US20160007657A1

US20160007657A1 - Bodysuit apparel

Info

Publication number: US20160007657A1
Application number: US14/797,008
Authority: US
Inventors: Stefanie G Manhal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-11
Filing date: 2015-07-10
Publication date: 2016-01-14

Abstract

An article of clothing having an upper garment for covering a torso of a wearer, and a lower garment for covering the buttocks and crotch of a wearer, where a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment is fixedly attached to a portion of the front of the lower garment, a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment proximate to each hip of the wearer is detached from a portion of the front of the lower garment proximate to each hip of the wearer, the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detached from the upper edge of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer, and the bottom edge of the upper garment is proximate to the upper edge of the lower garment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/023,546, filed Jul. 11, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to articles of clothing, and more particularly to articles of clothing covering the abdominal area.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a person who wishes to ensure coverage of their abdominal area wears an undershirt, a shape wear tank, or a constrictive bodysuit. These articles of clothing may be uncomfortable, embarrassing, ineffective at concealing the abdominal area, and/or require repeated adjustments by a wearer.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments include an article of clothing having: an upper garment for covering a torso of a wearer, the upper garment having a front, a back, a collar disposed proximate to a neck of the wearer, and a bottom edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer and distal from the collar; and a lower garment for covering the buttocks and crotch of a wearer, the lower garment having a front, a back, and an upper edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer; where a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment may be fixedly attached to a portion of the front of the lower garment; where a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment proximate to each hip of the wearer may be detached from a portion of the front of the lower garment proximate to each hip of the wearer; where the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment may be detached from the upper edge of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer; and where the bottom edge of the upper garment may be proximate to the upper edge of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment may be fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at the upper edge of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment may be fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at each side seam of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, the upper garment may be at least one of: a tank top, a sleeveless shirt, a halter tank, a short sleeve shirt, a three-quarter sleeve shirt, and a long sleeve shirt. In additional embodiments, the lower garment may be underwear including at least one of: briefs, thong, and boy shorts. The article of clothing may be an undergarment, underwear, outerwear worn over an undergarment or underwear, and/or active wear.
Additional exemplary embodiments may include an article of clothing having: an upper garment for covering a torso of a wearer, the upper garment having a front, a back, a collar disposed proximate to a neck of the wearer, and a bottom edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer and distal from the collar; and a lower garment for covering the buttocks and crotch of a wearer, the lower garment having a front, a back, and an upper edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer; where a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment may be fixedly attached to a portion of the front of the lower garment; where a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment proximate to each hip of the wearer may be detached from a portion of the front of the lower garment proximate to each hip of the wearer; where a portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment may be detachably attached to a portion of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer; and where the bottom edge of the upper garment may be proximate to the upper edge of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment may be fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at the upper edge of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, the portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment may be detachably attached to the portion of the back of the lower garment at the upper edge of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment may be fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at each side seam of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, the upper garment may be at least one of: a tank top, a sleeveless shirt, a halter tank, a short sleeve shirt, a three-quarter sleeve shirt, and a long sleeve shirt. In additional embodiments, the lower garment may be underwear including at least one of: briefs, thong, and boy shorts. In additional embodiments, the portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment may be detachably attached to the portion of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer by at least one of: snaps, clasps, buttons, hook and loops, hook and eyes, and zippers.
Additional exemplary embodiments may include an article of clothing having: an upper garment for covering a torso and crotch of a wearer, the upper garment having a front, a back, a collar disposed proximate to a neck of the wearer, and a bottom edge extending from a crotch of the wearer to a waist of the wearer and distal from the collar; and a lower garment for covering the buttocks of a wearer, the lower garment comprising a front, a back, and an upper edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer; where a portion of the front of the upper garment may be fixedly attached to a portion of the front of the lower garment; where a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment proximate to each hip of the wearer may be detached from a portion of the front of the lower garment proximate to each hip of the wearer; and where the bottom edge of the upper garment may be proximate to the upper edge of the lower garment. In additional embodiments, a portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment may be detachably attached to a portion of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer. In additional embodiments, the portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment may be detachably attached to the portion of the back of the lower garment proximate the lower back of the wearer by at least one of: snaps, clasps, buttons, hook and loops, hook and eyes, and zippers. In additional embodiments, the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment may be detached from the upper edge of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer. In additional embodiments, the upper garment may be at least one of: a tank top, a sleeveless shirt, a halter tank, a short sleeve shirt, a three-quarter sleeve shirt, and a long sleeve shirt. In additional embodiments, the lower garment may be underwear comprising at least one of: briefs, thong, and boy shorts. In additional embodiments, the front of the lower garment may be a waistband. In additional embodiments, the upper garment and the lower garment may be at least one of: outerwear and active wear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principals of the invention. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an exemplary article of clothing embodiment having an upper garment fixedly attached to a lower garment at an area proximate to the abdomen of a wearer;

FIG. 2 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having an open lower back section between the upper garment and the lower garment;

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an alternate exemplary article of clothing embodiment having one or more detachable attachments between the upper garment and the lower garment proximate to the abdomen of the wearer;

FIG. 4 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having a single detachable attachment connecting the upper garment and the lower garment;

FIG. 5 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having multiple detachable attachments connecting the upper garment and the lower garment in a semi-closed back arrangement;

FIG. 6 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having multiple detachable attachments connecting the upper garment and the lower garment in a nearly fully-closed back arrangement;

FIG. 7 depicts a front view of an alternate exemplary article of clothing embodiment having an upper garment with a one-panel front attached to a lower garment; and

FIG. 8 depicts a front view of another exemplary article of clothing embodiment having an upper garment with long sleeves fixedly attached to a lower garment having boy shorts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the disclosed embodiments of apparel, and is not meant to limit the disclosed concepts herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
Embodiments of apparel disclosed herein include an undergarment, underwear, outerwear worn over an undergarment or outerwear, and/or active wear which ensures coverage of the abdominals of a wearer. The article of clothing may include an upper garment, e.g., a shirt, for covering the torso of the wearer. The article of clothing may also include a lower garment, e.g., underwear, for covering the buttocks and crotch of the wearer. The upper garment may be permanently attached to the lower garment at a location proximate to the abdominals of a wearer, i.e., along a front of both the upper garment and the lower garment. The upper garment may be separate and detached from the lower garment at all other locations, including the sides and back. The article of clothing may be allowed to move with the wearer to expose the hips and lower back of the wearer, while ensuring that the abdomen of the wearer is not exposed. This creates the illusion that the wearer is merely wearing a separate top and not a body shaper. In some embodiments, the front and/or back of the upper garment and lower garment may be detachably attached to create varying degrees of body coverage.
FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an exemplary article of clothing embodiment having an upper garment fixedly attached to a lower garment at an area proximate to the abdomen of a wearer 100. The article of clothing may include an upper garment 102 and a lower garment 104. The upper garment 102 may cover the torso of a wearer 106, depicted by longer dashed lines 106. The upper garment 102 may be a shirt with or without sleeves. Sleeveless embodiments may include a tank top, sleeveless shirt, or halter tank. Various sleeve lengths are shown in shorter dashed lines (108, 110, 112) for short sleeve 108, three-quarter sleeve 110, or long sleeve 112 embodiments. Other upper garment 102 configurations that cover an abdominal area of the wearer 106 may be used. The upper garment 102 may be made from natural and/or synthetic materials. The upper garment 102 may be made from a highly stretchable material. The upper garment 102 may have a collar 114 proximate to a neck of the wearer 106. The collar 114 may have a rounded, v-neck, scoop, or other configuration. The upper garment 102 may also have a bottom edge 116 distal from the collar 114. The bottom edge 116 of the upper garment 102 may include a hem or other finishing.
The lower garment 104 may cover the buttocks and crotch of the wearer 106. The lower garment 104 may be underwear. Various underwear styles including, but not limited to, briefs, a thong, and boy shorts 118, are shown in shorter dashed lines. Other lower garment 104 configurations that cover the buttocks and/or crotch of the wearer 106 may be used. The lower garment 104 may be made from natural and/or synthetic materials. The upper garment 102 and/or lower garment 104 may include the use of soft fabric and/or trims to provide comfort to the wearer 106. The selected materials may provide confidence to the wearer 106 while maintaining a softer aesthetic. The lower garment 104 may include a waistband 120 for securing the lower garment 104 around the waist and/or hips of the wearer 106. The waistband 120 may extend around the entire circumference of the lower garment 104, including over an abdomen of the wearer 106. In other embodiments, the waistband 120 may attach to either side of the front covering of the lower garment 104. The lower garment 104 may have an upper edge 122, which may include the waistband 120 and/or portions of the lower garment 104. In some embodiments, the waistband 120 may be detachably attached to the front 128 of the lower garment 104 at either side of the front panel of the lower garment 104, e.g., by straps, snaps, hook or tie, etc.
A front 124 of the upper garment 124 may be fixedly attached 126 to a front 128 of the lower garment 104. A portion of the bottom edge 116 of the front 124 of the upper garment 102 may be fixedly attached 126 to a portion of the upper edge 122 of the front 128 of the lower garment 104. The attachment 126, shown in small bold dashed lines, may include, but is not limited to, various forms of stitching, fusing of the upper garment 102 and lower garment 104 fabrics together, and/or knitting a portion of the upper garment 102 and the lower garment 104 together as one piece. The inside of the upper garment 102 may be stitched to the outside of the lower garment 104 to hide and/or minimize the visibility of the attachment 126. The attachment 126 area may include 35-45% of the front edges (116,122) of the garments (102, 104), respectfully. For example, in an article of clothing having front edges (116,122) measuring thirteen inches in length, the attachment 126 area may be five inches long with unattached portions on either side measuring four inches each. These ratios may be varied, but an attachment area of 35-45% and unattached areas of 55-65% in the front may provide optimal comfort and coverage to the wearer 106. The front 128 of the lower garment may have a triangle width as long as the attachment 126. In some embodiments, the triangle width and/or style may be varied relative to the length of the attachment 126. The location of the attachment 126 may be varied from the upper edge 122 of the lower garment 104 to the bottom of the lower garment 104. For example, in an embodiment with boy shorts as the lower garment, the attachment area may be closer to the bottom of the lower garment than the upper edge, and the upper garment may lay over and/or cover most of the lower garment.
The attachment 126 may not extend across the entire front (124, 128) of the upper garment 124 and/or lower garment 104, respectfully. A portion of the bottom edge 116 of the front 124 of the upper garment 102 proximate to each hip of the wearer 106 may be detached from a portion of the front 128 of the lower garment 104.
FIG. 2 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having an open lower back section between the upper garment and the lower garment 200. A back 202 of the upper garment 102 may be detached from a back 204 of the lower garment 104. In some embodiments, the lower edge 116 of the upper garment 102 may be proximate to the upper edge 122 of the lower garment 104. The lower edge 116 of the upper garment 102 may fall above, or over, the lower garment 104 on the wearer. Movement by the wearer 106, such as lifting the arms and twisting the torso, may lift the upper garment 102 above the lower garment 104 at the lower back and/or hips of the user. However, the attachment 126 (see FIG. 1) will maintain the connection between the upper garment 102 and the lower garment 104 and prevent the abdominal area of the wearer 106 from being exposed due to such movement. Maintaining this connection provides the wearer 106 with confidence that their abdominals are covered without the need for repeated adjustments to their clothing.
Many individuals require body shapers and/or bodysuits in order to wear fashionable clothing items that are sheer, short, and/or tight. Typical body shapers squeeze the body and may be too constricting and/or uncomfortable for daily use. Traditional bodysuits are a single unit surrounding the torso, are often uncomfortable, may restrict movement, and may be embarrassing to a wearer due to their girdle-like appearance. Bodysuits having seams falling under the buttocks may create unsightly panty lines. Bodysuits having a thong back have a tendency to ride up on the crotch of a wearer due to tension and/or user movement from shoulder straps, as these bodysuits are all one piece and connected. Bodysuits may also create bulges at the hips and torso of a wearer. Due to their one piece construction, many bodysuits are not ideal fits and may be too short for many wearers. As a result, these bodysuits often pull at the shoulder areas, pull at the crotch area, compress the breasts, and/or cause discomfort for a wearer. Shape wear tanks and/or underwear items are prone to rolling, bunching, and/or otherwise migrating into a non-optimal position. These rolling, bunching, and/or migrating effects may cause discomfort for a wearer, create unsightly bulges, and require repeated adjustment by a wearer.
The disclosed article of clothing may provide the wearer 106 with a comfortable undergarment that is a base layer to lightly smooth and provide a sense of confidence. The disclosed article of clothing creates the illusion that the wearer 106 is merely wearing a separate top, and not a body shaper. If the article of clothing is exposed or seen under the clothing of the wearer 106, it will have the appearance of a shirt, and will not be a cause of embarrassment. The disclosed article of clothing allows a range of motion and is optimal for everyday use. The attachment 126 (see FIG. 1) provides the wearer 106 with complete immovable coverage of their abdominal area without the need to adjust or re-tuck. The wearer 106 will not need to worry about their top untucking and exposing their abdominals. The open lower back and sides of the article of clothing keeps the upper garment 102 partially free from the lower garment 104, which then results in the lower garment 104 remaining in a comfortable position and not being pulled and/or moved by the wearers 106 movement, as in traditional bodysuits and/or body shapers. The disclosed article of clothing provides coverage of the abdominal area, while the open back and sides prevent the lower garment 104 from riding up and causing pain and/or discomfort in the crotch of the wearer 106.
The disclosed article of clothing may be outerwear worn over an undergarment or underwear and/or active wear. The wearer 106 may use the disclosed article of clothing alone and/or with additional layers to ensure that their abdominals are not exposed during the increased range of motion and movement during physical exercises such as running, stretching, etc. The wearer 106 may experience increased confidence and/or performance from knowing that they do not need to stop their activity in order to readjust and/or re-tuck their clothing.
FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an alternate exemplary article of clothing embodiment having one or more detachable attachments between the upper garment and the lower garment proximate to the abdomen of the wearer 300. The upper garment 302 may be detachably attached to the lower garment 304 by one or more detachable attachments 306. The detachable attachments 306 may include, but are not limited to, fasteners such as snaps, clasps, buttons, hook and loop, hook and eye, zippers, or other configurations. The detachable attachments 306 may secure the upper garment 302 to the lower garment 304 in order to ensure coverage of the abdominal area of the wearer 308. The upper garment 302 and the lower garment 304 may be detached on the sides in an area proximate to the hips of the wearer 308. The detachable attachments 306 may be easily opened by a wearer 308 to separate the front 310 of the upper garment 302 from the front 312 of the lower garment 304. The upper garment 302 and/or lower garment 304 may be interchangeable with various other styles of upper garments and/or lower garments having detachable attachments in order to mix and match colors and/or styles.
The number of detachable attachments 306 secured and/or released may be varied by the wearer 308 based on their desired level of protection. The area that may be attached may include 35-45% of the front edges of the respective garments (302, 304). In some embodiments, the attachable area may be extended to cover a majority of the front edges, and a smaller portion of the sides may be detached. The detachable attachments 306 may have one or more attachment points disposed on an outer portion of the lower garment 304, e.g., along an outer hem on the lower garment 304. The detachable attachments 306 may have one or more corresponding attachment points disposed on an inner portion of the upper garment 302, e.g., along an inner hem on the upper garment 302. When the upper garment 302 is detachably attached to the lower garment 304, the upper garment 302 may lay over and cover the one or more attachment points disposed on the lower garment 304. The attachment points are thereby hidden and may not interfere with any additional garments placed over the disclosed article of clothing.
In some embodiments, the one or more corresponding attachment points of the upper garment 302 may be disposed on an outer portion of the upper garment 302, e.g., along an outer hem on the upper garment 302. The one or more attachment points on the upper garment 302 and the one or more corresponding attachment points on the lower garment 304 may each be disposed on an inner and/or outer portion of the respective garments (302, 304). The upper garment 302 may lay over the lower garment 304, the upper garment 302 may be tucked in to the lower garment 304, or the upper garment 302 and the lower garment 304 may not overlap.
FIG. 4 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having a single detachable attachment connecting the upper garment and the lower garment 400. The back 402 of the upper garment 404 may be detachably attached to the back 406 of the lower garment 408 by a single detachable attachment 410. The detachable attachment 410 may be located proximate to a centerline of a lower back of a wearer 412. The detachable attachment 410 may allow the wearer 412 to convert the article of clothing from detached to connected in order to change the level of protection desired by the wearer 412.
FIG. 5 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having multiple detachable attachments connecting the upper garment and the lower garment in a semi-closed back arrangement 500. The back 502 of the upper garment 504 may be detachably attached to the back 506 of the lower garment 508 by two or more detachable attachments 510. The detachable attachments 510 may be located proximate to a centerline of a lower back of a wearer 512. The detachable attachments 510 may allow the wearer 512 to convert the article of clothing from detached to connected in order to change the level of protection desired by the wearer 512. The detachable attachments 510 may also allow the wearer 512 to connect additional, or fewer, points of contact between the upper garment 504 and the lower garment 508.
FIG. 6 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, 3, or 7 having multiple detachable attachments connecting the upper garment and the lower garment in a nearly fully-closed back arrangement 600. The back 602 of the upper garment 604 may be detachably attached to the back 606 of the lower garment 608 by detachable attachments 610 extending across the backs (602, 606) of the upper garment 604 and lower garment 608, respectfully. The detachable attachments 610 may allow a wearer 612 to convert the article of clothing from detached to connected in order to change the level of protection desired by the wearer 612. The detachable attachments 610 may also allow the wearer to connect additional, or fewer, points of contact between the upper garment 604 and the lower garment 608, while leaving the sides by the hips of the wearer 612 detached.
The detachable attachments of FIGS. 4-6 may have one or more attachment points disposed on an outer portion of the lower garment (408, 508, 608), e.g., along an outer hem on the lower garment (408, 508, 608). The detachable attachments (410, 510, 610) may have one or more corresponding attachment points disposed on an inner portion of the upper garment (404, 504, 604), e.g., along an inner hem on the upper garment (404, 504, 604). When the upper garment (404, 504, 604) is detachably attached to the lower garment (408, 508, 608), the upper garment (404, 504, 604) may lay over and cover the one or more attachment points disposed on the lower garment (408, 508, 608). The attachment points are thereby hidden and may not interfere with any additional garments placed over the article of clothing. The one or more attachment points on the upper garment (404, 504, 604) and the one or more corresponding attachment points on the lower garment (408, 508, 608) may each be disposed on an inner and/or outer portion of the respective garments (404, 408, 504, 508, 604, 608). The upper garment (404, 504, 604) may lay over the lower garment (408, 508, 608), the upper garment (404, 504, 604) may be tucked in to the lower garment (408, 508, 608), or the upper garment (404, 504, 604) and the lower garment (408, 508, 608) may not overlap.
FIG. 7 depicts a front view of an alternate exemplary article of clothing embodiment having an upper garment with a one-panel front attached to a lower garment 700. The front 702 of the upper garment 704 may have the front appearance of a bodysuit, with the exception of a waistband and/or the sides being open. This alternate exemplary article of clothing embodiment 700 eliminates the front seam, while maintaining the comfort and protection of the other exemplary embodiments (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The front 702 of the upper garment 704 may be connected to the front 706 of the lower garment 708 at a location below the center abdomen of a wearer 710. In some embodiments, the front 706 of the lower garment 708 may only include a waistband attached to the front 702 of the upper garment 704 at the front side seams (712, 714). In some embodiments, the waistband may be detachably attached to the front 702 of the upper garment at each of the side seams (712, 714), e.g., by straps, snaps, hook or tie, etc. The front side seams (712, 714) may create an upward curve proximate to each side of the pelvic bones of the wearer 710. The connection between the front 702 of the upper garment 704 and the front 706 of the lower garment 708 may be permanent, e.g., via sewing. The back of the alternate exemplary article of clothing embodiment 700 may have a tank back. The back of the alternate exemplary article of clothing embodiment 700 may have a detached back (see FIG. 2) or detachably attached back (see FIGS. 4-6).
FIG. 8 depicts a front view of another exemplary article of clothing embodiment having an upper garment with long sleeves fixedly attached to a lower garment having boy shorts 800. The location of the attachment 802, depicted by small bold dashed lines, between the upper garment 804 and the lower garment 806 may be varied from the upper edge of the lower garment 806 to the bottom 810 of the lower garment 806. In the embodiment with boy shorts as the lower garment 806, the attachment 802 area may be closer to the bottom 810 of the lower garment 806 than the upper edge, and the bottom edge 812 of the upper garment 804 may lay over and/or cover most of the lower garment 806 in the front.
In some embodiments, the upper garment 804 and the lower garment 806 may be detachably attached at the front and/or back, similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7. The upper garment 804 and/or lower garment 806 may be interchangeable with various other styles of upper garments and/or lower garments, such as those styles shown in FIGS. 1-7, having detachable attachments in order to mix and match colors and/or styles based on the look desired by the wearer 824. The upper garment 804 is depicted as a shirt having long sleeves 814. Short sleeve 816 and three-quarter sleeve 818 embodiments, depicted by shorter dashed lines, may also be used. The front 820 of the upper garment 804 may have a collar 822. The back of the upper garment 804 may be detached from the lower garment 806 (see FIG. 2) or detachably attached (see FIGS. 4-6).
It is contemplated that various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the above embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further it is intended that the scope of the present invention is herein disclosed by way of examples and should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article of clothing comprising:

an upper garment for covering a torso of a wearer, the upper garment comprising a front, a back, a collar disposed proximate to a neck of the wearer, and a bottom edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer and distal from the collar; and

a lower garment for covering the buttocks and crotch of a wearer, the lower garment comprising a front, a back, and an upper edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer;

wherein a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment is fixedly attached to a portion of the front of the lower garment;

wherein a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment proximate to each hip of the wearer is detached from a portion of the front of the lower garment proximate to each hip of the wearer;

wherein the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detached from the upper edge of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer; and

wherein the bottom edge of the upper garment is proximate to the upper edge of the lower garment.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment is fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at the upper edge of the lower garment.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment is fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at each side seam of the lower garment.

4. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the upper garment is at least one of: a tank top, a sleeveless shirt, a halter tank, a short sleeve shirt, a three-quarter sleeve shirt, and a long sleeve shirt.

5. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the lower garment is underwear comprising at least one of: briefs, thong, and boy shorts.

6. An article of clothing comprising:

wherein a portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detachably attached to a portion of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer; and

7. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment is fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at the upper edge of the lower garment.

8. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detachably attached to the portion of the back of the lower garment at the upper edge of the lower garment.

9. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment is fixedly attached to the portion of the front of the lower garment at each side seam of the lower garment.

10. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the upper garment is at least one of: a tank top, a sleeveless shirt, a halter tank, a short sleeve shirt, a three-quarter sleeve shirt, and a long sleeve shirt.

11. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the lower garment is underwear comprising at least one of: briefs, thong, and boy shorts.

12. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detachably attached to the portion of the back of the lower garment proximate the lower back of the wearer by at least one of: snaps, clasps, buttons, hook and loops, hook and eyes, and zippers.

13. An article of clothing comprising:

an upper garment for covering a torso and crotch of a wearer, the upper garment comprising a front, a back, a collar disposed proximate to a neck of the wearer, and a bottom edge extending from a crotch of the wearer to a waist of the wearer and distal from the collar; and

a lower garment for covering the buttocks of a wearer, the lower garment comprising a front, a back, and an upper edge disposed proximate to a waist of the wearer;

wherein a portion of the front of the upper garment is fixedly attached to a portion of the front of the lower garment;

wherein a portion of the bottom edge of the front of the upper garment proximate to each hip of the wearer is detached from a portion of the front of the lower garment proximate to each hip of the wearer; and

14. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein a portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detachably attached to a portion of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer.

15. The article of clothing of claim 14, wherein the portion of the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detachably attached to the portion of the back of the lower garment proximate the lower back of the wearer by at least one of: snaps, clasps, buttons, hook and loops, hook and eyes, and zippers.

16. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the bottom edge of the back of the upper garment is detached from the upper edge of the back of the lower garment proximate a lower back of the wearer.

17. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the upper garment is at least one of: a tank top, a sleeveless shirt, a halter tank, a short sleeve shirt, a three-quarter sleeve shirt, and a long sleeve shirt.

18. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the lower garment is underwear comprising at least one of: briefs, thong, and boy shorts.

19. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the front of the lower garment is a waistband.

20. The article of clothing of claim 13, wherein the upper garment and the lower garment are at least one of: outerwear and active wear.