Bodice

Fitted upper garment shaping the female torso

The bodice was a tightly fitted upper garment worn by European women from the 16th to 18th centuries, designed to be worn over a corset and laced at the front or back to accentuate the waist and bust. Boned with whalebone or metal to maintain its rigid shape, it featured necklines and sleeves that evolved dramatically across eras. Noble women's bodices were lavishly decorated with embroidery, gems, and gold thread, making them among the most expensive components of a woman's wardrobe.