Garment with integrated holder and method of use

Abstract

A garment with integrated holder and method of use is characterized by a garment that provides for one or more straps, pouches, or integrated elements that enable a user to carry the garment, as well as one or more methods of folding, gathering, rolling, stowing, donning, or packing the garment. In some embodiments, one or more straps and fastening means may be used in releasable attachment with one or more drawstrings, creating loops that can be used as carrying elements. In other embodiments, the present invention may be rolled into an integrated carrying pouch that provides for one or more drawstrings that, when tightened, create loops that can be used as carrying elements. The present invention allows a user to store and carry a garment when the garment is not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment comprising:
 a torso portion having an inner side, an outer side, a front side, a back side, and an inner side neckline;   a hood fixedly attached to the torso portion, the hood having an inner side and an outer side; and   two straps, each of the straps having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the first ends is attached to the inner side of the torso portion, and each of the second ends is attached to a fastening element.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first ends is fixedly attached to the inner side neckline. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first ends is removably attached to the inner side neckline. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening element is keyhole-shaped having two openings, and wherein said fastening element is configured to receive and secure a drawstring end. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  1 , wherein the garment is a hoodie having two sleeves. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 5 , wherein the hoodie's front side further comprises a right side and a left side, wherein said right side and said left side are joined by a zipper. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a pouch having an interior portion, wherein the pouch is fixedly attached to the inner side of the torso portion, the pouch having an integrated drawstring.   
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 7 , wherein the integrated drawstring includes two portions exposed within the interior of the pouch. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hand pocket fixedly attached to the outer side of the torso portion, the hand pocket having an inside portion; and   a pouch fixedly attached to the inside portion of the hand pocket.   
     
     
         10 . A method of using a garment, comprising the steps of:
 providing a garment having an inner side, an outer side, a front portion, a back portion, a bottom side, an upper side, a neckline circumnavigating said upper side;   providing a hood attached to the upper side of the back portion at the neckline;   providing a drawstring running through the hood, the drawstring having a first exposed end and a second exposed end; and   providing a plurality of straps, each strap having a fixed end and a free end, wherein each of the fixed ends is attached to the inner side of the back portion proximal to the neckline and each of the free ends is attached to a fastening element.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of;
 rolling the garment from the bottom of the garment to the base of the hood to create a rolled portion of the garment, wherein the rolling is done in a manner causing the rolled portion of the garment to accumulate on the back portion of the garment;   removing the free ends of the straps from the inner side of the garment;   inverting the hood and causing the hood to envelop the rolled portion of the garment;   pulling on the exposed ends of the drawstring, and causing the drawstring to tighten over the rolled portion of the garment;   inserting the first exposed end into a first fastening element and pulling on the first exposed end, creating a removable connection between the drawstring and the first fastening element, thereby creating a first loop;   inserting the second exposed end into a second fastening element and pulling on the second exposed end, creating a removable connection between the drawstring and the second fastening element, thereby creating a second loop; and   carrying the garment via said first loop and said second loop.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a pouch fixedly attached to the inner side of the back portion, the pouch having an inner portion and a drawstring having two exposed portions;   rolling the garment from the upper side of the garment to the bottom side of the garment to create a rolled portion of the garment, the rolling causing the rolled portion of the garment to accumulate on the back portion of the garment;   inverting the pouch causing the pouch to envelop the rolled portion of the garment;   pulling on the exposed ends of the drawstring, causing the drawstring to tighten over the rolled portion of the garment, creating a first loop and a second loop, and;   carrying the garment via the first loop and the second loop.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a hand pocket fixedly attached to the outer side of the torso portion, the hand pocket having an inside portion;   providing a pouch fixedly attached to the inside portion of the hand pocket, the pouch having an inner portion and a drawstring having two exposed portions;   inverting the pouch and inserting the garment into the pouch, thereby causing the pouch to envelop the remainder of the garment;   pulling on the exposed ends of the drawstring, causing the drawstring to tighten over the remainder of the garment, creating a first loop and a second loop, and;   carrying the garment via the first loop and the second loop.