This provided a panel where woven patterns, elaborate decorations and rich embroidery could be displayed and fully appreciated.

The style originated in Spanish court dress of the 17th century, familiar in portraits by Velázquez.

The fashion spread to France and from there to the rest of Europe after c. 1718–1719, when some Spanish dresses had been displayed in Paris.

[1] As they developed, they differed from earlier equivalents such as the farthingale of the late 16th century, by not extending equally in all directions, but being very wide at the sides, but not coming out so far to front and back.

[1] The name comes from panniers, a French term for wicker baskets slung on either side of a pack animal.