Cul de Paris

Fr: Parisian botty. A fashion silhouette and skirt support.

In the 1770s/80s, paniers were discarded in favour of pads. The dress styles in fashon at the time - especially the polonaise and anglaise - developed a huge backside that went with towering hairdos (see calèche) which ws known as bottom of Paris. It was supported by stuffed pads suspended from the waist.


Tournure (bustle) of the late 19th century can be seen as its descendant and actually bore the same name.