In the 21st century, it seems that almost all clothing is created for a person: comfortable, practical, trendy, comfortable. Add here a million different colors, shapes and styles. We can say that there is no shortage. However, it is true. But can, for example, a dress be uncomfortable? Naturally! Multi-meter trains, tight corsets, too deep a neckline, too narrow a hem - all this has been experienced by ladies in different eras.
The most terrible dress that they could ever come up with was the mantova or grand paignier (in Germany and Russia they were called “fags”). Yes, such outfits boldly embodied all the luxury of Rococo and Baroque, but only women experienced terrible inconvenience, and gentlemen experienced unimaginable tension.
Total waste and terrible inconvenience
Nowadays there is hardly a brave girl who would dare to try on a dress of this style.Perhaps, for the sake of an experiment, such sacrifices can be tolerated, but constantly wearing a huge skirt, the width of which sometimes exceeded two meters, and at the same time carrying a terrifying weight - here each of us will think about whether the game is worth the candle.
However, fashion does not always rely on common sense, because in the second half of the 17th century, when such dresses became popular, these outfits captivated the ladies so much that they were ready to endure any inconvenience just to look beautiful and fashionable.
At that time, a woman needed a maid to dress herself. To put on the grand paignier, three assistants were called at once to help. This is logical, because the dress consisted of several parts.
First of all, the corset was put on (the thing is also not the most gentle!), then the pantaloons, and then the whole event began: fixing the hoops (the base) and tying up a lot of petticoats.
When this was finished, the dress itself was put on and numerous folds were straightened out so that the outfit looked neat and magnificent. In words this seems quite easy and simple. In reality, the process took more than an hour and a half.
The authors of the grand paniier elevated the wearing of such a wardrobe item to such a cult that they tirelessly fantasized about its transformation. It seemed that they were competing with each other, creating the most bizarre solutions and decorating the dress with all sorts of decorative details. And all the ladies could do was tremble with delight and experience terrible discomfort as they continued to wear the outfit.
The reaction of the male half
In fact, the dress was really gorgeous. The girl in it looked like a doll, captivated with her appearance and aroused special admiration.At least with the courage and willpower that she agreed to withstand such a load for the sake of beauty and style. Of course, there was no need to even think about dancing: it was almost impossible to move around in Mantua, not to mention any steps. In fact, in such a dress it was only comfortable to stand, which was also very difficult.
By the way, the grand-panier design still had one advantage. Because of the powerful side part, the gentlemen simply could not even get close to the lady with their liberties. Thus, by wearing such uncomfortable clothes, a woman immediately killed two birds with one stone: she looked impressive and the womanizers were eliminated. After all, if a man had serious intentions, would a dress, even such a complicated one, stop him?
The popularity of Mantua has not faded for quite a long time. The love for him lasted for 70 years. Today, similar outfits can be seen, but only in museums or at fashion shows in the Baroque and Rococo direction. It’s unlikely that anyone would dare to wear such a dress now, even the most luxurious one. However, the richness of fabrics and decoration, the most beautiful decor, the pomp and majesty of the grand pannier cannot but delight, because, to be honest, this is not just clothing, but a whole work of art.
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