User adaptable garment

Abstract

A user adaptable garment is based upon a flexible tubular body, generally of a cloth construction, which can be configured into a number of forms. By using pairs of matching clasps and clasp receptacles, preferably of a toggle design, a user can pull lower edge of the garment to an upper edge. The garment can be held in this position by securing the clasps with the corresponding clasp receptacles. By folding parts of the garment in different patterns, by rotating the garment, or through a combination of similar steps, the garment can function as a sleeveless top, a cape, a throw, a shawl, a halter and a number of other items as imagined by the user.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of using an adaptable garment, comprising:
 providing a generally tubular shaped, flexible fabric body having a first surface and a second surface, the generally tubular shaped body having a first elongated edge and a second elongated edge, said generally tubular having a pair of toggle clasps positioned spaced from one another adjacent said first elongated edge and a pair of toggle receptacles positioned spaced from one another adjacent said second elongated edge opposite said toggle clasps;   placing the tubular shaped, flexible fabric body on a flat surface and folding one of the elongated edges so as to position the first and second elongated edges to overlap one another with the toggle clasps and toggle receptacles aligned;   threading the toggle clasps into the toggle receptacles to form a sleeveless top, having an opening between the toggle clasps adapted to insert a wearer's head, with the toggle clasps adapted to be positioned on the wearer's shoulders;   and transforming the sleeveless top to a cape, or a shrug, or a halter, scarf or shawl by a transforming step of converting the sleeveless top to a cape by rotating the garment so that the toggle clasps are adapted to be positioned in front and in back of the wearer; or   a transforming step of converting the sleeveless top to a shrug by gathering one edge of the tubular body to be positioned over a head of a wearer; or   a transforming step of converting the sleeveless top to a halter, scarf or shawl by gathering together the edges of the tubular shaped fabric body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the flexible tubular body comprises a plurality of segments; and   a reference segment from the plurality of segments is connected to an adjacent segment form the plurality of segments.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein
 each of plurality of segments is serially connected to each other to form the flexible tubular body.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein
 the reference segment is connected to the adjacent segment by a seam.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein
 the seam is a finished seam.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the at least one pair of toggle clasps includes a bar, and the receptacle is a ring; and   the bar is adjacently connected to the second surface.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the bar is pivotally connected to the second surface.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the at least one pair of toggle clasps comprises a bar;   each of the at least one pair of clasp receptacles comprises a ring;   the at least one pair of clasps is adjacently connected to the first surface;   the at least one pair of clasp receptacles is adjacently connected to the second surface;   the at least one pair of clasps is positioned opposite the at least one pair of clasp receptacles around the second surface;   the at least one pair of clasps is positioned adjacent to the upper edge of the second surface;   the at least one pair of clasp receptacles is positioned adjacent to the lower edge of the first surface;   a reference segment from the plurality of segments is connected to an adjacent segment from the plurality of segments;   one bar is adjacently connected to the second surface;   one bar is pivotally connected to the second surface;   one ring is adjacently connected to the second surface; and   one ring is pivotally connected to the second surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein
 each of the plurality of segments is serially connected to each other to form the flexible tubular body.