Bodice

A bodice is an article of clothing designed for Earther females, covering the body from the neck to the waist.

History
It typically referred to a specific type of upper garment common in Europe during the 16th to the 18th century, or to the upper portion of a more modern dress to distinguish it from the skirt and sleeves. The term came from pair of bodies (because the garment was originally made in two pieces that fastened together, frequently by lacing).

 This construction had the advantages of allowing a voluminous skirt to be paired with a close-fitting bodice, and of allowing two or more bodices to be worn with the same skirt (e.g., a high-necked bodice and a low-necked bodice allowed the same skirt to serve for both daywear and evening wear).

 In later usage, bodice typically referred to an upper garment that has removable sleeves or no sleeves, often low-cut.

Today
 Bodice continues in use to refer to the upper portion (minus the sleeves) of a one- or two-piece dress. Bodices survive into current time in the traditional or revived folk dress of many cultures (see, for example, Austrian Dirndl).