Shaping garment

Abstract

Garments that can be worn during early stages of pregnancy and postpartum are disclosed. The garments shape or contour the stomach or abdomen regions of the wearer to give the abdomen a smoother and slimmer appearance. The garments comprise at least one shaper stitch region that is adapted to apply a compressive force to the wearer's abdomen to shape the stomach or abdomen regions of the wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment, comprising:
 (a) an upper garment portion configured to encircle a wearer's torso,   (b) a lower garment portion connected to the upper garment portion configured to encircle a portion of the wearer's body below the wearer's waist; and   (c) at least one shaper stitch region included in at least a portion of the upper garment portion, wherein the shaper stitch region is configured to apply a compressive force to the wearer's abdomen when the garment is worn and the shaper stitch region extends between a wearer's inframammary line and to a height below the wearer's waist.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the shaper stitch region applies a uniform compressive force to a wearer's abdomen when the garment is worn. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the shaper stitch region comprises a material having a uniform modulus of elasticity. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises at least one of a jersey knitted and interlock knitted material. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises at least one of a nylon, spandex and polyester material. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is seamless. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is tubular. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1 , the lower garment portion has a greater circumference than the upper garment portion. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the shaper stitch region comprises at least one of rib stitching or jersey knitting. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the lower garment portion is configured to cover the waistband of the wearer's bottoms. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the shaper stitch region extends from the inframammary line to a height in proximity to the wearer's upper pelvis. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the shaper stitch region extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the upper garment portion. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the lower garment portion is seamlessly connected to the upper garment portion. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the lower garment portion has a lowermost edge portion configured to reside in proximity to the wearer's hips. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the lower garment portion is configured to apply less compressive force to the wearer's body than the compressive force applied by the shaper stitch region of the upper garment portion. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein an uppermost edge portion of the garment is configured to reside in proximity to a wearer's inframammary line. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising a breast covering portion extending over the wearer's breasts. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 17 , further comprising a support channel extending along the wearer's inframammary line for supporting the wearer's breast. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 17 , further comprising shoulder straps.