GARMENT WITH SLEEVES AND INTEGRATED GLOVES

Abstract

A garment including a body portion, left and right sleeve portions, and integrated left and right handwear portions is provided. A left handwear portion is integrated with a left sleeve portion forming a left sleeve-handwear combination, and a right handwear is integrated with a right sleeve portion forming a right sleeve-handwear combination. The left sleeve-handwear combination includes a sealable opening located near the distal end of the left sleeve portion and the small-finger side of the left handwear, and the right sleeve-handwear combination includes a sealable opening located near the distal end of the right sleeve portion and the right small-finger side of the right handwear. The sealable openings, when open, enable the wearer to remove his/her hands from the sleeve-handwear combinations, and when sealed, prevent outside elements from entering the sleeve-handwear combinations. The handwear may include gloves or mittens, and the garment may include a jacket, a pullover, or other types of garments. The garment also may include left and right side pockets, left and right breast pocket, a hood, a face mask, a crewneck, and/or a turtleneck.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/991,917 filed Mar. 19, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to garments, including garments with sleeves and integrated gloves.

BACKGROUND

Upper torso garments such as long-sleeved sweaters, sweatshirts, and hoodies are often worn in cold climates. On some occasions, gloves also may be worn to keep one's hands warm. However, if and when the gloves may be removed (e.g., to use one's touch screen mobile phone), the gloves must be stored or otherwise carried until they are placed back on. This may be inconvenient and may lead to misplacing the gloves.

Accordingly, there is a need for an upper torso garment with integrated gloves that may be partially removed to expose one's hands while remaining attached to the garment's sleeve.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, one or more embodiments are provided below for a garment to be worn by a wearer. The garment may include a first sleeve with a proximal end attached to a garment body and a distal end extending therefrom, a first handwear configured with the distal end of the first sleeve forming a first sleeve-handwear combination, and a first sealable opening configured with the first sleeve-handwear combination, wherein the first sealable opening, when open, enables the removal of a wearer's first hand from the first handwear, and when closed, seals the first sleeve-handwear combination from outside elements.

In another embodiment, the first sleeve extends from its proximal end to its distal end thereby defining a first sleeve longitudinal axis, and the first sealable opening includes a first slit oriented substantially in the direction of the first sleeve longitudinal axis.

In another embodiment, the first slit is about 3″-5″ long.

In another embodiment, the first sealable opening includes a first sealing mechanism adapted to seal the first sealable opening closed and to subsequently open the first sealable opening.

In another embodiment, the first sealing mechanism includes at least one of a zipper, hook and loop material, a snap, a button, and a latch.

In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first sealable opening is located adjacent to a position corresponding to the wearer's first small finger when the wearer's first hand is contained within the first handwear.

In another embodiment, the first handwear includes at least one of a glove, and a mitten.

In another embodiment, the garment further comprises a second sleeve with a proximal end attached to a garment body and a distal end extending therefrom, a second handwear configured with the distal end of the second sleeve forming a second sleeve-handwear combination, and a second sealable opening configured with the second sleeve-handwear combination, wherein the second sealable opening, when open, enables the removal of a wearer's second hand from the second handwear, and when closed, seals the second sleeve-handwear combination from outside elements.

In another embodiment, the second sleeve extends from its proximal end to its distal end thereby defining a second sleeve longitudinal axis, and the second sealable opening includes a second slit oriented substantially in the direction of the second sleeve longitudinal axis.

In another embodiment, the second slit is about 3″-5″ long. In another embodiment, the second sealable opening includes a second sealing mechanism adapted to seal the second sealable opening closed and to subsequently open the second sealable opening.

In another embodiment, the second sealing mechanism includes at least one of a zipper, hook and loop material, a snap, a button, and a latch.

In another embodiment, at least a portion of the second sealable opening is located adjacent to a position corresponding to the wearer's second small finger when the wearer's second hand is contained within the second handwear.

In another embodiment, the second handwear includes at least one of a glove, and a mitten.

In another embodiment, the garment includes at least one of a left side pocket, a right side pocket, a left breast pocket, a right breast pocket, a crew neck, a turtleneck, a hood, and a face mask.

According to another aspect, one or more embodiments are provided below for a garment to be worn by a wearer. The garment may include a first sleeve with a proximal end attached to a garment body and a distal end extending therefrom, wherein the first sleeve extending from its proximal end to its distal end defines a first sleeve longitudinal axis, a first handwear configured with the distal end of the first sleeve forming a first sleeve-handwear combination, a first sealable slit configured with the first sleeve-handwear combination and oriented substantially in the direction of the first sleeve longitudinal axis, and a first sealing mechanism adapted to seal the first sealable opening closed and to subsequently open the first sealable opening, wherein the first sealable slit, when open, enables the removal of a wearer's first hand from the first handwear, and when closed, seals the first sleeve-handwear combination from outside elements.

In another embodiment, the first sealing mechanism includes at least one of a zipper, hook and loop material, a snap, a button, and a latch.

In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first sealable slit is located adjacent to a position corresponding to the wearer's first small finger when the wearer's first hand is contained within the first handwear.

In another embodiment, the first handwear includes at least one of a glove, and a mitten.

In another embodiment, the garment includes at least one of a left side pocket, a right side pocket, a left breast pocket, a right breast pocket, a crew neck, a turtleneck, a hood, and a face mask.

The presently disclosed bleeding control device and its method of manufacture is more fully described in the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows aspects of a garment according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 2 shows aspects of a sleeve and glove combination according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 3 shows aspects of a sleeve and glove combination according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIG. 4 shows aspects of a glove according to exemplary embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In general, the garment of the current invention includes body apparel (e.g., upper torso apparel such as long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, coats, jumpers, etc.) combined with handwear. As is known in the art, handwear may generally include one or more coverings designed to be worn on a person's hand(s). The handwear may include a left handwear, a right handwear and/or a left and right handwear combination. As described herein, the handwear may be configured with the sleeves of the garment and may include mechanisms to enable the removal of the wearer's hand(s) from the handwear without requiring the removal of the complete garment. In some embodiments, the handwear remains at least partially attached to the garment's sleeves when removed from the wearer's hands.

In some embodiments, each handwear may resemble a standard glove that may be worn on the wearer's hand and that may include four single-finger portions, a thumb portion and a palm/backside portion. However, it is understood that each glove may include other configurations including (without limitation) duel-finger portions (e.g., portions that may contain two fingers instead of a single finger), three-finger portions, four-finger portions (e.g., mittens), other types of configurations, and any combination thereof. The handwear may comprise knitted materials, woven materials, leather, rubber, other types of materials, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the right and left handwear may match (e.g., may be mirrored) while in other embodiments the right and left handwear may differ in their structural configuration.

For the purposes of this specification, the apparel will be described as an upper torso pullover garment with integrated gloves (e.g., both left and right gloves). However, it is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the apparel may include any type(s) of garments and the handwear may include any type(s) of handwear. It also is understood that the scope of the apparel is not limited in any way by the type(s) and/or configuration(s) of the handwear and/or of the garments that the apparel may include.

According to exemplary embodiments hereof, FIG. 1 shows a garment 10 viewed from the front and including a body portion 12 configured with left and right sleeves 14-L, 14-R (collectively and individually 14). As shown, the proximal ends of the sleeves 14-L, 14-R are attached to the body portion 12 and the distal ends of the sleeves 14-L, 14-R extend outward therefrom. The garment 10 also incorporates left and right gloves 16-L, 16-R (collectively and individually 16) generally configured with the distal ends of the left and right sleeves 14-L, 14-R, respectively. Note that for the purposes of this specification, the term “right” and “left” (e.g., right sleeve and left sleeve) will refer to the directions right and left from the perspective of the person wearing the garment.

As is known in the art, the body portion 12 comprises a portion of the garment 10 that partially or wholly covers the torso of a person, when worn, and the sleeves 14-L, 14-R comprise portions of the garment 10 that partially or wholly cover the arms of a person, when worn.

Typical sleeves as known in the art include distal end openings through which the hands of the wearer may pass. In this way, the wearer's hands extend outward through the ends of the sleeves, when worn, and are thereby unobstructed by the sleeves. However, accordingly to exemplary embodiments hereof of the garment 10, each glove 16-L, 16-R is configured as a continuous extension of the distal end of its corresponding sleeve 14-L, 14-R, respectively. In this way, the wearer's hands do not pass out of a distal end opening of the sleeves 14-L, 14-R, but instead, pass directly from the distal end of the sleeves 14-L, 14-R into the gloves 16-L, 16-R, respectively. It is preferred that, except for the opening 26 described in detail in other sections, the junction between the sleeves 14-L, 14-R and the gloves 16-L, 16-R, respectively, are continuous and free of gaps and/or any types of openings. In this way, the sleeves 14 and gloves 16 are sealed together, and elements such as water, snow, mud, dirt, and/or any other elements may not pass from outside the garment 10 to inside the garment 10 in this area.

The gloves 16 may be incorporated or otherwise configured with the sleeves 14 in a number of ways. For example, the gloves 16 may be formed integrally with the sleeves 14 during production of the garment 10 and/or may be formed separately and then attached to the ends of the sleeves 14 (e.g., by stitching). It is understood that the gloves 16 and the sleeves 14 may be formed and/or combined in any way with respect to one another and that the scope of the invention is not limited in any way by the way in which the gloves 16 and/or the sleeves 14 may be formed and/or combined.

Each glove 16 may include a plurality of finger portions 18-1, 18-2, . . . 18-n (individually and collectively 18) adapted to receive the finger(s) of the user, a thumb portion 20 adapted to receive the thumb of the user, a palm portion 22 adapted to receive the palm of the user (FIG. 2), a back hand portion 24 (back of the hand) adapted to receive the back of the hand of the user and a wrist portion adapted to receive the wrist of user. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the glove 16 includes a small finger portion 18-1, a ring finger portion 18-2, a middle finger portion 18-3, an index finger portion 18-4, and a thumb portion 20. In general, the palm portion 22 may define the underneath portion of the glove 16 and the back hand portion 24 may define the top portion of the glove 16. Note that not all gloves 16 are required to include all portions.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1-2, each glove-sleeve combination includes at least one closable opening 26 (also referred to as a sealable opening 26). For example, the left glove-sleeve combination may include a left closable opening 26-L, and the right glove-sleeve combination may include a right closable opening 26-R. As described in other sections, the closable openings 26 enable the removal of the gloves 16 from the wearer's hands while enabling the gloves 16 and the sleeves 14 to remain at least partially attached. Also, the closable openings 26-L, 26-R need not match.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 14-L, extending from its proximal end to its distal end defines a first sleeve longitudinal axis A.

In some embodiments, the closable opening 26-L includes a slit 27-L extending between a first slit end 29-L and a second slit end 31-L with a length Ll oriented generally in the direction of the first sleeve longitudinal axis Al. In this way, the slit first end 29-L is located closer to the proximal end of the sleeve 14-L than the slit second end 31-L is. In some embodiments, the length L1 is about 2″-8″, or preferably about 3″-5″, or more preferably about 4″.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, the slit 27-L extending between the first slit end 29-L and the second slit end 31-L defines a first slit longitudinal axis B1 that is oriented substantially in the direction of the first sleeve longitudinal axis Al. For the purposes of this specification, the term “oriented substantially in the direction of the first sleeve longitudinal axis A1” will mean that the orientation of the first slit longitudinal axis B1 may range from being parallel to the first sleeve longitudinal axis A1 to being offset from the first sleeve longitudinal axis A by up to ±30°.

It is understood that the description above regarding the left sleeve 14-L, the first sleeve longitudinal axis Al, the left slit 27-L of length L2, the first slit longitudinal axis B1, and the orientation of the first slit longitudinal axis B1 with respect to the first sleeve longitudinal axis Al also applies to the right sleeve 14-R, a second sleeve longitudinal axis A2, a right slit 27-R, a second slit longitudinal axis B2 and the orientation of the second slit longitudinal axis B2 with respect to the second sleeve longitudinal axis A2, respectively.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the closable openings 26-L, 26-R extend from a proximal portion of the sleeves 14-L, 14-R (e.g., from approximately the wrist area W1 as shown in FIG. 2 with respect to the left closable opening 26-L), along the outer sides 51, S2 of the gloves 16-L, 16-R (see FIG. 1) and along at least a portion of the small finger portions 18-1. It may be preferable that the closable opening 26-L extend somewhat linearly along the distal portions of the sleeves 14-L, 14-R, the outer sides 51, S2 of the gloves 16-L, 16-R, respectively, and the small finger portions 18-1. However, it is understood that this may not be necessary, and the closable openings 26-L, 26-R may include contours or other forms.

It also may be preferable that the size of the opening 26-L when opened be sufficient to allow for the wearer's hand to pass through the opening 26-L and for the glove 16 to be removed from the wearer's hand. In this way, the wearer may open the closable opening 26-L and remove his/her hand from the glove 16 as shown in FIG. 3. It is understood that the closable opening 26-L and the elasticity and flexibility of the glove 16-L allows for the wearer's fingers to be removed from the finger portions 18 as necessary for the removal of the glove 16.

Regarding the right closable opening 26-R, it is understood that the right closable opening 26-R may extend along the right sleeve 14-R, the right glove 16-R and/or the right small finger portion 18-1 in an equivalent or similar manner as described above in relation to the left closable opening 26-L resulting in an equivalent or similar functionality for the user's right hand.

In some embodiments, the closable openings 26-L, 26-R each include at least one sealing mechanism 28-L, 28-R, respectively. The sealing mechanisms 28-L, 28-R may generally secure the openings 26-L, 26-R closed while enabling the openings 26-L, 26-R to be opened when desired. Once opened, the sealing mechanisms 28-L, 28-R may be used to subsequently reclose the openings 26-L, 26-R, respectively, as desired. In some embodiments, the sealing mechanisms 28-L, 28-R include zippers, hook and loop material, buttons, snaps, clasps, latches, other types of sealing mechanisms, and any combinations thereof. Note that while the sealing mechanisms 28-L, 28-R depicted in FIGS. 1-4 are represented as singular elements for demonstration (e.g., as zipper pulls), it is understood that the sealing mechanisms 28-L, 28-R may preferably extend along sufficient portion(s) of the closable openings 26-L, 26-R, respectively, to adequately close and seal the openings 26-L, 26-R when desired (e.g., to prevent elements such as water, snow, mud, dirt and other elements from passing through the openings 26-L, 26-R) and to subsequently enable the openings 26-L, 26-R to be opened for the removal of the gloves 16 from the wearer's hands as described in other sections. Also, the sealing mechanisms 28-L, 28-R need not match.

In other embodiments, the closable openings 26-L, 26-R may extend across any other portions of the sleeves 14, across any other portions of the gloves 16, and/or across any other portions of any finger portions 18-n. In one example, as shown in FIG. 4, the closable opening 26-L may extend across the back side portion 24 of the glove 16-L. In other examples, the closable openings 26 may extend across the palm portions 22 of the gloves 16, across other portions of the gloves 16, sleeves 14, finger portions 18-n, and/or thumb portions 20, and any combination thereof.

In other embodiments, the sleeves 14 and/or gloves 16 may each include more than one closable opening 26 to facilitate the removal of the wearer's hand(s) from the gloves 16.

In general, it is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that any number of closable openings 26-L, 26-R may be configured with the sleeves 14 and/or the gloves 16 and/or the finger portions 18 in any way such that when opened, the wearer may remove his/her hand(s) from the gloves 16, and that after doing so, at least a portion of each glove 16 may remain attached to its corresponding sleeve 14. It also is understood that the wearer may subsequently place his/her hand(s) back into the gloves through the openings 26-L, 26-R, and that the openings 26-L, 26-R may be adequately re-closed and sealed. It also is understood that the scope of the garment 10 is not limited in any way by the configuration of the closable openings 26-L, 26-R with respect to the sleeves 14 and/or the gloves 16 and/or the finger portions 18.

In any event, it is preferable that the closable openings 26 do not facilitate the complete removal of the entire left and/or right gloves 16 from the respective sleeves 14, and that at least a portion of the gloves 16 remain attached or otherwise configured with the respective sleeves 14 when the closable openings 26 are opened and the wearer's hand(s) are removed. In this way, the portion of each glove 16 remaining attached to its respective sleeve 14 acts as an attachment element between the glove 16 and the sleeve 14, ensuring that each glove 16 remains associated with the garment 10 (and not lost or misplaced by the user).

In other embodiments, the garment 10 may include a hood, a face mask, left and right side pockets 30 (see FIG. 1), left and right breast pockets 32 (see FIG. 1), a turtleneck, a collar, a crewneck, and other components. In some embodiments, the finger elements 18-n may include fingertip portions that may be adapted to activate touch screens.

It is understood that any aspect and/or element of any of the embodiments described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way to form new embodiments easily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art and all of which are within the scope of the garment 10.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that embodiments hereof may provide different and/or other advantages, and that not all embodiments or implementations need have all advantages.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs,” and includes the case of only one ABC.

As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more” and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one.”

As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. For example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X.” In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only,” the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only,” the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”

In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way. It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A),” “(B),” “(C),” and so on, or “(a),” “(b),” and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i),” “(ii),” and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.

As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”

The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values, ranges, etc., in case these terms, features, values, ranges, etc., are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least, etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).

As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise,” “including,” “having,” “contain,” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to,” and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.

It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance,” “such as,” “for example,” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A garment to be worn by a wearer comprising:

a first sleeve with a proximal end attached to a garment body and a distal end extending therefrom;

a first handwear configured with the distal end of the first sleeve forming a first sleeve-handwear combination; and

a first sealable opening configured with the first sleeve-handwear combination;

wherein the first sealable opening, when open, enables the removal of a wearer's first hand from the first handwear, and when closed, seals the first sleeve-handwear combination from outside elements.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first sleeve extending from its proximal end to its distal end defines a first sleeve longitudinal axis, and the first sealable opening includes a first slit oriented substantially in the direction of the first sleeve longitudinal axis.

3. The garment of claim 2 wherein the first slit is about 3″-5″ long.

4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first sealable opening includes a first sealing mechanism adapted to seal the first sealable opening closed and to subsequently open the first sealable opening.

5. The garment of claim 4 wherein the first sealing mechanism includes at least one of a zipper, hook and loop material, a snap, a button, and a latch.

6. The garment of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first sealable opening is located adjacent to a position corresponding to the wearer's first small finger when the wearer's first hand is contained within the first handwear.

7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first handwear includes at least one of a glove, and a mitten.

8. The garment of claim 1 further comprising:

a second sleeve with a proximal end attached to a garment body and a distal end extending therefrom;

a second handwear configured with the distal end of the second sleeve forming a second sleeve-handwear combination; and

a second sealable opening configured with the second sleeve-handwear combination;

wherein the second sealable opening, when open, enables the removal of a wearer's second hand from the second handwear, and when closed, seals the second sleeve-handwear combination from outside elements.

9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the second sleeve extending from its proximal end to its distal end defines a second sleeve longitudinal axis, and the second sealable opening includes a second slit oriented substantially in the direction of the second sleeve longitudinal axis.

10. The garment of claim 9 wherein the second slit is about 3″-5″ long.

11. The garment of claim 8 wherein the second sealable opening includes a second sealing mechanism adapted to seal the second sealable opening closed and to subsequently open the second sealable opening.

12. The garment of claim 11 wherein the second sealing mechanism includes at least one of a zipper, hook and loop material, a snap, a button, and a latch.

13. The garment of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the second sealable opening is located adjacent to a position corresponding to the wearer's second small finger when the wearer's second hand is contained within the second handwear.

14. The garment of claim 8 wherein the second handwear includes at least one of a glove, and a mitten.

15. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment includes at least one of a left side pocket, a right side pocket, a left breast pocket, a right breast pocket, a crew neck, a turtleneck, a hood, and a face mask.

16. A garment to be worn by a wearer comprising:

a first sleeve with a proximal end attached to a garment body and a distal end extending therefrom, wherein the first sleeve extending from its proximal end to its distal end defines a first sleeve longitudinal axis;

a first handwear configured with the distal end of the first sleeve forming a first sleeve-handwear combination;

a first sealable slit configured with the first sleeve-handwear combination and oriented substantially in the direction of the first sleeve longitudinal axis;

a first sealing mechanism adapted to seal the first sealable opening closed and to subsequently open the first sealable opening, and

wherein the first sealable slit, when open, enables the removal of a wearer's first hand from the first handwear, and when closed, seals the first sleeve-handwear combination from outside elements.

17. The garment of claim 16 wherein the first sealing mechanism includes at least one of a zipper, hook and loop material, a snap, a button, and a latch.

18. The garment of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the first sealable slit is located adjacent to a position corresponding to the wearer's first small finger when the wearer's first hand is contained within the first handwear.

19. The garment of claim 16 wherein the first handwear includes at least one of a glove, and a mitten.

20. The garment of claim 16 wherein the garment includes at least one of a left side pocket, a right side pocket, a left breast pocket, and a right breast pocket.