Abstract: A strap fastener for a brassiere is configured as an alligator clip and has a slider which engages the ends of the legs of the fastener onto the fabric of a strapless brassiere or the like. The head of the fastener may be welded to the strap for a loop through which the strap is passed.

Abstract: A brassiere has a pair of cups each provided with a respective underwire assembly each having inner and outer U-shaped hard underwire portions extending substantially parallel to each other below a respective cup of the brassiere, joined together at ends, and separated by an arcuate slot between the ends. The underwire formed by the two portions is upwardly arcuately concave so as to conform to the contour of a breast in the cup, and is also horizontally arcuately concave so as to conform to the contour of the chest of a wearer of the brassiere. The underwire is embedded in a soft plastic body having an apron along a concave side of the body lying at an angle to the hard underwire portions so that the body and the underwire form a pocket receiving a breast of the wearer in the cup.

Abstract: A bra having a pair of cups having adjacent but spaced inner edges is provided with a front closure/adjuster that has respective flexible cords attached to the cup inner edges and each carrying a succession of spaced relatively hard pearls. A generally rigid body between the cups is formed with a pair of adjacent throughgoing passages through each of which a respective one of the pearl cords passes and along which the pearl cords can slide. Respective latch elements are each shiftable on the body relative to the respective passages between a freeing position generally clear of the respective passage and allowing the respective pearl cord to slide therein and a latching position engaging at least one pearl of the respective cord and preventing the respective pearl cord from sliding therein in at least one direction. Respective springs urge the latch elements into the respective latching positions.

Abstract: A reversible adjustable shoulder strap which can be used with high versatility in a variety of strap patterns, for a brassiere, has a strip formed with injection mold male and female closure members which can mate with one another and are identical on either side of the strip.

Abstract: A U-shaped hard underwire is rolled into a soft plastic body which forms a pocket for the breast when it is incorporated into a brassiere cup. The hard underwire has two arcuate portions separated by an arcuate slot so that one portion can swing relative to the plane of the underwire.

Abstract: A D-ring for a shoulder strap assembly and brassiere can have a catch which enables the D-ring to be locked in use or opened for lateral insertion of the loop of the shoulder strap. The catch can be formed by a pin on the bow of the D-ring laterally engageable in an eye of a limb.

Abstract: Wings attached to form the back panels of a brassiere are provided with the male and female fastener elements in the form of patches by ultrasonic welding of the patches to the diecut fabric wings. The male and female fastener elements are preferably of the snap type hook and eye plastic fastener elements which can be injection molded or ultrasonically bonded to the patches.

Abstract: A brassiere has a pair of cups each provided with a respective underwire assembly. Each such assembly has inner and outer U-shaped hard underwire portions extending substantially parallel to each other below a respective cup of the brassiere, joined together at ends, and separated by an arcuate slot between the ends. According to the invention the underwire formed by the two portions is arcuately concave in a first upward direction so as to conform to the contour of a breast in the cup, and is also arcuately concave in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first direction so as to conform to the contour of the chest of a wearer of the brassiere. The underwire is embedded in a soft plastic body having an apron along a concave side of the body lying at an angle to the hard underwire portions so that the body and the underwire form a pocket receiving a breast of the wearer in the cup.

Abstract: A U-shaped hard underwire is rolled into a soft plastic body which forms a pocket for the breast when it is incorporated into a brassiere cup. The hard underwire has two arcuate portions separated by an arcuate slot so that one portion can swing relative to the plane of the underwire.

Abstract: A lingerie strap and slide assembly has the central bar of the slide of set or recessed and formed with spikes to which the strap end is welded. The slide has its thickest portions at the centers of the transverse bars at which the central bar merges with the remainder of the slide. The strap passes around the central bar or directly through one of the slots to a ring and returns through that slot across the central bar and through the other slot in the slide to the shoulder of the wearer.

Abstract: A D-ring for a shoulder strap assembly and brassiere can have a catch which enables the D-ring to be locked in use or opened for lateral insertion of the loop of the shoulder strap. The catch can be formed by a pin on the bow of the D-ring laterally engageable in an eye of a limb.

Abstract: An underwire for brassieres which is split in the width and the split extends substantially the full length of the underwire to the rounded ends. The split defines two segments, one of which can swing out of the plane of the other to thereby strengthen the underwire while providing a measure of flexibility.

Abstract: A lingerie strap and slide assembly has the central bar of the slide of set or recessed and formed with spikes to which the strap end is welded. The slide has its thickest portions at the centers of the transverse bars at which the central bar merges with the remainder of the slide. The strap passes around the central bar or directly through one of the slots to a ring and returns through that slot across the central bar and through the other slot in the slide to the shoulder of the wearer.

Abstract: Flexible strips of a garment closure are injection molded around skeletons of the more rigid fastener members which are held together by ligatures embedded in the strip material. The closure members are of the snap/hook-type.

Abstract: A strap fastener for a brassiere is configured as an alligator clip and has a slider which engages the ends of the legs of the fastener onto the fabric of a strapless brassiere or the like. The head of the fastener may be welded to the strap for a loop through which the strap is passed.

Abstract: A brassiere is made by attaching prefabricated wings provided with back closures to front parts of the brassiere. The wings are laminated with at least two layers of fabric and may have cushion layers between the fabric layers, without stitched seams.