How to Wear Victorian Era Elliptical Cage Crinolines

   Victorian Era Elliptical Cage Crinolines have a pyramidal assymetrical shape. The cage crinoline fits closer to the body in the front. The back of the cage crinoline is very wide, full and flows out into a luxurious train. The dresses that are worn over the elliptical cage crinoline are patterned in the same pyramidal shaping.The cage crinoline on the left has a bustle pad under the back waist. The bustle pad raises the cage crinoline, and projects the back out more dramamtically. This causes the dress trains to project out more dramatically. The hoop steel is encased in double thickness casings. The rows of  hoop steel can be pulled in to make the size and scale of the cage crinoline  much smaller. The sweep of the cage crinoline on the left is 140 inches. The cage can be reduced down to a 100 inch sweep by simply adjusting and pulling in the hoops. The cage should be custom made to your waist, height, hip area, and your dress.

Below left, you will see a burgundy black shot taffeta authentically made period correct bustle skirt made to be worn with an elliptical cage crinoline.The skirt has a matching bodice, but let's stay focused on the skirt and the correct cage for the skirt. Notice that the skirt is shaped like the cage crinoline above? The taffeta skirt is shown over the elliptical cage crinoline on the left with the bustle pad at the back waist projecting out he train.The cage crinoline gracefully fills out the skirt and defines the lines. The train is very noticeable and displays lots of drama.

Look very close at the skirt. Notice how close it fits in the front. Notice the back and the train fullness. Another tip is to use a petticoat over the cage crinoline. The petticoat is a fluffy underslip that is worn over cages to soften the hoop steel bones. Petticoats can be made of muslin,taffeta,tulle over taffeta,silk,satin and other light weight fabrics. I recommend using lighter weight fabrics for comfort.

In separate article, the Victorian bridal gowns of today and the cage crinolines are discussed. Many of today's brides are wearing Victorian themed bridal gowns. A gown can have a Victorian theme, and NOT be a true authentic period correct bustle dress gown.

Many Victorian themed bridal gowns have puffs or pouffs.The elliptical cage crinoline can be worn under some of the Victorian themed bridal and formal gowns. If the bridal gown is long waisted, or dropped waisted, the cage crinoline should be worn without the bustle pad. The bustle pad is used with authentically made period correct bustle dresses.
 More posts will follow on this cage and the other cages.If you need a quick recommendation of the type of cage that is correct and proper for your dress or bridal gown, contact the author at rhondagr@gmail.com. Find elliptical cage crinolines here: www.victorianbustlesandbonnets.com
www.bustledress.com
www.stores.ebay.com/Show-Belles-Costumes-and-Clothes
www.showbelles.bonanza.com

Seven Basic Victorian Bustle Cages to Wear With Bustle Dresses

Deciding which bustle cage is correct for your bustle dress can be confusing.The articles in his blog will help you to gain a better understanding of  selecting the correct bustle cage for your bustle dress. During the Victorian Era, bustle dress cages and crinolines were made from hoop steel . These unusual hoop steel cages were used to add shaping to the popular bustle dresses of that time in history.

There are several types of bustle dress styles and patterns.There are seven (7) basic bustle cages that will properly fill out and shape the various styles of dresses.These seven cages  are:

1. round hoop cage
2. short mini bustle
3. knee length lobster tail bustle
4. lobster bustle with train supporter
5. elliptical cage crinoline
6. bell shaped cage
7. bustle pillow(not a cage)

Pictures of the seven cages and the bustle pillow are shown below.

Short Mini bustle Cage for dresses that have slight trains not over 3 to 4 inches long.

Victorian Lobster Tail bustle cage with train support for dresses that have 8 inch trains and longer.

Elliptical Cage Crinoline that has a flatter front with a peacock fan shape at the back.

Edwardian Trumpet Cage for Early 1900 Belle Epoque , and Gibson Girl dresses and gowns.

Round Circular Hoop Cage for skirts and dresses that have sweeps of 168 inches or more.
This cage was mostly used during the Civil War Period. This cage is still popular today for bridals,formals, and reenactments.

Knee Length lobster tail bustle shown in plus sizes. This one is for dresses that have 3 to 5 inch trains.

Today, bustle cages are used by brides, historical reenactors,cosplay,faires, theatre,dramas, opera, museums, history hobbyist, Victorian Dickens Civil War Reenactors and more. In the following articles, each cage will be discussed in detail. Pictures of cages , and dresses that are worn over the cages will be posted. If you need immediate help to determine which bustle you need for you bustle dress, contact the author at rhondagr@gmail.com.