Bodice
A bodice is an article of clothing for women, covering the body from the neck to the waist. The term comes from pair of bodies (because the garment was originally made in two pieces that fastened together, frequently by lacing). In common usage, bodice refers to an upper garment that has removable sleeves or no sleeves, often low-cut, worn in Europe from the sixteenth century to the eighteenth century, either over a corset or in lieu of one. To achieve a fashionable shape and support the bust, the bodice was frequently stiffened with bents (a type of reed), or whalebone. The bodice was also different from the corset of the time because of the way it laced. The corset was laced in spiral fashion, with one continuous lace. The bodice was laced like the modern tennis shoe, with eyelets facing one another. This was more convenient for women who had to dress themselves.
Bodice continues in use to refer to the upper portion of a one- or two-piece dress to distinguish it from the skirt and sleeves. The bodice of a dress was called the corsage in the nineteenth century.
The style of bodice worn by most re enactors is actually copied form the styles of the lower class, although typically created in more sumptuous fabrics.
