FOLDOVER LOWER ABDOMINAL SHAPING GARMENT

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/641,217, filed May 1, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/641,237, filed May 1, 2024, which are each incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to the field of shapewear, and specifically to a garment with lower abdominal shaping. Consumers are demanding shapewear which mitigates the prominence or appearance of the lower abdomen and lower back. Outer shapewear garments such as shorts, pants, or skirts with shaping components are fashionable and desirable for the convenience of lower abdominal and lower back shaping without needing to wear a separate shaping undergarment. Such garments are often tightly form-fitting to give the wearer the desired shaping effect.

Existing shapewear garments, however, present problems due to the tightness and construction of the garment. Shapewear has to be stiff and tight enough that it can constrict the wearer's lower abdomen to provide a shaping effect. At the same time, it must be more durable and flexible than most garments, particularly around the waist, since it will be significantly stretched when the wearer puts on and takes off the garment. The waistband of the garment can dig into the wearer's waist, causing discomfort and sometimes creating a pinched shape at the wearer's waist.

A need therefore exists for shapewear with improved shaping components. Accordingly, a solution that addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings is desired and provided herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a lower body garment with a foldover lower abdominal shaping region. A part of the garment is folded inwardly at the waist to create a folded two-layer region covering the wearer's abdomen. The two-layer region will be stiffer than the rest of the garment, providing a shaping effect across the two-layer region while maintaining the flexibility of the remainder of the garment. Advantageously, the folded two-layer region creates a smooth shaping effect all the way up to the waistline of the garment while removing ridges, seams, and separate elastic bands that can dig into the wearer's abdomen.

In an aspect, provided is a lower body garment for shaping an abdominal area of a wearer, including an anterior portion including an abdominal region and an anterior leg region, and a posterior portion including a buttocks region and a posterior leg region. The abdominal region can include a front folded edge defined at least partially by a front continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a front two-layer portion. Both layers of the front two-layer portion can be seamlessly coupled together.

In some aspects, the anterior portion and the posterior can be formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

In some aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be bonded together. In some such aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be bonded together across an entire area of the front two-layer portion.

In some aspects, the front two-layer portion can extend across the abdominal region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

In some aspects, the front two-layer portion can cover the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge to below a navel of the wearer.

In some aspects, the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region can be formed together as a skirt. In some such aspects, the front continuous portion can be a front upper portion of the skirt, and the front continuous portion can be seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

In other aspects, the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region can be formed together as pants or shorts. In some such aspects, the front continuous portion can be an upper portion of the anterior portion, and the front continuous portion can be seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of the abdominal region.

In some aspects, the lower body garment can further include a crotch area disposed between the anterior portion and the posterior portion, a left leg portion, and a right leg portion. The left leg portion and the right leg portion can extend inferiorly from the crotch area.

In some aspects, each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion can further include an inseam. A proximal end of each inseam can begin at the crotch area. A distal end of each inseam can extend laterally towards a shin of the wearer and can end at a bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion. The distal end of each inseam can be at least partially split from the bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion.

In some aspects, the front two-layer portion can cover the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge to the crotch area.

In some aspects, the lower body garment can further include a skirt disposed over and coupled to the lower body garment.

In some aspects, the buttocks region can include a rear folded edge defined at least partially by a rear continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a rear two-layer portion.

In some aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be bonded together. In some such aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be bonded together across an entire area of the rear two-layer portion.

In some aspects, the rear two-layer portion can extend across the buttocks region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

In some aspects, the rear two-layer portion can cover a lower back area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to above a buttocks of the wearer. In other aspects, the lower body garment can further include a crotch area disposed between the anterior portion and the posterior portion, and the rear two-layer portion can cover a lower back and buttocks area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to the crotch area.

In some aspects, the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region and formed together as a skirt, the rear continuous portion can be a rear upper portion of the skirt, and the rear continuous portion can be seamlessly coupled to a rear inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

In some aspects, the front two-layer portion and the rear two-layer portion can be formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

In another aspect, provided is a lower body garment for shaping an abdominal area of a wearer, including an anterior portion including an abdominal region and an anterior leg region, a posterior portion including a buttocks region and a posterior leg region, and a crotch area disposed between the anterior portion and the posterior portion. The abdominal region can include a front folded edge defined at least partially by a front continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a front two-layer portion. The front two-layer portion can extend from the front folded edge to the crotch area.

In some aspects, the anterior portion and the posterior portion can be formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

In some aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be seamlessly coupled together. In some such aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be bonded together. In some aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be bonded together across an entire area of the front two-layer portion.

In some aspects, the front two-layer portion can extend across the abdominal region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

In some aspects, the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region can be formed together as a skirt, the front continuous portion can be a front upper portion of the skirt, and the front continuous portion can be seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt. The front two-layer portion can extend from the front folded edge to a crotch area of the short.

In other aspects, the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region can be formed together as pants or shorts. In some such aspects, the front continuous portion can be an upper portion of the anterior portion, and the front continuous portion can be seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of the abdominal region.

In some aspects, the lower body garment can further include a left leg portion and a right leg portion. The left leg portion and the right leg portion can extend inferiorly from the crotch area.

Each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion can further include an inseam. A proximal end of each inseam can begin at the crotch area. A distal end of each inseam can extend laterally towards a shin of the wearer and end at a bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion. The distal end of each inseam can be at least partially split from the bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion.

In some aspects, the lower body garment can further include a skirt disposed over and coupled to the lower body garment.

In some aspects, the buttocks region can include a rear folded edge defined at least partially by a rear continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a rear two-layer portion.

In some aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be seamlessly coupled together. In some such aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be bonded together. In some such aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be bonded together across an entire area of the rear two-layer portion.

In some aspects, the rear two-layer portion can extend across the buttocks region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

In some aspects, the rear two-layer portion can cover a lower back area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to above a buttocks of the wearer. In other aspects, the rear two-layer portion can cover a lower back and buttocks area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to the crotch area.

In some aspects, the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region can be formed together as a skirt, and the posterior portion can be folded inward at the waistline of the wearer and coupled to a rear inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt and forming the rear two-layer portion having the front folded edge. In some such aspects, the rear two-layer portion can extend from the rear folded edge to a crotch area of the short.

In some aspects, the front two-layer portion and the rear two-layer portion can be formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

In yet another aspect, provided is a method of making a lower body garment, including joining one or more pieces of fabric together to form an anterior portion and a posterior portion, wherein the anterior portion and the posterior portion can be laterally interconnected to form an encircling garment; folding down the anterior portion inwardly, thereby forming a front folded portion; and seamlessly coupling the front folded portion to a front inner surface of the anterior portion.

In some aspects, the encircling garment can be formed as a skirt, the rear continuous portion can be a rear upper portion of the skirt, and the rear continuous portion can be coupled to a rear inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

In some aspects, the method can further include folding down the posterior portion inwardly, thereby forming a rear folded portion; and seamlessly coupling the rear folded portion to a rear inner surface of the posterior portion.

In some aspects, the encircling garment can be formed as a skirt, and the posterior portion of the skirt can be folded down inwardly and seamlessly coupled to a rear inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

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 the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of another garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pattern for making the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the front two-layer portion of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a skort in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of the skort of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the front two-layer portion of the skort of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a garment without split inseams in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of another garment without split inseams in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear view of the garment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a garment with additional vertical seams in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a rear view of the garment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of shorts in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the garment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of another garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a rear view of the garment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the garment of FIG. 17.

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, or uppermost indicates a superior direction, or toward a wearer's head. Downward, lower, or lowermost 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 invention 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 invention 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 invention 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 lower body garment with a foldover lower abdominal shaping region. A portion of the garment is folded inwardly, creating a folded two-layer region covering the wearer's abdomen. The folded two-layer region is stiffer than the rest of the garment, providing a shaping effect across the folded two-layer region while allowing the rest of the garment to remain flexible so that the garment can be easily put on and taken off. The folded two-layer garment advantageously overcomes the issue of ridges, seams, and waistbands of conventional shapewear digging into the wearer's torso. Furthermore, when the folded two-layer region is formed from a folded continuous piece of fabric, the two layers that are providing the shaping effect are more securely held together than even conventional seams. The folded two-layer region can be coupled together, in particular seamlessly coupled together to completely eliminate seams from the shaping portion of the garment. This seamless coupling, for example, bonding, can further stiffen the folded two-layer region, providing an enhanced shaping effect. For example, in some aspects, the folded two-layer region can have an elongation of from about 80 to about 100, a warp length modulus of from about 15 to about 65, and a recovery of from about 85% to about 95%. In some such aspects, the folded two-layer region can have mechanical properties according to TABLES 1-3.

TABLE 1
Example mechanical properties of the
folded two-layer region (sample key).

Sam-
ple					Glue Line
Num-					Temper-
ber	Material #1	Adhesive	Material #2	Color	ature

1	NSP32149Q-D	EFS4-130	NSP32149Q-D	Black	140
2	NSP32149Q-D	EFS4-230	NSP32149Q-D	Black	140
3	NSP32149Q-D	FBT908-100	NSP32149Q-D	Black	154
4	NSP32149Q-D	FBT908-200	NSP32149Q-D	Black	154

TABLE 2
Example mechanical properties of the folded two-layer region.

Sample

Unwashed Peel strength

Washed Peel strength

Number	Warp	Weft	Warp	Weft

1	7.532	7.234	6.913	6.285
2	9.004	6.477	7.723	5.93
3	9.057	7.137	8.557	7.205
4	9.315	7.729	8.999	7.436

TABLE 3
Example mechanical properties of the folded two-layer region.

Sample

Elongation

Warp (Length) Modulus

Number	@ 100N	30%	50%	70%	Recovery

1	92.64	19.64	36.66	57.65	91.70%
2	89.07	21.52	39.94	62.82	90.40%
3	93.86	19.09	35.25	55.33	92.10%
4	90.24	22.39	39.99	61.66	92.90%

FIG. 1 shows a front view of garment 100, including an anterior portion 102. FIG. 2 shows a rear view of garment 100, including a posterior portion 104. The anterior portion 102 and the posterior portion 104 are formed continuously from the same piece of fabric, which is interconnected by seams to form an encircling garment. For example, the garment 100 includes inseams 106, left and right side seams 108 (which can be seen in FIG. 3), and rear center seam 110. In other aspects, the anterior portion and the posterior portion can be circularly knit or woven. In yet other aspects, the anterior portion and the posterior portion can each be separate pieces of fabric laterally interconnected by one or more seams suitable to laterally interconnect the anterior portion and the posterior portion to form an encircling garment, which could be identified by one of skill in the art.

The anterior portion 102 includes an abdominal region 112 and an anterior leg region 114. Similarly, the posterior portion 104 includes a buttocks region 116 and a posterior leg region 118. The anterior portion 102 is folded inward at the waistline of the wearer, thereby forming a front two-layer portion 120 where the folded portion of the anterior portion 102 (i.e., the anterior folded portion) is in contact with the inner surface of the abdominal region 112. As used herein, the term “two-layer portion” (referring to either a “front two-layer portion” or a “rear two-layer portion”) refers to an area of the garment having two layers of fabric disposed immediately adjacent to one another. The two layers of fabric may be interspersed by an adhesive layer (e.g., a bonding layer) or may be in direct contact with one another. A two-layer portion may have additional layers of fabric and/or adhesive on one or both sides of said two-layer portion.

The bottom edges of the front two-layer portion 120 are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 to indicate that these edges are not visible from the exterior of the garment, as the anterior portion 102 is folded inward to create a sleek appearance from the exterior of the garment. The front two-layer portion 120 includes a front folded edge 122 where the anterior portion 102 folds inward. In some aspects, the front folded edge can be disposed at any point along the abdominal area of the wearer depending on the rise of the garment, for example, above the navel of the wearer (i.e., high rise), at the navel of the wearer (i.e., mid rise), or below the navel of the wearer (i.e., low rise).

The front two-layer portion 120, in some aspects, covers the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge 122 to the crotch area of the garment 100 (and more specifically is coupled to the crotch panel 124) and between the left and right side seams 108 (which can be seen in FIG. 3). The crotch panel 124 is disposed between the anterior portion 102 and the posterior portion 104 and is coupled to the front-two layer portion by inseams 106. In some aspects, the garment may not include a crotch panel.

FIG. 4 shows garment 400 which has an alternate front two-layer portion 420. The bottom edge of the front two-layer portion 420 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 to indicate that this edge is not visible from the exterior of the garment. The front two-layer portion 420 covers the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge 122 to approximately below the navel of the wearer. The front two-layer portion can, in some aspects, cover the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge to any point above the crotch area of the garment, for example, above the navel of the wearer, at the navel of the wearer, or below the navel of the wearer.

In some aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion (i.e., 120 or 420) can be coupled together. In some such aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be seamlessly coupled together. In some such aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be seamlessly coupled together by a double knit or double weave configuration. In other such aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be bonded together or otherwise adhered together using an adhesive or an adhesive tape. In some aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be bonded together across the entire area of the front two-layer portion. In other aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be bonded together across a portion of the area of the front two-layer portion, for example, in the center of the front two-layer portion, along the edges of the front two-layer portion, or a combination thereof. In some such aspects, the bonding adhesive can decrease the elasticity of the front two-layer portion, thereby increasing the shaping effect of the garment. In other aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be coupled together only along a bottom edge of the front two-layer portion. In some such aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be coupled together along a common seam or bonding. In some aspects, both layers of the front two-layer portion can be secured to the crotch panel by a common seam or bonding. In yet other aspects, both layers may not be coupled together.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the posterior portion 104 is folded inward at the waistline of the wearer, thereby forming a rear two-layer portion 126 where the folded portion of the posterior portion 104 (i.e., the posterior folded portion) is in contact with the inner surface of the buttocks region 116. The bottom edge of the rear two-layer portion 126 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 to indicate that this edge is not visible from the exterior of the garment, as the posterior portion 104 is folded inward to create a sleek appearance from the exterior of the garment. The rear two-layer portion 126 includes a rear folded edge 126 where the posterior portion 104 folds inward. In some aspects, the rear folded edge can be disposed at any point along the lower back of the wearer.

The rear two-layer portion 126 covers the lower back area of the wearer from the rear folded edge 128 to above the buttocks of the wearer, and is between the left and right side seams 108 (which can be seen in FIG. 3). In some aspects, the rear two-layer portion can cover the lower back and buttocks area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to the crotch area. In some such aspects, the rear two-layer portion can be coupled to the crotch panel.

In some aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be coupled together. In some such aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be sewn together along the edge of the rear two-layer portion. In other such aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be seamlessly coupled together. In some such aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be seamlessly coupled together by a double knit or double weave configuration. In other such aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be bonded together or otherwise adhered together using an adhesive or an adhesive tape. In some aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be bonded together across the entire area of the rear two-layer portion. In other aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be bonded together across a portion of the area of the rear two-layer portion, for example, in the center of the rear two-layer portion, along the edge of the rear two-layer portion, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, both layers of the rear two-layer portion may not be coupled together.

Referring to FIG. 3, the front two-layer portion 120 and the rear two-layer portion 126 are each formed from separate flaps of fabric that are independently folded to different vertical points and joined together by the left and right side seams 108. However, in some aspects, the front two-layer portion and the rear two-layer portion can be formed continuously from the same piece of fabric, thereby forming a continuous two-layer portion that extends circumferentially around the entire garment. In other aspects, the garment may not include a rear two-layer portion.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the anterior leg region 114 and the posterior leg region 118 are formed together as pants, which includes a left leg portion 130a and a right leg portion 130b. Each of the left and right leg portions 130a, 130b is attached to the crotch panel 124 by crotch seams 132a, 132b (which bifurcate from the center seam 110) and extends inferiorly from the crotch panel 124. The left and right leg portions 130a, 130b extend to the wearer's ankles, however they can, in other aspects, extend to any point along the wearer's legs. For example, in some aspects, the left and right leg portions can extend to the wearer's calves, below the wearer's knees, just above the wearer's knees, the wearer's mid-thigh, or above the wearer's mid-thigh. In some aspects, the left and right leg portions can extend past the wearer's ankles. In some aspects, the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region can be formed together as full length pants, ⅞ length pants, ⅚ length pants, ¾ length pants, capri pants, bike shorts, regular shorts, or booty shorts. In some aspects, a skirt can be disposed over the pants or shorts and coupled to the lower body garment, for example, at or below the waist.

The inseam 106, in some aspects, extends as a continuous seam that extends distally down each of the left and right leg portions 130a, 130b from the crotch area to left and right distal inseam ends 134a, 134b. In other aspects, the inseam may include two separate right and left seams. The left and right distal inseam ends 134a, 134b are positioned on the anterior leg portion 114 such that the inseam 106 extends laterally towards the wearer's shins on each side as the inseam 106 extends distally down each of the left and right leg portions 130a, 130b. However, in yet other aspects, the inseam can extend straight down each of the left and right leg regions. In yet other aspects, the inseam can extend laterally towards the wearer's calves on each side as the inseam extends distally down each of the left and right leg portions. The left and right distal inseam ends 134a, 134b are split from the bottom edges of each of the left and right leg portions 130a, 130b. However, in other aspects, the left and right distal inseam ends may not be split.

The garment 100 can, in some aspects, be made from pattern 500 shown in FIG. 5. Left and right leg panels 530a and 530b are folded into left and right legs 130a and 130b. The top portion of pattern 500, which is cut into three separate flaps of fabric, is folded down and inwardly at waistline 536. The front inner layer 520a and front outer layer 520b form the front two-layer portion 120. The rear inner layer 526a and rear outer layer 526b form the rear two-layer portion 126. The top portion of pattern 500 is then folded together and the center seam 110 is added from the crotch panel 524 to the waistline 536, thereby forming the garment 100. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an example seamless construction of the front two-layer portion. A bonding layer 538 is disposed between the front inner layer 520a and the front outer layer 520b. It is considered that the rear two-layer portion has the same construction, with a bonding layer disposed between the rear inner layer and the rear outer layer. The bonding layer 538, when hardened, is stiffer than either the front inner layer 520a or the front outer layer 520b alone. As such, this creates a front two-layer portion that is stiffer than the rest of the garment, enhancing the shaping effect of the garment.

The garment can, in some aspects, be formed as skort 700 as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The skirt 740 is folded over into and coupled to the shorts 742 (which are shown in dotted lines to indicate that the shorts 742 are not visible from the exterior of the garment). The front two-layer portion 720 is thus formed from the front folded portion of the skirt 740 and the front upper region of the shorts 742, and the rear two-layer portion 726 is formed from the rear folded portion of the skirt 740 and the rear upper region of the shorts 742. Both layers of the front two-layer portion and both layers of the rear two-layer portion can be coupled together according to any of the coupling configurations described above. The front two-layer portion 720 covers the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge 722 to the crotch area of the garment 700, more specifically coupled to the crotch panel 724. The front two-layer portion can, in other aspects, cover the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge to any point above the crotch area of the garment, for example, above the navel of the wearer, at the navel of the wearer, or below the navel of the wearer. The rear two-layer portion 726 covers the lower back area of the wearer from the rear folded edge 728 to above the buttocks of the wearer. The rear two-layer portion can, in other aspects, cover the lower back and buttocks area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to the crotch area. In some such aspects, the rear two-layer portion can be coupled to the crotch panel.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an example seamless construction of the front two-layer portion 720. A bonding layer 738 is disposed between the front inner layer 720a (i.e., the front folded region of the skirt 740) and the front outer layer 720b (i.e., the front upper region of the shorts 742), and the skirt 742 sits freely over the front two-layer portion 720. It is considered that the rear two-layer portion has the same construction, with a bonding layer disposed between the rear inner layer and the rear outer layer. The bonding layer 738, when hardened, is stiffer than either the front inner layer 720a or the front outer layer 720b alone. As such, this creates a front two-layer portion that is stiffer than the rest of the garment, enhancing the shaping effect of the garment.

FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 show alternate embodiments of the garment where the inseams are not split. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show further alternate embodiments of the garment which include additional vertical seams spanning the length of the garment, including on the fronts of the legs and on the sides of the garment. FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of the garment where the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region are formed together as shorts.

EXAMPLE ASPECTS

Example 1: A lower body garment for shaping an abdominal area of a wearer, comprising: an anterior portion comprising an abdominal region and an anterior leg region; and a posterior portion comprising a buttocks region and a posterior leg region; wherein the anterior portion comprises a two-layer portion having a folded edge; wherein the abdominal region includes a front folded edge defined at least partially by a front continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a front two-layer portion; and wherein both layers of the front two-layer portion are seamlessly coupled together.

Example 2: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 1, wherein the anterior portion and the posterior portion are formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

Example 3: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 1, wherein both layers of the front two-layer portion are bonded together.

Example 4: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 3, wherein both layers of the front two-layer portion are bonded together across an entire area of the front two-layer portion.

Example 5: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 1, wherein the front two-layer portion extends across the abdominal region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

Example 6: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 1, wherein the front two-layer portion covers the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge to below a navel of the wearer.

Example 7: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 1, wherein the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region are formed together as a skirt.

Example 8: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 7, wherein the front continuous portion is a front upper portion of the skirt; and wherein the front continuous portion is seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

Example 9: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 8, wherein the short further comprises a crotch area; and wherein the front two-layer portion covers the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge to the crotch area.

Example 10: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 1, wherein the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region are formed together as pants or shorts.

Example 11: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 10, wherein the front continuous portion is an upper portion of the anterior portion; and wherein the front continuous portion is seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of the abdominal region.

Example 12: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 10, further comprising: a crotch area disposed between the anterior portion and the posterior portion; a left leg portion; and a right leg portion; wherein the left leg portion and the right leg portion extend inferiorly from the crotch area.

Example 13: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 12, wherein each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion further include an inseam; wherein a proximal end of each inseam begins at the crotch area; wherein a distal end of each inseam extends laterally towards a shin of the wearer and ends at a bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion; and wherein the distal end of each inseam is at least partially split from the bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion.

Example 14: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 12, wherein the front two-layer portion covers the abdominal area of the wearer from the front folded edge to the crotch area.

Example 15: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 11, further comprising a skirt disposed over and coupled to the lower body garment.

Example 16: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 1, wherein the buttocks region includes a rear folded edge defined at least partially by a rear continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a rear two-layer portion.

Example 17: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 16, wherein both layers of the rear two-layer portion are bonded together.

Example 18: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 17, wherein both layers of the rear two-layer portion are bonded together across an entire area of the rear two-layer portion.

Example 19: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 16, wherein the rear two-layer portion extends across the buttocks region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

Example 20: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 16, wherein the rear two-layer portion covers a lower back area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to above a buttocks of the wearer.

Example 21: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 16, further comprising a crotch area disposed between the anterior portion and the posterior portion; wherein the rear two-layer portion covers a lower back and buttocks area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to the crotch area.

Example 22: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 16, wherein the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region are formed together as a skirt; wherein the rear continuous portion is a rear upper portion of the skirt; and wherein the rear continuous portion is seamlessly coupled to a rear inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

Example 23: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 22, wherein the short further comprises a crotch area; and wherein the rear two-layer portion covers a lower back and buttocks area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to the crotch area of the short.

Example 24: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 16, wherein the front two-layer portion and the rear two-layer portion are formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

Example 25: A lower body garment for shaping an abdominal area of a wearer, comprising: an anterior portion comprising an abdominal region and an anterior leg region; a posterior portion comprising a buttocks region and a posterior leg region; and a crotch area disposed between the anterior portion and the posterior portion; wherein the abdominal region includes a front folded edge defined at least partially by a front continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a front two-layer portion; and wherein the front two-layer portion extends from the front folded edge to the crotch area.

Example 26: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 25, wherein the anterior portion and the posterior portion are formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

Example 27: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 25, wherein both layers of the front two-layer portion are seamlessly coupled together.

Example 28: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 27, wherein both layers of the front two-layer portion are bonded together.

Example 29: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 28, wherein both layers of the front two-layer portion are bonded together across an entire area of the front two-layer portion.

Example 30: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 25, wherein the front two-layer portion extends across the abdominal region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

Example 31: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 25, wherein the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region are formed together as a skirt; wherein the front continuous portion is a front upper portion of the skirt; wherein the front continuous portion is coupled to a front inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt; and wherein the front two-layer portion extends from the front folded edge to a crotch area of the short.

Example 32: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 25, wherein the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region are formed together as pants or shorts.

Example 33: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 32, wherein the front continuous portion is an upper portion of the anterior portion; and wherein the front continuous portion is seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of the abdominal region.

Example 34: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 32, further comprising: a left leg portion and a right leg portion; wherein the left leg portion and the right leg portion extend inferiorly from the crotch area; wherein each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion further include an inseam; wherein a proximal end of each inseam begins at the crotch area; wherein a distal end of each inseam extends laterally towards a shin of the wearer and ends at a bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion; and wherein the distal end of each inseam is at least partially split from the bottom edge of each of the left leg portion and the right leg portion.

Example 35: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 32, further comprising a skirt disposed over and coupled to the lower body garment.

Example 36: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 25, wherein the buttocks region includes a rear folded edge defined at least partially by a rear continuous portion folded over at a waistline of the wearer to create a rear two-layer portion.

Example 37: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 36, wherein both layers of the rear two-layer portion are seamlessly coupled together.

Example 38: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 37, wherein both layers of the rear two-layer portion are bonded together.

Example 39: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 38, wherein both layers of the rear two-layer portion are bonded together across an entire area of the rear two-layer portion.

Example 40: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 36, wherein the rear two-layer portion extends across the buttocks region between a left side seam and a right side seam.

Example 41: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 36, wherein the rear two-layer portion covers a lower back area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to above a buttocks of the wearer.

Example 42: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 36, wherein the rear two-layer portion covers a lower back and buttocks area of the wearer from the rear folded edge to the crotch area.

Example 43: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 36, wherein the anterior leg region and the posterior leg region are formed together as a skirt; wherein the rear continuous portion is a rear upper portion of the skirt; and wherein the rear continuous portion is coupled to a rear inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

Example 44: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 43, wherein the rear two-layer portion extends from the rear folded edge to a crotch area of the short.

Example 45: The lower body garment of any examples herein, particularly Example 36, wherein the front two-layer portion and the rear two-layer portion are formed continuously from a same piece of fabric.

Example 46: A method of making a lower body garment, comprising: joining one or more pieces of fabric together to form an anterior portion and a posterior portion, wherein the anterior portion and the posterior portion are laterally interconnected to form an encircling garment; folding down the anterior portion inwardly, thereby forming a front folded portion; and seamlessly coupling the front folded portion to a front inner surface of the anterior portion.

Example 47: The method of any examples herein, particularly Example 46, wherein the encircling garment is formed as a skirt; and wherein the anterior portion of the skirt is folded down inwardly and seamlessly coupled to a front inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

Example 48: The method of any examples herein, particularly Example 46, further comprising: folding down the posterior portion inwardly, thereby forming a rear folded portion; and seamlessly coupling the rear folded portion to a rear inner surface of the posterior portion.

Example 49: The method of any examples herein, particularly Example 48, wherein the encircling garment is formed as a skirt; and wherein the posterior portion of the skirt is folded down inwardly and seamlessly coupled to a rear inner surface of a short disposed underneath the skirt, thereby securing the short to the skirt.

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.