and looks beautiful during formal dances!