The term comes from pair of bodies (because the garment was originally made in two pieces that fastened together, frequently by lacing).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. Bodices survive into modern times in the traditional or revived folk dress of many European countries (see, for example, the Aboyne dress worn by Scottish highland dancers).

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).

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