AU2013100481A4 - Garment - Google Patents

Abstract

A knitted garment, the garment comprising seamlessly connected knitted zones comprising: a first functional knitted zone forming a left lower edge portion for supporting the left cup knitted zone and a right lower edge portion for supporting the right cup knitted zone; a second functional knitted zone positioned adjacent to at least part of the first functional knitted zone; wherein at least a part of the second functional knitted zone is positioned between one of the lower edge portions and one of the cup knitted zones; wherein the first functional knitted zone provides a higher compression strength for supporting a wearer than the compression strength of the second functional knitted zone; and wherein the knitted garment further comprises a downwardly dependent portion for covering at least a part of an abdominal region of the wearer's body. Figure 15 A. c-, 12-11 F16 sCu 312-A i~316 ,37 '10 _ 1Z" Co

Description

I A Garment TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a seamlessly knitted garment. More particularly, the present invention relates to garments having a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying elasticity for providing varying levels of compression strength to support different regions of a wearer's body. BACKGROUNDART Some women have soft tissue in different regions of their bodies that result in rendering a shapeless and undesirable appearance to their bodies when wearing certain articles of clothing. Women also desire to accentuate visual appearance of soft tissue in certain regions of their bodies such as the breast region and the buttock region. Foundation garments, also known as shapewear garments, such as corsets have been previously produced and worn to address such issues and desires. The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the apparatus and method as disclosed herein. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In one broad aspect of the disclosure there is provided a seamlessly knitted garment for supporting regions of a wearer's body, the garment comprising a first functional knitted zone having a first elasticity; a second functional knitted zone adjacent to at least the first functional knitted zone and having a second elasticity; a third functional knitted zone adjacent to at least the second functional knitted zone and having a third elasticity; wherein the first functional knitted zone provides a higher compression strength for supporting a first region of a wearer's body than the second functional knitted zone and the third functional knitted zone for supporting a second region and a third region of the wearer's body respectively, to redistribute and/or provide a pre-determined contour to soft tissue of respective regions.

2 In an embodiment the seamlessly knitted garment the first functional knitted zone has a closeness of stitch that is different from a closeness of stitch of the second functional knitted zone and is different from a closeness of stitch of the third functional knitted zone. In an embodiment a difference between the closeness of stitch of the first functional knitted zone and the closeness of stitch of the second functional knitted zone is at least 10 stitches/cm. In an embodiment the first, second and third functional knitted zones are adjacent to one another. In an embodiment, the garment comprises a brassiere and wherein the first region is positioned between a left cup knitted zone and a right cup knitted zone, the first functional knitted zone extending into and forming a lower edge portion of both the left breast cup zone and the right breast cup zone; and wherein the left breast cup zone and the right breast cup zone are at least a part of the third functional knitted zone. In an embodiment, the first functional knitted zone is knitted into a honeycomb knit pattern and the second functional knitted zone is knitted into a linear knit pattern. In an embodiment, the garment comprises a pair of leggings or knickers and wherein the first region is positioned between a left knitted supporting zone and a right knitted supporting zone, the first functional knitted zone extending into and forming a lower edge portion of both the left knitted supporting zone and the right knitted supporting zone; and wherein the left buttock zone and the right buttock zone are at least a part of the third functional knitted zone. In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a seamlessly knitted brassiere for supporting at least the breast region of a wearer's body, the brassiere comprising a first functional knitted zone positioned between a left cup knitted zone and a right cup knitted zone, the first functional knitted zone bifurcating into and forming a lower edge portion of both the left cup knitted zone and the right cup knitted zone; and a second functional knitted zone positioned adjacent to inwardly with reference to the first functional knitted zone; wherein the first functional knitted zone provides a higher compression strength for supporting a first region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength of the -3 second functional knitted zone for supporting a second region of the wearer's body and with reference to the breast cup zones supporting the breast region of wearer's body. In an embodiment of the brassiere, the first functional knitted zone includes a first arcuate section forming the first lower edge and a second arcuate section forming the second lower edge, wherein the arcuate sections enable supporting a breast region of the wearer. In an embodiment of the brassiere, the left cup knitted zone and the right cup knitted zone together comprise a third functional knitted zone. In an embodiment of the brassiere, the first functional knitted zone includes a honeycomb knit pattern. In an embodiment of the brassiere, the second functional knitted zone includes a linear knit pattern. In a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a seamlessly knitted pair of leggings or knickers for supporting at least a buttock region of a wearer's body, the leggings comprising: a first functional knitted zone positioned between a left gluteus knitted zone and a right gluteus knitted zone, the first functional knitted zone bifurcating into and forming a lower edge portion of both the left knitted supporting zone and the right knitted supporting zone; and a second functional knitted zone positioned inwardly of and adjacent to the first functional knitted zone; wherein the first functional knitted zone provides a higher compression strength for supporting a first region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength of the second functional knitted zone for supporting a second region of the wearer's body and with reference to the left and right gluteus knitted zones supporting the buttock region of a wearer's body. In an embodiment of the leggings, the first functional knitted zone includes a first arcuate section forming the first lower edge and a second arcuate section forming the second lower edge, wherein the arcuate sections enable supporting a buttock region of the wearer. In an embodiment of the leggings, the left gluteus knitted zone and a right gluteus knitted zone together comprise a third functional knitted zone.

4 In an embodiment of the leggings, the first functional knitted zone includes a honeycomb knit pattern. In an embodiment of the leggings, the second functional knitted zone includes a linear knit pattern. In a still further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a seamlessly knitted shapewear garment including the brassiere and/or the pair of leggings or knickers as set out above. In an embodiment, the seamlessly knitted garment may be a one-piece shapewear suit. In yet another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a seamlessly knitted garment for supporting soft tissue of a wearer's body, the garment comprising: a first functional knitted zone positioned obliquely with reference to the wearer and extending in a direction from one side of a wearer to another side of a user; and a second functional knitted zone located adjacent to the first functional knitted zone; wherein the first functional knitted zone provides a higher compression strength for supporting a first region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength of the second functional knitted zone for supporting a second region of the wearer's body. In an embodiment the first functional zone includes a first portion extending in a direction from a left side of a wearer's body to a right side of a wearer's body and a second portion extending in a direction from the right side of a wearer's body to the left side of a user's body. In another embodiment, the first functional zone includes one section that is generally "C" shaped or generally "U shaped" or generally "V shaped". In another embodiment, the first functional zone includes two sections, a first section and a second section, the first section extending in a first direction and the second section extending in a second direction, wherein the first direction is opposite with reference to the second direction. In another embodiment, the first portion and the second portion intersect each other.

In another embodiment, the first functional zone is generally "X" shaped. In another aspect, there is provided a knitted garment, the garment comprising seamlessly connected knitted zones comprising: a first functional knitted zone forming a left lower edge portion for supporting the left cup knitted zone and a right lower edge portion for supporting the right cup knitted zone; a second functional knitted zone positioned adjacent to at least part of the first functional knitted zone; wherein at least a part of the second functional knitted zone is positioned between one of the lower edge portions and one of the cup knitted zones; wherein the first functional knitted zone provides a higher compression strength for supporting a wearer than the compression strength of the second functional knitted zone; and wherein the knitted garment further comprises a downwardly dependent portion for covering at least a part of an abdominal region of the wearer's body. In an embodiment, the second functional provides a higher compression strength for supporting a wearer than the compression strength of the left and right cup knitted zones. In an embodiment, the downwardly dependent portion extends down to at least a thigh region of the wearer. In an embodiment, the garment comprises at least one shoulder strap for supporting the garment wherein a length of at least one said shoulder strap is adjustable by an adjustment mechanism. In an embodiment, the garment comprises a front portion with a left front part located on a left hand side of the front portion, the back portion with a left back part located on a left hand side of the back portion and a right back part located on a right hand side of the back portion wherein at least one strap is attached to the front portion and/or the back portion. In an embodiment, at least one strap is connected to the left front part or the right front part and is also connected to the left back part or the right back part. In an embodiment, the garment is adapted to releasably retain a first cup insert in the left cup knitted zone; and adapted to retain a second cup in the right cup knitted zone and wherein the garment comprises a first opening in the left cup zone for removal of the first cup insert and a second opening in the right cup zone for removal of the second cup insert. 424R115 1 /flM~nri P91A5A Al2 6 In an embodiment, the downwardly depending knitted portion comprises a side supporting knitted zone positioned at least partially below the cup knitted zones for supporting a side part of a wearer's body, at least a first part of the side supporting knitted zone extending from a back portion of the garment around both sides of the garment; wherein at least a second part of the side supported knitted zone is located adjacent to the first functional knitted zone wherein the side supporting knitted zone provides a lower compression strength to a wearer than the first functional zone; and the downwardly dependent portion further comprises a downwardly extending knitted zone located below the side supported zone, wherein the downwardly extending knitted zone provides a lower compression strength to a wearer than the side supported knitted zone. In an embodiment, the garment further comprises an intermediate knitted zone that is located intermediate of the side supporting knitted zone and the downwardly extending knitted zone, wherein the intermediate zone provides a lower compression strength than the side supporting zone and a higher compression strength than the downwardly extending zone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the apparatus and method as set forth in the summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a brassiere. Figure 2 shows a back view of the first embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a brassiere. Figures 3(a) to (c) show a side, front and rear perspective view (respectively) of the first embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a brassiere. Figures 4 shows enlarged views of several functional knitted zones of the first embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a brassiere. Figure 5 shows a knitted strip forming the brassiere "blanks" for the seamless garments formed on a circular knitting machine.

I Figure 6 shows a rear view of a third embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a pair of slimming leggings. Figure 7 shows a front view of the slimming leggings of Fig. 6. Figure 8 shows a side view of the slimming leggings of Fig. 6. Figure 9 shows a rear view of a second embodiment of slimming leggings. Figure 10 shows a front view of the second embodiment of slimming leggings of Figure 9. Figure 11 shows a front view of a fourth embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a one piece shapewear garment. Figure 12 shows a back view of the one piece shapewear garment of Fig. 10. Figure 13 shows a front view of a garment in the form of a camisole. Figure 14 shows a rear view of the camisole of Figure 13. Figure 15 shows a front view of a garment in the form of a slip. Figure 16 shows a rear view of the slip. Figure 17 shows a front view of the slip with shoulder straps configured in a criss cross configuration and removable cup inserts. Figure 18 shows a rear view of the slip with shoulder straps configured in a criss cross configuration. Figure 19 shows a front view of the slip with shoulder straps configured in a single strap configuration. Figure 20 shows a rear view of the slip with shoulder straps configured in a single strap configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a first embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a seamlessly knitted brassiere 10 with a plurality of functional knitted zones of different elasticities is shown. The brassiere 10 includes a leftwardly located left cup knitted zone in the form of left cup 3 and rightwardly located right cup zone in form of right cup 5, wherein the left cup 3 and right cup 5 are separated by a central cleavage area. The left cup knitted zone 3 and the right cup knitted zone 5 each support soft tissue located in a left breast region and a right breast region of the wearer respectively. A first functional knitted zone 2 is, in part at least, centrally located between the left cup 3 and the right cup 5 in the breast cleavage area of the wearer and bifurcates under the left cup 3 and the right cup 5. The first functional knitted zone 2 has a relatively narrow cleavage strip which splits and bifurcates 8 into lower edge portions of both the left cup 3 and the right cup 5 in the form of arcuate left and right under cup portions, 2A and 2B, extending under the left and right cups, 3 and 5, respectively. Functional knitted zone 2 is knitted in a knitting pattern that is often referred to as a "honeycomb knit" pattern. The honeycomb knit pattern of the first functional knitted zone 2 is formed by different intersections of warp and filling of threads Typically, honeycomb knit require grouping of loosely and tightly intersecting threads which, in use, is particularly useful in providing compression strength for preferentially supporting and thus shaping soft tissue located in a breast region of a wearer. The closeness of knitting in the honeycomb pattern is in the range of 110 stitches/cm to 120 stitches/cm. A second functional knitted zone 4 is positioned at a lower marginal edge of each cup 3 and 5 adjacent to the arcuate right and left undercup portions 2A, 2B of the first functional knitted zone 2. A right part 4A of the second functional knitted zone 4 is located inwardly from and adjacent to right arcuate undercup portion 2A and a left part 4B of the second functional knitted zone is located inwardly from and adjacent to left arcuate undercup portion 2B. Functional knitted zone 4 is knitted in a pattern often referred to as a "vertical knit" pattern. The closeness of knitting in the vertical knit pattern is in the range of 50 stitches/cm to 60 stitches/cm. The second functional knitted zone 4 may also be further reinforced by inclusion of a tight reinforced vertical knit, relative to a soft knit knit of the left and right breast cups 3, 5. A "soft knit knit" is knitted on a vertical tram line on a single horizontal knit. The brassiere further includes a chest band 6 which is located at a position below the first functional knitted zone 2. The chest band 6 is seamlessly knitted in a "tight box" knit pattern with closeness of knitting being in the range of 90 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm. The chest band 6 encircles the wearer's torso for positioning and securing the brassiere around the wearer's body. Advantageously the honeycomb knit pattern in the first functional knitted zone 2 provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting the breast region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the linear knit pattern in the second functional knitted zone 4. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing knit patterns in adjoining areas. Furthermore, the soft knit knit in breast cups 3 and 5 provides a compression strength that is lesser than both the first functional knitted zone and the second functional knitted zone. Providing a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression for supporting soft tissue in the 9 breast region provides a function of providing compressing, re-positioning and/or uplifting soft tissue in the breast region that contacts the first functional knitted zone 2. The second functional knitted zone provides a function of contouring soft tissue in a preferred upward direction. The difference in functionality between the first functional knitted zone 2 and the second functional knitted zone 4 is provided by their difference in knitting patterns. The breast cups 3 and 5 provide the least extent of compression with reference to the first functional knitted zone 2 and the second functional knitted zone 4 providing adequate support for soft tissue in the breast region of a wearer's body. The provision of such functional knitted zones provides a lifting effect to the breast region of the wearer, including by repositioning some soft tissue to more desired location(s). The provision of the first functional knitted zone 2 with a honeycomb knit pattern at a location in between left cup 3 and right cup 5 provides a significantly higher degree of compression strength in the central region of the wearer's breast region in comparison to the support provided the soft knit pattern in the breast cups 3 and 5 to the wearer's left and right breast portions. Providing such a difference in compression strength advantageously enables a cleavage enhancing function. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a back view of the brassiere with a plurality of functional knitted zones is shown. An "X shaped" third functional knitted zone 8 with a "bold vertical knit pattern" with the closeness of knit being in the range of 70 stitches/cm to 80 stitches/cm. The "X shaped" third functional knitted zone 8 spans from a shoulder region to a lower posterior thoracic region forming an "X shaped" functional knitted zone across the wearer's back is provided for supporting soft tissue in the back region. A pair of "C shaped" functional knitted zones 12 (12A and 12B) are located on either side of the X shaped functional knitted zone 8 and span from an under arm region of the wearer to centre of the wearer's back region. The closeness of stitch in the "C shaped" functional knitted zone 12 is in the range of 40 stitches/cm to 50 stitches/cm. The first pair of triangular shaped functional knitted zones 12 (12A and 12B) are knitted into a "loose vertical knit" and provide support to soft tissue to the wearer's back region. Undercup portions 2A and 2B extend from the undercup region of the wearer into underarm sections 2C and 2D respectively and are located adjacent to the first triangular functional knitted zone 12. Advantageously the underarm sections are also knitted with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 110 stitches/cm to 120 stitches/cm providing a "tight knit pattern The compression strength provided by the 10 "tight knit pattern" of the underarm sections 2C and 2D is greater than the compression strength provided by the "loose vertical knit" of the first triangular functional knitted zone. Such a difference in extent of compression strength provides a significant advantage of contouring and shaping soft tissue (including excessive soft tissue) in the wearer's under arm region supported by underarm sections 2C and 2D with soft tissue in the back region being supported by the first triangular functional knitted zone 12. Provision of a plurality of functional knitted zones to provide varying levels of compression support in different regions of the wearer's back is especially useful providing an aesthetically appealing contoured appearance by selectively compressing and supporting soft tissue around the under arm region of the wearer's body. A seamlessly knitted garment with a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression support enables a wearer to appear visually slimmer whilst wearing this garment. The garment presents an added advantage of creating a seamless smooth line from the top of the wearer's torso to the waist region eliminating unsightly bulges in the side and back area which would usually show through the clothing of a wearer whilst wearing a garment from the prior art. According to the present invention, a strip forming a bra "blank" for the brassiere 10 shown in Figure 5 is formed on a circular knitting machine. The machine preferably has a fully computerised electronic needle and yarn feed selection system.. The plurality of functional knitted zones, namely the first functional knitted zone 2 including the undercup portions 2A and 2B and the underarm sections 2C and 2D, the second knitted functional knitted zone 4 including the right part 4A and the left part 4B and the left cup functional knitted zone 3 and right cup functional knitted zone 5 forming a front panel 200 is shown. The back panel 300 including the "X shaped" third functional knitted zone 8 and the "C shaped" functional knitted zone 12 is also shown. The plurality of functional knitted zones for the brassiere 10 are integrally knitted, and they provide varying degrees of compression strength to various regions of the wearer's body. One non-limiting example of a suitable stretch yam is a Spandex covered with multifilament nylon or other similar yam in the range of 20 Denier to about 140 Denier. More preferably, the yarn is in the range of 30 to 50 Denier. Preferably the filament count is in the range of 10 filaments to about 100 filaments. More preferably, the filament count is in the range of 30 to 80 filaments. Referring to Figures 6 to 8 a third embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a seamlessly knitted pair of slimming leggings 30 with a plurality of functional 11 knitted zones is shown. The slimming leggings include a left knitted supporting zone in the form of left gluteus knitted zone 33 and right knitted supporting zone in form of right gluteus knitted zone 35, wherein the left gluteus knitted zone 33 and the right gluteus knitted zone 35 are separated by a central section. The left gluteus knitted zone 33 and the right gluteus knitted zone 35 support soft tissue in a left buttock region and a right buttock region of a wearer. A first functional knitted zone 32 is centrally located between the left gluteus knitted zone 33 and the right gluteus knitted zone 35 and bifurcates under respective left gluteus knitted zone 33 and right gluteus knitted zone 35. The first functional knitted zone 32 has a relatively narrow strip which splits into arcuate under-buttock portions 32A and 32B respectively. Functional knitted zone 32 is knitted into knitting patterns often known as a "honeycomb knit" pattern. The honeycomb knit pattern in the first functional knitted zone 32 is formed by different intersections of warp and filling of threads. Typically, honeycomb knits require grouping of loosely and tightly intersecting threads which in use is particularly useful in providing compression strength for preferentially supporting and thus shaping soft tissue located in a buttock region of a wearer. The closeness of stitching in the first functional knitted zone 32 is in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 200 stitches/cm. A second functional knitted zone 34 is positioned adjacent to and located inwardly in relation to the arcuate under-buttock portions 32A and 32B of the first functional knitted zone 32. A right part 34A of the second functional knitted zone 34 is located to adjacent to under buttock portion 32A and a left part 34B of the second functional knitted zone 34 is located adjacent to second arcuate under-buttock portion 32B. Functional knitted zone 34 is knitted into knitting patterns often known as a "vertical knit pattern". The gluteus knitted zones 33 and 35 are each knitted in knitting patterns known in the art as a "double layered stitch" with a closeness of stitch in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 200 stitches/cm. Functional zone 31 is knitted at a location in between a waist band 36 and the first functional knitted zone 32. The waist band 36 is seamlessly knitted in a "tight box" or turn over welt single" stitch pattern with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 50 stitches/cm to 150 stitches/cm and encircles the wearer's torso for positioning and securing the brassiere to around the wearer's body. Legs 37 and 39 extend downwardly from gluteus zones 35 and 33 respectively and are knitted by a double layered single stitch or soft knit type stitch. The closeness of stitch in the functional knitted zone 31 is in the range of 70 stitches/cm to 150 stitches/cm. The functional knitted zones 31 is knitted into a "single stitch pattern" and provides support to soft tissue to 12 the wearer's posterior region. Functional zone 31 also extends to support an anterior portion of the wearer's body. Advantageously the honeycomb knit pattern in the first functional knitted zone 32 provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting the buttock region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the linear knit pattern in the second knitted functional knitted zone 34. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing knit patterns and/or stitching patterns and/or stitching parameters in adjoining functional knitted zones in the garment. Furthermore, the buttock zones 33 and 35 provides a compression strength that is lesser than both the first functional knitted zone 32 and the second functional knitted zone 34. Providing a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression for supporting soft tissue in the posterior region of the user's body provides a function of providing compressing re-positioning and/or uplifting soft tissue in the buttock region that contacts the first functional knitted zone 32. The second functional knitted zone provides a function of contouring soft tissue in a preferred upward direction. The difference in functionality between the first functional knitted zone 32 and the second functional knitted zone 34 is provided by their difference in knitting patterns and/or stitching patterns and/or stitching parameters. The buttock zones 33 and 35 provide the least extent of compression with reference to the first functional knitted zone 32 and the second functional knitted zone 34 providing adequate support for soft tissue in the buttock region of a wearer's body. The provision of functional knitted zones 32 and 34 provides a lifting effect to the buttock region of the wearer, by repositioning some soft tissue to more desired location(s) The provision of the first functional knitted zone 32 knit pattern at a location in between buttock zone 33 and the right buttock zone 35 provides a significantly higher degree of compression strength in the central region of the wearer's buttock region in comparison to the support provided the soft knit knit pattern in the buttock regions 33 and 35 to the wearer's left and right buttock regions. Providing such a difference in compression strength advantageously also enables a buttock cleavage enhancing function. Another embodiment of the slimming leggings is shown in Figures 9 and 10. Like reference numerals denote like features as explained in preceding sections and will not be repeated. Referring particularly to Figures 10, a front view of the slimming pants 300 includes an anterior panel 310 with a plurality of functional knitted zones. An "X shaped" 1.3 functional knitted zone 308 with a "mock stitch pattern" with the closeness of knit being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm. The "X shaped" functional knitted zone 308 spans from a pelvic bone region of a first lateral side to an upper thigh region of a second lateral side of the user's body thereby forming an "X shaped" functional knitted zone across the wearer's anterior region for supporting soft tissue in the anterior region. A pair of triangular functional knitted zones 312 (312A and 312B) flank the X shaped functional zone 308 and are located on either side of the X shaped functional knitted zone 308. The closeness of stitch in the "triangular" functional knitted zone 312 is in the range of 70 stitches/cm to 150 stitches/cm. The triangular shaped functional knitted zones 312 (12A and 12B) are knitted into a "single stitch pattern" and provide support to soft tissue to the wearer's anterior region. Advantageously upper portions 308A and 308B of the X shaped region 308 extend into the posterior panel 320 of the slimming leggings 300. Triangular functional zones 312 A and 312B extend into the posterior panel 320 and advantageously intersect into one another to form a further functional knitted supporting an upper hip region of the user. As shown particularly but not exclusively in Figure 9, functional knitted zones 32, 312 and 308 provide varying degrees of support to the posterior region of a user's body thereby addressing undesirable appearance of bulges by providing a slimmer and appealing natural appearance to a user. The anterior panel 310 and the posterior panel 320 are joined together to form a gusset. The first functional knitted zone 32 that bifurcates under respective left gluteus knitted zone 33 and right gluteus knitted zone 35 further extends into the anterior panel 310 and forms an upper thigh supporting portion 32C. According to the present invention, a strip forming a "blank" for the slimming leggings 30 and slimming leggings 300 mat also be formed on a circular knitting machine preferably having a fully computerised electronic needle and yarn feed selection system.. The plurality of functional knitted zones of the slimming leggings 30 and 300 are integrally knitted and provide varying degrees of compression strength to various regions of the wearer's body. The stretch yarn is a Spandex covered with multifilament nylon in the range of 20 denier to about 100 Denier. More preferably, the spandex is in the range of 20 to 80 Denier. Preferably the filament count is in the range of 10 filaments to about 100 filaments. More preferably, the filament count is in the range of 30 to 50 filaments. Referring to Figures 11 and 12 a fourth embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a seamlessly knitted one piece shape-wear garment 100 with a plurality of 14 functional knitted zones of different elasticities is shown. The one piece shape-wear garment 100 includes a left cup knitted zone in the form of left cup 103 and right cup knitted zone in form of right cup 105, wherein the left cup 103 and the right cup 105 are separated by a central cleavage area. The left cup knitted zone 103 and the right cup knitted zone 105 each support soft tissue located in a left breast region and a right breast region of the wearer respectively. A first functional knitted zone 102 is located in between the left cup 103 and the right cup 105 in the cleavage area and bifurcates under respective left and right cups. The first functional knitted zone 102 has a relatively narrow cleavage strip that splits into arcuate undercup portions 102A and 102B respectively. Functional knitted zone 102 is knitted into knitting patterns often as a "honeycomb knit" pattern. The honeycomb knitted pattern in the first functional knitted zone 102 is formed by different intersections of warp and filling of threads. Typically, honeycomb knits require grouping of loosely and tightly intersecting threads which in. use is particularly useful in providing compression strength for preferentially supporting and thus shaping soft tissue located in a breast region of a wearer. The closeness of stitching in the first functional zone 102 is in the range of 110 stitches/cm to 120 stitches/cm. A second functional knitted zone 104 of the breast region is positioned at a lower marginal edge of each cup 103 and 104 adjacent to the arcuate undercup portions 102A and 102B of the first functional knitted zone 102. A right part 104A of the second functional knitted zone 104 is located to adjacent to arcuate undercup portion 102A and a left part 104B of the second functional knitted zone is located adjacent to the left arcuate undercup portion 102B. Functional knitted zone 104 is knitted into knitting patterns by way of employing a hold stitch pattern" with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 100 stitches/cm to 150 stiches/cm. Breast cups 103 and 105 are each knitted by employing a double layered single stitch with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 100 stiches/cm Advantageously the first functional knitted zone 102 provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting the breast region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the linear knit pattern in the second functional knitted zone 104. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing stitching patterns in adjoining areas supporting tissue in the user's body. Furthermore, the double layered single knit in breast cups 103 and 105 provides a compression strength that is lesser than both the first functional knitted zone 102 and the second functional knitted zone 104.

15 Providing a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression for supporting soft tissue in the breast region provides a function of providing compressing, repositioning and/or uplifiting soft tissue in the breast region that contacts the first functional knitted zone 102. The second functional knitted zone 104 provides a function of contouring soft tissue in a preferred upward direction. The difference in functionality between the first functional knitted zone 102 and the second functional knitted zone 104 is provided by their difference in knitting patterns. The breast cup zones 103 and 105 provide the least extent of compression with reference to the first functional knitted zone 102 and the second functional knitted zone 104 providing adequate support for soft tissue in the breast region of a wearer's body. The provision of such functional knitted zones provides a lifting effect to the breast region of the wearer, including by repositioning some soft tissue to more desired locations The provision of the first functional knitted zone 102 at a location in between left cup 103 and right cup 105 provides a significantly higher degree of compression strength in the central region of the wearer's breast region in comparison to the support provided the soft knit pattern in the breast cups 103 and 105 to the wearer's left and right breast portions. Providing such a difference in compression strength advantageously also enables a breast cleavage enhancing function. Another functional knitted zone 107 for the wearer's abdominal region is provided to support soft tissue in a left abdominal oblique area 107A, right abdominal oblique area 107B and back region of a wearer. Each of the functional knitted zones 107A and 107B extends in an upward direction from a left hip and right hip respectively and wraps around the left and right oblique regions, and is separated by a further functional knitted zone 109 located intermediate of the other functional knitted zones 107A and 107B. The further functional knitted zone 107 is also knitted into honeycomb pattern with closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 250 stitches/cm. Functional knitted zone 109 is knitted by using a single stitch pattern with the closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 200 stitches/cm. Advantageously the functional knitted zone 107 provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting soft tissue in the lateral oblique regions of wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the soft knit pattern in functional knitted zone 109. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing knit patterns in adjoining areas of the wearer's body. Such a difference in compression strength provides a greater degree of restriction of soft tissue in problem areas such as lateral 16 oblique areas in the abdominal region of a wearer's body and contours soft tissue with the midriff thereby providing a shape enhancing function. Referring to Figure 12, a back view of the one piece shape-wear garment with a plurality of functional knitted zones is shown. An "X shaped" functional knitted zone 108 with a "bold vertical knit pattern" with a closeness of stitch in the range of 50 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm spanning from a shoulder region to an lower posterior thoracic region forming an "X shaped" functional knitted zone across the wearer's back is provided for supporting soft tissue in the back region. A pair of "triangular" functional knitted zones 112 (12A and 12B) located on either side of the X shaped functional knitted zone 108 spans from an under arm region of the wearer to centre of the wearer's back region. The triangular shaped functional knitted zones 112 (112A and 112B) are knitted into a "loose vertical knit" with a closeness of stitch in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm. The triangular functional knitted zone 112 provides support to soft tissue located in the wearer's back region. The compression strength provided by the "tight knit pattern" of the second triangular functional knitted zone 112 is greater than the compression strength provided by the "loose vertical knit" of the first triangular functional knitted zone. Such a difference in extent of compression strength provides a significant advantage of contouring and shaping soft tissue (including excessive soft tissue) in the wearer's under arm region supported by the second triangular functional knitted zone 14 with the soft tissue being supported by the first triangular functional knitted zone 12. The first functional knitted zone 102 knitted in a honeycomb knit pattern also extends into an under arm portions 102C and 102D respectively from arcuate undercup portions 102A and 102B respectively. It is to be appreciated in the preferred embodiment depicted particularly in Figure 12, the generally "X" shaped zone includes two sections. It is to be appreciated by a skilled person that each of the two sections may also be configured to be generally "C shaped" or "U shaped" or "V shaped" extending in mutually opposite directions. Therefore, the exact shape of each of the sections is not limited to the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments. Advantageously, the honeycomb knit pattern enables greater support to soft tissue in the wearer's respective under arm regions. Provision of a plurality of functional knitted zones 108 and 112 to provide varying levels of compression support in different regions of the wearer's back and are particularly useful in providing a desirable contoured appearance by '/ selectively compressing and supporting soft tissue around the under arm region and back region of the wearer's body. A seamlessly knitted one-piece shapewear garment with a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression support enables a wearer to appear visually slimmer whilst wearing this garment. The garment presents an added advantage of creating a seamless smooth line from the top of the wearer's torso to the waist region eliminating unsightly bulges in the side and back area which would usually show through the clothing of a wearer whilst wearing a garment from the prior art. The one piece shapewear garment also includes a leftwardly located buttock supporting knitted zone in the form of left buttock zone 123 for supporting a left buttock region of a wearer and a rightwardly located buttock-supporting zone in form of right right knitted buttock zone 125 for supporting a right buttock region of a wearer wherein the left buttock zone 123 and the right buttock zone 125 are separated by a central cleavage area. A functional knitted zone 122 in part at least is centrally located in between the left buttock zone 123 and the right buttock zone 125 in the cleavage area and bifurcates under respective left buttock zone 123 and right buttock zone 125. The functional knitted zone 122 has a relatively narrow cleavage strip which splits into arcuate under-buttock portions 122A and 122B extending under left buttock zone 123 and right buttock zone 125 respectively. Functional knitted zone 122 is knitted into knitting patterns stitched with a closeness of stitch being in the range 20 stitches/cm to 200 stitches/cm. The use of such stitching is particularly useful in providing compression strength for supporting and shaping soft tissue located in a buttock region of a wearer. A second functional knitted zone 124 is positioned adjacent to the arcuate under buttock portions 122A and 122B of the first functional knitted zone 122. A first part 124A of the second functional knitted zone 124 is located to adjacent to arcuate edge portion 122A and a second part 124B of the second functional knitted zone is located adjacent to second arcuate edge portion 122B. Functional knitted zone 124 is knitted into knitting patterns known in the art as a "vertical knit pattern". Functional knitted zone 24 is also reinforced by way of including. Buttock zones 123 and 125 are each knitted into by using double layered single stitch pattern. The stitching pattern in the first functional knitted zone 122 provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting the buttock region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the linear knit pattern in the second functional knitted zone 18 124. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing knit patterns in adjoining functional knitted zones in the garment. Furthermore, the stitching patterns in buttock zones 123 and 125 provide a compression strength that is lesser than the first functional knitted zone 122 and the second functional knitted zone 124. Providing a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression provides a function of providing compressing and uplifiting soft tissue in the buttock region that contacts the first functional knitted zone 122. The second functional knitted zone 124 provides a function of contouring soft tissue in a preferred upward direction thereby providing an uplifting effect. The difference in functionality between the first functional knitted zone 122 and the second functional knitted zone 124 is provided by their difference in knitting patterns. The buttock zones 123 and 125 provide the least extent of compression with reference to the first functional knitted zone 122 and the second functional knitted zone 24 and help in providing a natural contoured appearance to buttocks of a wearer whilst also providing adequate support for soft tissue in the buttock region of a wearer's body. The provision of such functional knitted zones provides a supporting and lifting effect to the buttock region of the wearer. The provision of the first functional knitted zone 122 at a location in between buttock zone 123 and the right buttock zone 125 provides a significantly higher degree of compression strength in the central region of the wearer's buttock region in comparison to the support provided the soft knit knit pattern in the buttock regions 123 and 125 to the wearer's left and right buttock regions. Providing such a difference in compression strength advantageously enables a buttock shape enhancing function. Referring to Figures 13 and 14 another embodiment of a seamlessly knitted garment in the form of a seamlessly knitted camisole 500 with a plurality of functional knitted zones of different elasticities is shown. The camisole 500 includes a left cup knitted zone in the form of left cup 503 and right cup knitted zone in form of right cup 505, wherein the left cup 503 and the right cup 505 are separated by a central cleavage area. The left cup knitted zone 503 and the right cup knitted zone 505 each support soft tissue located in a left breast region and a right breast region of the wearer respectively. A first functional knitted zone 502 is located in between the left cup 503 and the right cup 505 in the cleavage area and bifurcates under respective left and right cups. The first functional knitted zone 502 has a relatively narrow cleavage strip that splits into arcuate undercup portions 502A and 502B respectively. Functional knitted zone 502 is knitted by employing a hold stitch. The functional knitted zone 19 102 is formed by different intersections of warp and filling of threads. The hold stitch type is particularly useful in providing compression strength for preferentially supporting and thus shaping soft tissue located in a breast region of a wearer. The closeness of stitching in the honeycomb knit pattern is in the range of 110 stitches/cm to 120 stitches/cm. A second functional knitted zone 504 of the breast region is positioned at a lower marginal edge of each cup 503 and 504 adjacent to the arcuate undercup portions 502A and 502B of the first functional knitted zone 502. A right part 504A of the second functional knitted zone 504 is located to adjacent to arcuate undercup portion 502A and a left part 504B of the second functional knitted zone is located adjacent to the left arcuate undercup portion 502B. Functional knitted zone 504 is knitted by way of employing a mock stitch with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 50 stitches/cm to 150 stiches/cm. Breast cups 503 and 505 are each knitted by employing a double layered single stitch with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 100 stiches/cm. Advantageously the first functional knitted zone 502 provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting the breast region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the linear knit pattern in the second functional knitted zone 504. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing stitching patterns in adjoining areas supporting tissue in the user's body. Furthermore, the double layered single knit in breast cups 503 and 505 provides a compression strength that is lesser than both the first functional knitted zone 502 and the second functional knitted zone 504. Providing a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression for supporting soft tissue in the breast region provides a function of providing compressing, repositioning and/or uplifiting soft tissue in the breast region that contacts the first functional knitted zone 502. The second functional knitted zone 504 provides a function of contouring soft tissue in a preferred upward direction. The difference in functionality between the first functional knitted zone 502 and the second functional knitted zone 504 is provided by their difference in knitting patterns. The breast cup zones 503 and 505 provide the least extent of compression with reference to the first functional knitted zone 502 and the second functional knitted zone 504 providing adequate support for soft tissue in the breast region of a wearer's body. The provision of such functional knitted zones provides a lifting effect to the breast region of the wearer, including by repositioning some soft tissue to more desired locations 20 The provision of the first functional knitted zone 502 at a location in between left cup 503 and right cup 505 provides a significantly higher degree of compression strength in the central region of the wearer's breast region in comparison to the support provided the soft knit knit pattern in the breast cups 503 and 505 to the wearer's left and right breast portions. Providing such a difference in compression strength advantageously also enables a cleavage enhancing function. Another functional knitted zone 507 for the wearer's abdominal region is provided to support soft tissue in a left abdominal oblique area 507A, right abdominal oblique area 507B and back region of a wearer. Each of the functional knitted zones 507A and 507B wraps around the left and right oblique regions, and is separated by a further functional knitted zone 509 located intermediate of the other functional knitted zones 507A and 507B. The further functional knitted zone 507 is also knitted by employing a tuck stitch with closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 250 stitches/cm. Functional knitted zone 509 is knitted by using a single stitch pattern with the closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 200 stitches/cm. Advantageously the functional knitted zone 507 provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting soft tissue in the lateral oblique regions of wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the soft knit pattern in functional knitted zone 509. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing knit patterns in adjoining areas of the wearer's body. Such a difference in compression strength provides a greater degree of restriction of soft tissue in problem areas such as lateral oblique areas in the abdominal region of a wearer's body and contours soft tissue with the midriff thereby providing a shape enhancing function. A further functional zone 515 is also provided to provide further support to the soft tissue in the breast region of a user's body. A first part 515A is located adjacent to arcuatre undercup portion 502A. Similarly a second part 515B is located to adjacent to arcuate undercup portion 502B. Referring to Figure 14, a back view of the one piece shape-wear garment with a plurality of functional knitted zones is shown. An "X shaped" functional knitted zone 508 is knitted by way of using a tuck stitch pattern with a closeness of stitch in the range of 50 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm spanning from a shoulder region to an lower posterior thoracic region forming an "X shaped" functional knitted zone across the wearer's back is provided for supporting soft tissue in the back region. A pair of "triangular" functional knitted zones 21 512 (512A and 512B) located on either side of the X shaped functional knitted zone 108 spans from an under arm region of the wearer to centre of the wearer's back region. The triangular shaped functional knitted zones 512 (512A and 512B) are knitted by using a double layer single stitch with a closeness of stitch in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm. The triangular functional knitted zone 512 provides support to soft tissue located in the wearer's back region. The compression strength provided by a double layer single stitch of the triangular functional knitted zone 512 is greater than the compression strength provided by the tuck type stitch of the first triangular functional knitted zone 508. Such a difference in extent of compression strength provides a significant advantage of contouring and shaping soft tissue (including excessive soft tissue) in the wearer's under arm region supported by a second "C shaped" functional knitted zone 514 with a first part 514A being located at a right under arm region of a user and a second part 514B being located at a left under arm region of a user. The first functional knitted zone 502 also extends into under arm portions 502C and 502D respectively from arcuate undercup portions 502A and 502B respectively. Advantageously, the under arm portions 502C and 502D enables greater support to soft tissue in the wearer's respective under arm regions. Provision of a plurality of functional knitted zones 508 and 512 to provide varying levels of compression support in different regions of the wearer's back and are particularly useful in providing a desirable contoured appearance by selectively compressing and supporting soft tissue around the under arm region and back region of the wearer's body. The functional knitted oblique zones 507A and 507B extend around the back of the user and join each other to form lower back supporting functional zone 507C. Functional zone 507C supports soft tissue in the lower back region of the wearer's body. A seamlessly knitted one-piece camisole with a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression support enables a wearer to appear visually slimmer whilst wearing this garment. The garment presents an added advantage of creating a seamless smooth line from the top of the wearer's torso to the waist region eliminating unsightly bulges in the side and back area which would usually show through the clothing of a wearer whilst wearing a garment from the prior art. Referring to Figures 15 to 20 an embodiment of a knitted garment in the form of a knitted undergarment slip 600 with a plurality of functional knitted zones of different elasticities is shown. The slip 600 includes a left cup knitted zone in the form of left cup zone 22 603 and right cup knitted zone in form of right cup zone 605, wherein the left cup 603 and the right cup 605 are separated by a central cleavage area. The left cup knitted zone 603 and the right cup knitted zone 605 each support soft tissue located in a left breast region and a right breast region of the wearer respectively. A first functional knitted zone 602 is partially located in between the left cup 603 and the right cup 605 in the cleavage area. A further functional knitted zone 601 which may have different elasticites is located adjacent to the first knitted zone 602. The first functional knitted zone 602 has a relatively narrow cleavage strip that splits into arcuate undercup portions 602A and 602B respectively. The first Functional knitted zone 602 may be for example be knitted by employing honeycomb type knitting pattern. The honeycomb type knitting is particularly useful in providing compression strength for preferentially supporting and thus shaping soft tissue located in a breast region of a wearer. The closeness of stitching in the honeycomb knit pattern may be in the range of 110 stitches/cm to 120 stitches/cm. A second functional knitted zone 604 of the breast region is positioned at a lower marginal edge of each cup 603 and 605 adjacent to the arcuate lower edge undercup portions 602A and 602B of the first functional knitted zone 602. A right part 604A of the second functional knitted zone 604 is located to adjacent arcuate undercup portion 602A and a left part 604B of the second functional knitted zone is located adjacent to the left arcuate undercup portion 602B. Second functional knitted zone 604 may be knitted for example by way of employing a linear knit stitch with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 50 stitches/cm to 150 stiches/cm. Breast cups 603 and 605 may be each knitted by employing a double layered single stitch knitting with a closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 100 stiches/cm. Advantageously the first functional knitted zone 602 with a honey comb knitting stitch provides a higher level of compression strength for supporting the breast region of the wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the linear knit stitch in the second functional knitted zone 604. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by using differing knitting stitches in adjoining areas supporting tissue in the user's body. Furthermore, the double layered single stitch knitting in breast cups 603 and 605 provides a compression strength that is lesser than both the first functional knitted zone 602 and the second functional knitted zone 604. Providing a plurality of functional knitted zones with varying levels of compression for supporting soft tissue in the breast region provides a 23 function of providing compressing, repositioning and/or uplifiting soft tissue in the breast region that contacts the first functional knitted zone 602. The second functional knitted zone 604 provides a function of contouring soft tissue in a preferred upward direction. This is achieved by having a compression strength between that of the two opposedly neighbouring knitted regions (first functional zone 602 and breast cup knitted zones 603 and 605). The difference in functionality between the first functional knitted zone 602 and the second functional knitted zone 604 is provided by their difference in compression strength. In this embodiment, this is at least in part achieved by the different respective knitting patterns. The breast cup zones 603 and 605 provide the least extent of compression with reference to the first functional knitted zone 602 and the second functional knitted zone 604 providing adequate support for soft tissue in the breast region of a wearer's body. The provision of such functional knitted zones provides a smoothly contoured lifting effect to the breast region of the wearer, including by repositioning some soft tissue to more desired locations. The provision of the first functional knitted zone 602 at a location in between left cup 603 and right cup 605 provides a significantly higher degree of compression strength in the central region of the wearer's breast region in comparison to the support provided the soft knitting pattern in the breast cups 603 and 605 to the wearer's left and right breast portions. Providing such a difference in compression strength may also enable a cleavage enhancing function. A downwardly dependent portion 615 extends downwardly and a front portion 615A of the downwardly extending dependent portion 615 covers an abdominal region of the wearer and back portion 615B covers the back region of the wearer. A side supporting functional knitted zone 612 is also provided within the downwardly dependent portion 615. A front portion 612C of the side supporting functional knitted zone 612 is provided for supporting soft tissue in the wearer's abdominal region. Advantageously, functional zone 612 during extends around a left side of the user's torso area and into the back area of the user. Specifically, side supporting zone functional zone 612 extends towards the back region of the user around the left hand side abdominal region to left hand side supporting functional zone 612B and supports soft tissue in the left side of the wearer's back. Similarly, side supporting zone 612 extends towards the back region of the user around the right hand side of the user's body to right hand side supporting functional zone 612A to support soft tissue in the right hand side of the wearer's back region.

24 Each of the functional knitted zones 612A and 612B wraps around the left and right hand sides of a wearer. A further, intermediate, functional knitted zone 608 is located intermediate of the side supporting zone 612 and lower downwardly extending zone 617. Intermediate knitted zone 608 extends into a left hand intermediate section 608B and a right hand intermediate section 608A. The left hand section 608B and the right hand section 608A extend around the belly region of the wearer and together form a knitted belt zone 608C that is located intermediate of the side supporting zone 612 and the downwardly extending zone 615. The side supporting functional knitted zone 612 including 612A, 612B and 612C maybe knitted by employing a tuck stitch knitting with closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 250 stitches/cm. The intermediate knitted zone 608 maybe knitted by using a single stitch knitting pattern with the closeness of stitch being in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 200 stitches/cm. Advantageously the intermediate zone 608 including 608A, 608B and 608C is knitted using a single stitch knitting stitch and provides a lower level of compression strength for supporting soft tissue in the abdominal regions of wearer's body with reference to compression strength provided by the tuck stitch in side supporting knitted zone 612. A difference in the level of compression strength is provided by the garment by different functional zones that are knitted using differing knit patterns in adjoining areas of the wearer's body. Such a difference in compression strength provides a greater degree of restriction of soft tissue in problem areas such as the back region, lateral oblique regions in the abdominal region of a wearer's body and contours soft tissue providing a shape enhancing function. Referring to Figure 16, a back view of the one piece knitted undergarment slip 600 with a plurality of functional knitted zones is shown. The intermediate knitted zone 608 is in the shape of an "inverted T" and maybe knitted by way of using the single stitch with a closeness of stitch in the range of 50 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm spanning from a middle part of an upper back region of a wearer to an lower posterior thoracic region forming an inverted "T shaped" functional knitted zone across the wearer's. Right and left Side supporting zones 612A and 612B flank the functional knitted zone 608 on either side of the inverted T shaped functional knitted zone 608 and spans from an under arm region of the wearer to centre of the wearer's back region. Functional zones 612 (612A, 612B and 612C) 25 maybe knitted by using the tuck stitch knitting pattern with a closeness of stitch in the range of 20 stitches/cm to 100 stitches/cm. The functional knitted zone 612 provides support to soft tissue located in the wearer's back region. The compression strength provided by the tuck stitch knitting of the side supporting functional knitted zone 612 is higher than the compression strength provided by the single stitch knitting of the intermediate knitted zone 608. Such a difference in degree of compression strength provides a significant advantage of contouring and shaping soft tissue (including excessive soft tissue) in the wearer's back region. Advantageously, during use the first functional knitted zone 602 also extends into the left underarm region and the right underarm region respectively. The under arm portions 602C and 602D enables greater support to soft tissue in the wearer's respective under arm regions. Provision of a plurality of functional knitted zones 608, 617 and 612 in the downwardly extending portion 615 of the garment provide varying levels of compression support in different regions of the wearer's back and are particularly useful in providing a desirable contoured appearance by selectively compressing and supporting soft tissue around the under arm region and back region of the wearer's body. In particular this may achieved by providing an intermediate positioned zone with an intermediate comparison strength below the waist. Functional zone 615 is located adjacent to functional zone 608 and extends downwardly from the waist region of the wearer to a skirt length of the wearer. It is important to appreciate that this disclosure in not limited to a particular length and the embodiment may be advantageously modified to be made in a variety of lengths for example the downwardly dependent portion may extend down to the upper thigh region of the wearer and others down to just above the knees of the wearer. Referring to Figure 17, the slip 600 is configured to receive and retain removable cup inserts 625A and 625B into the left cup 605 and right cup 603 respectively as shown in dotted lines in Figure 17. The left cup 603 includes a left opening 626A to a pocket that houses the left cup insert 625A. The left opening 626A enables removal of the cup insert 625A. The right cup 605 includes a right opening 626B to a pocket that houses the right cup insert 625B. The slip 600 is provided with a first shoulder strap 607A and a second shoulder strap 607B. The first shoulder strap 607A is connected at or adjacent to the left cup 603 and the second shoulder strap 607B is connected at or adjacent to the right cup 605.The length of 424R115 1 flManrei P91A5A Ail2 26 each of the straps 607A and 607B may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism in the form of movable rings 607C and 607D and fixed rings 607E and 607F. In each of the shoulder straps 607A and 607B an optimal length of the strap may be adjusted by the wearer by way of using the adjustment mechanism provided by 607C and 607D and the fixed rings 607E and 607F. Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a first configuration of the slip 600 wherein a normal strap position with the straps extending from the cups, over each shoulder to connect the back strap on each respective side of the back is shown. Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a second shoulder strap configuration of the slip 600 in the form of a crisscross arranged with the shoulder straps crossing at the back region of the wearer after passing over each shoulder of the wearer. Again, the adjustment mechanism provided by 607C and 607D and the fixed rings 607E and 607F is suitable for an extended length of the straps 607A and 607B for use in this second criss-cross configuration. Figures 19 and 20 further illustrate a third configuration in the form of a single strap 607 G that extends from the first cup 603 to the second cup 605. In such a configuration, the strap 607G during use engages a neck region of the wearer. The fixed rings 607E and 607F are fixed during wearing of the slip 600 but may be detachable from the upper part of the slip to which the straps are attached in order to allow variation of the strap configuration. It also to be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the configuration of the straps and the manner in which they are used by the wearer. It should be noted that although specific knitting patterns, stitching patterns and stitching parameters for several functional knitted zones have been discussed herein in the aforementioned preferred embodiments of the invention, such disclosures are for illustrative and exemplary purposes only and various other knitting/stitching patterns/stitching parameters and their combinations thereof may be adopted by a skilled person in the art to achieve benefits of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in relation in relation to specific embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. As such, it will be readily evident to those skilled in the art based on the 424R115 1 /flM~nri P91A5A Al2 21 detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments of the garments explained herein, that different types of garments can be realised. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A knitted garment, the garment comprising seamlessly connected knitted zones comprising: a first functional knitted zone forming a left lower edge portion for supporting the left cup knitted zone and a right lower edge portion for supporting the right cup knitted zone; a second functional knitted zone positioned adjacent to at least part of the first functional knitted zone; wherein at least a part of the second functional knitted zone is positioned between one of the lower edge portions and one of the cup knitted zones; wherein the first functional knitted zone provides a higher compression strength for supporting a wearer than the compression strength of the second functional knitted zone; and wherein the knitted garment further comprises a downwardly dependent portion for covering at least a part of an abdominal region of the wearer's body.

2. The garment according to claim 1 further comprising at least one shoulder strap for supporting the garment wherein a length of at least one said shoulder strap is adjustable by an adjustment mechanism.

3. The garment according to claim 1 or claim 2 adapted to releasably retain a first cup insert in the left cup knitted zone; and adapted to retain a second cup in the right cup knitted zone and wherein the garment comprises a first opening in the left cup zone for removal of the first cup insert and a second opening in the right cup zone for removal of the second cup insert.

4. The garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the downwardly depending knitted portion comprises a side supporting knitted zone positioned at least partially below the cup knitted zones for supporting a side part of a wearer's body, at least a first part of the side supporting knitted zone extending from a back portion of the garment around both sides of the garment; wherein at least a second part of the side supporting knitted zone located adjacent to the first functional knitted zone wherein the side supported knitted zone provides a lower compression strength to a wearer than the first functional zone; 424R115 1 /lMattari P91A5A Al2 29 and the downwardly dependent portion further comprising a downwardly extending knitted zone located below the side supported zone, wherein the downwardly extending knitted zone provides a lower compression strength to a wearer than the side supported knitted zone.

5. The garment according to claim 4 further comprising an intermediate knitted zone that is located intermediate of the side supporting knitted zone and the downwardly extending knitted zone, wherein the intermediate zone provides a lower compression strength than the side supporting zone and a higher compression strength than the downwardly extending zone.