Abstract: A protective brassiere and protective inserts therefor are disclosed. The brassiere is provided with thin pockets formed from two layers of fabric with a lateral access opening to receive the insert. The insert has a concave central portion that is substantially rigid with peripheral portions that are flexible in part. The central rigid portion is capable of withstanding forces of impact and transmitting them to the user's thoracic cage through the more flexible portions. In an alternative embodiment, an article of clothing is disclosed which includes similar thin pockets that are accessible internally of the article to receive and hold inserts of the same configuration. The inserts used with the clothing article are intended to provide a supportive more than a protective function, and to that end the central portion of each insert is semiflexible and the peripheral portion is flexible.