Definition
A short undergarment or decorative front piece worn over a chemise or bodice, often covering the chest and shoulders.
Etymology
From French chemisette, a diminutive of chemise (chemise + -ette, a diminutive suffix meaning 'small'). The term entered English in the 19th century as fashion terminology.
Kelly Says
Chemisettes were a Victorian power move—they allowed women to show modesty with multiple layers while still creating the appearance of fashion and control, solving the eternal social problem: how to look proper AND fashionable!
Translations
ARالعربية
مُلْبَس كيميائِيّ
mulbas kaymi'iy
BNবাংলা
রাসায়নিক পোশাক
rasaynik poshāk
CACatalà
chemisette
ke-mi-set
CSČeština
chemisette
kemi-set
DADansk
chemisette
ke-mi-set
DEDeutsch
Chemisette
khem-ee-set
ELΕλληνικά
χημική στολή
himiki stoli
ESEspañol
chemisette
she-mee-set
FAفارسی
لباس شیمیایی
libās-e shemīā'ī
FISuomi
chemisette
ke-mi-set
FRFrançais
chemisette
she-mee-set
HAHA
chemisette
ke-mi-set
HEעברית
חליפה כימית
halipa khemish
HIहिन्दी
रसायनिक पोशाक
rasayanik poshak
HUMagyar
chemisette
kemi-set
IDBahasa Indonesia
chemisette
ke-mi-set
IGIG
chemisette
ke-mi-set
ITItaliano
chemisette
ke-mee-set-te
KKKK
химиялык киім
himiyalyk kiyim
KMKM
chemia set
ke-mi-a set
MSBahasa Melayu
chemisette
ke-mi-set
MYမြန်မာ
chemia set
che-mi-a set
NLNederlands
chemisette
ke-mi-set
NONorsk
chemisette
ke-mi-set
PLPolski
chemisette
khem-i-set
PTPortuguês
chemisette
che-mee-set
RORomână
chemisette
ke-mi-set
RUРусский
химизетка
khimizetka
SVSvenska
chemisette
kemi-set
SWKiswahili
chemisette
ke-mi-set
TAதமிழ்
வேதியியல் உடை
vēṭiyial uṭai
TEతెలుగు
రసాయన దుస్తు
rasāyana dustu
TLTL
chemisette
ke-mi-set
TRTürkçe
chemisette
ke-mi-set
UKУкраїнська
хімізат
khimizat
URاردو
کیمیائی کپڑا
kimiayi kapra
VITiếng Việt
chemisette
ke-mi-set
YOYO
chemisette
ke-mi-set
ZUZU
chemisette
ke-mi-set
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Diminutive of chemise; entered English fashion vocabulary in 19th century to describe a woman's ornamental front panel or collar. Gendered as inherently feminine through fashion industry segmentation.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'chemisette' as a specific historical garment type. Note it was marketed to women without assuming contemporary gender associations with the garment itself.
Empowerment Note
Women pattern-makers, embroiderers, and seamstresses who crafted chemisettes are largely uncredited in fashion histories; their technical skill advanced garment construction.