SIZING AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD FOR CUSTOM FIT LEOTARDS AND ONE-PIECE SWIMWEAR

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture for garment construction and size selection are disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/796,729, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, entitled “SIZING AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD FOR CUSTOM FIT LEOTARDS AND ONE-PIECE SWIMWEAR”, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure pertains generally to clothing, and more particularly to sizing and construction methods for leotards and swimwear.

The clothing industry has undergone many changes in the past several decades. Although clothing can still be custom-made, such luxuries are usually reserved for specialty clothing such as men's suits, ladies' dresses, etc. Even in these cases, the original article of clothing comes in a standard size, e.g., 46 long suit, size 10 dress, etc., and is tailored to fit the individual.

Further, the clothing industry has gone to somewhat standard sizing (XS-XL) in many clothing areas, e.g., t-shirts, dancewear such as leotards, swimwear, shirts, pants, etc. The standardized sizing approach is easier for manufacturers, but does not take into account the many nuances of the body that make every person unique.

Perhaps a person's torso is longer or shorter than the measurements that are used in the standard XS-XL sizing. Perhaps the wearer has a broader chest, modest cup size, or a narrow body type, with a larger bust size. Whether the wearer has a body shape that can be described as pear shaped, hourglass, apple or banana, the standardized sizing is not customized enough for certain types of clothing, e.g., leotards and swimwear.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure comprise methods for sizing and construction of garments. The user can specify various measurements to provide a more customized fit for the clothing garments, which may include leotards, swimwear, and/or other stretch-style garments.

A method for constructing a garment in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure comprises selecting a size of a bodice portion based at least in part on a bust measurement, selecting a size of a bottom portion based at least in part on a waist measurement and a hips measurement, selecting a length of the bottom portion based at least in part on a length measurement; and coupling the bodice portion to the bottom portion.

Such a method may further optionally include selecting a size of the bodice portion being further based on a bra cup size, the garment being a swimsuit and/or a leotard, the size of the bodice portion and/or the bottom portion ranging from a size 0 to a size 8 and/or from a size extra small (XS) to a size extra large (XL), and the size of the bodice portion only being pairable with a subset of the sizes of the bottom portion, and in which a size of the garment is selected from a group consisting of short, medium, and long.

The above summary has outlined, rather broadly, some features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a measurement of a person's bust or chest in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a measurement of a person's waist in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a measurement of a person's hips in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a measurement of a person's step-through length in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a single piece garment in an exploded view in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6-8 illustrates a cross-pairing of medium length bodices and bottoms for a single piece garment in an exploded view in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a process flow in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed toward a method of determining a proper sized garment and a sizing schema for producing such garments.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-sectional, block diagrams, and/or view illustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments of the disclosure. As such, the actual dimensions of elements can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. A region illustrated or described as square or rectangular may have slightly rounded or curved features due to normal manufacturing tolerances. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. It is understood that the shapes, sizes, and locations in the attached figures may not be to scale.

Overview

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a set of measurements is determined such that a wearer can select a multifaceted size that will provide a more customized fit leotard. A leotard that does not gap in the low back or under the bust, or have the wearer constantly tugging down or pulling up, but fits like a glove and is flattering, may be more readily provided by the descriptions in the present disclosure.

In particular, dancers' measurements and body types do not often fit within the standard XS-XL garment sizes. In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for producing custom fit, everyday wear such as leotards and the like is disclosed.

A sizing and construction method in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure allows for a garment size to comprise a plurality of components, which may be three or four components (or some other number of components) allows garments to be constructed by using a sizing chart based on personal measurements. to create a custom fit leotard or one-piece swimwear garment.

In aspects of the present disclosure, a three or four part sizing chart, and subsequent four element garment “size” allows the consumer to select a more customized size for each of the component factors used in construction of the garment. The consumer locates their personal measurements on size charts to select their overall garment sizing. The measurements are commonly known by most apparel consumers, or can be easily ascertained using industry standard methods.

A leotard or one-piece swim garment that takes into account one's atypical proportions will provide a more ideal fit. Such garments will have reduced improper fit issues, giving athletes and non-athletes alike the confidence and freedom to focus and perform their work, recreational activity or simply sunbathe, in a garment that fits properly without distraction or discomfort.

FIG. 1 illustrates a measurement of a person's bust or chest in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mannequin 100 and a measuring tape 102. Tape 102 may be used to measure a person's bust or chest at location 104 on a person's body, as shown as location 104 on mannequin 100. Location 104 is often the fullest part of a person's chest or bust. A measurement at location 104 typically results in a measurement in the range of 27″-39″ but may be more or less without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a measurement of a person's waist in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 again illustrates mannequin 100 and tape 102. Tape 102 may also be used to measure a person's waist at location 106 on a person's body, as shown as location 106 on mannequin 100. Location 106 is often the narrowest part of the person's waist or torso. A measurement at location 106 typically results in a measurement in the range of 22″-34″ but may be more or less without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a measurement of a person's hips in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 again illustrates mannequin 100 and tape 102. Tape 102 may also be used to measure a person's hips (also called the “low hips”) at location 108 on a person's body, as shown as location 106 on mannequin 100. Location 108 is the widest part of the person's waist. A measurement at location 108 typically results in a measurement in the range of 31″-43″ but may be more or less without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a measurement of a person's step-through length in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 again illustrates mannequin 100 and tape 102. Tape 102 may also be used to measure a person's torso girth and thus length, or “step-through” length at location 110 on a person's body, as shown as location 106 on mannequin 100. Location 110 is at the midpoint of the person's shoulder, and should run along the front of a person's body, between the legs, and up along the back of the body, back to location 110. be taken when the person is standing upright and straight. is the widest part of the person's waist. A measurement at location 110 typically results in a measurement in the range of 53″-63″ but may be more or less without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Once the four measurements shown in FIGS. 1-4 are made, and with the knowledge of a person's bra “cup” size, a person's individual size may be determined in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

TABLE 1 is a sizing chart showing the process of selecting a four part size in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

TABLE 1
Bodice Size
	size 0	size 2	size 4	size 6	size 8
Bust Measurement	27″-29″	29″-32″	32″-34″	34″-37″	37″-39″
Cup Size
A	B	C	D	DD
Bottom Half Size
	size 0	size 2	size 4	size 6	size 8
Waist Measurement	22″-24″	24″-26″	26″-29″	29″-32″	32″-34″
Low hip	31″-33″	33″-35″	35″-38″	38″-41″	41″-43″
Measurement
Length
		Short (S)	Medium (M)	Long (L)
	Torso Measurement	53″-55″	55″-58″	58″-63″

Size Determination Example

After performing the measurements described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, a person may have a measurement 104 of 30 inches (chest/bust), a measurement 106 of 27 inches (waist), a measurement 108 of 36 inches (hips), and a measurement 110 of 60 inches (step-through length). If this person also has a bra cup size of “B”, then according to Table 1 a garment that would properly fit this person would be of a size 2-B-4-L, as those ranges fit the measurements made and known for such a person. It can be seen that other sizes and measurements may be included in TABLE 1 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A garment may then be constructed/manufactured by selecting the appropriate pattern piece sizes that have been graded using conventional grading methods, and joining them at the full seam around the waist of the garment, using conventional materials such as nylon spandex, cotton lycra, or the like, in one or multiple colors or designs (modern, vintage, etc.). A construction/pattern method in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is described below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a single piece garment in an exploded view in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

A leotard 200, often attached at the waist, comprises a bodice 202 and a bottom 204. Each of the measurements taken with respect to FIGS. 1-4 correspond to various sizes of each of these components 202 and 204.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-pairing of medium length bodices and bottoms for a single piece garment in an exploded view in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6, bodices 202A-202E represent pattern pieces for constructing bodices having sizes 0-8, respectively. These bodices 202 can also comprise a fabric pattern for an A-B cup size, although additional bodices 202 can be used to accommodate other cup sizes as desired. These bottom pieces 204 can be used to accommodate other lengths, such as long or short, as desired.

Bottom pieces 204A-204E represent pattern pieces for constructing bottom pieces having sizes 0-8 respectively. These bottom pieces 204 can also comprise a medium length, although additional bottom pieces 204 can be used to accommodate other lengths, such as long or short, as desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure where each of the bodices 202A-202E are paired with their two or three “nearest neighbors” of bottom pieces 204A-204E. For example, and not by way of limitation, bodice 202B is paired with bottoms 204A, 204B, and 204C, as the most likely body shape will be with those three bottoms 204. However, FIG. 7 illustrates another aspect of the present disclosure where each bodice 202 can be paired with any bottom 204.

FIG. 8 illustrates a similar concept to FIG. 6, with XS-XL sizing instead of 0-8 sizing in another aspect of the present disclosure.

As with FIG. 6, FIG. 8 shows a size chart that can use XS-XL sizing. Such an approach may result in a three part sizing structure.

	TABLE 2
	XS	S	M	L	XL
Select bodice size
Bust Measurement	27″-29″	29″-32″	32″-34″	34″-37″	37″-39″
Select bottom half size
Waist Measurement	22″-24″	24″-26″	26″-29″	29″-32″	32″-34″
Low hip	31″-33″	33″-35″	35″-38″	38″-41″	41″-43″
Measurement
Select length
		Short	Medium	Long
	Torso Measurement	53″-55″	55″-58″	58″-63″

Three Part Size Example

After performing the measurements described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, a person may have a measurement 104 of 30 inches (chest/bust), a measurement 106 of 29 inches (waist), a measurement 108 of 39 inches (hips), and a measurement 110 of 56 inches (step-through length). According to Table 2 a garment that would properly fit this person would be of a size S-L-M, as those ranges fit the measurements made and known for such a person. It can be seen that other sizes and measurements may be included in TABLE 2 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process flow in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

Process flow 900 comprises block 902, which represents selecting a size of a bodice portion based at least in part on a bust measurement. Process flow 900 further comprises block 904, which represents selecting a size of a bottom portion based at least in part on a waist measurement and a hips measurement. Process flow 900 further comprises block 906, which represents selecting a length of the garment based at least in part on a length measurement. Process flow 900 further comprises block 908, which represents coupling the bodice portion to the bottom portion.

The present disclosure is described herein with reference to certain embodiments, but it is understood that the disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In particular, the present disclosure is described below in regards to certain modules having features in different configurations, but it is understood that the present disclosure can be used for many other modules and/or configurations. The modules and systems can also have many different shapes beyond those described below.

All physical dimensions, weights, temperatures, etc. in the description and attached drawings are exemplary in nature. It is understood that embodiments of the present disclosure can have various dimensions/weights/temperatures/etc. varying from those shown in the attached drawings.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the technology of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. It should also be understood that when a feature or element may be referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, relative terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “above”, “lower”, “beneath”, and “below”, and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element or attribute to another. With regard to the figures, it is to be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted.

Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular configurations of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods, and/or steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, and/or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding configurations described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, and/or steps.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another element, component, region, or section. Thus, a first module, element, component, region, or section discussed below could be termed a second module, element, component, region, or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person reasonably skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a garment, comprising:

selecting a size of a bodice portion based at least in part on a bust measurement;

selecting a size of a bottom portion based at least in part on a waist measurement and a hips measurement;

selecting a length of the bottom portion based at least in part on a length measurement; and

coupling the bodice portion to the bottom portion.

2. The method of claim 1, in which selecting a size of the bodice portion is further based on a bra cup size.

3. The method of claim 2, in which the garment is a swimsuit.

4. The method of claim 2, in which the garment is a leotard.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the size of the bodice portion ranges from a size 0 to a size 8.

6. The method of claim 6, in which the size of the bottom portion ranges from a size 0 to a size 8.

7. The method of claim 1, in which the size of the bodice portion ranges from a size extra small (XS) to a size extra large (XL).

8. The method of claim 1, in which size of the bottom portion ranges from a size extra small (XS) to a size extra large (XL).

9. The method of claim 1, in which the size of the bodice portion is only pairable with a subset of the sizes of the bottom portion.

10. The method of claim 1, in which a size of the garment is selected from a group consisting of short, medium, and long.