GB2356552A

GB2356552A - Outer garment for the lower body has an integral abdominal support lining

Info

Publication number: GB2356552A
Application number: GB9928102A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joanne Philippa Hales
Original assignee: Marks and Spencer PLC
Current assignee: Marks and Spencer PLC
Priority date: 1999-11-26
Filing date: 1999-11-26
Publication date: 2001-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-26
Also published as: GB2356552B; GB9928102D0

Description

2356552 M&C Folio: 230P81191 Document #: 451160 Outer Garment with

Integral Support Means This invention relates to support garments. In particular, this invention relates to outer garments with integral support means.

People often wear undergarments designed to give support to parts of the body such as the abdomen, the thighs and the buttocks, that is, to mould the natural contours of the body into a more compact and pleasing silhouette. However, such undergarments are themselves usually unattractive, and in practice preclude the wearer from wearing other choices of undergarment.

According to the present invention there is provided an outer garment for the lower body with integral support means, adapted to support the lower abdomen of the wearer in use. The support means preferably comprises a lining extending over the upper buttocks and lower abdomen of the wearer in use.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the whole lining is formed from a resilient mesh fabric. The resilient mesh fabric is preferably a powernet knit or weave.

This resilient mesh fabric preferably comprises a polyamide/elastane blend. This blend is preferably from 5% elastane, 95% polyamide to 35% elastane, 65% polyamide. More preferably this blend is from 15% elastane, 85% polyamide to 25% elastane, 75% polyamide. Most preferably this blend is approximately 16% elastane, 84% polyamide. Particularly suited to this application is LYCRASOFT (TM).

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lining comprises a resilient mesh fabric with a section comprising one or more layers of stiffer resilient fabric, said section being positioned to lie over the lower abdomen of the wearer in use.

2 The resilient mesh fabric is preferably a powernet knit or weave. The resilient mesh fabric also preferably comprises a polyamide/elastane blend. This blend is preferably from 5% elastane, 95% polyamide to 35% elastane, 65% polyamide. More preferably this blend is from 15% elastane, 85% polyamide to 25% elastane, 75% polyamide. Most preferably this blend is approximately 16% elastane, 84% polyamide. Particularly suited to this application is LYCRASOFT (TNI).

One or two layers of the stiffer resilient fabric are preferred. When the most preferred resilient mesh fabric is employed, one layer of the stiffer resilient fabric may be sufficient. Otherwise, two layers are preferred.

The stiffer resilient fabric preferably comprises a polyamide/elastane blend. This blend is preferably from 10% elastane, 90% polyamide to 40% elastane, 60% polyamide. More preferably this blend is from 20% elastane, 80% polyamide to 30% elastane, 70% polyamide. Most preferably this blend is approximately 29% elastane, 7 1% polyamide.

The stiffer resilient fabric is preferably a satin-effect fine-knit fabric. A sleeknit fabric is most suitable.

Garments according to the invention can be any suitable garment for the lower body. In particular, garments according to the invention may be a long trouser, a short trouser, or a skirt.

The garments according to the invention have the support means integral to the outer garment. Preferably, this is achieved by having the above-mentioned lining attached to the outer garment at the waistband of the outer garment. The lining may be further attached to the outer garment at the back and/or side seams of the outer garment. There may be a further attachment at the crotch, where present.

3 The method of the present invention is particularly suited to situations wherein the outer garment is designed for a close fit. Preferably, the outer garment is made of resilient material, for ease of putting on and off. Any suitable material of the type known in the art for use trousers, leggings and the like can be employed. These include weft-knit fabrics, other knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, made from blends of polyamide, polyester, viscose, elastane, and the like.

This invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, and in no way to limit the scope of the invention, with reference to one specific embodiment, and with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure I is a front view of a long trouser according to the invention, inside-out. Figure 2 is a rear view of the same trouser.

Figures I and 2 show a long trouser (1) according to the invention.

The trouser is formed in a standard way from a weft-knit polyesterALYCRA (TM) blend fabric, with a front middle seam (2), back middle seam (3) and two side seams (4, 5). A standard elasticated waistband (6) is included.

The trouser incorporates a lining (7), the back portion of which (8), and part of the front portion of which (9, 10) is formed from a resilient mesh fabric which is a made of a blend of 25% LYCRA (TM) and 75% nylon. The front of the lining has a section (11) which is formed from a double layer of sleeknit fabric made from a blend of 29% LYCRA (M and 71% nylon.

The lining extends only part-way down the seat and the front of the trouser, so that in use it covers the upper buttocks and lower abdomen of the wearer.

The lining is attached to the trouser along the seam of the waistband (6), along side seams (4) and (5), along the back seam (3), and also at the crotch at the point labelled (12).

In an alternative but analogous embodiment, the section (11) is made from a single layer of fabric, while the resilient mesh fabric is a powernet made from a blend of 16% LYCRA (TM) and 84% nylon, of the type known as LYCRASOFT (TM).

Claims

CLAIM:

1. An outer garment for the lower body with integral support means, adapted to support the lower abdomen of the wearer in use.

2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a lining extending over the upper buttocks and lower abdomen of the wearer in use.

3. A garment according to claim 2, wherein the whole lining is formed from a resilient mesh fabric.

4. A garment according to claim 3, wherein said resilient mesh fabric comprises a polyamide/elastane blend.

5. A garment according to claim 2, wherein the lining comprises a resilient mesh fabric with a section comprising one or more layers of stiffer resilient fabric, said section being positioned to lie over the lower abdomen of the wearer in use.

61. A garment according to claim 5 wherein said resilient mesh fabric comprises a polyamide/elastane blend.

7. A garment according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said stiffer resilient fabric comprises a polyamide/elastane blend.

8. A garment according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein said stiffer resilient fabric is a satin-effect fine-knit fabric.

9. A garment according to any of claims I to 8, wherein said outer garment is a long or short trouser.

6

10. A garment according to any of claims I to 8, wherein said outer garment is a skirt.

11. A garment according to any of claims 2 to 10, wherein said lining is attached to said outer garment at the waistband of said outer garment.

12. A garment according to claim 11, wherein said lining is further attached to said outer garment at the back and side seams of said outer garment, and at the crotch, where present.

13. A garment according to any of claims I to 12, wherein said outer garment is designed for a close fit and is made of resilient material.

14. Am outer garment for the lower body with integral support means, substantially as described herein.