lijfstuk

Lijfstuk is a Dutch term used in clothing and costume terminology to refer to the torso portion of a garment, essentially the bodice that covers the chest and back and extends to the waist. It is the central upper-body section to which sleeves and a skirt are attached in many outfits. In historical and pattern-making contexts, the lijfstuk is distinguished from components such as sleeves, skirts, and fastenings.

Construction and variants can vary: a lijfstuk may be part of a one-piece dress or designed as a separate bodice that is paired with a skirt or overgarment. It is often shaped to fit the torso and may include structural elements such as boning or stays, seams, darts, and lining to achieve a fitted silhouette. Closures are commonly placed at the back or front, depending on the period and design. The design of a lijfstuk can influence the overall neckline, support of the shoulders, and the wearer's posture.

Historical use of the lijfstuk appears in European fashion from the medieval era through the early modern period, and it continued to evolve into 19th-century corsetry and dressmaking. In modern Dutch usage, the term is most frequently encountered in traditional costume, fashion history, and pattern-making rather than everyday conversation, where terms like bodice or top are more common.

Etymology: lijfstuk combines lijf, meaning body, and stuk, meaning piece, literally describing a “body piece.” See also bodice, corset, and pattern piece.