Fashion Plate - The Bustle, 1880s

1880s day dresses

The third and final phase of the bustle took place between 1882 and 1888. The bodices of the day dresses shown here have closely fitted torsos and high necklines, and the beginning of puffed upper sleeves. This is when the bustle reached its extreme, and it was necessary to have an understructure, also called a bustle, to support the fabric.