Shaping undergarment and method of its manufacture

Abstract

A shaping undergarment generally includes a front panel, a rear panel joined to the front panel, thereby forming an undergarment having a waist opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening, and a substantially circular, centrally-located aperture formed in the rear panel and shaped to encircle a wearer's buttocks. The aperture is defined by an edge. The edge is reinforced to preserve the substantially-circular shape of the aperture when the undergarment is worn, thereby providing uplifting support to the wearer's buttocks. Reinforcement may be provided by increasing the thickness of the edge relative to the remainder of the undergarment, as by providing a multi-layered hem, a knitted in welt, or by attaching a band to the edge. As the undergarment contracts when worn, it will tend to uplift the wearer's buttocks, and the aperture will permit the buttocks to protrude, thereby preserving a natural, rounded appearance.

1 . A shaping undergarment, comprising: 
 a front panel;    a rear panel joined to the front panel and forming therewith an undergarment having a waist opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening; and    a centrally located aperture formed in the rear panel, the aperture being shaped to encircle a wearer's buttocks,    wherein the aperture is defined by a reinforced edge configured to provide uplifting support to the wearer's buttocks when the buttocks is encircled by the aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced edge comprises a multi- layered hem.  
   
   
       3 . The undergarment according to  claim 2 , wherein the multi-layered hem comprises a double-layered hem.  
   
   
       4 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein a material comprising the undergarment is increased in thickness to form the reinforced edge.  
   
   
       5 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced edge comprises a knitted- in welt.  
   
   
       6 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced edge comprises a rubber yarn.  
   
   
       7 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced edge comprises an elasticized band.  
   
   
       8 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced edge comprises a frictional band.  
   
   
       9 . The undergarment according to  claim 8 , wherein the reinforced edge comprises a polymeric band.  
   
   
       10 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein the undergarment further comprises first and second leg extensions extending downwardly from the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg extensions have a length sufficient to cover a wearer's saddlebag regions.  
   
   
       11 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , wherein the undergarment comprises one or more material selected from the group consisting of: nylon, spandex, control top fabrics, any blends thereof, and any combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The undergarment according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sheer drape covering the aperture.  
   
   
       13 . A method of manufacturing a shaping undergarment, comprising: 
 attaching a front panel to a rear panel, thereby forming an undergarment having a waist opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening;    forming a centrally-located aperture in the rear panel, the aperture being defined by an edge and shaped to encircle a wearer's buttocks; and    reinforcing the edge to provide uplifting support to the wearer's buttocks when the wearer's buttocks is encircled by the aperture.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of reinforcing the edge comprises providing a multi-layered hem at the edge.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of reinforcing the edge comprises increasing a thickness of a material comprising the undergarment along the edge.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of reinforcing the edge comprises providing a knitted-in welt at the edge.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of reinforcing the edge comprises attaching an elastic band to the edge.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of reinforcing the edge comprises attaching a polymeric band to the edge.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of reinforcing the edge comprises attaching a rubber yarn to the edge.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising attaching a sheer drape over the aperture.  
   
   
       21 . A shaping undergarment, comprising: 
 a front panel;    a rear panel joined to the front panel, thereby forming an undergarment having a waist opening, a first leg opening, and a second leg opening; and    a substantially circular, centrally-located aperture formed in the rear panel and shaped to encircle a wearer's buttocks,    wherein the aperture is defined by an edge, and wherein the edge is reinforced to preserve the substantially-circular shape of the aperture when the undergarment is worn, thereby providing uplifting support to the wearer's buttocks.