chemisette

[ shem-uh-zet ]

/ ˌʃɛm əˈzɛt /

a woman's garment of linen, lace, or the like, worn, toward the end of the Victorian era, over a low-cut or open bodice to cover the neck and breast.

Origin of chemisette

From French, dating back to 1800–10; see origin at chemise, -ette

A chemisette of the finest cambric appeared within the bodice, and covered the bosom.

The Hour and the Man |Harriet Martineau
She wore a robe of emerald Genoa velvet, with an open bodice, laced over a chemisette of fine-wrought Mechlin lace.

Eventide |Effie Afton
Chemisette of lace, finished at the throat with a fulled band and petite ruffle.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. VI, November 1850, Vol. I |Various
Pierrette wore a stuff gown with a chemisette, Bathilde made the velvet of hers undulate.

Pierrette |Honore de Balzac

We see the chemisette composed of a row of lace, an insertion, and round plaits from top to bottom of thin muslin.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXIX., October, 1852 |Various

chemisette

/ (ˌʃɛmɪˈzɛt) /

an underbodice of lawn, lace, etc, worn to fill in a low-cut dress

C19: from French, diminutive of chemise