I. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to garments, specifically shapewear and garments worn under clothing, as liners.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Current shapewear garments force a particular shape on the wearer, but are typically designed for people of a straight, oval and rectangle body types. These garments do not provide shapewear coverage for inviduals with various

combinations of a: slender waist, wide hips and a full posterior as opposed to a flat one. Individuals, typically denominated as“curvy” who have hourglass and pear shapes no matter their size by contrast, cannot wear even appropriately sized shapewear garments without an unattractive and uncomfortable“blocky” shape where the body resists the form the shapewear wants it to take. Such individuals often desire to enhance their natural appearance without noticeably altering it.

[0003] Thus, there is a need for an improved shapewear garment that provides the support of shapewear while still appropriately flexing to match the wearer’s natural curves.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a shapewear garment. In one embodiment, the garment comprises a front body panel, back body panel, side panels on either side, a reinforced front mesh panel, side mesh panels and a back mesh panel.

[0005] In another embodiment, the garment comprises a front body panel, back body panel, side mesh panels on either side, a front reinforced mesh panel for tummy control, and a back mesh panel, wherein the side mesh panels are also mesh to allow the wearers hips and waist to take their natural shape. In some

embodiments, the side mesh panels may be of different shapes according to particular, non-functional designs.

[0006] In another embodiment, the garment additionally comprises a band made of a nylon blend, elastane, elastic, stretch lace, or flat miliskin with or without a silicone backing, that can begin at the start of the wearer’s waist or it can be high- waisted and connected to the top opening of the garment.

[0007] In another embodiment, the garment is seamless, while in another embodiment the panels of the garment are connected by zig-zag or overlook stitches.

[0008] In another embodiment, the garment is seamlessly or is attached by one overall seam to tights to create leg hosiery.

[0009] In another embodiment, the garment is a high-waisted panty, with a reinforced mesh front body panel, side mesh panel and back mesh panel.

[0010] In another embodiment, the garment is a liner, worn under clothing, specifically sewn into a dress or skirt. Alternatively, the garment is attached to leg hosiery, by latches or other ways known in the art.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. [0012] Fig. 1 depicts an anterior view of one embodiment of a shapewear garment, disclosed herein.

[0013] Fig. 2 depicts a posterior view of the embodiment of a shapewear garment depicted in Fig. 1.

[0014] Fig. 3 depicts a medial view of one embodiment of a shapewear garment, disclosed herein.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a shapewear garment of one embodiment of a shapewear garment, disclosed herein; and

[0016] Fig. 5 is another perspective view of a shapewear garment of one embodiment of a shapewear garment, disclosed herein.

[0017] Fig. 6 is a rear view showing a model wearing a shapewear garment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention on the right (A) and the same model not wearing the shapewear garment in accordance with the invention on the left (B).

[0018] Fig. 7 is a side view showing a model wearing a shapewear garment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention on the right (A) and the same model not wearing the shapewear garment in accordance with the invention on the left (B).

[0019] Fig. 8 is a front view showing a model wearing a shapewear garment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention on the right (A) and the same model not wearing the shapewear garment in accordance with the invention on the left (B).

[0020] To facilitate understanding of the disclosure, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The invention generally comprises a shapewear garment that accentuates the natural body shape of the the wearer by smoothing and sculpting the wearers hips and buttocks without appreciably changing the dimensional profile of the hips and buttocks. In accordance with the invention, the garment includes front and back body panels comprised of a compressive fabric. As used herein, the term

“compressive fabric” refers to a fabric that appreciably changes the dimensional profile (size and/or shape) of the wearer.

[0022] The back body panel includes a cutout in the central buttock region. A contouring panel is attached to the back panel in such a manner as to cover the cutout. As used herein, the term“countouring fabric” refers to a fabric that accentuates and/or smoothes the wearers shape without appreciably changing the dimensional profile.

[0023] The garment further includes first and second side cutouts in the hip region. A contouring panel is attached to the each side panel along the periphery of the cutout to assist the natural shape of the hips to take form. In some embodiments, the contouring panel overlaps slightly with the garment. In some embodiments, the front panel may include a reinforcing panel to assist in tummy flattening.

[0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the side mesh panels 10, the front reinforced mesh panel 2, and the back mesh panel 12 contour to the wearer’s body. The front body panel 6 and the back body panel 14 provide support to the wearer’s abdomen and back. The garment combines structure to the wearer’s front and back side, while placing different mesh panels to allow the garment to contour to a wearer’s body while still providing support. The wearer therefore receives support and“tuck” to their abdomen and buttocks without the unattractive blocky shape that comes from shapewear garments that force a particular shape on the wearer.

[0025] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are perspective depictions of the garment worn by a wearer, and depict an embodiment of the garment.

[0026] In an embodiment, the side mesh panels 10, the front reinforced mesh panel 2, and the back mesh panel 12 are made of a mesh material, such as a solid power mesh fabric. Suitabale power mesh fabrics are comprised of e.g., a nylon spandex blend. In some embodiments, the power mesh includes 50% nylon or greater (e.g., 60% or greater, 70% or greater, 80% or greater. In some

embodiments, the power mesh includes 50% spandex or less (e.g., 40% or less,

30% or less, 20% or less 10% or less). In some embodiments a nylon spandex 77/23 blend is used. In other embodiments an 80/20 blend is used. The use of the power mesh material functions to match a wearer’s body shape without forcing the wearer into a particular form and is also aesthetically pleasing.

[0027] In another embodiment, the front reinforced mesh panel 2 is not a mesh blend, but an unblended material, such as nylon.

[0028] It is contemplated that the wearer would primarily be a woman with a pear or hour-glass shape, but enhances the shape of a woman with a straight, oval or inverted rectangle shape. It is understood that the garment can be adapted to be worn by any man, woman, or child. The body shapes discussed herein refer to the standard characterizations of body shape known in the art.

[0029] Fig. 1 is an anterior view of a shapewear garment, according to one embodiment of the invention. A front body panel 6 has a cutout reinforced portion where a front mesh, spandex and support panels are integrated 2. In some embodiments, the reinforced portion may also include a moisture wicking fabric layer and/or a temperature regulating fabric layer. On either side of the front body panel 6 are side mesh panels 10, cut and attached to the front body panel 6. On the posterior side of the front body panel 6 is an inside support panel 4 that provides additional structure to the front body panel 6. A bridge 8 made from a fabric less rigid than the front body panel 6 covers a cutout portion between where a wearer’s crotch would be. In an alternative embodiment, the garment has an aperture in place of a bridge.

[0030] A band 16 is attached on the top side of the front body panel 6. The band

16 wraps around the waist of a wearer. In some embodiments, the band 16 can be made from lace, milliskin, or other elastic materials known in the art.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a posterior view of the shapewear garment in Fig. 1. A back body panel 14 has a cutout portion where a back mesh panel 12 is attached. On either side of the back body panel 14 are side mesh panels 10, cut and attached to the back body panel 14. The bridge 8 is attached to cover the cutout portion between the front body panel 6 and back body panel 14. The side mesh panels 10 are similarly attached to the back body panel 14.

[0032] The back mesh panel 12 eliminates the need for a hole on the backside of the garment, which in the art is sometimes used to create the appearance of full buttocks. The back mesh panel 12 provides additional support to prevent tearing of the garment.

[0033] In some embodiments, the garment is seamless. In some embodiments, the garment comprises cut and formed panels. The panels may be stitched according to any manner known in the art, such as a zig-zag stitch or an overlook stitch.

[0034] Fig. 3 depicts a medial view of one embodiment of a shapewear garment, with a“heart-shaped” side panel 10. It is understood that the individual panels can take any shape, wherein the garment still functions in the manner disclosed.

Alternative shapes for the front mesh panel 2, back mesh panel 12, and side mesh panels 10 can be in the shape of a heart, shown in Fig. 3, but generally any aesthetically pleasing shape can be used.

[0035] The garment can be made from any fabric known in the art for use of shapewear and undergarments, wherein the restraining and smoothing aspects of the garment are retained. For example, the garment can be made from a

nylon/spandex blend, flat milliskin, or other elastic material. In some embodiments, the garment is a pair of pants, jeans, underwear, undergarments, yoga pants, shorts, or tights. The garment may be reversible (flipped inside-out or forward to back). In some embodiments, the garment is intended to be worn as a women’s panties, part of leg hosiery, or as a liner under skirts, dresses, or pants. In another embodiment, the garment is a panty that attaches to hosiery. The manner of attachment may be sewn, glued, or generally any means known in the art.

[0036] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

[0037] The garments disclosed are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the claims any garments that are functionally equivalent are intended to fall within the scope of the claims. Other combinations of garments (e.g., different

combinations of fabrics and how the individual elements of the garment are attached to one another, as well as different articles of clothing the garment can be, such as panties or shapewear) are intended to fall within the scope of the claims, even if not specifically recited.