Waist is a common term for the bodice of a dress or for a blouse or woman's shirt from the early 19th century through the Edwardian period.
A shirtwaist was originally a separate blouse constructed like a shirt.
From the mid-20th century, shirtwaist referred to a dress with the upper portion (the bodice and sleeves) fashioned like a man's shirt, with a turnover collar and buttons down the front. Different embordery were added to the shirtwaist, like rhinestones and different patterns.
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