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The Fashionable History of Bodice
The term bodice is derived from body. One sense of the word body is “the part of a garment covering the body or trunk.” In the 17th and 18th centuries a woman’s corset was often called a “pair of bodies.” The plural bodies, or bodice, was eventually interpreted as a singular. Bodice is now most often used to refer to the upper part of a woman’s dress.
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Examples of bodice in a Sentence
Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Cate Blanchett wore a sensational jeweled bodice gown from the collection that matched her blond hair to the 2020 Golden Globes.
—Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
The dress has a flattering bodice, a flowy skirt, and a flirty tie-back.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024
Academy Award nominee Danielle Brooks donned a custom black Dolce & Gabbana gown which featured a bustier bodice and high slit.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 11 Mar. 2024
The bodice is made of soft chiffon and has a tulle overlay, beautifully embroidered with a lovely ivory and pink floral pattern.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024
The combination of the crepe bodice and chiffon skirt makes this monochromatic dress feel more special for a cocktail attire wedding, and the scalloped lace hem is the perfect finishing touch.
—Carly Totten, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024
This isn’t her first Thom Browne look of this awards season: for the 2024 SAG Awards, Eilish wore a black bodice and pencil skirt over a white button-down.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024
The abstract shape of the strapless bodice was head-turning and paired beautifully with her diamond chain necklace.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bodice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Bodice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodice. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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bodice
noun
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