plastrons

Plastrons is the plural of plastron, a term with several specialized meanings united by the idea of a protective or decorative front covering.

In zoology, the plastron is the ventral shell of a turtle—the flat underside that shields its belly.

In fencing, a plastron is padded chest protection worn under the jacket.

The word also names a decorative front panel on a woman's bodice or a starched shirtfront worn with formal evening dress: The fencers adjusted their plastrons before the bout.