shirtfront

Shirtfront is the front portion of a shirt, including the chest panel and the area from shoulder to placket. In fashion history, the term often denotes a separate, decorative or stiffened front piece—the bib-front shirt. The bib-front is a prominent front panel that could be plain or elaborately trimmed with lace, embroidery, or ruffles, and it was common in men's dress shirts from the 17th through the 19th centuries. In many cases, the shirtfront was detachable from the rest of the shirt (a shirt bosom), allowing the front to be laundered or replaced while the rest of the garment remained.

Alternative variants include the plastron, a separate front panel worn with formal shirts and waistcoats, typically stiffened or highly decorated.

Construction and fabrics: Shirtfronts were usually made from linen or cotton. The front panel might be stiffened with starch or interlining to maintain a crisp, upright shape, especially for formal wear.

Usage and context: Today, shirtfront is chiefly used in historical fashion descriptions or costume design. Modern mass-market shirts rarely feature a detachable front; however, bib-front styling persists in period-inspired garments or in high-fashion reinterpretations.