Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SLEEVED GARMENT ACCESSORY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] 1. Field of the Invention
[003] This invention relates to a sleeved garment, and in particular, to a
reversible sleeved
garment that may be worn to enhance sleeveless or strapless garments.
[004] 2. Related Art
[005] Several attempts have been made to create sleeved undergarments for
individuals to
wear over conventional brassieres (or having integrated brassieres) for the
purpose of concealing
or covering a wearer's arms. The undergarments currently available are not,
however, designed
to create the appearance of being part of the garment with which they are
worn. The garments
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currently on the market include unsightly seams that do not match the garment
design with
which they are worn or do not provide the correct type of coverage over one's
chest. As such,
the portion of the garment covering one's chest may be visible when worn with
sleeveless or
strapless garments. Further, no garments on the market currently allow for a
wearer to reverse
the garment to vary the style of the garment and vary the level of coverage
across the chest area
for the wearer.
[006]
Accordingly, a need exists for a garment accessory that can be worn under any
type
of sleeveless or strapless garment to create an appearance that the garment
accessory is part of
the overlying garment. A need further exists for a garment accessory that does
not have visible
seams and that can be worn with both low cut and high neckline garments
without exposing the
garment accessory through the front of the overlying garment. A need further
exists for a
garment accessory that enhances both the original garment, conceals the arms
of the wearer,
while at the same time expanding a woman's wardrobe. By concealing the arms of
the wearer,
arm flab, loose skin, tattoos and age spots may also be concealed to make the
wearer's arm
appear slimmer, firmer, and more youthful. Finally, a need further exists for
a sleeved garment
accessory that not only can be worn under any type of sleeveless or strapless
garment to create
the appearance that it is part of the overlying garment and that covers the
wearer's arms, but that
also provides support to the midriff section of the wearer to create a slimmer
fit.
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SUMMARY
[007] The invention provides a garment accessory comprised at least
partially of an elastic
material permitting the garment to stretch. The garment accessory includes a
circular torso
member having a first face section and a second face section and two opposing
sleeve members
extending therefrom. The first face section is designed to provide minimal
coverage for a wearer
and the second face section is designed to provide fuller coverage, such that
the garment can be
worn with either the first face section or the second face section facing
forward over the chest of
the wearer to conceal the garment accessory under an overlying garment, as
desired, depending
upon the neckline and cut of the overlying garment.
[008] In one example of an implementation, the garment accessory further
includes an
elastic band member that encircles the torso. The elastic band member may be a
one piece
elastic member that is permanently affixed at opposing ends through stitching
to create a unitary
elastic band encircling the torso and that requires the garment to be pulled
over or stepped into.
Alternatively, the elastic band may include a closure device to be secured
together by the user,
such as a clip, clasp, hooks, or other fastening mechanism.
[009] In another example of an implementation, the garment accessory is
made from a
multi-way stretch material such that the garment is designed to be form
fitting and fit snugly
around the arms and torso of the wearer to provide sufficient support to be
worn with or without
any underlying garment (e.g., brassiere).
[010] In another example of an implementation, the garment accessory may
further include
a midriff or bodice section that may be made of a material to shape the
midriff or torso of the
wearer.
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10111 Other
devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention
will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination
of the following
figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional
systems, methods, features
and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the
invention, and be
protected by the accompanying claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[012] The invention may be better understood by referring to the following
figures. The
components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference
numerals designate
corresponding parts throughout the different views.
[013] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one example of a reversible
sleeved garment
accessory of the invention illustrating the garment accessory with the low-cut
side of the garment
accessory in the front and the full coverage side in the back.
[014] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory of
Figure 1.
[015] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory of
Figure 1 illustrating the arms of the garment extended horizontally outward.
[016] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the reversible sleeved
garment accessory of
Figure 1 illustrating the arms of the garment extended vertically upward.
[017] Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory of
Figure 1 illustrating the rearward arm of the garment extending horizontally
outward from the
front of the garment and the forward arm extending vertically upward.
[018] Figure 6 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the low-cut side of the
garment accessory
worn in the front, the full coverage side worn in the back and the shoulder
portion of the sleeves
of the garment accessory worn on-the-shoulders.
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[019] Figure 7 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the low-cut side in the
front and the full
coverage side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portions of the
sleeves worn off-
the-shoulders.
[020] Figure 8 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the low-cut side of the
garment accessory
worn in the front, the full coverage side worn in the back and the shoulder
portions of the sleeves
of the garment accessory worn on-the-shoulders.
[021] Figure 9 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in
the front, the low-cut
side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portions of the sleeves
worn off-the-
shoulders.
[022] Figure 10 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in
the front, the low-cut
side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves
worn on-the-
shoulders.
[023] Figure 11 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in
the front, the low-cut
side of the garnient worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves
worn off-the-
shoulders.
[024] Figure 12 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in
the front, the low-cut
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side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves
worn on-the-
shoulders.
[025] Figure 13 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment of Figure
1 illustrating the
garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in the front, the low-
cut side of the
garment worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves worn off-the-
shoulders.
[026] Figure 14 is a front view of one example of another implementation of
a reversible
sleeved garment accessory illustrating the garment accessory being worn with
the low-cut side of
the garment accessory worn in the front, the full coverage side worn in the
back and the shoulder
portion of the sleeves of the garment accessory worn on-the-shoulders.
[027] Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the closure device illustrated in
Section A of Figure
14.
[028] Figure 16 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 14,
illustrating the garment accessory being worn in reverse to that illustrated
in Figure 14, with the
low-cut side of the garment accessory worn in the back and the full coverage
side worn in the
front.
[029] Figure 17 is a front view of yet another example of another
implementation of a
reversible sleeved galinent accessory illustrating the gamient accessory being
worn with an
alternative design low-cut side of the garment accessory worn in the front,
the full coverage side
worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves of the garment
accessory worn on-the-
shoulders.
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=
[030] Figure 18 is a back view of still another example of an
implementation of a reversible
sleeved garment accessory, illustrating the garment accessory being worn with
an alternative
design and the full coverage side worn in the back of the garment.
[031] Figure 19 is a front perspective view of yet another example of a
reversible sleeved
garment accessory of the invention illustrating the garment accessory with the
low-cut side of the
garment accessory in the front and the full coverage side in the back.
[032] Figure 20 is a rear perspective view of the reversible sleeved
garment accessory of
Figure 19 illustrating the garment accessory.
[033] Figure 21 is a top perspective view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory of
Figure 19 illustrating the ai riis of the garment extending horizontally
outward.
[034] Figure 22 is a bottom perspective view of the reversible sleeved
garment accessory of
Figure 19 illustrating the arms of the garment extending vertically upward.
[035] Figure 23 is a side perspective view of the reversible sleeved
garment accessory of
Figure 19 illustrating the rearward arm of the garment extending horizontally
outward from the
front of the garment.
[036] Figure 24 is a side perspective view of the reversible sleeved
garment accessory of
Figure 19 illustrating the rearward arm of the garment extending horizontally
outward from the
front of the garment and the forward arm extending vertically upward.
[037] Figure 25 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 19
illustrating the garment accessory being worn by a wearer with the low-cut
side of the garment
accessory worn in the front, the full coverage side worn in the back and the
shoulder portion of
the sleeves of the garment accessory worn on-the-shoulders.
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1038] Figure 26 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 19
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the low-cut side in the
front and the full
coverage side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the
shoulder portion of
the sleeves worn off-the-shoulders.
[039] Figure 27 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 19
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the low-cut side of the
garment accessory
worn in the front, the full coverage side worn in the back and the shoulder
portion of the sleeves
of the garment accessory worn on-the-shoulders.
[040] Figure 28 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 19
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the low-cut side in the
front, the full coverage
side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves
worn off-the-
shoulders.
[041] Figure 29 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 19
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in
the front, the low-cut
side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves
worn on-the-
shoulders.
[042] Figure 30 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 19
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in
the front, the low-cut
side of the garment worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves
worn on-the-
shoulders.
[0431 Figure 31 is a front view of one example of a reversible sleeved
garment of the
present invention worn underneath a sleeveless dress, illustrating the garment
accessory being
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worn with the low-cut side of the garment accessory worn in the front, the
full coverage side
worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves of the garment
accessory worn on-the-
shoulders.
[044] Figure 32 is another front view of one example of a reversible
sleeved garment of the
present invention worn underneath a sleeveless dress, illustrating the garment
accessory being
worn with the low-cut side of the garment accessory worn in the front, the
full coverage side
worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves of the garment
accessory worn off-the-
shoulders.
[045] Figure 33 is a front view of one example of a reversible sleeved
garment of the
present invention worn underneath a sleeveless dress, illustrating the garment
accessory being
worn with the full coverage side of the garment accessory worn in the front,
the low-cut side
worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves of the garment
accessory worn on-the-
shoulders.
[046] Figure 34 is another front view of one example of a reversible
sleeved garment of the
present invention worn underneath a sleeveless dress, illustrating the garment
accessory being
worn with the full coverage side of the garment accessory worn in the front,
the low-cut side
worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves of the garment
accessory worn off-the-
shoulders.
[047] Figure 35 is a front view of one example of a reversible sleeved
garment of the
present invention worn underneath a strapless dress, illustrating the garment
accessory being
worn with the full coverage side of the garment accessory worn in the front,
the low-cut side
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worn in the back and the shoulder portion of the sleeves of the garment
accessory worn on-the-
shoulders.
[048] Figure 36 is a top perspective view of yet another example of an
implementation of a
reversible sleeved garment accessory.
[049] Figure 37 is a front view of the reversible sleeved gaiment of the
present invention
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the full-coverage side in
the front, the low-cut
side of the garment worn in the back and having a central seam dividing the
front face section in
two.
[050] Figure 38 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment of the
present invention
illustrating the garment accessory being worn with the low-cut side of the
garment worn in the
front, the full coverage side of the garment accessory worn in the back, and
the shoulder portion
of the sleeves worn on-the-shoulders.
[051] Figure 39 is another front view of the reversible sleeved garment of
the present
invention illustrating the garment accessory being worn with a low-cut side
worn in the front.
[052] Figure 40 is one alternative example of an implementation showing the
seam of
Figures 37 and 38 created by a clasp.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[053] As illustrated in the attached Figures 1-40, several examples of
various
implementations of a reversible garment accessory are provided. As
illustrated, the reversible
garment accessory of the invention is designed to be seamlessly worn with
sleeveless or strapless
tops, dresses or other garments for the purpose of varying the appearance of
the original garment,
while at the same time concealing a woman's arms without adding undue
bulkiness on the torso
of the wearer.
[054] As illustrated in Figures 1-40, the garment accessory 100, 200, 300,
400, 800 of this
invention is designed to be reversible and provide versatility to the wearer.
Each garment
accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 800 has (i) a first face (or first side) 102,
202, 302, 402, 802 that is
designed to create an open, low-cut neckline (i.e., low-cut side) and (ii) a
second face (or second
side) 104, 204, 304, 404, 804 that is designed to provide fuller coverage to
the wear to conceal or
partially conceal overt cleavage (i.e., full coverage side) by providing a
higher neckline than the
low-cut side. Each garment accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 800 also includes
sleeves or arms 106,
206, 306, 406, 806 that have shoulder portions 108, 208, 308, 408, 808 that
may be designed to
enable the shoulder portions to be rolled down to create an off-the shoulder
look when worn by
the wearer.
[055] As illustrated in Figures 1-40, the garment accessory 100, 200, 300,
400, 800 and can
be worn four different ways: (i) with the first face 102, 202, 302, 402, 802
forward to create an
open, low-cut neckline and having the shoulder portions 108, 208, 308, 408,
808 of the sleeves
106, 206, 306, 406, 806 covering the shoulders; (ii) with the first face 102,
202, 302, 402, 802
forward to create an open, low-cut neckline and having the shoulder portions
108, 208, 308, 408,
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808 of the sleeves 106, 206, 306, 406, 806 rolled down to create an off-the
shoulder look; (iii)
with the second face 104, 204, 304, 404, 804 forward and having the shoulder
portions 108, 208,
308, 408, 808 of the sleeves 106, 206, 306, 406, 806 covering the shoulders;
or (iv) with the
second face 104, 204, 304, 404, 804 forward to provide fuller coverage and
having the shoulder
portions 108, 208, 308, 408, 808 of the sleeves 106, 206, 306, 406, 806 rolled
down to create an
off-the shoulder look.
[056] The
garment accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 800 may be made from a variety of
materials and may be designed specifically to match a particular type of
garment or garment line.
For example, the garment accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 800 may be made from a
light-weight
material, such as a thin, light wear, sheer or semi-sheer stretch material. By
way of example, the
material may be made at least partially from a lycra/spandex blend and may be
constructed as
either a four-way or two-way stretch material. The garment may further include
other materials
in addition to lycra and/or spandex, such as cotton, and may even be
constructed partially or
entirely of a non-stretch material. The expandability of the material of the
garment accessory
may further vary, and may be designed of stretch such that one garment can be
worn by women
of varying sizes, such as XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL, or may be designed of more
contrasting
material to fit the wearer based upon standard children and women's clothing
sizes, including
plus sizes. The selected material may have the versatile potential to keep the
wearer cool when it
is made from an open weave or thin sheer fabric, yet have the potential to
keep the wearer warm
in colder weather, if it is made from a heavier weight fabric. The garment
accessory 100, 200,
300, 400, 800 may further be constructed from fabrics having various designs,
thicknesses and
colors. For example, the garment accessory 100, 200, 300, 400 and 800 may be
constructed
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from a highly versatile solid or sheer black fabric, which may be capable of
being paired with a
large number of sleeveless and strapless garments. Further, the garment
accessory 100, 200,
300, 400 800 may further include various sleeve and cuff designs, may be made
from a mesh
or net material and may have plain elastic bands at the end of the sleeves, as
well as other
alternative design or aesthetic variations, to create an alternative looks.
The garment accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 800 may be made in various sizes to
fit snugly over
the top portion of various sized women having various sized torsos and arms.
In one example of
an implementation, the garment accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 800 is made
entirely of a four-way
stretch material, with added stretch trims and elastic encircling the torso
under the bust, and
optionally around the bottoms of the sleeves. When the garment accessory fits
snugly, the
garment accessory may have the ability to support the breasts due to the
stretch fabric and cut of
the design, and therefore, may be worn either with or without a bra, at the
discretion of the
wearer. In other words, garment accessory may designed to be form fitting and
fit snugly around
both arms and torso of the wearer to fit snuggly over a conventional brassiere
or to provide
sufficient support to the breast of the wearer to be worn without any
underlying garment or
brassiere. The garment accessory may be designed to fit snugly enough around
the torso to act
as a brassiere, while also providing blended coverage over the wearers arms to
create a seamless
look with a garment worn over the accessory.
[057] In
particular, Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one example of a
reversible
sleeved garment accessory 100 illustrating the garment accessory 100 with the
low-cut side 102
of the garment accessory in the front and the full coverage side 104 in the
back. As illustrated in
Figure 1, the reversible garment accessory 100 is constructed at least
partially from an elastic
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material permitting the garment to stretch. The reversible garment accessory
100 includes a first
face 102 and a second face 104 forming a circular upper torso member and
further consisting of
two opposing sleeves or sleeve members 106 extending therefrom. The first face
102 is designed
to provide minimal coverage for a wearer and the second face 104 is designed
to provide fuller
coverage, such that the garment accessory 100 can be worn with either the
first face 102 or the
second face 104 facing forward over the chest of the wearer to conceal the
garment accessory
100 under an overlying garment, as desired, depending upon the neckline cut of
the overlying
garment.
[0581 As further illustrated in Figure 1, the garment accessory 100 further
includes an
elastic band member 110 designed to encircle the torso of the wearer just
underneath the chest of
the wearer. The elastic band member 110 may be a one piece elastic member that
is permanently
affixed at opposing ends through stitching to create a unitary elastic band
110 encircling the
torso. As a unitary band 110, in the illustrated implementation, the wearer
would be required to
pull the garment over one's head or step into the garment.
[059] To provide the appearance that the gannent accessory 100 is part of
an overlying
garment 3100, 3500 (see Figures 31-35), when worn together, the garment
accessory 100 is
made so it has no shoulder seam along the shoulder portion 108 of the arms or
along the upper
side of the arms 106 themselves. The garment accessory 100 is all one piece
from the neckline
112 to the opposing end of the sleeve 114 (which may extend to a wearer's
wrist or be shorter
depending upon sleeve length (e.g., the sleeve end portion may terminate mid-
arm when
designed to be a 1/4 or shorter length sleeve)), and curving down under the
bust 116 portion of the
garment to the bottom of the bra-line and across the back 118 of the garment,
creating the
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illusion of being part of the original dress, top or garment. As illustrated
in Figures 4 and 5, all
the seams 120 are made under the arms and along the undersides of the garment
to substantially
conceal the seams 120.
[060] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory 100 of
Figure 1. As explained above, the garment accessory 100 is cut differently on
one side (i.e., the
front face 102) than on the other side (i.e., the back face 104) to create two
different wearing
options. In this manner, the garment accessory 100 may be worn frontward or
backward for two
different looks, each with two different levels of coverage. As shown in
Figure 1, one side or the
front face 102 it is cut very low and is open down to the bottom of the bust
where the elastic 110
encircles the torso, leaving the center of the bust, chest and neckline open,
yet still has the
stretchy material sewn from the bottom of the elastic on each side covering
the arms, underarms,
shoulder and sides of the chest and torso. The other side, or the second face
104, has the same
stretchy fabric, yet cut higher to cover either a portion of the wearer's back
if worn in the back,
or if worn in the front, to cover the woman's cleavage, spanning across the
top of the torso from
sleeve to sleeve.
[061] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory 100 of
Figure 1 illustrating the arms 106 of the garment extended horizontally
outward. Figure 3
illustrates the garment accessory 100 having no shoulder seam along the
shoulder portion 108 of
the arms or along the upper side of the arms 106 themselves. Figure 3 further
highlights that the
garment accessory 100 is constructed from one piece from the neckline 112 to
the opposing end
of the sleeve 114, curving down and forming the first face and across the back
forming the
second face 104.
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[062] As illustrated in Figure 3, the first face 102 and a second face 104
are formed from a
single cut of fabric to avoid seams along the shoulder and upper arm portions.
Further, in the
illustrated example, the first face 102, or low-cut side 102 is formed from
the joining of two
corresponding halves 132 and 134. To construct the garment accessory, the
sleeves 106 and
sides of the garment accessory 100 are then formed to by joining the sleeve
106 portion of the
fabric by a seam 120 located on the underside of the sleeves that extends to
along the sides (see
Figures 4 and 5). The first face 102 and second face 104 are then designed to
encircle the torso
by attachment to the elastic band 110, which may or may not include a closure
device 240 (see
Figure 15). Alternatively, the first face 102 and a second face 104 may be
formed from two
reverse cuts of fabric, in which case, both the first face 102 and second face
104 may include
opposing halves, similar to the halves 132 and 134, which may be joined
together at the elastic
band 110. In this case, the halves may be joined to cross-over, as illustrated
in connection with
Figures 17 and 18 below. Further, the neckline 136 created by the first face
102 and second face
104 may further include elastic trim. Similarly, elastic trim may be placed at
the ends 114 of the
sleeves 106.
[063] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the reversible sleeved
garment accessory 100
of Figure 1 illustrating the arms 106 of the garment extended vertically
upward. Figure 4 best
illustrates that all the seams 120 are made under the arms 106 and along the
side of garment
accessory 100 to substantially conceal the seams 120 when worn.
[064] Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory 100 of
Figure 1 illustrating the rearward arm 106 of the garment accessory 100
extending horizontally
outward from the front of the garment accessory 100 and the forward arm 106
extending
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vertically upward. Like Figure 4, Figure 5 illustrates the seams 120 on the
garment accessory
100 positioned on the underside of the arms 106 and sides of the garment
accessory 120 to
conceal the seams when worn and create the appearance that the garment
accessory 120 is part of
the garment with which it is worn.
[065] Figure 6 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
100 of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory 100 being worn by a wearer 600 with the low-
cut side 102 of
the garment accessory 100 worn in the front, and with the full coverage side
104 worn in the
back and the shoulder portions 108 of the sleeves 106 of the garment accessory
100 worn on-the-
shoulders of the wearer 600. As illustrated in Figure 6, the lower-cut side or
first face 102 of the
garment accessory 100, when worn in the front, may be designed to fully or
partially expose a
woman's cleavage, which may allow the garment accessory 100 to be concealed
from the front
even when worn with low-cut overlying garments. If worn in the back, the low-
cut side may be
still be concealed when worn with low or partially open-backed dresses.
[0661 Figure 7 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory 100 being worn with the low-cut side 102 in
the front and the
full-coverage side 104 of the garment accessory 100 worn in the back and the
shoulder portions
108 of the sleeves 106 folded or rolled down to create an off-the-shoulders
look. In particular,
when the garment accessory 100 may be made of a stretch or semi-stretch
material, with no seam
separating the sleeve 106 from the shoulder portions 108 of the garment
accessory 100, the
garment accessory 100 may be rolled or folded down and off the shoulders of
the wearer 600,
creating another style when worn off the shoulder either frontward or
backward.
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1067] Figure 8 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory 100 being worn by a wearer 600 with the low-
cut side 102 of
the garment accessory 100 worn in the front, the full coverage side 104 worn
in the back and the
shoulder portions 108 of the sleeves 106 of the garment accessory 100 worn on-
the-shoulders.
[068] Figure 9 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
100 of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory 100 being worn with the full-coverage side
104 in the back,
the low-cut side 102 of the garment accessory 100 worn in the front and the
shoulder portions of
the sleeves 108 worn off-the-shoulders. In particular, Figure 9 shows the back
view of the
wearer 600 of Figure 7 and further illustrates that when the garment accessory
100 may be made
of a stretch or semi-stretch material, with no seam separating the sleeve 106
from the shoulder
portions 108 of the garment accessory 100, the garment accessory 100 may be
rolled or folded
down and off the shoulders of the wearer 600, creating another style when worn
off the shoulder
either frontward or backward.
1069] Figure 10 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory 100 being worn by a wearer 600 with the
full-coverage side
104 in the front, the low-cut side 102 of the garment accessory 104 worn in
the back and
shoulder portion 108 of the arms 106 worn on-the-shoulders. As illustrated,
the fuller coverage
side 104 of the gamient accessory 100 may be designed to fully cover a woman's
cleavage
(when the fuller coverage side is worn in the front), yet provide a low
neckline that may be
concealed, as desired when worn with an overlying garment.
[070] Figure 11 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
100 of Figure 1
illustrating the garment accessory 100 being worn by a wearer 600 with the
full-coverage side
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=
104 in the front, the low-cut side 102 of the garment worn in the back and the
shoulder portions
108 of the arms or sleeves 106 worn folded down and off-the-shoulders. Figure
11, like Figure
7, further demonstrates the versatility of the garment accessory 100 by
showing that the shoulder
portions 108 of the arms or sleeves 106 can be folded down when the garment
accessory 100 is
worn with the full-coverage side 104 in the front, in the same manner as when
the low-cut side
102 is worn in the front (see Figure 7), to create an additional look.
[071] Figure 12 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
100 illustrating
the garment accessory 100 being worn by a wearer 600 with the full-coverage
side 104 in the
front, the low-cut side 102 of the garment accessory 102 worn in the back.
Further, in this
illustration, the shoulder portions 108 of the sleeves or arms 106 are worn on-
the-shoulders.
Similarly, Figure 13 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory 100 illustrating
the garment accessory 100 being worn by a wearer 600 with the full-coverage
side 104 in the
front, the low-cut side 102 of the garment accessory 100 worn in the back. To
create another
look, the shoulder portions 106 of the sleeves 108 are folded down and worn
off-the-shoulders.
[072] Figures 6-13 highlight one example design of the garment accessory
100, as well as
the four various ways in which the garment accessory 100 may be worn
underneath a garment
100. In particular, Figures 6 & 8 illustrate the reversible sleeved garment
accessory 100 being
worn with the low-cut side 102 of the garment accessory in the front, the
full/fuller coverage side
104 worn in the back and the sleeves of the garment accessory worn on-the-
shoulders. Figures 7
& 9 illustrate the reversible sleeved garment accessory 100 being worn with
the low-cut side 102
of the garment accessory in the front, the full/fuller coverage side 104 worn
in the back, but with
the shoulder portions 108 of the sleeves 106 of the garment accessory 100 worn
off-the-
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shoulders. Figures 10-13 then illustrate the garment accessory 100 worn in
reverse that shown in
Figures 6-9, with the shoulder portions 106 of the sleeves 106 both up
(Figures 10 & 12) and
rolled down (Figures 11 &13).
[073] Figure 14 is a front view of one example of another implementation of
a reversible
sleeved garment accessory 200 illustrating the garment accessory 200 being
worn by a wearer
600 with the low-cut side 202 of the garment accessory 200 worn in the front
and the full
coverage side 204 (not shown) worn in the back. Alternatively to the elastic
band 210 being
permanently affixed together to encircle the body of the wearer 600, as
illustrated in Figures 1-
13, the elastic band 210 of the garment accessory 200 may be removably secured
together
utilizing a clip, clasp, hooks, or other closure or fastening mechanism know
by those skilled in
the art. In the example shown in Figure 14, the garment accessory 200 is
designed to have clasp
240 attached to the elastic band 210 that encircles the wearer's torso just
under the bust of the
wearer on the low-cut side 202 of the garment accessory 200. In this manner,
by utilizing a clasp
240 to removeably fasten the elastic band 210, the garment accessory 200 may
open and close
for the wearer 600 to slip more easily on and off. As with the garment
accessory 200 itself, the
clasp 240 is made to be flat and secured just under the cleavage of the wearer
600 when the low-
cut side is worn in the front such that the clasp 240 lies flat under the
woman's garment to give a
smooth look that appears to be part of the overlying outfit.
[074] Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the clasp 240 illustrated in Section
A of Figure 14
showing the clasp 240 in the open position. As illustrated, the clasp 240 is a
closure device
having mating cooperative portions 242 and 244 commonly known in the art. One
end of the
elastic band 210 is affixed to one mating portion 242, while the other end of
the mating portion
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244 is affixed to the opposing end of the elastic band 210. The front face 202
is separated in two
halves at or near the closure device 240, with one half of the front face 202
extending from one
side of the elastic band 210 and the other half of the front face 202
extending from the other side
of the elastic band 210 opposite the closure device 240.
[075] Figure 16 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
200 of Figure
14, illustrating the garment accessory 200 being worn in reverse to that
illustrated in Figure 14,
with the low-cut side of the garment accessory worn in the back. In this
implementation, the
low-cut side 202 is separated with a closure device 240, such as a hook or
clasp, that permits the
wearer to open and close the garment accessory 200 for ease in dressing and
undressing when
wearing the garment accessory 200.
[076] Figure 17 is a front view of yet another example of another
implementation of a
reversible sleeved garment accessory 300 illustrating the garment accessory
300 being worn with
the low-cut side 302 of the garment accessory 300 worn in the front. In this
example, the
garment accessory 300 has a crossover feature on at least one side of the
garment accessory
where the material spans from the shoulder portion 308 and across the bust or
back, forming a v-
neckline that can be as open or closed as the wearer determines by leaving it
as is, or by
discreetly pinning it more closed. As illustrated, when the cross-over feature
is provided on the
low-cut side 302, each half 320 and 322 overlap one another near the elastic
band 310 creating a
triangular overlay section 324, having double thickness material.
[077] The same cross-over feature can be provided on the fuller coverage
side 304 of the
garment accessory 300. As illustrated in Figure 18, the full coverage side
304, which in this
illustration is shown worn on the back of the wearer, may further include each
half 326 and 328
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of the full coverage side 304 overlap one another near the elastic band 310
creating a triangular
overlay section 330, having double thickness material. While the cross-over
feature can be
designed to be on either or both the low-cut 302 or full-coverage 304 side of
the garment
accessory 300, the cross-over feature may only be utilized on one side 302,
304 of the garment
accessory 300. For example, when the cross-over feature is on the low-cut side
302 of the
garment accessory 300, the fuller coverage side 304 may be designed to have a
neckline similar
to the full coverage side 104 in Figure 2. Similarly, when the cross-over
feature is on the full
coverage side 304, the low-cut side 302 may be similar in design to the low-
cut side 102
illustrated in Figure 1 and may include an elastic band with or without a
closure device 240
(Figure 15).
[078] Figure 19 is a front perspective view of yet another example of a
reversible sleeved
garment accessory 400 of the present invention illustrating the garment
accessory 400 with the
low-cut side of the garment accessory in the front and the full coverage side
in the back. The
garment accessory 400 is similar in construction to that illustrated in Figure
1, yet includes a
bodice or torso section 440 extending below the elastic band 410 of the
garment accessory and,
in some designs, the bodice section 440 replaces the elastic band 410 in its
entirety. The bodice
section 440 terminates at hem 442, which may extend to the waist or below the
waist of the
wearer.
[079] Similar to the design in Figure 1, the garment accessory 400 includes
a low-cut side
402 and a full coverage side 404, is reversible and can be worn both with the
shoulder portions
408 up or rolled down. The reversible garment accessory further includes two
opposing sleeve
members 406. The first face 402 is designed to provide minimal coverage for a
wearer and the
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second face 404 is designed to provide fuller coverage, such that the garment
accessory 400 can
be worn with either the first face 402 or the second face 404 facing forward
over the chest of the
wearer to conceal the garment accessory 400 under an overlying garment, as
desired, depending
upon the neckline cut of the overlying garment.
[080] In this implementation, the garment accessory 400 may further
includes an elastic
band member 410 designed to encircle the torso of the wearer just underneath
the chest of the
wearer. The elastic band member 110 may be a one piece elastic member that is
permanently
affixed at opposing ends through stitching to create a unitary elastic band
110 encircling the
torso. As a unitary band 110, in the illustrated implementation, the wearer
would be required to
pull the garment over one's head or to step into the garment.
[081] In addition to, or in lieu of, the elastic band member 410 is a form
fitting bodice
section 440 that may provide shape or support to that of the wearer. The
bodice section 440 may
be made out of a strong material, such as a blend of nylon, lycra and/or
spandex, that are
designed to contour the wearer's body to the design of bodice section 440,
creating a slimmer
body shape. Like the upper portion of the garment accessory, the bodice
section 440 is designed
to be undetectable under clothing and is designed to have a utilitarian style,
similar to the top or
upper portion of the garment accessory.
[082] To provide the appearance that the garment accessory 400 is part of
an overlying
garment, when worn together, the garment accessory 400 has no shoulder seam
along the
shoulder portion 408 of the arms or along the upper side of the arms 406
themselves. The
garment accessory 400 is all one piece from the neckline 412 to the opposing
end of the sleeve
414 (which may extend to a wearer's wrist or be shorter depending upon sleeve
length (e.g., the
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sleeve end portion may terminate mid-arm when designed to be a 3/4 or shorter
length sleeve)),
and curving down under the bust 416 portion of the garment to the bottom of
the bra-line and
across the back 418 of the garment, creating the illusion of being part of the
original dress, top or
garment. As illustrated in Figures 22-24, all the seams 420 are made under the
arm to
substantially conceal the seams.
[083] Figure 20 shows a rear perspective view of the reversible sleeved
garment accessory
400 of Figure 19. This view illustrates the full-coverage side 404. As
explained above, the
garment accessory 400 is cut differently on one side (i.e., the front face
402) than on the other
side (i.e., the back face 404) to create two different wearing options. In
this manner, the garment
accessory 400 may be worn frontward or backward for two different looks, each
with two
different levels of coverage. As shown in Figure 19, one side of the front
face 402 is cut very
low and is open down to the bottom of the bust where the elastic 410 and/or
bodice section 440
encircles the torso, leaving the center of the bust, chest and neckline open,
yet still has the
stretchy material sewn from the bottom of the elastic on each side covering
the arms, underarms,
shoulder and sides of the chest and torso. The second face 404, as shown in
Figure 20, is made
of the same fabric as the first face 402, yet cut higher to cover either a
portion of the wearer's
back if worn in the back, or if worn in the front, to cover the woman's
cleavage, spanning across
the top of the torso from sleeve to sleeve.
[084] Figures 21-24 illustrate the garment accessory 400 having no shoulder
seam along
the shoulder portion 408 of the sleeves along the upper side of the sleeves or
arms 406. All of
the seams 420 and 424 on the garment are located under the sleeves 406 or
along the sides of the
garment accessory 400. When the garment accessory 400 includes a bodice
portion 440, the
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seams 424 of the bodice portion 440 may run along one or more sides of the
bodice portion 440
in a manner corresponding to the garment accessory seams 420.
[085] Figure 25 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
400 illustrating
the garment accessory 400 being worn by a wearer 600 with the low-cut side 402
of the garment
accessory 400 worn in the front, and with the full coverage side 404 (not
shown) worn in the
back and the shoulder portions 408 of the sleeves 406 of the garment accessory
400 worn on-the-
shoulders of the wearer 600. As illustrated in Figure 25, the lower-cut side
or first face 402 of
the garment accessory 400, when worn in the front, may be designed to fully or
partially expose
a woman's cleavage, which may allow the garment accessory 400 to be concealed
from the front
even when worn with low-cut overlying garments. If worn in the back, the low-
cut side 402 may
be still be concealed when worn with low or partially open-backed dresses.
1086] Figure 26 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
400 illustrating
the garment accessory 400 being worn by a wearer 600 with the low-cut side 402
in the front and
the full-coverage side 404 (not shown) of the garment accessory 400 worn in
the back and the
shoulder portions 408 of the sleeves 406 folded or rolled down to create an
off-the-shoulders
look. In particular, when the garment accessory 400 may be made of a stretch
or semi-stretch
material, with no seam separating the sleeve 406 from the shoulder portions
408 of the garment
accessory 400, the garment accessory 400 may be rolled or folded down and off
the shoulders of
the wearer 600, creating another style when worn off the shoulder either
frontward or backward.
[087] Figure 27 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
400 illustrating
the garment accessory 400 being worn by a wearer 600 with the low-cut side 402
(not shown) of
the garment accessory 400 worn in the front, the full coverage side 404 worn
in the back and the
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shoulder portions 408 of the sleeves 406 of the garment accessory 400 worn on-
the-shoulders.
Similarly, Figure 28 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment
accessory 400 illustrating
the garment accessory 400 being worn with the full-coverage side 404 in the
back, the low-cut
side 402 of the garment accessory 400 worn in the front and the shoulder
portions of the sleeves
408 worn off-the-shoulders.
10881 Figure 29 is a front view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
400 illustrating
the garment accessory 400 being worn by a wearer 600 with the full-coverage
side 404 in the
front and shoulder portion 408 of the arms 406 worn on-the-shoulders. As
illustrated, the fuller
coverage side 404 of the garment accessory 400 may be designed to fully cover
a woman's
cleavage (when the fuller coverage side is worn in the front), yet provide a
low neckline that may
be concealed, as desired when worn with an overlying garment.
10891 Figure 30 is a back view of the reversible sleeved garment accessory
400 illustrating
the garment accessory 400 being worn by a wearer 600 with the full-coverage
side 404 (not
shown) in the front, the low-cut side 402 of the garment accessory 400 worn in
the back. While
in this illustration, the shoulder portions 408 of the sleeves or arms 406 are
worn on-the-
shoulders, it recognized that, to create another look, the shoulder portions
406 of the sleeves 408
may be folded down and worn off-the-shoulders.
[0901 Like with Figures 6-13, Figures 25-30 highlight the four various ways
in which the
garment accessory 400 may be worn underneath a garment. In particular, Figures
25 & 27
illustrate the reversible sleeved garment accessory 400 being worn with the
low-cut side 402 of
the garment accessory 400 in the front, the full/fuller coverage side 404 worn
in the back and the
sleeves of the garment accessory 400 worn on-the-shoulders. Figures 26 & 28
illustrate the
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reversible sleeved garment accessory 400 being worn with the low-cut side 402
of the garment
accessory in the front, the full/fuller coverage side 404 worn in the back,
but with the shoulder
portions 408 of the sleeves 406 of the garment accessory 400 worn off-the-
shoulders. Figures
29-30 then illustrate the garment accessory 400 worn in reverse. While Figures
29-20 only
illustrate the shoulder portions 408 of the sleeves 406 up, it is recognized
that the shoulder
portions 408 of the sleeves 406 may also be folded downward when the full
coverage face 404 is
worn forward, similar to shown in Figures 11 & 13 above.
[091] Figures 31-35 all illustrate examples of the garment accessory 100,
200, 300 and 400
worn with a garment. In particular, Figure 31 illustrates one example of a
reversible sleeved
gatment accessory 100 worn underneath a sleeveless dress 3100. In this
illustration, the garment
accessory 100 is worn with the low-cut side of the garment accessory 100 in
the front and the
shoulder portions 108 of the sleeves 106 worn on the shoulders of the wearer.
In this example,
the low-cut side 102 (not shown) of the garment accessory 100 is entirely
covered by the
garment 3100.
[092] Figure 33 is another front view of one example of a reversible
sleeved garment
accessory 100 being worn with the full coverage side 104 of the garment
accessory 100 worn in
the front, the low-cut side 102 (not shown) worn in the back and the shoulder
portions 108 of
sleeves 106 of the garment accessory 100 worn on-the-shoulders. In this
example, it is
illustrated that the full coverage side 104, when worn in the front, may be
seen from underneath
the garment 3100. Figure 34 is another front view of one example of a
reversible sleeved
garment 100 worn underneath a sleeveless dress 3100. This example illustrates
the garment
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accessory 100 of Figure 33 worn under the dress 3100, but having the shoulder
portions 108 of
the sleeves 106 rolled down to create another look.
[093] Figure 35 is a front view of one example of a reversible sleeved
garment 100 of the
invention worn underneath a strapless dress 3500. In this example, the
reversible sleeved
garment accessory 100 is worn with the full coverage side 104 of the garment
accessory 100
worn in the front, the low-cut side 102 (not shown) worn in the back and the
shoulder portions
108 of sleeves 106 of the garment accessory 100 worn on-the-shoulders. In this
example, it is
illustrated that the full coverage side 104, when worn in the front, may be
seen from underneath
the garment 3500.
[094] Figure 36 is a top perspective view of yet another example of an
implementation of a
reversible sleeved garment accessory 700 illustrating that the arms 706 may be
formed having
decorative elements 760 that extend along the upper side of the arms 706
themselves from the
neckline 712 to the opposing end of the sleeves 714. Such decorative elements
760 may be
incorporated to accent the garment accessory 760 without creating the
appearance that the
garment accessory 700 is a separate piece from the garment with which it is
worn.
[095] As illustrated in Figure 3, the first face 102 and a second face 104
are formed from a
single cut of fabric to avoid seams along the shoulder and upper arm portions.
Further, in the
illustrated example, the first face 102, or low-cut side 102 is formed from
the joining of two
corresponding halves 132 and 134. To construct the garment accessory, the
sleeves 106 and
sides of the garment accessory 100 are then formed to by joining the sleeve
106 portion of the
fabric by a seam 120 located on the underside of the sleeves that extends to
along the sides (see
Figures 4 and 5). The first face 102 and second face 104 are then designed to
encircle the torso
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by attachment to the elastic band 110, which may or may not include a closure
device 240 (see
Figure 15). Alternatively, the first face 102 and a second face 104 may be
formed from two
reverse cuts of fabric, in which case, both the first face 102 and second face
104 may include
opposing halves, similar to the halves 132 and 134, which may be joined
together at the elastic
band 110. In this case, the halves may be joined to cross-over, as illustrated
in connection with
Figures 17 and 18 below. Further, the neckline 136 created by the first face
102 and second face
104 may further include elastic trim. Similarly, elastic trim may be placed at
the ends 114 of the
sleeves 106.
[096] In the examples provided above, two examples of a full coverage face
104, 203, 304,
404 are illustrated; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that
other styles of fuller
coverage faces made be designed of varying necklines and levels of cleavage
exposure. For
example, the necklines may be designed to be rounder or squarer than those in
the provided
illustrations. In one example, the fuller coverage side is formed from a
unitary piece of material
having a swooping neckline, while in an alternatively illustrated designs, the
fuller coverage side
is constructed of two opposing pieces of fabric crossing one another at the
middle. Other
variation on the neck-line may be employed in the full coverage side 104, 204,
304, 404 of the
garment accessory 100, 200, 300 and 400 without departing from the invention.
[097] Similarly, two examples of a low-cut face 102, 202, 302, 402 are
illustrated; however,
those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles of low-cut faces may
be designed of
varying necklines and levels of cleavage coverage. In one example, the low-cut
side is formed
from two opposing pieces or halves that are separated from one another at the
middle to fully
expose a woman's cleavage when worn with the low-cut side on the front. In
alternative
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designs, the separation between the two opposing pieces may be very small, may
meet, or even
slightly overlap to provide a small amount of coverage over a woman's cleavage
when worn
with the low-cut side on the front. Again, other variation on the neck-line
may be employed in
the low-cut side 102, 202, 302, 402 of the garment accessory 100, 200, 300 and
400 without
departing from the invention (e.g., the necklines may be designed to be
rounder or squarer than
those in the provided illustrations).
[098] Examples of these variations described above are illustrated in
Figures 37-40. Figure
37 illustrates the garment accessory 800 being worn with a fuller coverage
side 804 in the front.
In this example, to provide further design accents or to provide for a front
or back garment
opening, the garment may include a central seam 803 dividing the face section
in two. The seam
803 may be a sew seam, may be created by cinching or may be a clasp (as shown
in Figure 40).
Although Figure 37 illustrates the seam 803 on the front or first face
section, the illustrated seam
803 may be positioned on one or both faces sections (the first or second face
sections).
[099] Further, while the arms 806 are illustrated as being full length
arms, the arms 806 of
this garment or any illustrated garment of the present invention, may be of
any length (e.g., short,
quarter length, or long). Further, the ends of the sleeves 807 on any design
of the present
invention may be of any ornamental design, including, but not limited to,
piping, elastic,
cinching, a plain seam or stitching.
[0100] Figure 38 is a front view of another example of a reversible sleeved
garment of the
present invention illustrating the garment accessory 800 being worn with a
lower cut side 802 of
the garment worn in the front, depending upon the back side, this lower cut
side 804 may be
considered the fuller coverage side of the garment 804 or the lower cut side
802. Like the
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garment in Figure 37, the garment may include a central seam 803 dividing the
face section in
two. The seam 803 may be a sew seam, may be created by cinching or may be a
clasp (as shown
in Figure 40).
[0101] Figure 39 is another front view of the reversible sleeved garment of
the present
invention illustrating the garment accessory 800 being worn with a low-cut
side 802 worn in the
front. The opposing fuller coverage side may be designed to be any of the
sides illustrated in
Figures 1-18, 37 or 38 offering fuller coverage to the wearer.
[0102] Figure 40 is one alternative example of an implementation showing
the seam of
Figures 37 and 38 created by a clasp. The clasp may be positioned to close
from either side of
the garment, but is preferable on the inside of the garment. Any type of know
clasp for securing
the faces of the garment may be utilized. The clasp may be designed to be
secured and worn on
either the front or back face of the garment, positioned on the front or back
of the wearer. This
clasp is a known alternative to the clasps illustrated in Figures 14-16 for
securing two opposing
ends or sides of a garment.
[0103] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of
illustration and
description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to
the precise form
disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
description or may be
acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents
define the scope of the
invention.
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