Between 1750 and 1795 fashion was characterised by great abundance (= abbondanza) and elaboration, inspired by the Rococo artistic trend (= tendenza, stiie) .
Women – especially in the aristocracy- wore very highly decorated, colourful, large panniers after Mary Antoniette’s fashion. The panniers were undergarments (= biancheria intima) which extended (= estendevano) the width (= ampiezza) of the skirts at the side (= ai fianchi) while leaving (= mentre lasciavano) the front and back flat (= piatti).
Also typical was the ‘sackback’ dress – or robe à la française – a less formal style of dress. The gowns (= vestiti) had fabric (= stoffa) at the back arranged in box pleats (= insieme di pieghe) which fell loose (= che cadevano sciolte) from the shoulder to the floor with a small train (= strascico). In front, the gown was open, showing off a decorative stomacher (= pettorina) and petticoat (= corpetto). Ruffles (= pieghettature) often adorned elbow-length sleeves (= maniche chiuse all’altezza del gomito). They were worn with separate frills (= volant) called engageantes. The frills were also on the shift (= camicetta) around the neck (= collo).
Beneath they wore a stiff corset (= corsetti rigidi) and cane side hoops (= cerchi) supporting the skirts.Hairstyle (= lo stile della capigliatura) was equally elaborate, with long and florid wigs (= parrucche)
