# Bit of a strange question - does bustle always mean in the back, or can it be in the front? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 15, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583 "2010-05-15T22:23:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/1 "2010-05-15T22:23:14Z")
Jim and I were watching “Say Yes To The Dress” this afternoon, and we heard a wedding dress described as having a bustle in front. That got us discussing whether a bustle was simply a gathered-up bunch of dress, or if it was a gathered-up bunch of dress in _the back_. The internet is not coming through for a definitive description of a bustle. I know we have sewers, costumers and ren faire enthusiasts here who might have an idea about this, so I toss the question out to you. ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/2 "2010-05-15T22:48:40Z")
Historically, the bustle was a foundation garment worn over the buttocks between the lady’s underwear and skirt/gown to add depth to that portion of her attire. A dress with a bustle underneath looks like [this](http://www.amazon.com/Bustle-Dress-Adult-Size/dp/B000V9OSL2). I can’t imagine wanting to wear such a thing in front, unless one wanted to give the impression of being both very pregnant and strangely proportioned. I remember seeing gowns about 25 years ago described as having a “bustle back,” which seemed to mean that the back of the skirt can be hitched up (say, to get some of the fullness out of the way dancing) without exposing anything. But that’s not a bustle, and I can’t imagine such a treatment looking good on the front of a gown. The gown they showed - was it draped across the hips and abdomen, so it looked a little bit like an apron? That’s not a bustle. ETA: Searching Google suggests that “bustle back” now means that the skirt has a gathered frill at the waist in back. Kind of the new ass bow. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/3 "2010-05-15T22:58:44Z")
> [@Merriam Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary](#): > > Main Entry: [sup]3[/sup]bustle > Function: noun > Etymology: origin unknown > Date: 1786 > > : a pad or framework expanding and supporting the fullness and drapery of the back of a woman’s skirt or dress; _also_ : the drapery so supported So saith MW11. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/4 "2010-05-15T22:59:02Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > \ > The gown they showed - was it draped across the hips and abdomen, so it looked a little bit like an apron? That’s not a bustle.\ I think it was like [this dress](http://www.bestbridalprices.com/glossary/images/Bustle.jpg), with all kinds of busy gatherings in the front. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/5 "2010-05-15T23:06:20Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think it was like [this dress](http://www.bestbridalprices.com/glossary/images/Bustle.jpg), with all kinds of busy gatherings in the front. But those aren’t bustles, are they? That’s just…ruffley. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/6 "2010-05-15T23:08:07Z")
No, I didn’t think the dress they were describing as having a front bustle was very bustle-y, either. It had gathers and stuff, sure, but a bustle is a particular thing, as far as I know. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/7 "2010-05-15T23:13:45Z")
You know correctly. I’d call those things on the dress you posted ‘flounces’ or ‘gathers’ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/8 "2010-05-15T23:19:06Z")
I’d call 'em “ugly,” but that might just be me. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/9 "2010-05-15T23:26:36Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think it was like [this dress](http://www.bestbridalprices.com/glossary/images/Bustle.jpg), with all kinds of busy gatherings in the front. Don’t ask me why I know this, but those are called pickups in bridal speak. Yes they’re also ugly. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-of-a-strange-question-does-bustle-always-mean-in-the-back-or-can-it-be-in-the-front/539583/10 "2010-05-16T01:16:36Z")
I hope the back view of that dress isn’t supposed to be a mirror. If so, total PSD. (I’ve never been fond of those strapless wedding dresses that simulate the “I just got out of the shower and wrapped a towel under my arms” look. They’re just . . . boring to me. Done to death, I guess.)