Maternity garment
Maternity wear of the invention accommodates the changing shape of a woman's body during pregnancy, minimizing the need for maternity clothes. In one aspect of the invention, pants or a skirt are worn with the upper end unfastened so as to conform to the shape of the swelling torso in pregnancy, and an elastic band shaped similarly to a tube top is worn generally around the waist, so as to overlap the top of the unfastened pants or skirt and retain them on the body. A top, such as a blouse or shirt, can be worn with its tail end extending over the band. In another aspect of the invention, too-large maternity clothing is worn with the band garment engaged over the upper end. If desired the band garment can be folded over on itself, thus doubling its thickness.
1. A garment comprising:
a cylindrical band of uniform circumference with a center front height of 9 in. to 16 in. and a fabric density of 190-330 gm/m 2 , the band being formed from a knit fabric blend including 75-95% nylon and an inversely corresponding percentage of spandex, the band being expanded and stretched to be firmly but comfortably worn around the torso of a woman during pregnancy or postpartum approximately at the waist, the band comprising:
a lower portion positioned over pre-pregnancy clothes that is stretched and worn over an upper edge of pre-pregnancy clothes that have become too tight to accommodate the swelling of pregnancy or postpartum unless left unfastened when worn; and
an upper portion extended above the upper edge of the pre-pregnancy clothes and engaged against the body of the woman, the upper end of the pre-pregnancy clothes held closely against the torso of the woman by the garment thereby retaining the unfastened pre-pregnancy clothes in place while providing a fitted appearance of the pre-pregnancy clothes notwithstanding the unfastened state.
2. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical band is seamless.
3. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric is jersey.
4. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 90% nylon and 10% spandex.
5. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 93% nylon and 7% spandex.
6. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 84% nylon and 16% spandex.
7. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical band is formed using an electronic circular knitting machine having a cylinder size ranging from 12 inches to 17 inches.
8. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical band has a top width of 8½ to 17 in.
9. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical band has a bottom width of 8½ in. to 17 in.
10. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical band includes a silicone strip applied to a bottom area of the garment.
11. The garment of claim 10 , wherein the silicone strip has a height of ¼ in. to 1 in.
12. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical band is folded in half and worn as a double layer residing over the wearer's clothing.
13. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 82% nylon and 18% spandex.
14. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 79% nylon and 21% spandex.
15. A garment comprising:
a cylindrical band of uniform circumference formed from 79% nylon and 21% spandex, having a fabric density of 200-250 gm/m 2 , and a center front height of 9 in. to 16 in., wherein the band is capable of expanding and stretching so as to be firmly but comfortably worn around the torso of a woman during pregnancy or postpartum approximately at the waist and retain unfastened pre-pregnancy clothes in place while providing a fitted appearance of the pre-pregnancy clothes.
16. A garment comprising:
a cylindrical band of uniform circumference formed from 90% nylon and 10% spandex, having a fabric density of 230-280 gm/m 2 , and a center front height of 9 in. to 16 in., wherein the band is capable of expanding and stretching so as to be firmly but comfortably worn around the torso of a woman during pregnancy or postpartum approximately at the waist and retain unfastened pre-pregnancy clothes in place while providing a fitted appearance of the pre-pregnancy clothes.
17. A garment comprising:
a cylindrical band of uniform circumference formed from 84% nylon and 16% spandex, having a fabric density of 260-310 gm/m 2 , and a center front height of 9 in. to 16 in., wherein the band is capable of expanding and stretching so as to be firmly but comfortably worn around the torso of a woman during pregnancy or postpartum approximately at the waist and retain unfastened pre-pregnancy clothes in place while providing a fitted appearance of the pre-pregnancy clothes.