GARMENT WITH REAR ACCESS

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/624,836, filed Jan. 25, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to the field of active apparel or athleisure, and specifically to a one-piece garment with a rear opening for restroom access. Consumers are demanding high-performing one-piece activewear such as dresses, rompers, and bodysuits. One-piece activewear is fashionable and desirable for its simplicity in styling an outfit. Such garments are often form-fitting to accentuate or enhance a wearer's figure and to provide security and support during exercise or other athletic activities.

Existing one-piece garments, however, present problems when it comes time to use the restroom. Often, a wearer must partially, or even entirely, undress in order to use the restroom. This leaves the wearer feeling exposed, vulnerable, and unsupported-particularly where the one-piece garment is providing support to the wearer's breasts during wear. This is also a significant time barrier when the need to use the restroom is urgent. In addition, the need to remove the torso portion of a one-piece garment can make it difficult to reposition the garment after using the restroom. For example, a wearer may have difficulty repositioning or concealing removable breast cups, garment tape, or bra straps before exiting a restroom or stall. Moveable or detachable gussets may allow for restroom access, but the necessary opening(s) and attachments in the crotch area can cause wearers to feel exposed or conscious of their movement. Moveable and detachable gussets can further be difficult to pull to the side or detach during restroom use, and the gusset sizes and accompanying access spaces may not be inclusive to a variety of body types.

A need therefore exists for one-piece garments with improved restroom access. Accordingly, a solution that addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings is desired and provided herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a garment with rear access. The top portion of the garment is fixedly attached to the bottom portion of the garment only in the front of the garment. As such, the bottom portion of the garment can be pulled down over the buttocks of the wearer to allow the wearer to go to the bathroom. Advantageously, the bottom portion of the garment can be pulled down for bathroom access without having to remove the top portion of the garment.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a garment including: a front panel including a front lower region; a rear panel including a rear lower region; a bottom portion including two leg holes and a waistband. The front lower region can be fixedly attached to the waistband. The rear lower region can be configurable between a secured configuration and a free configuration. The rear lower region can be tucked into the waistband in the secured configuration.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a garment including: a front panel; a rear panel; a bottom portion including two leg holes and a cinchable waistband. The front panel can be fixedly attached to the cinchable waistband. The cinchable waistband an be configured to releasably secure the rear panel between the cinchable waistband and a body of a wearer.

In some aspects, the rear lower region of the rear panel can contact an interior surface of the waistband in the secured configuration. In some aspects, a lower edge of the rear lower region descends lower than an upper edge of waistband.

In some aspects, releasing the rear panel can provide a bathroom access space between the rear panel and the bottom portion. In some aspects, the bathroom access space is defined between the rear lower region and the waistband in the free configuration. In some aspects, securing the rear panel with the waistband can close the bathroom access space.

In some aspects, the waistband can include elastic. In some aspects, the waistband can include a drawstring. In some aspects, the waistband is cinchable. A cinchable waistband can include, for example, an elastic, a drawstring, or both.

In some aspects, the waistband can be configurable between an unstretched configuration and a stretched configuration. A circumference of the waistband can be up to about 150% larger in the stretched configuration compared to the unstretched configuration, thus enlarging the bathroom access space. A circumference of the waistband can be up to about 60% smaller in the unstretched configuration compared to the stretched configuration, thus keeping the bathroom access space closed.

In some aspects, the drawstring can be configurable between a tied configuration and an untied configuration. A circumference of the waistband can be up to about 150% larger in the untied configuration compared to the tied configuration, thus enlarging the bathroom access space. In some aspects, the waistband can include a drawstring. A circumference of the waistband can be up to about 60% smaller in the tied configuration compared to the untied configuration, thus keeping the bathroom access space closed.

In some aspects, a top portion of the front panel can be coupled to a top portion of the rear panel to define two arm holes and a neck hole. In some aspects, the front panel and the rear panel can be formed from a continuous material and can define two arm holes and a neck hole.

In some aspects, the bottom portion can include a short that is fixedly attached to the waistband. In some aspects, the bottom portion can further include a liner that is fixedly attached to the waistband and configured to underlay the short. In some aspects, the bottom portion can include a skirt that is fixedly attached to the waistband and a liner that is fixedly attached to the waistband and configured to underlay the skirt.

In some aspects, the garment includes a top portion, and the front panel and the rear panel form at least a portion of an outermost layer of the top portion in a region above the waistband.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of making a garment that is configurable for bathroom access, including: providing a top portion including a front panel and a back panel; providing a bottom portion including a waistband; securing a lower region of the front panel to the waistband; and leaving a lower region of the back panel free and unsecured to the bottom portion. The method can further include a step of leaving respective lower regions of left and right side panels free and unsecured to the bottom portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The device is explained in even greater detail in the following drawings. The drawings are merely exemplary to illustrate the structure of garments and certain features that may be used singularly or in combination with other features. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of a garment in accordance with the present disclosure, with the rear panel untucked from the bottom portion.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of a garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a garment in accordance with the present disclosure, with the liner pulled out and visible.

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of a garment of the present disclosure, with the bathroom access space stretched over the buttocks of a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description below refers to certain aspects of the garment relative to other aspects of the garment or to the body of a wearer. As used herein, superior indicates a direction that is closer to the wearer's head. Inferior indicates a direction that is closer to the wearer's feet. Upward, upper, uppermost, or top indicates a superior direction, or toward a wearer's head. Downward, lower, lowermost, or bottom indicates an inferior direction, or toward a wearer's feet. The longitudinal direction refers to an axis extending between the superior and inferior edges of the garment, or between the wearer's head and feet. Lateral indicates a positioning that is closer to the sides of the wearer. Medial indicates a positioning that is farther from the sides of the wearer. Anterior indicates a positioning closer to the front of a wearer. Posterior indicates a positioning closer to the back of a wearer. The terms right and left are in reference to the wearer's body. Some of the figures may include the letters R and L as right and left directional indicators.

The following description of certain examples of the inventive concepts should not be used to limit the scope of the claims. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. As will be realized, the device and/or methods are capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the inventive concepts. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the aspects of this disclosure are described herein. The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect, feature, or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

Although the operations of exemplary aspects of the disclosed method may be described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that disclosed aspects can encompass an order of operations other than the particular, sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Further, descriptions and disclosures provided in association with one particular aspect or implementation are not limited to that aspect or implementation, and may be applied to any aspect or implementation disclosed. It will understood that various changes and additional variations may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure or the inventive concept thereof. Certain aspects and features of any given aspect may be translated to other aspects described herein. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or device to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular implementations disclosed herein, but that the invention will include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the disclosure are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing aspects. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. The terms “about” and “approximately” are defined as being “close to” as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting aspect the terms are defined to be within 10%. In another non-limiting aspect, the terms are defined to be within 5%. In still another non-limiting aspect, the terms are defined to be within 1%.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal aspect. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed herein is a garment with rear access. In some implementations, the garment is a one-piece garment. The top portion of the garment has a front panel that is fixedly attached to the waistband of the bottom portion. The top portion also has a rear panel with a free lower region. The rear panel can be tucked into the waistband in a secured configuration to provide the appearance of a one-piece garment, and subsequently confer warmth, modesty, protection, and/or comfort to the wearer. The rear panel can also be untucked from the waistband to provide a bathroom access space. In this free configuration, the bottom portion of the garment can be pulled down over the buttocks of the wearer to allow the wearer to go to the bathroom. Advantageously, the bottom portion of the garment can be pulled down for bathroom access without having to remove the top portion of the garment.

Unlike some garments with rear access, the garment disclosed herein advantageously covers the lower back and sides of the wearer, conferring warmth, modesty, and/or sun protection without the use of bulky or potentially uncomfortable zippers or fasteners. (See, for example U.S. Pat. No. 11,998,068—which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety—as an example of a garment with rear access and an open lower back.) And, unlike some designs currently on the market, here the covering of the wearer's lower back is accomplished without the need for any additional layers extending down from the torso section of the garment. Furthermore, the high stretchability (and resiliency) of the waistband provides the user with ample space to use the restroom comfortably and without concerns of soiling the garment. FIG. 1 shows the garment 100 including a top portion 102 and a bottom portion 104. The top portion 102 includes a front panel 106. FIG. 2 shows a rear view of garment 100, including a rear panel 108. The left lateral edges of the front panel 106 and the rear panel 108 are each connected to a left side panel 110a, as best shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, the right lateral edges of the front panel 106 and the rear panel 108 are each connected to right side panel 110b, thereby forming the tubular body of the top portion 102. The front panel 106, rear panel 108, and left and right side panels 110a, 110b define left and right arm holes 112a, 112b. However, in some aspects, the garment does not include left and right side panels. In such an aspect, the left lateral edges of the front panel 106 and the rear panel 108 are directly connected to each other in such a manner that defines left arm hole 112a, and the right lateral edges of the front panel 106 and the rear panel 108 are directly connected to each other in such a manner that defines the right arm hole 112b.

In some aspects, the front panel 106 and the rear panel 108 are formed from a continuous material that is folded across the shoulders of a wearer and has a neck hole defined by a front neckline 114a and a rear neckline 114b. In some aspects, the front panel and rear panel are two separate pieces. In such an aspect, a top region of the front panel 106 is connected to a top region of the rear panel 108 at the shoulders of a wearer in such a manner that defines the neck hole. The front neckline 114a shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a scoop neck. However, in other aspects, the front neckline can be a high neckline, a turtleneck, a V-neck, a plunge neckline, a sweetheart neckline, or another suitable neckline style. As shown in FIG. 2, the back neckline 114b can have two lateral straps 116a, 116b connected by a g-hook fastener 118. When lateral straps 116a, 116b are fastened, the rear panel 108 defines rear cut out 120. In some aspects, the two lateral straps are connected by a button, a snap, hook-and-loop fastener, a hook and eye closure, or another suitable fastener. In some aspects, the back neckline has a single horizontal strap that defines a rear cut out. In some aspects, the back neckline does not define a cutout. In such aspects, the back neckline can sit at any point along a wearer's back from the mid back to the nape of the neck. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom portion 104 includes a short 120 with leg holes 122a, 122b and a waistband 124 with liner 126 shown underneath short 120 (in dotted lines). FIG. 4 shows a back view of a garment 100 with inner liner 126 pulled out to be visible and the rear lower region 132 and left and right lower regions 134a, 134b folded under to reveal bathroom access space 136 defined by the rear lower region 132 and the bottom portion 104. In the aspect depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, liner 126 is in the shape of a panty, with leg holes 128a, 128b. Liner 126 is fixedly attached to the waistband 124 such that the liner 126 underlays the short 120 during wear. In some aspects, the bottom portion includes a short and does not include a liner. In some aspects, the bottom portion includes a skirt instead of a short and a liner that underlays the skirt. The top portion 102 is depicted herein as sleeveless and the bottom portion 104 is depicted herein as a short 120. However, the length of the legs and sleeves may be varied depending on desired use. In some aspects, the garment 100 is configured to fit snug to the wearer's body to provide compressibility and highlight the wearer's features.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the front panel 106 has a front lower region 130 that is fixedly attached to the waistband 124. In some aspects, the front lower region 130 is sewn or bonded to the waistband. Turning now to FIG. 2, the rear panel 108 has a rear lower region 132, and the left and right side panels 110a, 110b have left and right lower regions 134a, 134b. However, unlike the front lower region 130, the rear lower region 132 and the left and right side panel lower regions 134a, 134b are free floating with respect to the waistband 124 (i.e., they are unattached to the waistband 124). In some aspects, a portion of or the entirety of the left and right side panel lower regions 134a, 134b are fixedly attached to the waistband 124. In some implementations, the outermost layer of the top portion 102 of the garment 100 is formed of the front panel 106, the rear panel 108 and, when included, the left and right side panels 110a, 110b. That is, the front panel 106, the rear panel 108 and, when included, the left and right side panels 110a, 110b, can form the outermost layer in a region extending between the neckline 114a, 114b and the waistband 124.

The waistband 124, in addition to holding up the short 120, serves to releasably secure the rear lower region 132 and the left and right side panel lower regions 134a, 134b. As shown in FIG. 2, a lower edge 135 of the rear lower region 132 descends lower than an upper edge of waistband 124. In the secured, tucked configuration, the rear lower region 132 is positioned to the inside of the waistband 124, such that rear lower region 132 contacts an interior surface of the waistband 124. When the rear lower region 132 and the left and right lower regions 134a, 134b are tucked into the waistband 124 (as shown in FIG. 3), it creates the effect that the garment 100 is a single article of clothing (e.g., a romper or jumpsuit), and the rear panel 108 is able to confer warmth, modesty, protection, and/or comfort to the wearer. When the rear lower region 132 and the left and right power portions 134a, 134b are in the free configuration, untucked from the waistband 124 as shown in FIG. 2, a bathroom access space 136 is defined between the rear lower region 132 and the bottom portion 104 (at waistband 124). This advantageously allows a wearer to go to the bathroom without removing the top portion 102 of the garment 100, as best shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 particularly shows that the bathroom access space 136 is quite large due to the high stretchability of the waistband 124, ensuring that the wearer can use the restroom comfortably and without fear of hitting the garment.

The waistband 124 is configured to stretch over the buttocks of a wearer so that the bottom portion 104 can be displaced to allow bathroom access without becoming disconnected from or having to remove the top portion 102. The waistband 124 can be further configured to cinch at the waist of a wearer to prevent the bottom portion 104 from slipping down and to secure the rear lower region 132 between itself and the body of a wearer to prevent the rear lower region 132 from being unintentionally released. Cinching can be accomplished via an elastic material, a drawstring, or both, as described below.

In some aspects, the waistband is made from, or includes, a stretchable and resilient elastic material. In some aspects, the waistband encases an elastic band. A circumference of the waistband can be measured around a upper edge of the waistband, a lower edge of the waistband, or at some position between the upper and lower edges of the waistband. In some aspects, the circumference of the waistband can be stretched to be up to 150% larger than the circumference of the unstretched waistband, or up to about 140% larger, or up to about 130% larger, or up to about 120% larger, or up to about 110% larger, or up to about 100% larger, or up to about 90% larger, or up to about 80% larger, or up to about 70% larger, or up to about 60% larger, or up to about 50% larger to enlarge the bathroom access space. In some aspects, the elastic band induces the circumference of the waistband to be cinched by up to about 60% smaller than the circumference of the stretched waistband, or up to about 55% smaller, or up to about 50% smaller, or up to about 45% smaller, or up to about 40% smaller, or up to about 35% smaller, or up to about 30% smaller to keep the bathroom access space closed.

In some aspects, the waistband 124 can include a drawstring 138 that can be tied or loosened for bathroom use. A drawstring can contribute to the resiliency of the waistband by facilitating a return of the waistband to its original circumference. In some aspects, when the drawstring 138 is untied, the circumference of the waistband 124 can be made up to about 150% larger than the circumference when the drawstring is tied, or up to about 140% larger, or up to about 130% larger, or up to about 120% larger, or up to about 110% larger, or up to about 100% larger, or up to about 90% larger, or up to about 80% larger, or up to about 70% larger, or up to about 60% larger, or up to about 50% larger to enlarge the bathroom access space. In some aspects, the drawstring 138 can be tied to cinch the waistband by up to about 60% smaller than the circumference when the drawstring is untied, or up to about 55% smaller, or up to about 50% smaller, or up to about 45% smaller, or up to about 40% smaller, or up to about 35% smaller, or up to about 30% smaller to keep the bathroom access space closed.

In some aspects, the waistband includes an elastic or an inelastic drawstring. In some aspects, the waistband is made from an elastic material and includes a drawstring. In some aspects, the waistband does not include a drawstring at all.

In certain aspects, the garment, including the top portion and the bottom portion, may be made from knitted or woven fabric including threads of any fiber known in the art and applicable to the desired uses. Specifically, the fiber type can comprise natural and/or synthetic fibers. Exemplary fiber types include, but are not limited to, cotton, nylon, viscose, elastane, polyester, wool, rayon, silk, linen, and hemp. The knitted or woven fabric(s) can be lightweight and/or breathable to provide comfort and style during exercise or athletic performance. In some aspects, polyester, nylon, cotton, rayon, and/or elastane can be present in any ratio to provide for the desired level of compressibility, elasticity, and stretchability.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of making a garment that is configurable for bathroom access, including: providing a top portion including a front panel and a back panel; providing a bottom portion including a waistband; securing a lower region of the front panel to the waistband via a fixed attachment, and leaving a lower region of the back panel free and unsecured to the bottom portion. Some implementations can also include a step of leaving the lower regions of the side panels of the top portion free and unsecured to the bottom portion.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, and/or combinations of the features disclosed herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The implementation was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various implementations with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Exemplary Aspects

Aspect 1. A garment comprising: a front panel comprising a front lower region; a rear panel comprising a rear lower region; a bottom portion comprising two leg holes and a waistband; wherein the front lower region is fixedly attached to the waistband; wherein the rear lower region is configurable between a secured configuration and a free configuration; and wherein the rear lower region is tucked into the waistband in the secured configuration.
Aspect 2. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 1, wherein the rear lower region contacts an interior surface of the waistband in the secured configuration.
Aspect 3. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 1 or aspect 2, wherein the rear lower region and the waistband define a bathroom access space in the free configuration.
Aspect 4. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-3, wherein the waistband comprises elastic.
Aspect 5. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-4, wherein the waistband is configurable between an unstretched configuration and a stretched configuration; and wherein a circumference of the waistband is up to about 150% larger in the stretched configuration compared to the unstretched configuration, thus enlarging the bathroom access space.
Aspect 6. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-5, wherein the waistband comprises a drawstring.
Aspect 7. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 6, wherein the drawstring is configurable between a tied configuration and an untied configuration; and wherein a circumference of the waistband is up to about 150% larger in the untied configuration compared to the tied configuration, thus enlarging the bathroom access space.
Aspect 8. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-7, wherein a top portion of the front panel is coupled to a top portion of the rear panel to define two arm holes and a neck hole.
Aspect 9. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-7, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are formed from a continuous material and define two arm holes and a neck hole.
Aspect 10. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-9, wherein the bottom portion comprises a short that is fixedly attached to the waistband.
Aspect 11. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 10, wherein the bottom portion further comprises a liner that is fixedly attached to the waistband and configured to underlay the short.
Aspect 12. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-9, wherein the bottom portion comprises a skirt that is fixedly attached to the waistband and a liner that is fixedly attached to the waistband and configured to underlay the skirt.
Aspect 13. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 1-12, wherein the garment comprises a top portion, and wherein the front panel and the rear panel form at least a portion of an outermost layer of the top portion in a region above the waistband.
Aspect 14. A garment comprising: a front panel; a rear panel; a bottom portion comprising two leg holes and a cinchable waistband; wherein the front panel is fixedly attached to the cinchable waistband; and wherein the cinchable waistband is configured to releasably secure the rear panel between the cinchable waistband and a body of a wearer.
Aspect 15. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 14, wherein releasing the rear panel provides a bathroom access space between the rear panel and the bottom portion.
Aspect 16. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 14 or 15, wherein securing the rear panel with the cinchable waistband closes the bathroom access space.
Aspect 17. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-16, wherein the cinchable waistband comprises elastic.
Aspect 18. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-17, wherein the cinchable waistband is configurable between an unstretched configuration and a stretched configuration; and wherein a circumference of the cinchable waistband is up to about 60% smaller in the unstretched configuration compared to the stretched configuration, thus keeping the bathroom access space closed.
Aspect 19. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-18, wherein the cinchable waistband comprises a drawstring.
Aspect 20. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 19, wherein the drawstring is configurable between a tied configuration and an untied configuration; and wherein a circumference of the cinchable waistband is up to about 60% smaller in the tied configuration compared to the untied configuration, thus keeping the bathroom access space closed.
Aspect 21. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-20, wherein a top portion of the front panel is coupled to a top portion of the rear panel to define two arm holes and a neck hole.
Aspect 22. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-20, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are formed from a continuous material and define two arm holes and a neck hole.
Aspect 23. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-22, wherein the bottom portion comprises a short that is fixedly attached to the waistband.
Aspect 24. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 23, wherein the bottom portion further comprises a liner that is fixedly attached to the waistband and configured to underlay the short.
Aspect 25. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-22, wherein the bottom portion comprises a skirt that is fixedly attached to the waistband and a liner that is fixedly attached to the waistband and configured to underlay the skirt.
Aspect 26. The garment of any aspects herein, particularly aspects 14-25, wherein the garment comprises a top portion, and wherein the front panel and the rear panel form at least a portion of an outermost layer of the top portion in a region above the waistband.
Aspect 27. A method of making a garment that is configurable for bathroom access, comprising: providing a top portion comprising a front panel and a back panel; providing a bottom portion comprising a waistband; securing a lower region of the front panel to the waistband; and leaving a lower region of the back panel free and unsecured to the bottom portion.
Aspect 28. The method of any aspects herein, particularly aspect 27, wherein the top portion further comprises left and right side panels, and the method further includes a step of leaving the respective lower regions of the left and right side panels free and unsecured to the bottom portion.