Brassiere having stretchable support

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a garment that is capable of providing additional comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user. For example, the garment can have a stretchable component formed at various locations on and as a portion of the garment. The stretchable component can stretch differently from its adjoining material. The garment so formed can provide an increased flexibility and/or comfort to the user when the user's body portion changes in shape and/or size, such as during physical exercises. Additionally or alternatively, the garment is capable of accommodating different users having differently shaped and/or sized body portions and providing a flexible and/or comfortable fit to the different users.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/704,480 filed Jul. 31, 2005, now pending, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a garment formed to provide increased comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user. In particular, the present invention relates to a brassiere that provides a stretchable and/or customized fit to accommodate differently shaped and/or sized body portion(s) of a user to enhance comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user when the brassiere is in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garments are typically made in standard shapes and/or sizes, each of which is intended to fit a group of users having similar body shapes and sizes. Within any shape and/or size group, the intended users may nevertheless have somewhat different heights and/or weights. As a result, the standard shape and/or size system cannot comfortably fit all users in the same shape and/or size group. This is particularly true when the garments are designed to fit closely on the users' bodies.

For example, brassieres are available in standard band sizes (e.g., 32 to 42 inches) and cup sizes (e.g., AA to DD) to accommodate women of different body shapes and sizes. Brassieres of a selected band and/or cup size are intended to fit not only users of that particular shape and/or size but also those whose actual bodily dimensions may fall between two standard shapes and/or two standard sizes. In view of this phenomenon, the standard shapes and/or sizes will not comfortably fit all users.

Custom tailoring is a conventional technique used to fit a garment to a specific user by first measuring the user, and then making, or modifying, the garment according to the measurement. Although custom tailoring can be employed to address the above-mentioned problem, the cost and effort associated with custom tailoring makes it impractical to supply to the mass market.

The present invention can provide a garment formed according to a standard shape and/or size system, yet capable of providing a stretchable fit to accommodate different shapes and/or sizes occurring within the same shape and/or size group without significantly increasing cost. In particular, the present invention can provide a brassiere that can provide a stretchable fit to enhance comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user(s) when the brassiere is in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a garment that is capable of providing additional comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user. For example, the garment can comprise a stretchable component formed at various locations on and as a portion of the garment. The stretchable component can expand, when being stretched, allowing the brassiere to fit a larger body portion. For example, the stretchable component can be formed from any of elastic materials, such as, but not limited to, those woven with an elastic yarn (e.g., spandex) or otherwise made to have an elastomeric characteristic (e.g., stretchable foam). Once the stretching force is released, the stretchable component can contract to the initial shape and/or size. For example, the stretchable component can allow the brassiere to conform to the wearer's changing body shape and/or size, such as when the wearer bends her body during various physical activities.

The stretchable component can stretch differently from its adjoining material. For example, the stretchable component can stretch in different directions and/or to different magnitudes from the adjoining materials do. According to one embodiment, the stretchable component can be more stretchable than the adjoining materials. The garment so formed can provide an increased flexibility and/or comfort to the user when the user's body portion changes in shape and/or size, such as during physical exercises. Additionally or alternatively, the garment is capable of accommodating different users having differently shaped and/or sized body portions and providing a flexible and/or comfortable fit to the different users.

In particular, in accordance with one aspect, the present invention relates to a garment in the form of a brassiere having a pair of bra cups and a bra wing for supporting the bra cups on the wearer of the brassiere. The bra cups and the bra wing are adapted to fit closely around and support a user's body portion (i.e., a woman's breasts). According to one embodiment, the stretchable component can be formed as a portion of the bra cups and/or the bra wing and provide stretchability thereto, so that the brassiere is stretchable to accommodate different breast shapes and/or sizes of the user(s). The stretchable component can be formed in any of various shapes and/or sizes to provide different stretchabilities.

The stretchable component can provide flexibility and/or comfort to the user in various ways. For example, the stretchable component can be formed to be stretchable allowing one or more of the bra cups and the bra wing to expand and/or contract. In one embodiment, the stretchable component can be stretched as needed to allow a brassiere to fit fuller shapes and/or larger sizes of a body portion providing a flexible and/or comfortable support to the user(s). For example, the stretchable component can be formed to expand to about twice its initial size. In one embodiment, the stretchable component can be stretched to at least 120% of its initial size. The stretched stretchable component can also have the capability to contract, to allow the brassiere to return to its initial shape and/or size.

Additionally or alternatively, the stretchable component can be stretched in one or several directions as needed. For example, the stretchable component can expand orthogonally, i.e., in both warp and weft directions of the fabric forming the stretchable component. Alternatively, the stretchable component can expand in all directions. The brassiere so formed can provide increased comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user wearing the garment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the brassiere can comprise bra cups formed with a shaped section having a predetermined shape to support a user's breast. For example, the shaped section can be formed so as to provide a fuller shape for an enhanced appearance. Additionally or alternatively, the shaped section can substantially maintain the predetermined shape during normal use of the brassiere to serve a breast shaping function. For example, the bra cups can be padded and/or molded so that they can substantially maintain a desired shape and therefore serve a breast shaping function. The bra cups can be either stretchable or non-stretchable. The stretchable component can be joined to the shaped section and have more elasticity than that of the shaped section so that the stretchable component can be stretched to allow the bra cup to accommodate a somewhat larger breast while allowing the shaped section to maintain the desired shape to serve its breast shaping function.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the brassiere can comprise bra cups formed with inner and outer layers. According to this aspect, the stretchable component is formed as a portion of the inner layer. The inner and outer layers and the stretchable component can have different elasticities and/or stretchabilities with the inner layer being the least elastic and/or stretchable. For example, the stretchable component may be more elastic than the inner layer, while the outer layer is as elastic or more elastic than the stretchable component to allow it to expand. The outer layer can also be made of a continuous material and/or with design patterns, thereby concealing the inner layer and the stretchable component and providing a pleasing aesthetic appearance.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the brassiere can comprise one or more stretchable components made of a stretchable fabric and located on the bra cups and/or bra wing. The stretchable components are stretchable such that the bra cups and/or wing may expand to accommodate different or changing body shapes and/or sizes. The locations of the stretchable components are determined so that they are in contact with the user's body portions where the most changes occur when the brassiere is in use. Additionally or alternatively, when the brassiere is formed to contain one or more bra underwires, the proximity of the stretchable components to the underwires allows the underwires to remain in their anchoring positions when the cups and/or wing expand, thereby reducing the likelihood that the underwire will cut into the user's breast.

The stretchable component can have a different stretchability (e.g., different indices of elasticity, different directions of flexibility or other different flexibility characteristics, etc.) from that of the adjoining material on the garment to provide a variable and additional flexibility and/or comfort to the user(s). For example, the stretchable component can be formed of a different stretchable material than the adjoining material to achieve the variation in stretchability. According to one embodiment, the stretchable component can be formed to be more stretchable than the adjoining materials. Additionally or alternatively, the stretchable component and the adjacent material can be a single continuous piece of material but woven differently so as to exhibit different stretchability characteristics. The stretchable component can be formed to have more stretchability than that of the adjoining garment materials.

The stretchable component and its adjoining garment materials can be stretched in different ways, such as in different directions and/or to different magnitudes, to provide variable stretchabilities and additional flexibility, support, and/or comfort to the user. For example, the stretchable component may expand more than the adjoining garment materials when being subjected to the same amount of tension. In one embodiment, the stretchable component can be stretched while the rest of the garment maintains its shape and size. In such a case, the stretchable component expands to accommodate variations between the shape and/or size of the wearer and those of a “standard shape and/or size” user while the rest of the garment maintains its predetermined shape and provides support to the user.

The stretchable component can be made of various materials to provide the desired stretchability. Exemplary stretchable materials include, but not limited to, nylon, spandex (e.g., Lycra®), polyamide, and the like, or a mixture thereof. The stretchable materials can be knitted or woven or in the form of lace, embroidery, mesh, and the like. Depending on the type of garment, one or more stretchable materials can be used to form the stretchable component and provide the desired stretchability. It will be appreciated that the stretchable component can be formed with various other materials, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

The stretchable component can be joined to various parts (e.g., bra cups, bra wing, etc.) of the garment by various conventional methods, such as sewing, fastening, adhering, and the like. It will be appreciated that various other methods can be used to join the stretchable component with the garment, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, there is shown in the drawings an illustrative form, it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the precise form shown by the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is the front view of a brassiere formed according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the front view a variation of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows the body side of a second embodiment of the brassiere;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the brassiere taken along line I-I in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows the front view of a third embodiment of the brassiere; and

FIG. 6 shows the front view of a fourth embodiment of the brassiere.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings where like numerals indicate like elements, a brassiere constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown and designated generally as 10. In the various embodiments illustrated, the garment of the present invention is shown as a brassiere 10. However, the present invention is not limited to brassieres 10 and can be incorporated into other garments, including, for example, briefs. Additionally the exemplary brassieres 10 shown in the drawings are not to be considered limiting in any manner. It will be appreciated that the various features described herein may be used singly or in any combination thereof.

The brassiere 10 can be formed in various conventional manners, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. In a first embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, the brassiere 10 can generally comprise a pair of bra cups 12 and a bra wing 14, which can be formed in various conventional manners for supporting a user's breasts. The bra cups 12 can be joined to each other in the front either permanently, such as through a center fabric as shown in the various drawing figures, or releasably, such as through various conventional fasteners (not shown). The bra wing 14 can join the bra cups 12 in the back.

If desired, the brassiere 10 can be formed with one or more supporting elements to provide additional support to the user. For example, one or more shoulder straps 16 can be provided and joined to the bra cups 12 and the bra wing 14 in various conventional manners. A bra underwire 18 (visible in FIG. 4) can be provided and encased in a wire channel 20 formed at the bottom bra rim 22 of each of the bra cups 12. It will be appreciated that various other supporting elements can be employed in the brassiere 10 to provide additional support, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

The bra cups 12 of the brassiere 10 can be formed in various manners to support a user's breast. For example, the bra cups 12 can have any of various shapes to provide varied support(s) and/or appeal to the user. For example, the cups 12 can be formed in various manners to comprise a shaped section 12′ with a predetermined shape. The shape of the shaped section 12′ can be determined based on various factors, such as the cup size of the brassiere 10. In one example, the shaped section 12′ can comprise a padded and/or molded section formed into a desired shape, such as to provide an aesthetically appealing appearance. The bra cups 12 can be formed into a fuller shape for an enhanced effect.

The bra cups 12 can be formed to maintain the predetermined shape of the shaped section 12′ during the use of the brassiere 10 to serve a breast shaping function. In one example, the shaped section 12′ can be made as a padded or molded section capable of maintaining its initial shape substantially unchanged throughout the use of the brassiere 10. For example, the shaped section 12′ can be molded with a foam material. Additionally or alternatively, the shaped section 12′ can be formed of a material having a predetermined stretchability, such as predetermined elongation and/or modulus, to maintain the predetermined shape. For example, the shaped section 12′ can be formed of a material having a length elongation in the range from about 0%, where the material is substantially non-stretchable in the length direction, to about 68%. In another example, the shaped section 12′ can be formed of a material having a width elongation in the range from about 0%, where the material is substantially non-stretchable in the width direction, to about 63%. In another example, the shaped section 12′ can be formed of a material having a modulus in the range from about 1.8 to about 3.0 when the length elongation of the material is about 30%. The above discussed elongations of materials are measured under a 8.8 lb load during the third cycle at the outgoing stretch, similar to the various test procedures specified in the ASTM D4964 Standard. As will be understood, the aforementioned elongation or modulus ranges are examples but are not limiting.

The bra cups 12 can be made of various materials to provide various supporting effects to the user. In one example, the cups 12 can be made of a foam material, so as to provide enhanced support to the user. In another example, the cups 12 can be made of stretchable material to provide comfortable support. In a further example, at least a portion of the cups 12 can be made of a material having a visually or tactilly pleasing design or pattern, to increase the garment's aesthetic appeal. The bra cups 12 themselves can be formed with various designs. It will be appreciated that various the bra cups 12 can be formed in various other forms or manners, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

The bra wing 14 of the brassiere 10 can be formed in various manners. For example, the bra wing 14 can be formed as a single continued piece (not shown) or two separate pieces releasably joined to each other. Each bra wing 14 can have front and rear end portions 26 and 28. Each of the front end portions 26 of the bra wing 14 can be adapted join to one of the bra cups 12 in various manners. The rear end portions 28 can be adapted to join to each other in various ways, such as by various fasteners 30. In another embodiment, the single continuous wing (not shown) can have its free ends joined to the bra cups 12, which are releasably joined to each other in the front. It will be appreciated that various the bra wing 14 can be formed in various other manners, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

A stretchable component 24 is provided as a portion of the brassiere 10 and is shown as a stretchable insert 24a. The stretchable insert 24a can be formed in various ways to provide a variable and additional stretchability. For example, the stretchable insert 24a can be formed so as to comprise a different stretchable material from that of the remaining portions of the bra cups 12. In one example, the stretchable insert 24a is formed of a material that is more stretchable than that of the material forming the shaped section 12′. The stretchable insert 24a so formed can expand to provide a stretchable fit to different shaped and/or sized body portions while allowing the shaped section 12′ to remain substantially unchanged and to maintain its predetermined shape.

The stretchable insert 24a can be formed at various locations on one or both of the bra cups 12 to provide stretchability to the various cup portions. For example, the stretchable insert 24a can be formed at a location on the bra cup 12 where changes or variations of body shapes and/or sizes are most likely to occur. Additionally or alternatively, the stretchable insert 24a can be formed on the bra cup 12 at a location that will keep the bra cup 12 in place in relation to the wearer's breast when the stretchable insert 24a expands. For example, the stretchable insert 24a can be positioned adjacent to the bra rim 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable insert 24a is formed as the lower portion of each bra cup 12, allowing the lower cup portion to expand.

The stretchable insert 24a can be formed into various shapes and sizes. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable insert 24a can have a crescent shape, which is formed at the bottom portion of one or both of the bra cups 12. The stretchable insert 24a can take up from about 5% to about 50%, or from about 5% to about 30%, of a bra cup 12. In an example shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable insert 24a can be about 30% of the area of the bra cup 12.

The stretchable insert 24a can be joined to the other portion(s) of the brassiere 10 in various ways. For example, the shaped section 12′ and the stretchable insert 24a can be sewn together by various conventional methods, or formed as a single piece of material but with different (i.e., varying) stretchabilities. In another embodiment, the stretchable insert 24a can be adhered to a supporting element, such as to the wire channel 20. It will be appreciated that the stretchable insert 24a can be formed and/or joined to the bra cups 12 in various other ways, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a variation of the brassiere 10 shown in FIG. 10. The stretchable component 24 is shown as a stretchable insert 24b in this variation. The stretchable insert 24b is formed adjacent to a side portion of a bra cup 12, allowing the side cup portion to expand for a stretchable fit. For example, the stretchable insert 24b can extend from the center portion of the bra rim 22 and away from the center of the brassiere 10. As FIG. 2 illustrates, The stretchable insert 24b can be in a wedge shape. For example, the wedge shaped insert 24b can extend along a portion of the bra rim 22 and away from the center of the brassiere 10. The stretchable insert 24b can cover from about 5% to about 10% of the area of the bra cup 12. It will be appreciated that the stretchable insert 24b can be formed and/or joined to the bra cups 12 in various other ways, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the body side of a brassiere 10 formed according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the bra cups 12 can be formed so as to have a multi-layer structure, such as including inner and outer layers 12a, 12b, providing a combined flexibility, support, and/or comfort to the user. For example, the inner layer 12a can be formed as a shaped section 12′ to provide a desired shaping effect to the user. In one example, the inner layer 12a can be made of a padding material, such as a foam material, to provide a desired shape and enhanced support to the user. In another example, the inner layer 12a can be molded to provide a desired shaping effect to the user. The outer layer 12b can be made of a material having a design and/or texture to increase the aesthetic appeal of the garment. For example, the outer layer 12b can be formed of a continuous piece of material. In another example, the bra cups 12 can be provided with aesthetically pleasing designs.

The stretchable component 24 is shown as a stretchable insert 24c, which can be provided to form on the inner layer 12a of the bra cup 12. The stretchable insert 24c can be in a wedge shape, similar to that shown in FIG. 2. For example, the wedge shaped insert 24c can extend along a portion of the bra rim 22 and away from the center of the brassiere 10. The stretchable insert 24c can cover from about 5% to about 10% of the area of the bra cup 12.

The inner and outer layers 12a, 12b can be formed so as to be stretchable or non-stretchable. For example, the inner layer 12a is formed to be less stretchable than the stretchable insert 24c. As is discussed above, the inner layer 12a can be formed as a shaped section 12′ and is less stretchable than that of the stretchable insert 24c, such as to provide and maintain a desired shaping effect to the user while the stretchable insert 24c stretches. In one example, the inner layer 12a can be formed of a substantially non-stretchable or rigid material, such as to serve a breast shaping function. The outer layer 12b can be formed to be more stretchable than the inner layer 12a and the stretchable insert 24c, such as to allow the stretchable insert 24c to stretch. It will be appreciated that the inner and outer layers 12a, 12b and the stretchable insert 24c can be formed in various other manners, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a brassiere 10. The stretchable component 24 can be in the form of one or more stretchable segments 24d formed on the bra wing 14. The stretchable segment 24d can expand, when being stretched, allowing the brassiere 10 to fit a larger body portion. Once the stretching force is released, the stretchable segment 24d can contract to the initial shape and/or size. For example, the stretchable segment 24d can allow the brassiere 10 to conform to the wearer's changing body shape and/or size, such as when the wearer bends her body. In one embodiment, the stretchable segment 24d can have a different stretchability from that of the bra wing 14. For example, the stretchable segment 24d can be more stretchable than the bra wing 14. The combination of the bra wing 14 and the stretchable segment 24d can provide a varied and additional stretchability for an enhanced flexibility and/or comfort.

The stretchable segment 24d can be positioned at various locations on the bra wing 14. In one example, the stretchable segment 24d can be formed on the bra wing 14 at a location where it is more likely to be stretched than the other portions of the bra wing 14. In such case, the stretchable segment 24d can expand and contract to accommodate the changing shape and/or size of the user's body portion, but retain the bra wing 14 in place when the user's body portion moves or otherwise changes in shape and/or size. The stretchable segment 24d can also be formed on other locations, such as a middle section, of bra wing 14.

In one example as shown in FIG. 5, the stretchable component 24d can be formed in such a location on the bra wing 14 to keep the bra cup 12 in place. That is, when the wearer moves and the rear of the bra wing 14 is pulled away from the bra cup 12, the presence of the stretchable component 24d causes the stretch to be taken up (or at least partially taken up) in the stretchable component 24d, rather than the bra cup 12 so that the bra cup 12 is not displaced (or at least displaced to a lesser degree) relative to the wearer's breast, keeping the bra cup 12 and the wearer's breast in place. This adds both comfort and improved esthetic support to the brassiere 10.

For example, the stretchable segment 24d is formed adjacent to one or both of the bra cups 12. For example, the stretchable segment 24d can be provided between a bra cup 12 and the bra wing 14 to join the bra cup 12 and the bra wing 14. Because of the proximity of the stretchable segment 24d to the bra cup 12 and/or the bra wing 14, the stretchable segment 24d, when stretches, can release the tension applied onto the brassiere 10, such as when the user engages in physical exercises or other body activities. The bra cups 12 and/or the bra wing 14 can thus be kept in place in relation to the wear's breasts. When the brassiere 10 is formed to include a bra underwire 18, the stretchable segment 24d is capable of reducing the likelihood of moving the bra underwire 18 and/or the wire channel 20 out of their anchoring positions and cutting into the user's breast.

The stretchable segment 24d can be formed into various shapes and/or sizes to provide different stretchabilities. For example, the stretchable segment 24d can have a triangular shape positioned between the cup 12 and the bra wing 14. In one example, the stretchable segment 24d is provided to join each the front end portion 26 of each bra wing 14 to a bra cup 12. The stretchable segment 24d can also be formed into other shapes, such as a rectangular shape. The size of the stretchable segment 24b can be formed to cover from about 5% to about 50% of the bra wing 14. It will be appreciated that the stretchable segment 24d can be formed in various other ways, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the brassiere 10, in which stretchable components 24 are provided on both the bra cups 12 and the bra wing 14. For example, a stretchable insert 24b is formed on each of the bra cups 12 as is described above. A stretchable segment 24d is formed between each bra cup 12 and the front end 26 of each bra wing 14 as is described above. The combination of stretchable insert 24b and segment 24d can afford the wearer additional and various supports when the brassiere 10 is in use, such as accommodating shape and/or size changes of both the wearer's breasts and the nearby torso portion. Additionally, the proximity of the stretchable insert 24b and the stretchable segment 24d to the bra rim 22 allows the stretchable insert 24b and segment 24d to effectively take up the stretch in the brassiere 10 caused by the shape and/or size change of the wearer's body portions, such as when the wearer is engaging in physical activities. This can prevent the bra rim 22 from moving out of in its normal use position and cutting into the wearer's breast.

Although the above description of the present invention is made in connection with an exemplary article of garment in the form of a brassiere, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is applicable to various other articles of garments including, but not limited to, various dresses, gowns, fitted shirts, and the like.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments specifically described herein. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A brassiere comprising bra cups and a bra wing for supporting the bra cups on a user, the bra cups each comprising:

a padded or molded section which substantially maintains a desired shape during use and serves a breast shaping function; and

a stretchable insert joined to the padded or molded section;

wherein the stretchable insert has more elasticity than that of the padded or molded section, the stretchable insert being stretchable to allow the bra cup to expand while allowing the padded or molded section to maintain the desired shape to serve its breast shaping function.

2. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the stretchable insert is stretchable in all directions.

3. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the stretchable insert takes up about 5% to about 30% of the area of the cup.

4. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the stretchable insert takes up about 5% to about 10% of the area of the cup.

5. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the padded or molded section and the stretchable insert are formed of a single material and woven to have different stretchabilities.

6. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the padded or molded section has a predetermined stretchability.

7. A brassiere comprising bra cups and a bra wing for supporting the bra cups on a user, the bra cups each comprising:

a shaped section having a predetermined shape for support a user's breast, the shaped section maintaining the predetermined shape during use to serve a breast shaping function; and

a stretchable insert joined to the shaped section;

wherein the stretchable insert has more elasticity than that of the shaped section, the stretchable insert being stretchable to allow the bra cup to expand while allowing the shaped section to maintain the predetermined shape to serve the breast shaping function.

8. The brassiere of claim 7, wherein the shaped section is made of a material having a length elongation of no more than about 68% under a load of 8.8 lb.

9. The brassiere of claim 7, wherein the shaped section is made of a material having a width elongation of no more than about 63% under a load of 8.8 lb.

10. The brassiere of claim 7, wherein the shaped section is made of a material having a modulus in the range of about 1.8 to about 3.0 at a length elongation of about 30%.

11. The brassiere of claim 7, wherein the shaped section is substantially non-stretchable.

12. A brassiere comprising bra cups and a bra wing for supporting the bra cups on a user, the bra cups each comprising:

inner and outer layers; and

a stretchable insert located on the inner layer, the stretchable insert being more elastic than the inner layer.

13. The brassiere of claim 12, wherein the inner layer is formed so as to define a predetermined shape and maintain the predetermined shape during the use of the brassiere.

14. The brassiere of claim 12, wherein the inner layer comprises a foam material.

15. The brassiere of claim 12, wherein the outer layer is more elastic than the stretchable insert.

16. The brassiere of claim 12, wherein the outer layer is made of a continuous material for providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

17. A brassiere comprising:

bra cups each being defined partially by a bra rim;

a bra wing for supporting the bra cups on a user; and

at least one stretchable insert located on one of the bra cups and/or bra wing and adjacent to at least a portion of the bra rims, the stretchable insert comprising a stretchable fabric structured so as to allow the bra cups and/or bra wing to expand to accommodate different or changing body shapes and/or sizes of a user;

wherein the stretchable insert is located in relation to a bra rim so as to allow the bra rim to remain in place when the bra cups and/or wing expand during use.

18. The brassiere of claim 17, wherein the stretchable insert is joined to a portion of the bra rims.

19. The brassiere of claim 17, wherein the stretchable insert is formed on each side of each bra rim.

20. The brassiere of claim 17 further comprising:

a wire channel formed along at least a portion of each bra rim; and

a bra underwire encased in the wire channel;

wherein the stretchable insert is joined to the wire channel; and

wherein the brassiere is adapted so that the wire channel contacts a user's body in an anchoring position to serve a shaping function when the brassiere is in use.