Mieder

Mieder is a German noun meaning the bodice or corset that covers the upper torso. In German costume contexts, the Mieder is the fitted upper portion of the dirndl and similar dresses, typically laced at the front or back and worn over a blouse.

In historical fashion and costume making, the Mieder served to shape the torso and support the bodice, sometimes with stiffening or stays. It can be decorative, featuring embroidery, ribbons, or metal eyelets, and modern versions use a range of fabrics and may include boning to create a structured silhouette.

The term is also used as a surname in German-speaking areas, and people with the surname Mieder have been recorded in various regions through migration and diaspora communities.