Fr: grand appreareance
The generic term for court dress, which does not necessarily imply a certain shape.
During almost all of the 18th century, the grande parure was made up of a stiff, back-lacing bodice with ery short sleeves, a skirt and a seperate train. Below the hem of the short sleeves, the chemise sleeves were decorated with rows upon rows of lace or lawn, part facing up, part down. The train was attached to the waist, folded up and back behind the panier and could be removed for comfort (it tended to be rather heavy) when not in the presence of royalty.
This style developed during the 1690s and survived for as long as the French court existed. Other courts throughout Europe adopted it and preserved it beyond the French Revolution.
