Abstract: A resilient band for use with articles of apparel, the band is formed with a first fabric operably secured to a strip of more resilient material that is preferably a second fabric such as powermesh or the like. The band is formed by stretching the first fabric and resilient material into a stretched position and operably securing the two materials together with a fastening structure. Preferably, the fastening structure is a plurality of spaced-apart stitching line that are parrellely aligned with each other and substantially perpendicularly aligned with the longitudinal length of the band.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a drawstring closure that allows two sides of a garment to securely and evenly tighten the garment and the fly of the garment. One embodiment of the invention includes a drawstring closure for use on a garment, including a first front panel, wherein the first front panel comprises a first tab, and wherein the first tab comprises a first opening through which a drawstring can be threaded; a second front panel, wherein the second front panel comprises a second tab, wherein the second tab comprises second and third openings through which a drawstring can be threaded; a first drawstring, wherein the first drawstring is attached to the first tab, the first drawstring is threaded through the third and the first opening; a second drawstring, wherein the second drawstring is attached to the first front panel; and the second drawstring is threaded through the second opening.

Abstract: A medical undergarment system effective for supporting an ostomy system consists of a first diagonal catheter channel, a second diagonal catheter channel, a first vertical catheter channel, and a second vertical catheter channel. The system consists of tubing, a base undergarment, and a fluid bag. The medical undergarment system provides a comfortable yet stable ostomy system that can easily be slipped on and off by a user. The system enables convenient and easy removal of bodily fluid when using a catheter.

Abstract: The “Elastic Stretching Gathered Denim Fabric Jean” allows a very custom fit and feel to the body while adding a very unique look and style to woman's jean market through a fabric gathering and elastic stitching method.

Abstract: The cotton pants 1 as a pair of pants with the L pocket is that the front and the reverse edge 3Ab of the storing part 3A is perpendicular against the length direction of the belt part 3. Also because the upper edge of the raw fabric which does not have the rectangle expansion and contraction inside the elongating part 3B is sewn on and the lower edge of the raw fabric which does not have expansion and contraction is sewn on the lower edge of the belt part 3, one part of the raw fabric 6 which does not have expansion and contraction can be seen even if the one who wears it turns over the lower edge of the elongating part 3B by curiosity and the inner structure of the stretch stopper material 11 etc. can not be seen.

Abstract: An apparatus used in adjusting a garment or a piece of fabric and a method for implementing the same. The apparatus includes a bottom piece of fabric attached to a top piece of fabric and a piece of elastic sized to fit between the top and bottom pieces of fabric. The top piece of fabric includes two openings, one toward each end, through which the elastic piece fits. The elastic piece includes a plurality apertures sized to be able to receive buttons, which buttons are attached to the top and bottom pieces of fabric and buttoned through a corresponding aperture in the elastic piece.

Abstract: An adjustable bathing suit including a channel extending through the length of a waistband. An adjustable band is received within at least a portion of the channel and is attached to the bathing suit. Preferably, the adjustable band extends around the front of the hips around a majority of the waistband. The adjustable band includes a plurality of openings for receiving a button attached to the bathing suit. The button can be located at the rear of the bathing suit. An opening in the waistband is provided in the location of the button to provide access to the adjustable band contained within the channel. A flap attached to an upper portion of the waistband extends over the opening of the waistband for closing the opening. The flap can include a self-gripping material and a self-gripping material can be positioned under the flap for providing secure closure of the flap.

Abstract: A garment with one or more personalizable panels and various related embodiments are disclosed. The garment, to be worn about the lower torso and legs, comprises: a waist encircling portion, a first leg encircling portion, and a second leg encircling portion, in which the waist encircling portion may comprise both an adjustable waistband and a non-adjustable waistband portion, and a personalizable panel for displaying one or more personal communications. The disclosed embodiments feature a variety of personalizable panels constructed in a variety of ways and attached to the garment in a variety of ways. Features of the disclosure allow for the attachment of the personalizable panel in such a way as to not interfere with the operation of the adjustable waistband portion. Other features of the disclosure allow the personalizable panel to maintain its shape despite the expansion and contraction of the adjustable waistband portion.

Abstract: A garment with an adjustable waistband and modesty flap includes a garment material having a waistband that originates and terminates at a closable seam, the seam having opposed edges extending downwardly from the waistband that define a V-shaped open configuration when the edges are spaced apart from one another and a closed configuration when the edges are adjacent one another. A waistband extension member extends from a waistband terminal end. A plurality of waistband fasteners are spaced apart along a waistband outer surface, each waistband fastener having a configuration complementary a waistband coupling member for selective attachment thereto. A modesty flap is attached to the garment generally adjacent one seam opposed edge and configured to extend across the seam open configuration. A plurality of flap fasteners are spaced apart along the waistband inner surface, each flap fastener having a configuration complementary to a flap coupling member for selective attachment thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of sporting apparel, including, shorts, pants, trousers and so forth, are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the sporting apparel may be arranged about the waist of a wearer. In various embodiments, the sporting apparel may include one or more strips of hook-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro) that may be integrated into textile layers, rather than on top thereof, to reduce bulk. In various embodiments, a flap may be provided to be folded over all or a portion of a closure of sporting apparel, to reduce a likelihood that the closure will come undone, e.g., during combative sports.

Abstract: A pair of pants that allows a wearer to easily don and remove the pair of pants while the wearer wears other articles of clothing, apparel or footwear (such as shorts, gym shoes, golf shorts or boots), a cast, a leg brace or the like. The pair of pants has a waistband that encircles a waist of the wearer of the pair of pants, a first leg having a first inner leg seam and a first outside leg opening, a second leg having a second inner leg seam and a second outside leg opening, a crotch seam between the first and second legs, the pair of pants being made of a fabric that is slidably supported on the waistband, at least a portion of the pair of pants enabling the fabric to slidably move on the waistband to enable the wearer to increase a size of at least one of the first outside leg opening or the second outside leg opening to facilitate the easy donning and removal of the pants. The pants have overlapping portions or wings that can wrap around the pants to close the first and second outside leg openings.

Abstract: A garment or pants construction that allows the waist of the garment or pants to expand by concealed elastic or fixed settings which enlarge the waistband at the pocket opening. The pocket opening being elongated and using elastic material at the lower end of the pocket opening so that the rotation caused at the changing of the waist size does not cause observable puckering or distortion to the fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are a waist girth adjustor which can flexibly adjust a waist girth according to various body types of a wearer wearing trousers, and a pair of trousers having the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accommodating and covering a varying sized abdomen and particularly the abdomen of a pregnant woman involving leaving a zipper opening of pants not intended to cover an enlarged girth at least partially open and using a garment to cover the opening in said pants by first interconnecting a pants button on one side of the opening to a buttonhole on the other side of the opening using a buttonhole elastic having elongate spaced slots as buttonholes and a double button to snugly secure the waistband of the non-maternity pants around a user's abdomen and using a flexible fabric garment to cover the zipper opening and, if desired, other selected portions of the abdomen of the user.

Abstract: An adjustable waist permanently affixed to various articles of clothing including but not limited to jeans, slacks and skirts. The waist incorporates use of heavy duty elastic and hook and loop fasteners to achieve an adjustable fit. The waist consists of two panels referred to as the front and rear panels. The distal ends of the rear panel, referred to as distal tabs, are affixed with hook material while the front panel is affixed with the corresponding loop material. The distal tabs of the back panel affixed with hook material connect to the loop material affixed to the front panel at relative different positions for an adjustable fit. The adjustable waist will also provide support of the abdominal area for the wearer of the garment.

Abstract: Ladies' pants has an inside belt portion that is provided with an eyelet buttonhole as a second buttonhole. A moving cloth is provided inside the inside belt portion. A button is sewn on the moving cloth and is taken out from the eyelet buttonhole so as to be movable inside the eyelet buttonhole. If the button is engaged with the second buttonhole, the eyelet buttonhole is hidden under an outside belt portion. Then, the ladies' pants allows a waist size to continuously change, thereby giving a wearer a relaxed and comfortable wearing feeling. A round part of the eyelet buttonhole is located at a position corresponding to nearly a center of the moving cloth when the moving cloth returns to its original position. Then, even if the button is detached, the button can be stitched by scoop sewing through the round part of the eyelet buttonhole. Thus, the button can be surely reattached to the moving cloth.

Abstract: A garment with an adjustable waistband and modesty flap includes a garment material having a waistband that originates and terminates at a closable seam, the seam having opposed edges extending downwardly from the waistband that define a V-shaped open configuration when the edges are spaced apart from one another and a closed configuration when the edges are adjacent one another. A waistband extension member extends from a waistband terminal end. A plurality of waistband fasteners are spaced apart along a waistband outer surface, each waistband fastener having a configuration complementary a waistband coupling member for selective attachment thereto. A modesty flap is attached to the garment generally adjacent one seam opposed edge and configured to extend across the seam open configuration. A plurality of flap fasteners are spaced apart along the waistband inner surface, each flap fastener having a configuration complementary to a flap coupling member for selective attachment thereto.

Abstract: Lower-body garment with a combined stretchably-retained, fastenably-split waist. The waistband is sleevelike and split by overlapping ends having circumferentially opposing mouths. A stretchable band is encapsulated in, and unfixed entirely throughout, the waistband. The stretchable band has opposing ends passing out of the opposing mouths in the waistband and coupled into an endless loop by a coupling device for adjusting the length of the stretchable band. An unfastenable locking mechanism is provided on the overlapping ends of the waistband. Opening/closing portions are formed by at least one split in a predetermined location in the garment body, extending to a common terminal position and continuous with the split in the waistband.

Abstract: The cotton pants 1 as a pair of pants with the L pocket is that the front and the reverse edge 3Ab of the storing part 3A is perpendicular against the length direction of the belt part 3, therefore all the sewing process can be done by sewing machine and the mass productivity can be kept. Also because the upper edge of the raw fabric which does not have the rectangle expansion and contraction inside the elongating part 3B is sewn on and the lower edge of the raw fabric which does not have expansion and contraction is sewn on the lower edge of the belt part 3, one part of the raw fabric 6 which does not have expansion and contraction can be seen even if the one who wears it turns over the lower edge of the elongating part 3B by curiosity and the inner structure of the stretch stopper material 11 etc. can not be seen, therefore the situation that the one who wears it pulls out the inner structure and destroys the structure which is capable of expansion and contraction can definitely be prevented.

Abstract: A lower-body garment is provided having a secure waist assembly. The garment includes an outer shell having a waistband. The waist assembly is attached to the interior side of the waistband at a prescribed location on the waist assembly with the remaining portions of the waist assembly being free of the outer shell. The waist assembly includes an intermediate section, end sections, and end fasteners, which cooperate to promote a secure and comfortable waist fit. When secured in place, the waist assembly wraps snuggly against the waist of the wearer.

Abstract: A garment that includes a garment structure, a plurality of loop members, and first, second and third pocket assemblies. Each loop member is coupled to a waist portion of the garment structure and remains attached thereto in response to the application of a leash force of 37 lbf thereto. The first pocket assembly is configured to hold a plurality of disposable plastic bags and defines an opening through which the disposable plastic bags can be dispensed. The second pocket assembly is configured to receive one or more of the disposable plastic bags that have been filled with pet excrement. Each third pocket assembly is coupled to the lower portion of the garment structure and is configured to hold a tennis ball therein.

Abstract: A garment system for incontinent invalids, including bariatric patients, that has pants and dresses with common features including a diaper opening, elastic at and above the waistline, elastic fabric extendable across at least a middle portion of the back of the garment near the waist-line. The garments cover the crotch of the wearer while reclined or seated, and still provide caregivers easy access to diapers. The pants feature a rear elastic belt with first and second releasably fastenable belt ends. The dress may have releasably open shoulder seams and two-petal sleeves. Faux pockets, providing concealed openings through the garment for medical equipment are included. For the pants, the crotch seam extends far enough back to cover the crotch from view when the wearer is seated or reclining.

Abstract: A lower body garment that includes a dynamic waist-resizing feature and method. A lower body garment includes a body portion adapted to be worn about a waist and a lower abdomen of a wearer, the body portion including a generally longitudinal opening extending from a waistline of the lower body garment, the generally longitudinal opening defining a first edge and second edge with the garment secured to the wearer when the edges are juxtaposed; and a garment closure assembly, coupled to the body portion near the generally longitudinal opening, including a closure fastener coupled to the first edge and two or more mating fasteners coupled to the second edge, the closure fastener repeatably engageable with and disengageable from one of the mating fasteners wherein a circumference of the waistline varies responsive to the closure fastener engaging with a particular one of the two or more mating fasteners.

Abstract: A garment including a body of fabric having a waistband and at least two seams that extend from the waistband and a support structure that is connected to the at least two seams and the waistband is provided. The support structure further includes a pocket and a tape connected to the pocket that prevents elongation of the support structure between said at least two seams during the wearable life of the body of fabric.

Abstract: Shorts comprising a rear face and a front face (10, 12) having a fly (18). The shorts further include a waistband (20) integral with the front and rear faces, the waistband extending between first and second ends (20a, 20b) placed on either side of the fly. A tab (22) extends the first end (20a) as far as a free end (23) and is placed so as to cover the second end (20b) of the waistband. The tab has a self-gripping strip (24) placed facing a complementary self-gripping strip integral with the second end (20b) of the waistband. A lace (29) connects the tab (22) to the second end (20b) of the waistband and passes through two respective holes (30, 32) made in the second end (20b) of the waistband so as to be able to be tied on the inside of the waistband.

Abstract: The short belt has a free end and fixed end with a buckle or other fastener adjacent the fixed end. The belt is formed of an elongate body of flexible material which can be secured to the buckle or other fastener to cause the belt to have a fixed circumference less than a diameter of a garment with which the belt is to be used. The short belt is routed through at least two loops on a garment with the short belt first being routed under the loops and then being routed over the loops and fastened into a circuit utilizing the buckle or other fastener. The circuit thus passes both under the loops and over the loops with a single circuit having a circumference less than a circumference of the garment adjacent the loops on the garment.

Abstract: The invention provides a panty realizing easy fit of a sanitary napkin for night use to a crotch portion, preventing the napkin from shifting out of position, alleviating digging into the crotch portion, and thus being comfortable to wear without giving feeling of constriction to the wearer. The panty includes a front part, a back part, a crotch part provided so as to bridge between the front part and the back part, a slightly elastic member is provided at the substantially center area of the back part, a highly elastic member is provided from a back parts lifting member to the entire area of the front part except for the waist hold part, a fixing member is provided on the substantially center area of the front part, a crotch lifting member is provided at the substantially center area of the crotch part.

Abstract: A control top garment having a lower portion coupled with an upper portion. The upper portion can be adapted to shape the midsection of a wearer to create the appearance of a smaller or more shapely midsection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment worn during different stages of pregnancy and different stages of postpartum body changes. A garment upper portion has a belly panel that is expansible to cover and fit over a growing abdomen during different stages of pregnancy, and a garment lower portion having a first torso encircling circumference that recedes downward to make way for expansion of the belly panel. The garment upper portion has a second torso encircling circumference to hold the garment up and in place over the torso.

Abstract: A waistband extender comprises a plurality of joined loops, at least a portion of at least one of the loops being substantially composed of a material having elastic properties. At least one loop, an engaging loop, is configured to engage a waistband button. A remaining portion of the waistband extender is configured to thread through the buttonhole with which the button mates. A second loop within the remaining portion of the waistband extender engages the button, thereby securing the waistband's button/buttonhole combination, while providing a greater separation than the button/buttonhole combination alone normally would provide.

Abstract: Lower-body garment with a combined stretchably-retained, fastenably-split waist. The waistband is sleevelike and split by overlapping ends having circumferentially opposing mouths. A stretchable band is encapsulated in, and unfixed entirely throughout, the waistband. The stretchable band has opposing ends passing out of the opposing mouths in the waistband and coupled into an endless loop by a coupling device for adjusting the length of the stretchable band. An unfastenable locking mechanism is provided on the overlapping ends of the waistband. Opening/closing portions are formed by at least one split in a predetermined location in the garment body, extending to a common terminal position and continuous with the split in the waistband.

Abstract: A convertible maternity garment that includes a first garment configured and arranged as a maternity garment to be worn by a woman during her maternity term and a second garment constructed from a portion of the first garment to provide a garment having a configuration for non-maternity use, where a removable portion is provided and where a first waistband and an alternate waistband are provided and configured so that both waistbands are functional waistbands that may be present on the garment simultaneously, but are selectively functional.

Abstract: A coverall is convenient for a worker to act, and can be easily distinguished at night, with a convenience for a worker in doing a job. The coverall includes an upper clothes part, waist part and lower clothes part. The coverall has a shape wrapping an upper body of worker, and the upper and lower clothes parts are united through the waist part. The upper clothes part includes a wear fastener part, front-face protective cover, back fold part formed folded on the right and left both sides of the back surface, and a luminous band. The waist part has a waist band with elasticity. The lower clothes part is coupled to the upper clothes part in a united type with the waist part, and includes a lower clothes opening part openable along a hip part of worker on a rear face, a dual pocket, and a luminous band. The lower clothes opening part is formed in a “?” or “?” shape.

Abstract: Trousers with a fly closure have the base of the fly closure adapted to be at the perineal region of a wearer. The trousers are provided with a holding means held in place by attachment means on the waistband of the trousers, on either side of the central fly closure, whereby the holding means holds the trousers in place on said wearers waist when the central fly closure is fully open, and whereby flaps defined by the edges of the fly, the waistband and the axes between the base of the fly and the attachment means can each be folded outwards from said wearer about their axis to provide access to said wearer's genital region when the central fly closure is fully open.

Abstract: Adjustable shirts, pants, and other garments are provided that are adapted to adjust, in size, to fit the body of an individual as the individual gains or loses large amounts of weight. For example, an adjustable shirt is provided that includes a unique tightening mechanism for selectively adjusting the shirt's girth. In particular embodiments, adjusting the tightening mechanism in a particular way reduces the shirt's girth and creates an attractive, comfortable, substantially symmetrical pattern of folds on the back of the shirt. As another example, a pair of adjustable pants are provided that expand to comfortably conform to the user's unique body shape.

Abstract: A resilient band for use with articles of apparel, the band is formed with a first fabric operably secured to a strip of more resilient material that is preferably a second fabric such as powermesh or the like. The band is formed by stretching the first fabric and resilient material into a stretched position and operably securing the two materials together with a fastening structure. Preferably, the fastening structure is a plurality of spaced-apart stitching line that are parrellely aligned with each other and substantially perpendicularly aligned with the longitudinal length of the band.

Abstract: A hat formed of a casing having a pliable wire incorporated at its base opening to provide an adjustable snug fit. The wire may be bent to an appropriate configuration by the user to draw the base opening close to the neck. Hook ends of the wire may be used as grasping points or may be latched together beneath the user's chin. Also, a single or dual cords may be used with the wire to aid in its bending to a desired configuration. The single cord may be incorporated into the face opening of the hat to provide a restriction to the face opening under draw control by the wearer, and also be used to wrap about the wire ends to manipulate the configuration of the wire.

Abstract: A pair of medical-patient shorts that are opened entirely at the right and left outside seams, while allowing the rear, front, and crotch seams to remain intact, is disclosed. The shorts include the use of a stuttered series of hook-and-pile patches that largely define the outer seams of the shorts, which are largely comprised of a front fabric panel and a rear fabric panel. The design of the outside side seams to enhance user comfort and to make access to the patient's body, dressing, etc. more convenient. In addition, the shorts provide features to provide convenient physical support for medical apparatuses, such as drainage bags and tubing, for example. Finally, associated methods of use for the medical-patient shorts are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accommodating and covering a varying sized abdomen and particularly the abdomen of a pregnant woman involving leaving a zipper opening of pants not intended to cover an enlarged girth at least partially open and using a garment to cover the opening in said pants by first interconnecting a pants button on one side of the opening to a buttonhole on the other side of the opening using a buttonhole elastic having elongate spaced slots as buttonholes and a double button to snugly secure the waistband of the non-maternity pants around a user's abdomen and using a flexible fabric garment to cover the zipper opening and, if desired, other selected portions of the abdomen of the user.

Abstract: A lower-body garment is provided having a secure waist assembly. The garment includes an outer shell having a waistband. The waist assembly is attached to the interior side of the waistband at a prescribed location on the waist assembly with the remaining portions of the waist assembly being free of the outer shell. The waist assembly includes an intermediate section, end sections, and end fasteners, which cooperate to promote a secure and comfortable waist fit. When secured in place, the waist assembly wraps snuggly against the waist of the wearer.

Abstract: Clothing includes a body part, a waistband part circumferentially provided at an upper end of the body part and having opposite end portions, and a rubber band encapsulated in the waistband part. Locking units are provided on a surface of the end portion and a back face of the end portion, opposite ends of the rubber band which can be exposed from a side end of the end portion and from a hole portion formed in the back face of the end portion are coupled by a coupling unit so that a length of the rubber band can be adjusted, the opening/closing portions integral with the opposite end portions can be separated leftward and rightward, and the units are invisible from the front when the opening/closing portions are closed. Therefore, clothing with a waist size, which can be adjusted by a wearer, and with good appearance can be provided.

Abstract: Featured is an athletic undergarment that provides compressive support in the legs and lower torso of a person and which is composed of a breathable material appropriate for athletic use so as to facilitate wicking of moisture away from the body and also facilitating heat transfer from the body. In particular embodiments, the athletic undergarment includes a first garment portion that joins with itself to form a first leg support portion, a second garment portion that joins with itself to form a second leg support portion, a third portion that joins the first and second portions to form a gusset, and the first and second portions join with each other to form a torso support portion. Also featured is a riding garment including riding breeches in which is securedly disposed the undergarment of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for controlling the size of a fabric of a garment includes providing an extensible garment fabric and attaching a relatively inextensible tape or cord proximate to an edge of the extensible garment fabric with the tape or cord made from a material which can be eliminated or made extensible during subsequent processing.

Abstract: A trouser is provided with an extensible waistband wherein a rearward waistband portion has an open side seam into which is disposed a slidable tail end of a forward waistband portion. This forward waistband is stitched to an inner elastic member which is stitched, in turn, to the rearward waistband portion proximate said open side seam. The waistband is expansible by way of the elastic stretch in the inner elastic member, but the tail end of the forward portion slides within the open seam and an open portion of the rearward waistband. There is no bulky material at the open seam and the relative movement of the forward waistband is not visually significant.

Abstract: The cotton pants 1 as a pair of pants with the L pocket is that the front and the reverse edge 3Ab of the storing part 3A is perpendicular against the length direction of the belt part 3, therefore all the sewing process can be done by sewing machine and the mass productivity can be kept. Also because the upper edge of the raw fabric which does not have the rectangle expansion and contraction inside the elongating part 3B is sewn on and the lower edge of the raw fabric which does not have expansion and contraction is sewn on the lower edge of the belt part 3, one part of the raw fabric 6 which does not have expansion and contraction can be seen even if the one who wears it turns over the lower edge of the elongating part 3B by curiosity and the inner structure of the stretch stopper material 11 etc. can not be seen, therefore the situation that the one who wears it pulls out the inner structure and destroys the structure which is capable of expansion and contraction can definitely be prevented.

Abstract: In a pair of trousers stretchable around a waist, to be able to prevent from getting wrinkles and the like on upper parts of a front body and a back body with certainty and improve an appearance so as to make a tuck and an opening end of a storing part unnoticeable and yet, to be able to enhance its productivity. In a pair of suit trousers 1, by following attachment of a tuck 5 to each of upper ends of side lines LS and RS, a primary elastic material being joined between an elongating part 3B and a storing part 3A becomes elastic, thereby being elastic around the waist. With this movement, tucks 5 are opened and closed, therefore, it can prevent from getting wrinkles and the like on upper parts of a front body 4 and a back body 9. Also, tucks 5 are attached along side lines LS and RS, thereby being united with side lines LS and RS with tucks 5 closed. Even if tucks 5 are opened, tucks 5 are extensions of side lines LS and RS, thereby being unnoticeable.

Abstract: A garment with an adjustable waist is disclosed, having an opening intersecting a waist section of the garment, a closure mechanism urging the opening to a narrowed position or a widened position to adjust the girth of the waist section, and a panel bridging across the opening, the panel being hidden by the opening in a narrowed position. An embodiment of the closure mechanism includes a slide fastener extending along the opening. Another embodiment of the closure mechanism includes a waist band for extension across the opening and for selective attachment to respective fasteners located along the waist section to correspond with adjustments in the girth of the waist section.

Abstract: A composite garment particularly suited for exercise includes an inner garment connected at the waistband with an outer garment. The inner element includes a torso element made of a body control material such as Lycra® to provide full body control circumferentially about a wearer and a finishing element made of a lacy material and terminating with a scalloped edge to prevent the formation of a panty line under the outer garment. The outer garment is also made of a stretchable fabric that contours the body and is comfortable to wear.

Abstract: A clothing system that may include a lower component of an article of clothing and one or more upper components of an article of clothing that may be sized and configured to be selectively and/or interchangeably connected to and disconnected from the lower component. For example, a first upper component may include a generally fixed waistband, and a second upper component may include an expandable maternity waistband. Desirably, a woman may connect the first upper component to the lower component to form an article of clothing that she may wear when not pregnant and/or during her first months of her pregnancy. The woman may later disconnect the first upper component from the lower component and then connect the second upper component to the lower component to form an article of clothing that she may wear during her latter months of her pregnancy and/or during her recovery from pregnancy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment worn during different stages of pregnancy and different stages of postpartum body changes. A garment upper portion has a belly panel that is expansible to cover and fit over a growing abdomen during different stages of pregnancy, and a garment lower portion having a first torso encircling circumference that recedes downward to make way for expansion of the belly panel. The garment upper portion has a second torso encircling circumference to hold the garment up and in place over the torso.