Do you know anything about hoop skirts?

Googs79

I think I want to wear a hoop skirt under my dress (MS Victoriana), but I really know nothing about them.  I looked them up on a bridal website and there are some that have three or four or five bones...what's the difference?  Which one is easier to sit in?  Is it better to have ruffles or fabric on the skirt?  Which sizes are normal ranges for a typical ballgown-style wedding gown? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. 

Ciaram22

The difference between the number of bones is how much support its going to give the dress. I was in an organization when I was a teenager that required us to wear these once we got to a certain stature. All the ones I ever owned were either 3 or 4 bones. Those are easier to sit in because there is more room between the bones. The ruffles on the skirt are there to make it so the bones don't show through the gown. For that dress I would go for either a 4 or 5 bone hoop. When you go to sit down make sure you go to sit down make sure you don't sit directly on one of the bones or you will flash everyone. Pick the skirt up slightly and set it on your chair and then sit because then it will fall perfectly over your legs.

Googs79

Very informative!  Thanks so much. 

amr8580

I'm wearing one. I'm preety sure it's a 3 hoop. It has enough room between the hoops so that it isn't that difficult to sit. Check out my blog for pics of how it makes my dress look. I got mine off ebay real cheap ( from Angel Bridal) and what's nice about it is that the hoops are adjustable..... so, if you want it less poofy, you can just make the hoops smaller. HTH!

p1nklemonade

my dress has a built-in hoop, and i was also concerned about sitting. before you commit to anything, make sure you try sitting with the hoop in the dress in front of a mirror to make sure the dress doesn't flip up with the hoop.