Removably attachable garment components and garment comprising same

Abstract

A combination includes a shirt and a component configured for removable attachment to the shirt. The component is selected from the group consisting of a collar and a cuff. The combination includes the component, which has an edge and at least one first fastener affixed along the edge, and the shirt, which has at least one second fastener affixed thereto and defines at least one shirt opening. The at least one first fastener is configured to releasably engage the at least one second fastener to removably attach the component to the shirt.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination of a shirt and a component configured for removable attachment to the shirt, the component being selected from the group consisting of a collar and a cuff, the combination comprising:
 the component, having an edge and at least one first fastener affixed along the edge; and   the shirt, having at least one second fastener affixed thereto and defining at least one shirt opening;   wherein the at least one first fastener is configured to releasably engage the at least one second fastener to removably attach the component to the shirt.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the shirt is a dress shirt having a body, a neck opening defined at a top portion of the body, at least one sleeve defining a sleeve opening, a front opening, and at least one shirt fastener for releasably closing the front opening. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one shirt opening is the neck opening; and   the component is a collar having a lower edge and an upper edge, and the at least one first fastener is affixed adjacent to the lower edge.   
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener are each a plurality of complimentary snap fastener discs, wherein one of the at least one first fastener or the at least one second fastener is a plurality of snap sockets, and the other of the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener is a plurality of snap studs configured to mate with the plurality of snap sockets for releasable engagement therewith. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein one of the at least one first fastener or the at least one second fastener is a plurality of buttons, and the other of the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener is a plurality of button hole, each of the button holes being configured to receive an associated one of the buttons. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one first fastener is a plurality of buttons and the at least one second fastener is a plurality of button holes. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6 , wherein the buttons are formed on an exterior surface of the collar, and the button holes are formed on an interior surface of the shirt. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the shirt comprises a double layer portion extending about the neck opening, the double layer portion including an inner fabric layer facing the garment interior, and an outer fabric layer facing the garment exterior, and wherein the button holes are defined within the inner fabric layer. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one first fastener is a first plurality of zipper teeth, and the at least one second fastener is a second plurality of zipper teeth configured to engage the first plurality of zipper teeth. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one cover strip configured to conceal the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener when the collar is attached to the shirt. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one cover strip is a strip of fabric that overlaps the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener when the collar is attached to the shirt. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one cover strip comprises a collar cover strip affixed to the collar and extending over the first length of zipper tape, and a shirt cover strip affixed to the shirt and extending over the second length of zipper tape, wherein an outer edge of the collar cover strip meets an outer edge of the shirt cover strip. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one shirt opening is the sleeve opening; and   the component is a cuff having an inner edge, and the at least one first fastener is affixed adjacent to the inner edge.   
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein one of the at least one first fastener or the at least one second fastener is a plurality of buttons, and the other of the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener is a plurality of button holes, each of the button holes being configured to receive an associated one of the buttons. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one first fastener is a plurality of buttons and the at least one second fastener is a plurality of button holes. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the cuff comprises a double layer portion including an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer;   the buttons are affixed to the outer fabric layer and housed between the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer; and   the sleeve opening has an end that is housed between the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer when the buttons engage the button holes.   
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one first fastener is a first plurality of zipper teeth, and the at least one second fastener is a second plurality of zipper teeth configured to engage the first plurality of zipper teeth. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one cover strip configured to conceal the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener when the cuff is attached to the shirt. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one cover strip is a strip of fabric that overlaps the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener when the cuff is attached to the shirt. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one cover strip comprises a cuff cover strip affixed to the cuff and extending over the first and second lengths of zipper tape.