Apparel article with integral pre-worn design elements

Abstract

This disclosure generally relates to an apparel article, such as an article of clothing, that includes a pre-worn piece as a design element integral with the article of clothing. The pre-worn piece may be, for example, a cut-out of an athletic jersey, a uniform, a shirt or the like, formed in a particular design pattern, that was worn by a member of a sports team such as a professional sports team. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for marketing an article or articles in a line of apparel, such as sporting goods apparel, with such pre-worn pieces affixed to the articles as integral design elements.

1 . A method for making an apparel article comprising the steps of: forming a body portion of the apparel article; forming a pre-worn piece from a pre-worn item; affixing the pre-worn piece as a design element onto the body portion of the apparel article; and affixing a provenance portion onto the body portion.