Unravelling Bustle Styles
Bustles have long been a striking and expressive part of burlesque costuming. They add drama, shape, movement, and personality to a performance, helping to define a character and enhance stage presence. From historical silhouettes to modern illuminated designs, bustle styles allow performers to explore both fashion and storytelling through costume.
Burlesque bustles celebrate creativity and individuality, offering performers countless ways to elevate their look. Here is a closer look at some of the most popular bustle styles found on the burlesque stage.
The Classic Victorian Bustle
The classic Victorian bustle draws inspiration from nineteenth century fashion, where structure and silhouette played a central role in women’s clothing. Traditionally created using layered fabrics such as taffeta or horsehair, this bustle forms a dramatic shape at the back of the costume, accentuating the hips and creating a striking profile.
In burlesque, the Victorian bustle brings elegance, drama, and historical charm to the stage. Performers who choose this style often embrace a sense of grandeur and refinement, allowing the audience to be transported back to an era of opulence and theatrical fashion.
The Feathered Bustle
Feathered bustles introduce softness, movement, and playful glamour into a burlesque costume. Made from layers of feathers in a wide range of colours, this style comes alive as the performer moves, swaying and fluttering with every step.
This bustle style works beautifully with corsets, gowns, and showgirl-inspired costumes. It adds visual impact while maintaining a light and flirtatious feel, making it a popular choice for performers who want to combine elegance with fun.
The LED Illuminated Bustle
The LED illuminated bustle blends traditional burlesque style with modern technology. Designed with integrated lighting, this bustle creates a glowing effect that draws the eye and enhances stage-visibility.
Performers can customise colours, patterns, and light effects to suit their routine or music. This style adds a futuristic element to burlesque while maintaining the drama and glamour that the art form is known for, making it ideal for bold and contemporary performances.
The Steampunk Bustle
The steampunk bustle fuses Victorian-inspired fashion with mechanical and industrial elements. Gears, chains, metallic details, and rich fabrics such as brocade or velvet are often used to create a powerful and imaginative look.
This bustle style allows performers to tell stories rooted in fantasy and alternate history. When paired with corsetry, goggles, and clockwork accessories, the steampunk bustle creates a visually striking costume that blends elegance with edge.
Tulle and Lace Bustles
Tulle and lace bustles offer a softer and more romantic approach to burlesque costuming. Made from delicate fabrics such as lace, chiffon, and fine tulle, these bustles create gentle movement and an ethereal silhouette.
Often decorated with floral details, beading, or subtle sparkle, this style is perfect for performers who wish to convey sensuality through elegance and grace. Tulle and lace bustles are ideal for storytelling routines that focus on emotion, beauty, and fantasy.
Celebrating Bustles in Burlesque
Bustles are more than costume pieces. They are tools for expression, movement, and storytelling. Each style offers performers the opportunity to enhance their character and elevate their performance through thoughtful design and creative choice.
At Burlesque With Paris, costume exploration is celebrated as part of the burlesque journey. Bustles continue to be a powerful way for performers to showcase individuality, confidence, and theatrical flair on stage.