GB2582777A

GB2582777A - Shape-enhancing garment

Info

Publication number: GB2582777A
Application number: GB1904602.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joanne Barry Laura
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-02
Filing date: 2019-04-02
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-02
Also published as: GB201904602D0; GB2582777B

Abstract

A shape-enhancing garment 10 for improving the contour of the posterior of a wearer comprises a fabric enclosure 11 shaped to encircle the pelvis of the wearer above the posterior and having a zone 13 intended to cover at least generally triangular central area of the posterior. The enclosure is provided in the zone with two stiffening strips 17 attached over their length to the fabric of the enclosure and arranged to extend, when the garment is worn, divergently away from the base of the buttocks of the wearer so as to each diagonally cross a respective one of the buttocks. In addition, the enclosure is provided in the same zone with two ties 19 each connected with a respective one of the strips intermediate its ends and each able to be tied under tension above the zone to tighten the enclosure around the pelvis and exert a lifting force on a respective one of the buttocks. The stiffening strip may comprise a plurality of layers of material. An anti-slip lining may be included on the inner side of the garment. The garment is preferably a pair of briefs.

Description

SHAPE-ENHANCING GARMENT

The present invention relates to a shape-enhancing garment for improving the contour of the posterior of a wearer.

Orthopaedic garments are in widespread use to correct medical conditions, usually by exercising a supporting condition on a part of the body such as the back, abdomen or joints, in the last-mentioned case particularly wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. Such garments include stockings, vests, sleeves, belts and bands often with a compressive action by virtue of construction from elastic material or a strengthening action through a more rigid construction than the body part to be supported. Similar garments are also used for the essentially cosmetic purpose of enhancing shape, that is to say adapting the appearance of the body to more closely approximate an ideal form or contour. Preeminent in this area are corsets, for both female and male use, to narrow the appearance or control spread of the waistline of the wearer and brassieres to improve bust appearance by lifting and supporting or shaping. Corsets are constraining garments which achieve their effect by an elasticated compressive construction and/or by physical compression through binding. Brassieres usually achieve their effect simply by more rigid construction to impart underlying support, assisted by ties or strap to contribute additional support by way of the neck, shoulders or both of the wearer.

A further part of the body to which the concept of a preferred contour applies is the posterior, but currently few garments are available to enhance shape in this area. The posterior, which by convention is a part of the body that has to be covered and protected, is subject to considerable change in form and muscular stress due to postural changes taking place in the course of or between standing, lying, sitting, walking and running and these changes have to be accommodated by the associated garments. Accordingly, use of rigid or semi-rigid support zones is not readily compatible with pants, briefs (including swimwear and underwear) and other such garments which are worn to cover the posterior and which have to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate changes in posture and which also have to be comfortable for the wearer.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a garment which, in conjunction with a usual covering and protective function, may be capable of improving the contour of the posterior of a wearer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

According to the present invention there is provided a shape-enhancing garment for improving the contour of the posterior of a wearer, comprising a fabric enclosure shaped to encircle the pelvis of a wearer above the posterior and having a zone intended to cover at least a generally triangular central area of the posterior, the fabric enclosure being provided in that zone with two stiffening strips attached over their length to the fabric of the enclosure and arranged to extend, when the garment is worn, divergently away from the base of the buttocks of the wearer so as to each diagonally cross a respective one of the buttocks and with two ties each connected with a respective one of the strips intermediate its ends and each able to be tied under tension above the zone to tighten the enclosure around the pelvis and exert a lifting force on a respective one of the buttocks.

A garment embodying the invention has the advantage that it provides, substantially without loss of flexibility or compromise to adaptation to posture change, a supporting effect in relation to the buttocks of a wearer so that these may be able to more closely approach a desirable rounded form with reduction of sag, assuming the body weight and posterior size of the wearer are not such as to nullify the effects of support. The specific orientation of the reinforcing strips diagonally across the buttocks of a wearer has the effect that a supporting force can be applied where it will be most effective without inhibiting the tension and relaxation taking place in the gluteal musculature of the buttocks as a consequence of change between standing, sitting, walking and other normal variations in posture. The application of the supporting force is achieved by way of the ties, which are connected with the reinforcing strips so that tension applied by the ties can be distributed within the strips, which in turn transmit the tension directly to the fabric of the enclosure by virtue of the attachment of the strips over their length to the fabric. The reinforcing strips also act to prevent or at least resist bunching or gathering of the fabric in the area of the strips when a tension force is applied via the ties. The ties have a length and orientation permitting them to be tied above the zone overlying the triangular central area of the posterior, thus at a point spaced above the reinforcing strips, or at least spaced above the point of connection of each tie to the associated strip, so that a lifting force is transmissible to the strips. For that purpose the ties can be tied to each other in the region of, for example, a waistband or equivalent region of the garment or even further above that if the garment extends to a greater height on the body of the wearer.

For preference, each stiffening strip is formed by a plurality of layers of material, in which case a desired degree of stiffness may be achieved simply by the accumulation of material represented by superimposed layers. The layers preferably comprise two fabric layers, particularly layers made of the same material as the enclosure so that the stiffening layers are visually unobtrusive. However, in order to avoid an excessive depth of the stiffening strips it is preferred if the layers include a layer of synthetic sheet material between the two fabric layers, especially a synthetic material selected for an optimum compromise between flexibility, so that undue rigidity is not imparted to the garment by the stiffening strips, and stiffness, so that the strips gain from the synthetic sheet material an appreciably greater degree of stiffness than that provided by the constituent fabric of the enclosure or in general by compliant fabrics of the kind used for garments. The synthetic sheet material can, with advantage, be silicon, which is available as a proprietary sheet product with various degrees of intrinsic stiffness.

Each stiffening strip is preferably attached to the fabric of the enclosure by gluing, especially by a compliant adhesive, for example a polyurethane-based elastic adhesive. Use of adhesive ensures firm attachment over an area and avoids the presence of stitching lines at the exterior of the garment other than at edges where stitching is commonly present and expected. The width of each stiffening strip is freely selectable, but a minimum width of substantially two centimetres for the majority of the length of the strip has been found to be advantageous in terms of providing secure attachment to the fabric of the enclosure without giving rise to creasing or bunching of the fabric when tension is applied via the ties, but at the same time providing effective area engagement with the buttocks for the purpose of lifting comfortably without indenting the skin of the wearer. In particular, the width of the strip should desirably be such as to ensure sufficient distribution of the lifting force to the buttocks without detracting from the overall flexibility of the enclosure.

For preference, each tie is integral with the respective strip, i.e. each reinforcing strip and the associated tie are formed from a single piece of appropriately shaped material. This significantly simplifies production and reduces production cost while providing a secure connection of strip and tie. In that case it is advantageous if each tie is connected with the respective strip by a connecting portion merging into the strip. This provides a progressive transition between the tie and strip which not only strengthens the connection between the two, but also provides distribution of tensioning force into a greater length of the strip, i.e. the introduction of force does not take place at a tightly focused location. In this construction of the strip and tie the connecting portion of the latter can be attached to the fabric of the enclosure and the remainder of the tie can be loose. The loose part of the tie can be narrowed in relation to the portion connected with the strip and can be suitably folded and seamed to provide a cord-like form readily able to be manipulated when tying. Transmission of a lifting force to the stiffening strips can be facilitated if each tie passes through a respective one of two eyelets in the enclosure at spacings from the strips, particularly since, if the enclosure firmly encircles the pelvis of a wearer, the encircling part will provide a firm anchorage for the ties. If the encircling part, for example a waistband (including a dropped waistband), is stably located on the wearer the ties running through the eyelets can, when tied under tension, then pull the stiffening strips towards the waistband. The lifting force is then maintained as long as the garment remains firmly in place at the pelvis. The ties preferably cross over one another between the stiffening strips and the eyelets, which has the result that each eyelet can be positioned at a relatively large distance from the associated stiffening strip so that the diagonally running tie can extend almost at right angles away from the strip. Consequently, the lifting force can be applied to the strip more or less perpendicularly to the strip length. The eyelets serve to keep the ties in this preferred orientation relative to the strips.

In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure, stiffening strips and ties each comprise stretch fabric. Stretch fabric is commonly used in the construction of, for example, underwear and swimwear and garments constructed from fabric with an elastic property more securely remain in position on the body of a wearer. If the stiffening strips and ties also have a resilient character the lifting force applied by the ties tied under tension will be largely self-maintaining.

In order to assist application of the lifting force the garment may additionally include a lining of flexible material which has an anti-slip surface property and which is attached to at least one of the enclosure and the stiffening strips regionally at an intended inner side of the garment so as to in use overlie and stick to the skin of the buttocks thereby to resist slipping of the skin relative to the garment when the lifting force is exerted. The adhesion of skin to the garment as provided by the lining allows the lifting force to act more effectively in lifting the buttocks. The lining can be of silicon sheet material, in particular a silicon which has a higher coefficient of friction than the fabric material of the enclosure and which is inert in relation to skin. Attaching of the lining to the enclosure and/or the stiffening strips, preferably to both the fabric of the enclosure and the strips, can be conveniently achieved by a suitable adhesive, for example a polyurethane-based elastic adhesive, rather than by stitching, so that the lining presents a substantially smooth surface to the skin. The lining preferably overlies a major part of each stiffening strip so that gripping the skin of the wearer takes place specifically in the region where the pulling force exerted by the ties acts.

The garment preferably has the form of briefs, for example underwear or a bikini bottom. However, it can equally well be in the form of long or short trousers, pantyhose, leotards, one-piece jumpsuits, one-piece swimming costumes or other garments in which the enclosure of the pelvis and covering of the buttocks are merely part of a larger whole. The invention is particularly relevant to briefs, where the stiffening strips may extend at leg openings of the briefs. Such briefs can be provided with a gusset at a waistband and the ties then arranged to compress the gusset when tied. Any creasing created at the waistband region of the briefs when the ties are tied is thus taken up in the gusset and less noticeable or not evident at all.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view, from the front and above, of a garment embodying the invention, showing approximately the shape adopted by the garment when worn and depicting the inside of the back of the garment; Fig. 2 is a schematic elevation of the back of the garment, with indication of the outline of a wearer; Fig. 3 is a schematic elevation, to enlarged scale, of the inside of the back of the garment; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section, to substantially enlarged scale, along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown a garment 10 in the form of briefs, here specifically a bikini bottom rather underpants or panties. This represents a minimalist construction of the garment, which, as indicated above, could be in the form of a one-piece swimming costume, trousers, leotards or any other garment intended to encircle the pelvis area and cover the posterior of the wearer, albeit primarily a garment intended to lie next to the skin rather than be separated from the skin by an additional undergarment.

In the preferred embodiment the garment 10 comprises an enclosure 11 which is shaped to encircle the pelvic region of a wearer 12, in particular by way of a waistband, above the posterior of the wearer and which has a generally triangular back zone 13 intended to cover a corresponding central area of the posterior and a generally triangular front zone 14 intend to cover a corresponding central area of the front of the abdomen of the wearer, the two generally triangular zones 13, 14 merging into one another at their downwardly directed apices and into the waistband at their base sides opposite those apices. Such a shape is characteristic of a generic design of briefs, whether underwear or swimwear. The enclosure 11 is made from two layers lla and 11b (Fig. 4) of machine-washable, hence shrink-resistant and heat-resistant, tight-mesh stretch fabric, in particular an elastic synthetic such as polyester or nylon, provided initially as suitably shaped blanks which are then machine-stitched together at seams at the junction of the two zones and at the sides intermediate the front and the back so as to realise a three dimensional form capable of change between a folded or compressed shape (not shown) to an opened-out or expanded shape as shown in Fig. 1.

The enclosure 11 is provided in the back zone 13 with a triangular gusset 15 which consists of a single layer of the stretch fabric and which is overlapped at the exterior (Fig. 2) by flaps provided with functional eyelets 16 for reception of tightening ties and, optionally, with further eyelets (not shown) for reception of purely decorative lacing ties. The gusset 15, which reaches to and defines part of the waistband, provides an area in the back zone 13 -particularly in the region of the waistband -where fabric bunching may be concentrated under tightening of the enclosure, as described further below, without being readily noticeable, particularly if overlaid by decorative lacing.

In order to not only cover and protect the pelvic region of the wearer, but also as a secondary benefit to enhance the shape of the posterior, the enclosure 11 is provided in the back zone 13 with two stiffening strips 17 attached over their length to the fabric of the enclosure by gluing with a compliant polyurethane-based adhesive and arranged, when the garment 10 is worn, to extend divergently away from the base of buttocks (Fig. 2) of the wearer so as to each diagonally cross an individual one the buttocks. In the case of the garment 10 of the preferred embodiment in the form of a bikini bottom with a generally triangular back zone 13 covering the central area of the buttocks, the strips 11 respectively extend along the two sides of the zone between the waistband and the junction with the front zone 14, thus along the edges representing leg openings. This same back zone will still be present -but in a notional rather than physically distinct form -in the case of a garment such as leggings, a leotard or long or short trousers or pants, where the pelvic enclosure will be combined with and merge into leg casings of varying forms and lengths. Each stiffening strip 17 is formed from two layers 17a and 17c (shown to exaggerated scale in Fig. 4) of the same stretch fabric as the enclosure 11 and an intermediate layer 17b (also in exaggerated scale in Fig. 4) of a flexible and stretchable silicon sheet material and is additionally retained at the edge of the garment 10, thus at the associated leg opening, by insertion into a fold selvedge of the double layer fabric of the enclosure 11 and then by fixing with twin stitching lines 18 penetrating the layers 11a and 11b (twice) of the enclosure and the layers 17a to 17c (once) of the strip. Particularly firm, but smoothly rounded, edges of the leg openings of the enclosure 1 thus result.

Each stiffening strip 17 by virtue of its thickness and especially the use of silicon sheeting which is flexible, but more resistant to bending than the stretch fabric of the enclosure 11, imparts stiffness to the edge regions of the generally triangular back zone 13, i.e. the regions diagonally crossing the buttocks of the wearer 12 of the garment. The strips 17 have a width selected to ensure engagement over an area with the underlying skin, for example a width of at least two centimetres for the majority of the strip length. This width can be significantly increased towards ends of the strips adjacent to the junction with the front zone 14 of the enclosure and significantly reduced towards the opposite ends of the strips adjacent to the waistband of the garment. As shown in Fig. 3, the strips 17 can be superimposed in the region of their wider ends for enhanced stiffness and hence supporting effect in this area.

The enclosure is further provided with two ties 19 each connected with a respective one of the stiffening strips 17 intermediate its above-mentioned wider and narrower ends. Each tie consists of a free or loose section 19a and a fixed connecting section 19b which is attached by gluing to the fabric of the enclosure and is integral not only with the free section 19a, but also with the associated strip 17, especially merges into the strip by curved transitions. A dashed line in the lefthand half of Fig. 3 signifies the notional junction of the tie and the strip. Although the connecting section 19b itself has a stiffening effect, the widened area of the connecting section ensures that tension applied to the tie (see below) is introduced into the strip 17 over a greater part of the length of the strip than a local zone of joining. The free section 19a of each tie 19 is formed by a longitudinally seamed tube of the stretch fabric and extends across the interior side of the enclosure until threaded through the remote one of the two eyelets 16 to exit at the exterior of the garment. The two free sections 19a of the ties 19 thus cross over one another in the region of the gusset as shown in Fig. 3. The free sections 19a of the ties can be tied together externally of the garment as evident from Fig. 2 and, in the course of tying together, can be drawn to exert tension on the associated stiffening strips 17 and, at the same time, on the waistband of the enclosure 11 so as to tighten the garment around the pelvis of the wearer 12 in the manner of a belt and prevent the garment from slipping. Insofar as the tension exerted on the waistband causes bunching or corrugation of the material of the garment, this preferentially takes place within the single layer gusset and is largely obscured by the decorative lacing if provided.

The tying together of the free sections 19a of the ties under moderate tension and consequent transmission of that tension to the waistband of the enclosure 11 via the eyelets 16 and to the stiffening strips 17 via the connecting sections 19b has the consequence, as indicated in the preceding description, of tightening the enclosure around the pelvis of the wearer and exertion of a lifting force on the buttocks of the wearer 12. This lifting force, which has substantially the vectors V shown in Fig. 2, has the effect of counteracting sag and helping to shape the buttocks to the more rounded form perceived to represent the ideal achievable with fully toned gluteal musculature. Although the application of lifting force requires tying of the ties under tension, the ties do not need to be tied together at the waistband as long as they are tied above the general area of the back zone 13, such as at a point above the pelvic enclosure in the case of a garment, such as a one-piece swimming costume, which continues above the enclosure. Such a costume may have lacing or a strap at the back able to serve as a point for tying the ties 19, in which case routing of the ties through eyelets at the waistband may remain advantageous from the aspect of determining the direction of the vectors V. As an aid to the lifting effect of the applied lifting force, the garment 10 may additionally be provided with a lining 20 of flexible material which has an anti-slip surface property and which is attached by a suitable adhesive to the fabric of the enclosure 11 and to that of stiffening strips 17, specifically the layer 17a of each of the strips, at the inner side of the garment so as to overlie and stick to the skin of the wearer. The adhesion of the lining to the skin resists slipping of the skin relative to the garment when the lifting force is exerted. The lining 20 can be, for example, silicone sheet material with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the constituent stretch fabric of the garment. The shape of the lining is selected to cover an appropriate area without unduly detracting from the overall flexibility of the garment, here approximately a heart shape. For the sake of clarity, the lining 20 is shown -by chain-dotted lines -in just the righthand half of the garment illustrated in Fig. 3, but is present in mirror image in the lefthand half.

A garment embodying the invention can, as indicated, be provided in different forms, but is particularly suitable for swimwear, underwear, sportswear, leotards, bodies and other garments worn in circumstances where body contour is displayed as opposed to concealed by more voluminous clothing. The enhancement of shape is applicable to both female and male forms and may have significance not only in the context of contributing to the confidence of the wearer, but also in activities where there is emphasis on appreciation of body form, such as in ballet and gymnastics.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shape-enhancing garment for improving the contour of the posterior of a wearer, comprising a fabric enclosure shaped to encircle the pelvis of a wearer above the posterior and having a zone intended to cover at least a generally triangular central area of the posterior, the fabric enclosure being provided in that zone with two stiffening strips attached over their length to the fabric of the enclosure and arranged to extend, when the garment is worn, divergently away from the base of the buttocks of the wearer so as to each diagonally cross a respective one of the buttocks and with two ties each connected with a respective one of the strips intermediate its ends and each able to be tied under tension above the zone to tighten the enclosure around the pelvis and exert a lifting force on a respective one of the buttocks.
2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein each stiffening strip is formed by a plurality of layers of material.
3. A garment according to claim 2, wherein the layers comprise two fabric layers.
4. A garment according to claim 3, wherein the layers comprise a layer of synthetic sheet material between the two fabric layers.
A garment according to claim 4, wherein the synthetic sheet material is silicon.
6. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each stiffening strip is attached to the fabric of the enclosure by gluing.
7. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each strip has a minimum width of substantially two centimetres for the majority of its length.
8. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each tie is integral with the respective strip.
9. A garment according to claim 8, wherein each tie is connected with the respective strip by a connecting portion merging into the strip.
10. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the connecting portion of each tie is attached to the fabric of the enclosure, the remainder of the tie being loose.
11. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each tie passes through a respective one of two eyelets in the enclosure at spacings from the stiffening strips.
12. A garment according to claim 11, wherein the ties cross over one another between the stiffening strips and the eyelets.
13. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosure, stiffening strips and ties each comprise stretch fabric.
14. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lining of flexible material which has an anti-slip surface property and which is attached to at least one of the enclosure and the stiffening strips regionally at an intended inner side of the garment so as to in use overlie and stick to the skin of the buttocks thereby to resist slipping of the skin relative to the garment when the lifting force is exerted.
15. A garment according to claim 14, wherein the lining is of silicon sheet material.
16. A garment according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the lining is attached by adhesive.
17. A garment according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the lining overlies a major part of each stiffening strip.
18. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the garment has the form of briefs.
19. A garment according to claim 18, wherein the stiffening strips extend at leg openings of the briefs.
20. A garment according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the briefs are provided with a gusset at a waistband and the ties are arranged to compress the gusset when tied.