CLOTHING ACCESSORY

Abstract

A clothing accessory. The clothing accessory has two halves that are fastenable around a wearer's waist, with the halves covering the front and back of a person to provide means of protecting a wearer's dignity. The clothing accessory further provides additional warmth for a wearer. The clothing accessory may also provide means for showing decoration or information. The clothing accessory may be of various lengths, and the two halves may be joined with one or two disconnecting portions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to clothing. More particularly, it relates to optional outer wear that is used to preserve the dignity and decorum of an individual and a group in certain public settings. The clothing accessory described herein further provides additional covering for women whose legs may be exposed to cool or cold temperatures while seated in gatherings such as public functions, church and other ceremonial settings, and the like.

[0002] The present invention is intended to provide temporary covering for women who wear skirts and dresses that, while seated, may expose more of their upper and lower legs than they would prefer. Such exposure may not be desirable for aesthetic and/or comfort purposes. In addition, organizations such as churches and the like may keep a stock of the present invention on hand in order to make their parishioners more comfortable, either by providing additional covering for warmth or by maintaining the dignity and decorum of solemn events, such as church services.

[0003] In addition to providing covering, the present invention may also incorporate designs and colors intended to indicate a group or organization. For example, a church choir may utilize the present invention for its female members, and the garment would incorporate the design and colors of the robes or other ceremonial garments worn by the choir members so as to compliment the appearance of the group as a whole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a clothing accessory that may be worn over existing clothing, and is easily put on or removed.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a clothing accessory to be worn by women that is a one- or two-piece garment that utilizes reusable fasteners.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment accessory worn over a skirt or dress and which remains in place while a user is in motion, crosses or uncrosses their legs, or rises from a sitting position or sits.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment accessory that compliments or accentuates a group or association uniform or garment.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment accessory that, while worn over a skirt or dress, may be of varying lengths up to and including to the ankles/feet of the wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the current invention is shown with the invention comprising two connectible halves. The invention has a first half 101, a second half 102, a plurality of first fastener portions 103 and a plurality of second fastener 104 portions. The first fastener portions 103 and the second fastener portions 104 are preferentially constructed of flexible cloth material, and are fastened to the first and second halves 101 and 102 at the connecting points 110. It will be understood that the fastener portions may be connected to the first and second halves 101 and 102 at the connecting points 110 by commonly used means for fastening fabric together, such as by stitching, ties, buttons, or hook-and-loop type fasteners. If the fastener portions 103 and 104 are attached to the first and second halves 101 and 102 by buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other removable connecting means, the length of the fastener portions 103 and 104 may be adjusted in length in reference to the first and second halves 101 and 102.

[0012] Each of the fastener portions 108 and 109 further consists of fastening means 105 and 106 where the fastening means 105 and 106 are located distally to the first and second halves 101 and 102. The fastening means may be any commonly understood means for temporarily fastening fabric materials together. For example, the fastening means 105 and 106 may comprise two halves of a hook-and-loop fastener. By preferentially utilizing hook-and-loop fastening means 105 and 106, the invention may be adjusted to fit a variety of body types and sizes, and may be easily put on and taken off by a wearer. Other fastening means may be used as well, such as simple ties or button and button eye-hole combinations. While in use, the invention is attached to a person with the first half 101 positioned on the front of the person's body and the second half 102 positioned on the back of the person's body, with the fastening portions 108 and 109 wrapped around the person's waist or middle section so that the first and second halves 101 and 102 are positioned over the groin and buttocks area.

[0013] Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the first half 101 and second half 102 are permanently affixed via a continuous fastener portion 202 that is affixed to the first and second halves 101 and 102 at the connecting points 203. The fastener portion 202 may further comprise material, such as elastic and the like, that will allow the fastener portion 202 to stretch and contract so as to allow the present invention to be utilized by different sized and shaped wearers.

[0014] The first and second halves 101 and 102 have surfaces 111 that face outward while the invention is being worn by an individual. The surfaces 111 may be utilized for logos, designs, or other decorative or informative purposes, such as through the addition of religious or other symbols. While the first and second halves are shown to be flat material, it will be understood that the material may be pleated or have other forms that are intended to be decorative.

[0015] It will be understood that, while the invention is described in detail herein, embodiments exist which are not described herein but which are covered by and fall within the spirit and the scope of the invention as described.

Claims

1. A clothing accessory, the clothing accessory comprising: A first half; A second half; and plurality of fastener portions.

2. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the plurality of fastener portions are constructed of flexible fabric.

3. The clothing accessory of claim 2 wherein the plurality of fastener portions further comprise fastening means using common fastening means chosen from the group including stitching, ties, buttons, or hook-and-loop type fasteners.

4. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second halves are worn by a person around the waist, with the first portion positioned in front of a user's body generally over the groin area while the second portion is positioned in the back of a user's body generally over the buttocks area.

5. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second half are permanently affixed via a continuous fastener portion.

6. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions have surfaces facing away from a user's body and wherein the surfaces of the first and second portion that are facing away from a user's body are utilized for logos, designs, or other decorative or informative purposes.

7. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions are pleated.

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