Fashion concept

Abstract

The present invention provides a fashion design concept allowing a wearer to create a personalized style of clothing by combining a front panel of a shirt, blouse, pair of pants, skirt or dress with a corresponding back panel of the particular article of clothing. Both the front and back panels may be reversibly wearable such that a user may select separate exterior designs for the front panel and back panel. The front and back panels are removably attachable along their seams to each other and to other similarly configured panels having similar or different styles, colors, cuts and/or patterns.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of customizable garments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fashion concept involving articles of clothing that allow a wearer to combine different colors, cuts and styles in a single garment.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Clothing and other such wearable garments are a necessity. Yet, clothing is also an expression of the individual wearer. The expression of the individual wearer has traditionally been limited to the selection of predetermined clothing designs and, for example, creating an outfit from a collection of one article of clothing from a first designer and a second article of clothing from a second designer. A wardrobe of clothing is limited to choosing among a predetermined number of predesigned articles of clothing that can be worn only in accordance with their single purpose design.

Articles of clothing exist that are transformative, such as jackets having removable sleeves, and pants having removable leggings. These garments allow a wearer to remove sleeves and leggings in accordance with temperate conditions. However, these transformable articles of clothing are a functional result of the wearer's environment, and not an expression of their individuality, style and personality.

Similarly, reversible clothing provides multiple uses for a single garment. Reversible garments have a first design on a first side, and a second design on a second side. Again, this limits the expression of the individual, where the cut and style of the outfit are identical with the exception of the pattern or color design of the reversible sides. For example, a reversible turtleneck would have an identical white turtleneck on one side and black turtle neck on the other side, while the style and cut of the garment remain unchanged.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,686, issued to Hoskings, describes a garment having detachable front and back portions. A wearer is able to remove a front portion from a back portion. The intent of U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,686, however, was to allow a person to salvage at least one portion of a soiled garment while allowing the soiled portion to be replaced by a different portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,600, issued to Chenefront, describes a transformable and/or metamorphosable garment. This garment provides much freedom to a wearer to design a garment having a number of intermixed patterns and arrangements. A problem with the garment described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,686 is that it is too complex for a wearer to construct a garment Garments need to be relatively simple to construct and configure, since a wearer may need to quickly assemble an outfit from a number of different garments.

It would therefore be advantageous to create a configurable garment that allows a wearer to add different cuts, styles and designs in a simple and easy to use manner, that does not involve an intricate system of modules, but allows more freedom than simply providing exclusively removable parts or exclusively reversible parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fashion design concept for allowing a wearer of the present invention to select a front panel for an article of clothing and a corresponding back panel that can be fastened to the front panel to provide a wearable garment that expresses the individual preferences of the wearer. The front panel and back panel may be reversibly wearable wherein a wearer may select which patterns to wear on an exterior of the garment by selectively fastening a predetermined side of the front panel to a predetermined side of the back panel.

One embodiment of the present invention provides for the creation of a shirt or blouse. A front panel of a blouse and back panel of a blouse are attachable by a cooperating fastener system on the side seams of the front panel and back panel. Additional fastener systems may be used on the shoulder seams for attaching straps and/or sleeves to the shirt or blouse.

A user may select from a series of interchangeable front and back panels of different cuts and designs that are attachable to each other.

The present invention also provides a skirt having a pair of front panels each have opposing vertical edges defining seams having a fastener system extending thereon. The pair of front panels may combine to form a single front section of a skirt and may be configured to mate with a back panel having corresponding fastener systems on opposing seams, to form a skirt.

The present invention also provides a pair of pants having a front panel and correspondingly mating back panel each having fastener systems on opposing vertical seams. Both the front and back panel may be reversibly wearable in combination with each other.

The present invention also provides a dress having a blouse portion and a dress portion. A front panel has a front of the blouse portion and dress portion and a back panel has a back of the blouse portion and dress portion. The front and back panels have a corresponding fastener system extending along the side seam and shoulder seam to attach the front panel to the back panel. The front panel and back panel each being reversibly wearable and able to mate with differently cut front panels or back panels having corresponding mating fastener systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a portion of the invention from FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a front view of a portion of the invention from FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a portion of the invention from FIG. 1.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the portion shown in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a fastener system.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of another fastener system.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of yet another fastener system.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of yet another fastener system.

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of yet another fastener system.

FIG. 3F is a perspective view of yet another fastener system.

FIG. 3G is a perspective view of a covering for a fastener system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a front view of a portion of the invention from FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6D is a front view of a portion of the invention from FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7A is a front view of an alternative cut of clothing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a front view of the present invention having a removable pair of straps.

FIG. 7C is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a removable pair of straps.

FIG. 7D is an alternative cut of clothing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7E is an alternative cut of clothing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7F is an alternative cut of clothing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7G is an alternative cut of clothing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a front view of a skirt in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a rear view of a skirt in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a front view of a pair of pants in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a rear view of a pair of pants in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a front view of a dress in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a rear view of a dress in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2D show a shirt or blouse 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. A front panel 11 has a series of button holes 12 on opposing side seams 13 and shoulder seams 14. The front panel 11 is a fabric cut, in this example, in a V-neck style.

A corresponding back panel 16 is shown having buttons 17 on opposing side seams 18 and shoulder seams 19 correspondingly positioned to mate with the button holes 12 of the front panel 11.

A pair of short sleeves 20 are shown having buttons 17 on a front side 21 and button holes 12 on a back side 22 for attaching to the front panel 11 and back panel 16, respectively.

Alternatively, a pair of elbow sleeves 30, or long sleeves (not shown) may be similarly attached to the sleeve seams 14, 19 of the front panel 11 and back panel 16.

The front panel 11 and back panel 16 each have an first side 32, 36 and a second side 34, 38, respectively, each side of each panel being reversibly wearable either on the exterior or interior of the completed garment. The sleeves 20 or 30 also may be reversible. For example the first side may be a solid black color and the second side may be a solid white color.

The front panel 11 and back panel 16 are removably attachable to each other by a suitable fastener system, such as those illustrated with reference to FIGS. 3A-3F.

FIG. 3A shows a button fastener system 50. A first panel 52 has a button hole 12 and a second panel 54 has a button 17 for attaching within the button hole 12. As shown, the first side 56 of the first panel 52 overlaps the first side 60 of the second panel 54 such that the button 17 faces towards the exterior 64 of the garment. Where the second panel 54 is reversible, the second side 62 of the second panel 54 would then overlap the first side 56 of the first panel 52, such that the button 17 would face toward the interior 66 of the garment.

In the embodiment shown with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2D, buttons 17 are used to selectively attach the front panel 11, back panel 16 and sleeves 20. It is contemplated that other such fastener systems may also be employed.

FIG. 3B shows a snap fastener system 68 wherein the second panel 54 overlaps the first panel 52 on the exterior 64 of the assembled garment. Where the first panel 52 and second panel 54 are reversible, the first side 56, 60 and second side 58, 62 of each panel 52, 54 will require the appropriate snap 84 fastener to allow the proper attachment of the reversible panel.

FIG. 3C shows a hook fastener system 70 wherein a first panel 52 has an eye 72 and a second panel 54 has a hook 74 that is received within the eye 72 to attach the first panel 52 to the second panel 54.

FIG. 3D shows a slot and tab fastener system 76. A first panel 52 has a tab 78 extending from a seam and the second panel 54 has a slot 82 for receiving the tab 78 therethrough. The tab 78 has a fastener snap 84 at a distal end 80 for securing the tab 78 to a snap receptacle 86 in the first panel 52.

FIG. 3E shows a velcro fastener system 88 wherein at least a portion of the seams of the first panel 52 and second panel 54 have mating velcro portions 89, 90.

FIG. 3F shows a clasp fastener system 92 wherein a clasp 94 is positioned on the seam of the first panel 52 and a corresponding clasp hook 96 is positioned on the seam of the second panel 54.

The present invention is not limited to the fastener systems described herein, whereas any suitable mechanism may be used for attaching the one panel to another, including those discussed with reference to further embodiments of the present invention. The fastener system may extend along the side seams and may be on a single side of a panel or on both the first and second sides of a panel as necessary or desirable with reference to a particular garment, for example to allow the fastener system to be reversibly attachable.

FIG. 3G shows a covering 98 for optional use with any suitable fastener system, and is shown herein with reference to the button fastener system 50. The covering 98 includes a fabric 100 that extends from one side of the panel 52 over the seam of the panel 52 to cover the fastener system 50 from exposure. A single panel or both the first panel 52 and second panel 54 may have a covering 98.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. A dolman 102 having a front panel 104 and back panel 106 are shown, each having a zipper fastener system 108 at the side seams 110 and arm seams 112 of the back panel 106 and corresponding seams of the front panel 104. The front panel 104 and back panel 106 each have a reversible first side 114 and second side (not shown), selectively wearable on the exterior 64 or interior 66 of the attached garment.

FIG. 5 shows a shirt 122 having a front panel 124 and a back panel 126 each having a series of apertures 128 along side seams 130 and sleeve seams 132 extending along opposing sides of the front panel 124 and back panel 126 and along the upper and lower edges of the arm portions 129 of the front panel 124 and back panel 126. The apertures 128 of the front panel 124 are alternately aligned adjacent with the apertures 128 of the back panel 126. A string, ribbon or lace 134 may be threaded through the apertures 128 of the front panel 124 and back panel 126 to selectively attach the front panel 124 to the back panel 126. The ends of the string 134 may be tied in a bow or knot 136 to secure the front panel 124 to the back panel 126. The apertures 128 may be circular in shape, oval, slit-like or any other shape as desired by a wearer.

The front panel 124 and back panel 126 are reversibly wearable as described with reference to the front panels and back panels of the other embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate yet another embodiment of a reversible front panel and back panel, selectively attachable to each other. A front panel 140 is shown having a series of tie extensions 144 along a opposing side seams 146 thereof. A corresponding back panel 142 has a number of corresponding tie extensions 144 along opposing side seams 146 thereof. The front panel 140 is selectively and reversibly attachable to the back panel 142 by tying the tie extensions 144 of the front panel 140 to the corresponding tie extensions 144 of the back panel 142.

The front panel 140 and back panel 142 may, for example, have a fabric that is cut in a variety of different styles, and the reversible outer portion and inner portion may have different colors, patterns and/or styles than the opposing portion. As shown in FIGS. 6C-6D, a tapered tie extension 148 may be employed, as may alternative cuts of fabric for the front panel 140 and back panel 142.

FIGS. 7A-7G show a number of alternative embodiments of a blouse or shirt 160 as described previously with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2D.

A series of reversible front panels and back panels of a shirt or blouse are shown. Each front panel 162 is interchangeably and reversibly attachable to any one of the corresponding series of back panels 164. The series of front panels 162 may incorporate any number of fabric cuts and styles.

FIG. 7A shows a strapless back panel 164 having a strap fastener system 166 for attaching straps 168 thereto at a top seam 170. FIG. 7B shows a pair of straps 168 attached to the back panel 164.

FIG. 7C shows a front panel 162 having a corresponding pair of strap fasteners 166 on a top seam 170. The straps 168 may have a first end 172 attached to the front panel 162 and a second end 174 attached to a single fastener 166 on the back panel 164 described with reference to FIG. 7B. Alternatively, the straps 168 may extend to a back panel 164 similar to that described with regards to the front panel of FIG. 7C, wherein the second end 174 of each of the straps 168 attach to separate corresponding fasteners 166.

FIGS. 7D-7G illustrate some of the various possibilities of employing alternative panel cuts and designs that can be interchangeably utilized in combination with corresponding panels. FIG. 7D shows a front panel 162 with straps 168 attached to the top seam 170 thereof. FIG. 7E shows a panel 162 or 164 with strap fasteners 166 at upper corners thereof. FIG. 7F shows a panel 162 having looped arm holes 176 having at least a first end 178 of the looped arm hole 176 permanently connected thereto. FIG. 7G shows a front panel having a looped neck strap 180 permanently connected to the top portion 170 of the front panel 162.

Each blouse front panel 162 has a fastener system 182 that is able to mate with a corresponding fastener system 182 of a back panel 164. This allows a user to select from various cuts and styles of front panels 162 that can be mixed with various cuts and styles of back panels 164. The front panels 162 and back panels 164 may be reversibly wearable allowing a user to also select the colors, patterns and/or styles for display on the exterior 64 or interior 66 of the completed garment. It is contemplated that different front panels and back panels may be sold separately to a user in accordance with the preferences of the user.

It is further contemplated that a kit may be sold that includes a series of interchangeable clothing components. For example, a kit may include a front panel of a blouse and a back panel of a blouse where the front panel and back panel are each reversibly wearable having a first color on a first side and a second color on a second side. One side may, for example, be black in color, and an opposing side may, for example, be white in color. The kit may further include a pair of correspondingly styled and reversibly colored short sleeves attachable to shoulder seams of the front panel and back panel. The kit may additionally include a pair of elbow length sleeves, similarly attachable and reversible in color. Also included may be a pair of shoulder straps similarly styled and/or reversibly wearable and attachable to a top seam of the front panel and back panel.

Additional kits and/or individual components may also be sold separately. For example, a sleeve, a collar, a front panel or a back panel may be sold individually or with other related components. Such components may be interchangeably usable with previously purchased kits and components. This will give the user more design options and versatility.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a skirt 190 in accordance with the present invention. The skirt 190 has a pair of adjacent front panels 192, 194 and a corresponding back panel 196 for mating with opposing sides 198, 200 of the joined pair of front panels 192, 194. The first front panel 192 has a first fastener system 202 along one vertical side and a second fastener system 204 on an opposing vertical side. The second front panel 194 has a corresponding pair of fastener systems on opposing sides thereof. When the first front panel 192 is attached adjacent the second front panel 194, a front section 206 is formed, wherein opposing sides of the front section 206 have a fastener system 202 and/or 204 corresponding to a mating fastener system 202 and/or 204 of the back panel 196 to attach the front section 206 to the back panel 196 to form a skirt 190.

The pair of front panels 192, 194 and the back panel 196 are reversibly wearable such that a first color, design or pattern is displayed on a first side and a second color, design or pattern is displayed on a second side.

The skirt 190 may utilize any suitable fastener system.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a pair of pants 220 in accordance with the present invention. A front panel 222 has a front covering for a users legs and a back panel 224 provides a back covering for a users legs. The front panel 222 has a series of buttons 226 extending along the vertical side seams 228 of the front panel 222 to define a fastener system. The back panel 224 has a series of button holes 230 to define a fastener system corresponding to the series of buttons 226 of the front panel 222 for selectively attaching to the front panel 222. The front panel 222 and back panel 224 may be reversibly wearable, each having a first side with a first color, design or pattern and a second side with a second color, design or pattern reversibly wearable on an exterior thereof.

The front panel and back panel may instead be attached by any fastener system capable of attaching the front panel to the back panel, as described with reference to other embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a dress 250 in accordance with the present invention. A tank dress 250 is shown having fastener system comprising a series of buttons 252 extending along opposing side seams 254 of a front panel 256 for attachment with a back panel 258 having corresponding fastener system of button holes 260, for example.

A pair of t-shirt sleeves 274 is also shown, having in addition to side seams 254 that have a fastener system theron, it also has attachable shoulder seams 272 that are attachable to either short sleeves 274 or long sleeves in accordance with any of the fastener systems described with reference to the different embodiments of the present invention.

The front panel 256, back panel 258 and sleeves 274 in accordance with this embodiment may be reversible to selectively display and wear on an exterior a first side having a first color, pattern or design or a second side having a second color, pattern or design.

It is understood that the embodiments described with reference to the present invention are illustrative and not limiting in the scope and nature of the present invention.

Claims

1. An article of clothing comprising: a) a first panel having a first side with a first design and a second side having a second design, a portion of a fastener system extending about opposing side seams of said first panel; b) a second panel having a first side with a first design and a second side having a second design, a cooperating portion of said fastener system extending about opposing side seams of said second panel for attaching said second panel to said first panel.

2. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a pair of pants.

3. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a dress.

4. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a blouse.

5. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fastener system includes buttons.

6. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fastener system includes hooks.

7. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fastener system includes zippers.

8. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fastener system includes velcro.

9. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fastener system includes snaps.

10. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fastener system includes ties.

11. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said front panel has a top seam having a strap fastener system for attaching a strap thereto.

12. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 11 wherein said strap is attached to said blouse.

13. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 4 wherein said front panel and said back panel have a pair of shoulder seams, each having a sleeve fastener system for attaching a corresponding pair of sleeves thereto.

14. The article of clothing in accordance with claim 13 wherein said pair of sleeves are attached to said blouse.

15. A skirt comprising: a first panel and a second panel attachable at adjacent side seams to form a front section having a fastener system on opposing side seams thereof and a third panel attachable to said front section at said opposing side seams.

16. The skirt in accordance with claim 15 wherein said first panel, said second panel and said third are reversibly wearable on an exterior of said skirt.

17. A series of interchangeable clothing components comprising: a) a front panel of a blouse having side seams and shoulder seams, said side seams and said shoulder seams including a first portion of a fastener system; b) a back panel of a blouse having side seams and shoulder seams with a cooperating portion of said fastener system for attaching to said front panel, wherein said front panel and said back panel are reversibly wearable, having a first side with a first color and a second side with a second color.

18. The series of interchangeable clothing components in accordance with claim 17 further comprising a pair of short sleeves attachable to said front panel and said back panel.

19. The series of interchangeable clothing components in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a second pair of sleeves, said second pair of sleeves being elbow length sleeves.

20. The series of interchangeable clothing components in accordance with claim 19 further comprising a pair of shoulder straps.