US2880731A - Bathing suit and brassiere or like combination of wearing apparel - Google Patents

Description

April 1959 E. KENDALL 7 2,880,731

BATHING SUIT AND BRASSIERE OR LIKE COMBINATION OF WEARING APPAREL Filed July 6, 1954 INVENTOR. EOYff/E IVE/V0614 United States Patent BATHING SUIT- AND BRASSIERE 0R LIKE COMBINATION OF WEARING APPAREL The present invention relates to improvements, in wearing apparel, and more particularly to improvements in sportswear such as jumpers, dresses, bathing suits, and like garments.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel garment of the aforesaid type wherein the main or basic shell of the garment is complemented and completed by at least a portion of a brassiere of ornamental design and configuration.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means enhancing practicality, appearance and change of composition of the garment by the use of only a few elements, such as brassiere and shell (or covering) employable in various combinations.

Another object of the invention is to provide means facilitating the manufacture of Wearing apparel so. that the number of sizes of said elements to be made available may be reduced while still satisfying the demands of the many individual figures 'of the wearers. A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means affording ready change of street to casual or sport wear within a minimum of time, only a limited wardrobe being necessary for ensuring pleasing appearance of a person wearing such wardrobe.

Another object of the invention is to provide means conducive to ready'assembly of a novel bathing suit or dress wardrobe from a few elements to thereby achieve a large number of ensembles of wearing apparel.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide means aifording maximum of support and fit for the individual bust of the wearer and change in appearance of the entire garment by the use of various shapes of the remainder of the garment.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide means ensuring correct fit of a garment part on the respective individual wearer and the combination of such garment part with another garment part to complete the garment, whereby said other part of said garment contributes to and enhances the fit of said one garment while simultaneously characterizing the style of the complete garment (flaring gown, princess style dress, bloomer type playor s'unsuit and the like) which may be used by tall as well as short persons.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed ensuing description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw- :i'ng, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of several elements constituting an article of wearing apparel made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the article of .Fig. l in assembled condition, a part being shown in dot-and-dash lines;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a garment part in the form of a brassiere according to the invention, with which another garment part, such as a shell, may be combined, which is indicated in dot-and-dasl1 lines;

' Fig. 4 is incorporation in 'the lower element of the garment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective 'view of a garment made in acp a perspective view of an article of wearing I apparel in the form of an arm and shoulder support for 16 with cups and a strap 21.

cordance with the present invention and illustrating an element in the form of a bathing suit shell seen in Fig, 1 combined with the brassiere of Fig. 3 and the support shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is disclosed in Fig. l a garment having the following elements, a bathing suit shell or covering 10, a brassiere The shell 10 has a lower portion 11 and an upper portion 12. The upper portion '12 comprises a pair of upwardly directed side pieces 12, said upper portion 12 being provided at its upperends adjacent said side pieces with buttonholes 14 for a purpose hereinafter set forth. Between the side pieces 13 the upper portion 12 dips to provide a cut-out defined by an elastic shaping portion 15 which comes to lie partly below the breast cups of the wearers brassiere, as can be seen in Fig. 2.

Strapless brassiere 16, which may be composed of the same or any other material as the shell 10 is provided with breast pockets or cups 17 and with a body encircling bodice 18. The brassiere 16 is provided with an overlap of decorative embroidery 19 and carries at each lateral upper end a button 20 complementary with the buttonholes 14. v

A shoulder strap 21 provided at each end with buttonholes 22 is also complementary to buttons -20, and is made of the same material as the shell 10, if desired.

The rear of the brassiere 16. .-is provided with conven tional fastening means (not shown), such as hooks and eyes or laces and is preferably elasticized to secure fit on the body of the individual wearer.

For this latter reason the brassiere may also be provided with stays, reinforcements and the like conforming to the contour of the wearers breasts. The rear-of the shell or covering 10 may be provided with slide fastener means for ease of dressing or may be cut low so that the back is partly covered by the rear part of the brassiere.

In Fig. 2 the assembled bathing suit is shown as worn. The bodice part 18 is undermost and the shell 10 is superimposed thereon, the two being maintained in relative position by cooperation of buttons 20 with buttonholes 14 and/or securing means, such as .hook and eye, 16a, 16b disposed at the center of the brassiere and shell, repectively. The breast pockets 17 of the brassiere are only partly visible above the framing or shaping portion 15, which is somewhat elastic or conformable to the wearers breast to afford additional up-lift therefor. Thus, the bathing suit 10a appears to be an integral article, since the line of demarcation between the brassiere and the shell is not immediately apparent tothe observer. If desired, the shoulder strap 21 may beworn, as shown in dotand-dash lines and is held in place by buttonsholes'22 with buttons 20.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a modified brassiere 23 .of a material whose color is incontrast with that of the-shell 25, said brassiere'being provided with ruflied breast pocket portions 24. I

A shell 25 of any convenient configuration, such as a gown, dress and the like, shown in dot-'and-dash tlines, is of conventional outward appearance except for the elastic framing strap-portion 26 which dips below the bust line to expose the ornamental portion of the brassiere 23 and forms an up-lift therefor in applied condition. The brassiere 23 is provided with buttons 27 at its upper ends which engage with buttonholes' providedin the shell .or like garment part for securing the same to each other. The shell and brassiere forming two separate elements, when assembled, give thus the appearance of a single integral article of clothing.

In Fig. 4 a shoulder and sleeve support 30 .is shown, which "has two sleeves 28 provided with buttorihdlesZQ-for seeurement to the buttons 27 of the brassiere in a manner previously described. The sleeves are interconnected by a back member 30a which together with the sleeves 28 has a boleroor jacket-like appearance. In place of the shoulder strap 21 these interconnected sleeves may be worn with the brassiere to provide additional support while simultaneously affording a decorative effect.

Fig. shows the shell combined with the modified brassiere 23 and with the support 30.

By interchanging the brassiere 16 and 23 while retain- 'ing the bathing suit forming shell 10 the bathing suit as worn will have a completely different outer appearance. Conversely, by interchanging shells 10 while retaining the same brassiere a different appearance will result. Similarly, other garment shells may be substituted for the bathing suit shell to prepare for street wear.

In this manner the "shells which require a comparatively large amount of material may be manufactured in but a few sizes since there is little variation in the torso size of individuals. The brassiere requirements, however, vary widely and the demands are quite stringent. Accordingly, the brassieres "may be manufactured in a multiplicity of sizes varying in girth and pocket size (A to C cups), many of which are employable in conjunction with a single size of shell. In this manner minor weight variations can be accommodated by alteration or replacement of the brassiere while the shell need not be modified, thereby effecting a considerable economy.

At the same time the wearer is ensured of the bust support of a well made brassiere even in sport clothes and may'incorporate additional up-lift support whether in the form of a shoulder strap 21 and/or of the elasticized strap portions or 26.

Of equal importance is the fact that the brassiere may be worn externally in street clothes as well as with sport clothes, as shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, the brassiere can be worn as a separate top with shorts or a skirt, in the latter instance being particularly suited even for formal wear when worn with the removable sleeve and shoulder support of Fig. 4.

Even without considering the many possible combinations permitted by interchanging the shoulder supports, it can be seen that a wardrobe of but two brassieres, two bathing suit shells and two dress shells would permit four bathing suit combinations and four street wear combinations while additionally permitting the brassieres to be worn with other ensembles either exposed or partly below a blouse or dress. In this manner, a great number of possible ensembles may be made up with a few of such elements so that in travelling, for instance, the amount of clothing to be taken along on a trip could be considerably reduced.

When the articles are worn together, the manner of assembly is not readily apparent, but nonetheless it is possible to have the measurements of a brassiere made up to the particular specifications of the wearer. Consequently, only a few well-made brassieres will be required while the same may be realized in all types of ensembles which may otherwise be composed of less expensive garment elements.

The ease and speed of changing from one ensemble to another are also enhanced so that the novel garments are particularly suited for theatrical personnel, who must travel light, must provide for many changes of clothing,

and must be capable of changing clothes quickly.

In place of buttons and buttonholes other types of fastening means or interengageable formations might be employed such as slide fasteners, snaps, hooks and eyes, and the like. If desired a separate set of fastening means may be provided for incorporating the shoulder support with the brassieres, which separate sets may be similar or dissimilar to the set for securing the shell with the brassiere.

The color and design of the shells or of the brassieres may be varied in accordance with the current fashion trendsand only portions of a garment will have tube replaced as styles change. The particular brassieres employed in conjunction with any given shell may be made of the same or dissimilar materials as well as of the same or contrasting colors.

The auxiliary brassiere supporting means, whether a shoulder strap or a pair of integrally interconnected sleeves, may be made reversible so that one face conforms in color with the shell while the other face is of a contrasting color. Consequently, a particularly desirable manner of retailing the novel garment constitutes the sale of a bathing suit or jumper shell in one of three basic sizes, viz., small, medium or large. In addition a reversible shoulder strap and sleeves would be sold therewith, together with a set of brassieres conforming with the colors of the reversible auxiliary brassiere supporting means. The brassieres would be sold, however, by girth and breast pocket size so that an exact fit would be had along the bustline where adequate support is not afforded by an elasticized material alone.

Accordingly, there has been provided a garment coinprising a strapless brassiere having two breast cups fitted to the wearers bust, a garment shell provided with a cut out defining the neckline of the garment shell and extending from said brassiere therebelow, elastic means positioned along said cutout, and complementary fastening means on said brassiere and on said garment shell for connecting the latterlto said brassiere and for removal therefrom, said elastic means being disposed to extend approximately at the level, of the horizontal center line passing through said breast cups, whereby .theremainder of the latter are exposed to view, said breast cups being covered with decorative material enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the entire garment when said garment shell is connected to said brassiere, said elastic means affording additional lift-up support to the wearers bust below said center line of said breast cups.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that such obvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claim.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

A garment comprising a first complete garment piece in the form of a strapless brassiere having a bodice and two breast cups adapted to be fitted to the wearers bust, a second complete garment piece forming a garment shell and provided with an arcuate concave shaped elastic shaping edge defining the upper front edge of said garment shell and extending in superposed relation to said bodice when the brassiere is fitted on the wearers bust, and complementary fastening means on adjacent uppermost ends of said brassiere and said garment shell for connecting the latter to said brassiere and for removal therefrom, said elastic shaping edge having a median por tion located approximately at the level of the horizontal center line passing through said breast cups, while the remainder of the latter are exposed to view, when said second garment piece is connected to said first garment piece in superposed relation, said elastic shaping edge engaging said breast cups and affording additional lift-up support to the wearers bust at said breast cups.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 51,602 McGowan Dec. 18, 1917 700,801 Niederauer May 27, 1902 1,238,070 Wiesel Aug. 21, 1917 2,457,624 Laszlo July 12, 1949 2,531,994 Stain Nov. 28, 1950 2,537,206 Caputo Ian. 9, 1951 2,584,556 Cousins Feb. 5, 1952 2,654,091 Nelson Oct. 6,1953 2,671,218 Luhr Mar. 9, 1954

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