GB2189376A

GB2189376A - Variable length undergarment

Info

Publication number: GB2189376A
Application number: GB08709404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lynda Jane Bernadett Cresswell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-04-23
Filing date: 1987-04-21
Publication date: 1987-10-28
Also published as: GB8709404D0; GB8609906D0

Abstract

An undergarment, particularly a petticoat, whose length may be changed at will by selective attachment of a band 8 of material to the lower edge of the skirt portion 4. Various methods of attachment are described, including the use of press studs 5/7. A further band of material may be attached to the lower edge of band 8, to further lengthen the garment. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to undergarments This invention relates to undergarments and particularly petticoats or slips.

The invention enables the length of the skirt portion of the garment to be readily altered to enable a single garment to cover a variety of sizes or styles, as required. A similar garment is described in British patent specification 914087 in which a lower section is loosely stitched in place during manufacture and can be released in order to lengthen the garment. Once released however, it is apparently intended that the garment should remain to all intents and purposes permanently at its new length. Conversion back to the shorter length, for example to suit a change in style or mood, would involve stitching the extended section back into the garment.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved means for enabling adjustment of the length of an undergarment.

According to the invention there is provided an undergarment comprising a skirt portion having a releasable fastening means arranged around its lower (hem) edge and at least one separate band of material having along at least one edge thereof a cooperating releasable fastening means, the arrangement being such that the skirt portion may be altered at will by selectively attaching said band of material to the lower edge of the skirt portion by means of said fastening means. The band of material will have the same circumferential length as that of the lower edge of the skirt portion and may be continuous or not as required. More than one band of material may be provided; for example, two bands of different width would give the choice of four differing skirt lengths.

The fastening means may take the form of press studs, velcro, hook and eyes, a zip or even buttons and co-operating button holes.

In order that the invention may be better understood, several embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1,2 and 3 show respectively front, back and side views of an embodiment of a full petticoat made in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 shows a second band of material used to extend further the length of the petticoat of Figures 1,2and3; Figures 5,6,7 and 8 are similarto Figures 1,2,3 and 4 respectively, but show a split side version; and Figures9to 16aresimilarto Figures 1 to8 respectively, but show a waistslip (half petticoat).

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a full petticoat 1 having straps 2, bodice portion 3 and skirt portion 4. Formed close to the lower edge of the skirt portion, and on the inside surface thereof, are a plurality of evenly spaced press stud parts 5. A typical spacing is 5 cm. The lower edge of the skirt portion is shown lifted at reference 6 in Figure 1 to show the press stud parts 5. Each press stud part is fitted to a corresponding co-operating press stud part 7 formed adjacent one edge of a continuous band 8 of material. The material of the band is preferably the same as that of the rest of the garment.

The press studs 5/7 around the hem of the skirt portion thus hold the band 8 in place, which latter thus effectively becomes part of the skirt portion.

For this purpose, the band 8 may be slightly tapered.

At the lower portion of the band 8, when seen in Figures 1 to 3, is a further set of press stud parts formed on the inside surface in a similar manner to those formed around the hem of the main skirt portion. This further set is intended to enable attachment of a further band 9 of material (shown separately in Figure 4), similarto band 8 but preferably of a different width, thus effectively lengthening still further the skirt portion.

If the bands 8 and 9 are constructed in the same way but are of different widths, this will enable four different lengths to be obtained: 1) The skirt portion alone; 2) The skirt portion plus band 8; 3) The skirt portion plus band 9; 4) The skirt portion plus bands 8 and 9.

The press stud parts are sewn into the fabric during manufacture of the garment in the usual way. It is possible to obtain rows of spaced press studs mounted on strip material which might assist this.

Figures 5 to 8 show an alternative form of petticoat having a slit side 12. This is achieved by making the bands 8 and 9 simply lengths of material, rather than loops, as previously. Although the drawings show both bands as being slit, it would of course be perfectly possible for only one to be slit. Furthermore, the slit could be started in the main part 4 of the skirt portion.

If desired, press studs or similar releasable fastening means (not shown) could be provided down the slits in the two bands 8,9 to enable the petticoat to be slit or not at choice.

Figures 9 to 16 are drawings corresponding to Figures 1 to 8 respectively, but show a waist slip or half petticoat 10 having an elastic or similar waistband 11 and skirt portion shown, as before, under reference 4. The construction is, to all intents and purposes, identical to that described above and detailed description is therefore omitted. The reference numerals used in Figures 9 to 16 are, where appropriate, the same as those of Figures 1 to 8.

In all embodiments typical widths for the bands are as follows:- Band 8 = 8 inches Band 9 = 4 inches The overlapping at the joints between the sections conceals the press studs, but reduces the lengthening effect of each band by about 0.5 inches.

This invention enables a variable length petticoat to be made easily and cheaply. The length of the resultant garment can be rapidly changed at will to suit conditions or mood or even the height of the wearer. The press studs are preferably of the light plastics variety which would be barely discernable in the assembled garment, and would not adversely affect the wearing comfort of the garment.

Claims

1.An undergarment comprising a skirt portion having a releasable fastening means arranged around its lower (hem) edge and at least one separate band of material having along at least one edge thereof a co-operating releasable fastening means, the arrangement being such that the skirt portion may be altered at will by selectively attaching said band of material to the lower edge of the skirt portion by means of said fastening means.

2. An undergarment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the band of material is continuous.

3. An undergarment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the band of material comprises a non-continuous strip of material.

4. An undergarment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said fastening means is continuous around the lower edge of the skirt portion, and wherein said co-operating fastening means is continuous along said one edge of the band.

5. An undergarment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fastening means comprises Velcro.

6. An undergarment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said fastening means comprises a plurality of fastening devices spaced around the lower edge of the skirt portion, and wherein said co-operating fastening means comprises a plurality of co-operating fastening devices spaced along said one edge of the band.

7. An undergarment as claimed in claim 6 wherein each fastening device and its co-operating fastening device comprises a press stud.

8. An undergarment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the band of material is tapered.

9. An undergarment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said band of material is formed with a further fastening means on the opposite edge to said co-operating fastening means, and wherein a further band of material is provided, said further band having along at least one edge thereof a further co-operating releasable fastening means in order to enable said further band of material to be attached to the first-mentioned band of material to further increase the length of the skirt portion.

10. An undergarment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.