Convertible garments

Abstract

A convertible garment is presented having an opening and a fabric insert. The opening can be releasably closed to cause the leg regions of the garment to tighten around the leg of a user. The garment may be configured for use in sports activities including bicycling and underwater diving.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A convertible garment comprising:
 a pelvic region for covering a pelvic area of a wearer, the pelvic region defining a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer;   a first leg region extending outward from the pelvic region for covering at least a portion of a first leg of the wearer, the first leg region having a first terminal end opposite the waistband;   a first vertical opening defined in the first leg region and extending from the first terminal end toward the waistband along at least a partial length of the first leg region, the first leg region including a first fastener adapted to releasably close the first vertical opening;   a first fabric insert attached to the first leg region and positioned within the first vertical opening;   a second leg region extending outward from the pelvic region for covering at least a portion of a second leg of the wearer, the second leg region having a second terminal end opposite the waistband;   a second vertical opening defined in the second leg region and extending from the second terminal end toward the waistband along at least a partial length of the second leg region, the second leg region including a second fastener adapted to releasably close the second vertical opening; and   a second fabric insert attached to the second leg region and positioned within the second vertical opening.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein a circumference of the first terminal end is greater when the first fastener of the first vertical opening is in an open position than when it is in a closed position and a circumference of the second terminal end is greater when the second fastener of the second vertical opening is in an open position than when it is in a closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein, upon a release of the first fastener, a circumference of the first terminal end is expanded by the first fabric insert and, upon a release of the second fastener, a circumference of the second terminal end is expanded by the second fabric insert. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fabric inserts are made of a second fabric that is different than a first fabric of the first and second leg regions. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners include at least one of a zipper, a button, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, or lacing. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-slip material disposed along an interior surface of the first and second terminal ends. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners are located on the exterior of the garment. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the waistband comprises at least one of an elastic band, a button, a zipper, a belt, a buckle, a fabric tie, or a drawstring. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the second fabric of the first and second inserts comprises at least one of wool, silk, leather, cotton, denim, elastane, linen, polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, olefin fiber, PLA fiber, or neoprene. 
     
     
         10 . A convertible garment comprising:
 a pelvic region for covering a pelvic area of a wearer, the pelvic region defining a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer;   a first leg region extending outward from the pelvic region for covering at least a portion of a first leg of the wearer, the first leg region having a first terminal end opposite the waistband;   a second leg region extending outward from the pelvic region for covering at least a portion of a second leg of the wearer, the second leg region having a second terminal end opposite the waistband;   an opening defined in the first and second leg regions and extending between the first terminal end of the first leg region and the second terminal end of the second leg region;   a fastener adapted to releasably close the opening; and   a fabric insert attached to the first leg region and the second leg region and positioned within the opening.   
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein a circumference of the first terminal end and a circumference of a second terminal end are both greater when the fastener is in an open position than when it is in a closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein, upon release of the fastener, a circumference of the first terminal end and a circumference of the second terminal end are expanded by the fabric insert. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second fabric inserts are made of a second fabric that is different than a first fabric of the first and second leg regions.