Fashionable clothing styles worn in Western Europe between 1520 and 1620 consisted of stiff and contrived forms alien to the natural shape of the human body. Padded sleeves and hips for both men and women as well as high starched neck ruffs were common. Excessive ornamentation was ubiquitous, giving garments worn at court a look of being decorated with "everything but the kitchen sink."

These stiff and artificial silhouettes were revived during the 18th century and modified in the forms of panniers--extensions to the side of the body, and bustles--extensions to the rear. In the 19th century, corseted bodies and full skirts held out by hooped petticoats and later by bustles continued the fashion. The 20th century also experienced panniers, bustles, and extremely full skirts during the 1910s, 1950s, and 1980s, as well as excessive and whimsical ornamentation.