Stomacher

“And I,” said the youngest, “shall have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered manteau, and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world.” ❋ Unknown (2003)

"And I," said the younger, "shall wear my usual skirt; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered mantle, and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world." ❋ Walter Barnes (N/A)

"And I," said the youngest, "shall have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered manteau and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world." ❋ Anonymous (N/A)

I don’t pretend that I like wearing an old underskirt, and I hope to make dear Papa sensible of this; but against it I shall have the gold-flowered robe, on which I am determined, and my diamond stomacher, which is somewhat better than the common. ❋ Unknown (1910)

"And I," said the youngest, "shall only have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold flowered manteau and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world." ❋ Charles Madison Curry (1906)

(I think this garment is called a stomacher, but I am not sure, as I have never liked to ask.) ❋ Unknown (1893)

"And I," said the youngest, "shall have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered manteau, and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world." ❋ Unknown (1889)

And that center front piece in the bodice? that's a "stomacher". ❋ Unknown (2008)

(Oxford English Dictionary) [37.2] A stomacher was a part of a woman's dress and was "a long ornate panel forming the front of an open low-necked bodice. ❋ Unknown (1733)

There are Good Things to Try: (yes, more Sewing Seekrits)Stretch some clear elastic on the underside and stitch in place; this way, at least the neckline doesn't gape and let your treasures escape and hit passersby in the eye;Do the same trick with stretch lace;Fill in the neckline with a couple of rows of non-stretch lace down each side, filling in toward the center;File in the neckline with a lace insert;Wear a camisole;File in the neckline with a little dickey (aka "stomacher") that you've made to coordinate out of that really pretty trim you don't know what to do with, and velcro, snap, or hook-and-eye it in place (this is for those of us who get too warm to wear another full layer underneath, most of the time). ❋ Unknown (2007)

She pushed back her hair and Thomas became instantly aware of her magnificent breasts, pushed into mounds well above the edge of her stomacher. ❋ Karen Hawkins (2010)

Her torso was covered by a stiff metal “stomacher” bodice Queen Elizabeth I no monarch to mess with anywhere, anytime would wear. ❋ Carole Nelson Douglas (2010)

The full sleeves tied but halfway up his long arms, his own shirtsleeves billowing below, and the gaping stomacher hung across his chest like embroidered armor. ❋ Karen Hawkins (2010)

I am likely to faint from the weight, and this stomacher is too tight. ❋ Karen Hawkins (2010)

I feel I must rip open my stomacher or explode in flames! ❋ Unknown (2010)