shirtfronts

Shirtfront refers to the front portion of a shirt, the area from the collar to the hem that covers the chest. It is the primary visible surface of a shirt and may be plain or decorated. The term is used to describe both the general front panel and specific styles that feature distinctive front detailing, such as a bib or frill.

Construction and closures. In most shirts, the front is made from one or more panels stitched to the back at the side seams, with a closure along the center line. Closures are typically buttons or studs on a button placket, which may be standard or hidden. Some designs feature a decorative or detachable bib front—an extra panel overlaying the chest, sometimes with embroidery, pleats, or lace.

Variations. Plain fronts are common in casual shirts, while front detailing such as pleats, embroidery, or ruffles appears in dress shirts and historical garments. The bib front is associated with Victorian-era and Edwardian-style blouses and shirts and is still used in some formalwear today. Some shirts also employ a smooth front with a concealed or minimal placket for a clean look.

History and usage. Shirtfronts have evolved from ornate, frilled fronts in 18th- and 19th-century fashion to the more streamlined fronts of contemporary shirts. In menswear, detachable bib fronts and pleated fronts were common in formal shirts; in womenswear, bib fronts and lace-trimmed fronts were popular on blouses during the Victorian era. Today, the term generally describes the functional front panel of a shirt rather than a dedicated garment type.