Sheer hosiery

Abstract

Sheer hosiery is provided that maintains the appearance of conventional sheer hosiery while eliminating the foot discomfort that is typically encountered when wearing conventional sheer hosiery. Embodiments of the sheer hosiery include a sheer leg portion and a foot portion that is affixed to the sheer leg portion and at least partially made of a comfort fabric. The foot portion contacts one or more portions of a wearer's foot, such as, for example, a ball portion and a toe portion, and is hidden from view when the wearer's foot is inserted in footwear. The foot portion may be somewhat thicker than the sheer leg portion but is not so thick as to interfere with the fit of the footwear.

1 . A hosiery article for wearing on a foot and a leg with fashion footwear, the hosiery article comprising:
 a lower portion configured to cover the foot and having a comfort fabric part that is affixed to the lower portion and positioned to contact with at least one of a toe portion and a sole portion of the foot, wherein the lower portion cooperates with the fashion footwear to hide the comfort fabric part from view when the foot is inserted in the fashion footwear; and   a leg portion affixed to the lower portion, wherein the leg portion is made of a sheer fabric and is configured to extend upwardly from the lower portion to cover at least a portion of the leg.   
   
   
       2 . The hosiery article of  claim 1  wherein the comfort fabric part comprises a toelet that substantially encloses the toe portion. 
   
   
       3 . The hosiery article of  claim 1  wherein the comfort fabric part comprises a panel that substantially covers only the sole portion. 
   
   
       4 . The hosiery article of  claim 3  wherein the panel further comprises a friction means affixed to at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the panel for inhibiting at least one of slipping of the foot in the lower portion and slipping of the lower portion in the fashion footwear. 
   
   
       5 . The hosiery article of  claim 1  wherein the comfort fabric part has a thickness in the range of about 0.015 inches to 0.065 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The hosiery article of  claim 1  wherein the comfort fabric part has a thickness in the range of about 0.02 inches to 0.03 inches. 
   
   
       7 . The hosiery article of  claim 1  wherein the comfort fabric part comprises:
 a toelet made of a first comfort fabric of a first thickness and having an upper portion that is configured to cover a top of the toe portion and a lower portion that is configured to cover a bottom of the toe portion; and   a panel made of a second comfort fabric of a second thickness, the panel being configured to substantially cover the sole portion and having a forward edge proximate to the lower portion.   
   
   
       8 . The hosiery article of  claim 7  wherein the first comfort fabric is different from the second comfort fabric. 
   
   
       9 . The hosiery article of  claim 7  wherein the first thickness is different from the second thickness. 
   
   
       10 . A hosiery article in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising:
 a fashion footwear; and   a means for at least one of bundling, packaging, displaying and selling the hosiery article with the fashion footwear.   
   
   
       11 . A combination hosiery article comprising:
 a sock that covers at least one of the entirety of a wearer's foot and a lower portion of a wearer's leg, the sock being made of a comfort fabric that is configured to be hidden from view when the wearer's foot is inserted in footwear; and   a generally tubular sheer stocking including a bottom portion that is affixed to the sock, the generally tubular sheer stocking extending upwardly from the sock to cover an upper portion of the wearer's leg that is visible above the footwear.   
   
   
       12 . The combination hosiery article of  claim 11  wherein the sock is selected from the group consisting of footlets, anklets, crew socks, athletic socks, calf-high socks, mid-calf socks, knee-high socks and slouch socks. 
   
   
       13 . The combination hosiery article of  claim 11  wherein the sock further comprises a friction means affixed to a bottom surface of the sock for inhibiting slipping of the foot in the footwear. 
   
   
       14 . The combination hosiery article of  claim 11  wherein the sock and the generally tubular sheer stocking are integrally knit so that the combination hosiery article has a one-piece construction. 
   
   
       15 . A foot and leg apparel system comprising:
 a fashion footwear that fits snugly on the foot and includes an upper having at least one aperture for revealing a portion of the foot; and   a hosiery article worn on the leg and on the foot under the fashion footwear, the hosiery article including a lower portion configured to enclose the foot and having an affixed comfort fabric part that is positioned on the lower portion away from said at least one aperture and positioned adjacent at least one of a toe portion and a sole portion of the foot, and a sheer leg portion affixed to the lower portion that extends upwardly from the lower portion to cover at least a portion of the leg,   and wherein the fashion footwear cooperates with the hosiery article to hide the comfort fabric part from view while the fashion footwear is worn on the foot.   
   
   
       16 . The foot and leg apparel system of  claim 15  wherein the at least one aperture is located away from the toe portion of the footwear and the comfort fabric part comprises a toelet that substantially encloses the toe portion. 
   
   
       17 . The foot and leg apparel system of  claim 15  wherein the comfort fabric part comprises a lengthwise panel that is affixed along a bottom portion of the lower portion, the lengthwise panel being configured to substantially cover only the sole portion. 
   
   
       18 . The foot and leg apparel system of  claim 15  wherein the hosiery article further comprises a friction means affixed to a bottom surface of the lower portion for inhibiting slipping of the foot in the fashion footwear. 
   
   
       19 . The foot and leg apparel system of  claim 15  wherein the comfort fabric part has a thickness in the range of about 0.015 inches to 0.065 inches. 
   
   
       20 . The foot and leg apparel system of  claim 15  wherein the comfort fabric part has a thickness in the range of about 0.02 inches to 0.03 inches. 
   
   
       21 . The foot and leg apparel system of  claim 15  wherein the comfort fabric part comprises:
 a toelet made of a first comfort fabric of a first thickness and having an upper portion that is configured to cover a top of the toe portion and a lower portion that is configured to cover a bottom of the toe portion; and   a panel made of a second comfort fabric of a second thickness, the panel being configured to substantially cover the sole portion and having a forward edge proximate to the lower portion.   
   
   
       22 . The hosiery article of  claim 21  wherein the first thickness is different from the second thickness. 
   
   
       23 . An improved method for wearing sheer hosiery on a foot with fashion footwear, the method comprising:
 providing a fashion footwear that fits snugly on the foot and includes an upper having at least one aperture;   providing a sheer hosiery article including a lower portion that has a comfort fabric part and is configured to enclose the foot and a sheer leg portion that is affixed to the lower portion;   wearing the sheer hosiery article so the comfort fabric part is oriented proximate a desired portion of the foot and distal from said at least one aperture and so that the sheer leg portion is extended upward from the lower portion to cover at least a portion of the leg; and   wearing the fashion footwear over the sheer hosiery article.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of providing a sheer hosiery article further comprises the steps of:
 selecting a comfort fabric part having a thickness in the range of about 0.015 inches to 0.065 inches; and   affixing the comfort fabric part to the lower portion.