Foundation Garment with Improved Support

Abstract

A foundation garment 10 is provided with breast cups 11 A, 11 B. Each breast cup 11 A, 11 B has a respective outer cup 111 A, 111 B and sling 12 A, 12 B located therewithin. The sling 12 A, 12 B is configured to provide uplift to the breast independently from the respective outer cup 111 A, 111 B, essentially in a cup-within-a-cup arrangement. The foundation garment can be used to improve cleavage enhancement by providing directional support to the breast along with the appearance of an increased breast size.

1 . An article of apparel provided with breast cups, each breast cup having an outer cup and a sling located therewithin, where said sling is configured to provide directional uplift to the breast independently from the outer cup, wherein the sling is of a size substantially smaller than the outer cup to decrease appearance of bulges. 
   
   
       2 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the sling has an inner surface area substantially smaller than the outer cup. 
   
   
       3 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the outer cup is moulded to the shape of a breast. 
   
   
       4 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the sling is formed of a fabric with little or no elasticity. 
   
   
       5 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the sling is attached to the breast cup along the lower inside edge of the outer cup and at an additional point at the apex of the outer cup. 
   
   
       6 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the sling is attached continuously along the lower and side edge of the outer cup from the bottom to the apex of the breast cup. 
   
   
       7 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the outer cup extends beyond the sling to give the appearance of a fuller breast. 
   
   
       8 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the outer cup and outer surface of the sling define a cavity space. 
   
   
       9 . An article of apparel as in  claim 8  wherein the foundation garment comprises non-supportive padding within the cavity between the outer cup and the sling. 
   
   
       10 . An article of apparel as in  claim 9  wherein the padding is integrally formed with the outer cup. 
   
   
       11 . An article of apparel as in  claim 9  wherein the padding is removable. 
   
   
       12 . An article of apparel as in  claim 9  wherein the padding is formed of a foam, gel or a fluid or air-filled bag. 
   
   
       13 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the sling comprises an open top inner edge having one end attached adjacent an apex of the outer cup and another end of the top edge attached at a lower edge of the outer cup. 
   
   
       14 . An article of apparel as in  claim 1  wherein the foundation garment comprises an underwire at a base of the outer breast cup. 
   
   
       15 . An article of apparel provided with breast cups, each breast cup having an outer cup and a sling located therewithin, wherein a non-supportive cavity space is provided between the outer cup and the sling, and said sling provides directional uplift to the breast independently from the outer cup, wherein the sling has a substantially smaller inner surface area than the inner surface area of the outer cup to provide the appearance of an enhanced cleavage and decrease appearance of bulges. 
   
   
       16 . An article of apparel as in  claim 15  wherein the foundation garment comprises padding within the cavity to maintain the shape of the outer cup. 
   
   
       17 . An article of apparel as in  claim 15  wherein the foundation garment comprises an underwire at a base of the outer breast cup. 
   
   
       18 . An article of apparel provided with breast cups worn over the breasts, each breast cup having an outer cup and a sling located therewithin, wherein the sling comprises a free upper edge having one end attached adjacent an apex of the outer cup and another end attached at a lower edge of the outer cup, wherein the sling provides directional uplift to the breast, wherein the outer cup extends beyond the upper edge of the sling to conceal any bulge in the breast formed adjacent the sling. 
   
   
       19 . An article of apparel as in  claim 18  wherein the foundation garment comprises padding underneath the outer cup to maintain the shape of the outer cup. 
   
   
       20 . An article of apparel as in  claim 18  wherein the foundation garment comprises an underwire at a base of the outer cup.