 Inspired by the mended uniforms of the Swiss soldiers after the country's 1477 victory over the Duke of Burgundy, elaborate slashing remained popular, especially in Germany, where a fashion arose for assembling garments in alternating bands of contrasting fabrics.Elsewhere, slashing was more restrained, but bands of contrasting fabric called "guards", whether in colour or texture, were common as trim on skirts, sleeves, and necklines.These were often decorated with bands of embroidery or applied passementerie.