Apparatus and method for sizing and fitting garments

Abstract

A sample garment is provided for fitting an individual interested in selecting a garment. The garment includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a slit defining a left panel and a right panel, and a fitting panel extending from the inner surface of one of the left and right panels. The fitting panel includes rows of a first fitting attachment, and at least one row of a second fitting attachment, whereby a single garment is readily adaptable for providing a proper fit for individuals of different sizes.

1 . A sample garment for fitting an individual, comprising: 
 a slit defining a left panel and a right panel; and    means for adjustably positioning and retaining the left panel and the right panel with respect to one another during the garment fitting, whereby a single garment is readily adaptable for providing a proper fit for individuals of different sizes.    
     
     
         2 . The sample garment of  claim 1  wherein the garment includes a front side and a back side, the back side having the slit.  
     
     
         3 . The sample garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment includes a front side and a back side, the front side having the slit.  
     
     
         4 . The sample garment of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the adjustably and retaining means includes a first fitting panel extending from the inner surface of one of the left and right panels, the first fitting panel having rows of a first fitting attachment; and at least one row of a second fitting attachment secured to the inner surface of the other one of the left and right panels.  
     
     
         5 . The sample garment of  claim 4 , wherein each row of the first fitting attachment includes a row of hooks and each row of the second fitting attachment includes row of hooks adapted for coupling with the hooks of the first fitting attachment.  
     
     
         6 . The sample garment of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustably and retaining means includes an elastic portion, whereby the garment is more readily adaptable to a greater range of sizes.  
     
     
         7 . The sample garment of  claim 6 , wherein the elastic portion includes a first elastic portion having a first degree of elasticity and a second elastic portion having a second degree of elasticity which is greater than the first elastic portion.  
     
     
         8 . The sample garment of  claim 4 , wherein the left panel includes an edge, the right panel includes an edge, and the fitting panel includes a proximate edge and a distal edge, the proximate edge is secured to the inner surface at a position spaced apart from the edge of the respective panel whereby the garment may be fitted to an individual with the fitting panel extending from the secured position, past the edge of both panels and to the second attachment, wherein the first attachment is secured to the second attachment.  
     
     
         9 . The sample garment of  claim 8 , wherein the left panel edge includes a first fastener portion and the right panel edge includes a corresponding second fastener portion, whereby after the garment is fitted to an individual using the adjustably and retaining means, the panels may be closed via the fastener portions for a more pleasing and esthetic look for the individual.  
     
     
         10 . The sample garment of  claim 4 , wherein the second fitting attachment means is secured to the inner surface via a second fitting panel, the second fitting panel having a proximate edge and a distal edge, the proximate edge secured to the inner surface, and the second fitting attachment is secured adjacent to the distal edge.  
     
     
         11 . A sample garment for fitting an individual, comprising: 
 an inner surface;    an outer surface;    a slit defining a left panel and a right panel;    a fitting panel extending from the inner surface of one of the left and right panels, the fitting panel having rows of a first fitting attachment; and    at least one row of a second fitting attachment, whereby a single garment is readily adaptable for providing a proper fit for individuals of different sizes.    
     
     
         12 . The sample garment of  claim 11 , wherein the fitting panel includes an elastic portion, whereby the garment is more readily adaptable to a greater range of sizes.  
     
     
         13 . The sample garment of  claim 12 , wherein the elastic portion includes a first elastic portion having a first degree of elasticity and a second elastic portion having a second degree of elasticity which is greater than the first elastic portion.  
     
     
         14 . The sample garment of  claim 11 , wherein the left panel includes an edge, the right panel includes an edge, and the fitting panel includes a proximate edge and a distal edge, the proximate edge is secured to the inner surface at a position spaced apart from the edge of the respective panel whereby the garment may be fitted to an individual with the fitting panel extending from the secured position, past the edge of both panels and to the second attachment, wherein the first attachment is secured to the second attachment.  
     
     
         15 . The sample garment of  claim 14 , wherein the left panel edge includes a first fastener portion and the right panel edge includes a corresponding second fastener portion, whereby after the garment is fitted to an individual using the adjustably and retaining means, the panels may be closed via the fastener portions for a more pleasing and esthetic look for the individual.  
     
     
         16 . The sample garment of  claim 11 , wherein each row of the first fitting attachment includes a row of hooks and each row of the second fitting attachment includes row of hooks adapted for coupling with the hooks of the first fitting attachment.  
     
     
         17 . The sample garment of  claim 11 , wherein the garment includes a front side and a back side, the back side having the slit.  
     
     
         18 . The sample garment of  claim 11 , wherein the garment includes a front side and a back side, the front side having the slit.  
     
     
         19 . A method of fitting a sample garment to an individual, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a garment to be adorned by the individual, the garment having a slit forming a first panel and a second panel;    adjusting the position of the second panel with respect to a fitting panel extending from the inner surface of the first panel, until the garment provides a proper fit for the individual;    releasably securing the fitting panel to the second panel by means of selecting one of a row of first fitting attachments located on the first panel, for being releasably coupled to a row of second fitting attachments located on the second panel, wherein the row selection is judged to provide a sufficient taughtness in the fitting panel so as to provide a proper fit for the individual.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of fastening the slit closed.  
     
     
         21 . A method of making a garment for fitting individuals of various sizes, the method comprising the steps of: 
 cutting and sewing material to provide a garment having a slit defining a first panel and a second panel;    preparing a fitting panel which includes elastic material and includes a proximate edge and a distal edge;    securing rows of a first fitting attachment to the fitting panel;    securing the proximate edge of the fitting panel to an inner surface of the first panel;    securing at least one row of a second fitting attachment to the second panel, whereby a single garment is readily adaptable for providing a proper fit for individuals of different sizes.