Instructional clothing system and method

Abstract

The invention provides an instructional system and method for young children, or adults with limited cognitive ability, to dress themselves. The invention takes advantage of the ability of young children, or adults with limited cognitive abilities, to respond to visual clues and instructions. Thus, the invention provides directional indicia that are integrated into the surface of a garment for guiding the user to wear the garment without assistance.

1 . A system for facilitating the placement of clothing on a human body, comprising a plurality of directional indicia disposed at predetermined locations on a garment having sleeve openings, wherein the directional indicia are disposed adjacent to the sleeve openings.  
     
     
         2 . The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the directional indicia provide a user with a cue for wearing the garment.  
     
     
         3 . The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the directional indicia are one of an arrow, a pointer and an outline of a hand or portion of a hand.  
     
     
         4 . The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the directional indicia are integrated into the garment.  
     
     
         5 . The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the directional indicia are not visible upon wearing of the garment.  
     
     
         6 . A jacket facilitating the placement of clothing on a human body, comprising: 
 a main jacket body;    a first sleeve attached to the main jacket body;    a second sleeve attached to the main jacket body;    a first sleeve opening formed at the intersection of the main jacket body and the first sleeve;    a second sleeve opening formed at the intersection of the main jacket body and the second sleeve; and    directional indicia disposed adjacent to the first and second sleeve openings.    
     
     
         7 . The jacket in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the directional indicia provide a user with a cue for wearing the jacket.  
     
     
         8 . The jacket in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the directional indicia are one of an arrow, a pointer and an outline of a hand.  
     
     
         9 . The jacket in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the directional indicia are integrated into the jacket.  
     
     
         10 . The jacket in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the directional indicia are not visible upon wearing of the jacket.  
     
     
         11 . A method for wearing a garment, the garment having a main body, a first sleeve attached to the main body, a second sleeve attached to the main body, a first sleeve opening formed at the intersection of the main body and the first sleeve, a second sleeve opening formed at the intersection of the main body and the second sleeve and directional indicia disposed adjacent to the first and second sleeve openings, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a user's hands on the directional indicia and in a direction indicated by the directional indicia;    sliding the user's hands into the first and second sleeves via the first and second sleeve openings;    raising the garment over the user; and    sliding the user's hands through the first and second sleeves so that they are exposed, resulting in the garment being properly worn.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the directional indicia are one of an arrow, a pointer, and an outline of a hand.