Curiosities from the Museum: Butt Bustle – 5/2/2024

Over the years at the Wenatchee Valley Museum, some odd and strange things have been donated to the collection. While there is currently a screening process and procedures for donating items, this wasn’t always the case. We occasionally find oddities in the archives from years gone by with little or no explanations.

Before the days of plastic surgery and Sir Mix-A-Lot, these were the original butt lifts. This fabric bustle was a fashion trend used in the late 1800s to early 1900s and would be tied around its wearer’s waist under a dress or skirt to lift the garment and add dimension. This bustle is made of fabric to give a slight lift, while others were made from wire for a more significant lift.

Please note: This story was originally published in the Comet Magazine in September of 2023. Check out more stories like these in the Comet Magazine.