Panniers, Not Just For The 1700's

The Servant of Two Masters (NAU Theatre Department 2011)

When people hear or see the word "pannier" they associate it with either the bags that go on the back of one's bicycle, or the wide hipped madame that commedically can not fit through a door. 

This comedic device is true of the 1700's style pannier that gave the wearer the look of a cowbell, but many do not connect the trend to 1920's high fashion. I sure didn't until recently. 

Excerpt from "Costume in Detail 1730-1930"

This fashion started out in 1700's Spain at a rather modest size but was then grossley blown out of proportion by other European couturier ladies. Thankfully, the style soon went the way of the dodo bird... or so history thought. The little pannier resurfaced as a fashionable adornment in the 1920s, but in a slightly different shape. (As you can see below)

It is true what they say, "Fashion repeats itself." I hope you enjoyed this little slice of history. Hopefully it got you thinking about other fashion trends that have circled back around since their conception. 

(I will show how my panniers turned out in a later blog. )

While creating pieces for an upcoming production of The Drowsy Chaperone, the designer asked me to make a pair of 1920's panniers. The fashion trend was news to me, so I decided to do some minor research on the topic. 

It is true, in the 1920's fashionable ladies like Rose from Downton Abbey would dawn these panniers for special events. A quick explanation of Rose's coming-out gown from the most recent season of the hit show can be found here. 
The panniers of the 1920's sat lower on the hip and were much easier to maneuver through doorways due to their smaller size. 
Rag Trade Sisters blog has a lovely article mapping the history of panniers. The court dress with sheer draping over the panniers (2nd from the top of 1920's section) was given to me as research for my construction. You can see my sketch of the dress to the left. 
Check out the articles linked above for more information on the 1920's style panniers.

Question of the Post

Which era's panniers do you like the most?