Maternity Leggings

Abstract

A revolutionary garment is disclosed that fits precisely to a pregnant woman's evolving body shape. Using a bonded film band instead of traditional seamless shapewear provides superior support, strength and comfort. By adding a bonded front band, the legging has the support of a medical maternity belt with the clean sleek look of a performance legging.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An article of clothing comprising:
 leggings; and,   a support band extending around at least a portion of the circumference of the waist and/or abdomen area,   wherein the support band is secured to the interior or exterior of the leggings by bonding.   
     
     
         2 . The article of clothing of  claim 1  wherein the support band comprises a front support panel extending longitudinally across at least a portion of the abdomen and a back support panel extending across at least a portion of the back. 
     
     
         3 . The article of clothing of  claim 1  wherein the support band extends around the entire circumference of the waist and/or abdomen area. 
     
     
         4 . The article of clothing of  claim 3 , wherein the support bands are comprised of a front support panel and a back support panel that are connected. 
     
     
         5 . The article of clothing of  claim 4  wherein the back support panel and front support panel are bonded with different films and/or material. 
     
     
         6 . The article of clothing of  claim 5  wherein the back support panel is less elastic than the front support panel. 
     
     
         7 . The article of clothing of  claim 1  wherein the leggings is composed of an elastic fabric. 
     
     
         8 . An article of clothing comprising:
 a piece of clothing structured to cover a portion of the waist and/or abdomen area,   a support band extending around at least a portion of the circumference of the waist and/or abdomen area,   wherein the support band is secured to the interior or exterior of the piece of clothing by bonding.   
     
     
         9 . The article of clothing of  claim 8  wherein the support band comprises a front support panel extending longitudinally across at least a portion of the abdomen and a back support panel extending across at least a portion of the back. 
     
     
         10 . The article of clothing of  claim 8  wherein the support band extends around the entire circumference of the waist and/or abdomen area. 
     
     
         11 . The article of clothing of  claim 10 , wherein the support bands are comprised of a front support panel and a back support panel that are connected. 
     
     
         12 . The article of clothing of  claim 11  wherein the back support panel and front support panel are bonded with different films and/or material. 
     
     
         13 . The article of clothing of  claim 12  wherein the back support panel is less elastic than the front support panel. 
     
     
         14 . The article of clothing of  claim 8  wherein the leggings is composed of an elastic fabric. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a article of clothing comprising the step of:
 bonding a support band extending around at least a portion of the circumference of the waist and/or abdomen area to the interior or exterior of the article of clothing.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the article of clothing is leggings. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the support bands are comprised of a front support panel and a back support panel that are connected. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the back support panel and front support panel are bonded with different films and/or material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the back support panel is less elastic than the front support panel.