Optically augmented sports apparel and methods of manufacture

Abstract

Disclosed are garments for athletic wear, and more specifically to tank tops, vests or jerseys worn by athletes for athletic events such as soccer practices. The garments feature a neutral body and a vibrant upper which, when worn, draw the viewer's eye towards the vibrant color. The vibrant upper acts as a team identifier.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A garment comprising:
 a body comprising a torso portion, an upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings;   wherein the torso portion is configured to extend around a torso of a wearer, the torso portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a first textile, the first textile having a neutral color;   further wherein the upper portion is configured to extend around a neck of the wearer, the upper portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a second textile, the second textile having a vibrant color, and   further wherein the vibrant color is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the first textile and the second textile differ only in color. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the first textile and the second textile are selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first textile and the second textile are mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1  further comprising a collar. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 5  wherein the collar is the vibrant color. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1  further comprising a v-shaped notch in the neck opening. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion has a first fabric layer in a first color and a second fabric layer in a second color different than the first color. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second body comprising a second torso portion, a second upper portion, a second waist opening, a second neck opening and a second pair of arm openings, 
 wherein the second torso portion is configured to extend around the torso of the wearer, the second torso portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a third textile, the third textile having a neutral color; 
 further wherein the second upper portion is configured to extend around the neck of the wearer, the second upper portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a fourth textile, the fourth textile having a vibrant color, 
 further wherein the vibrant color of the fourth textile is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color, 
 further wherein the body and the second body are secured together. 
 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 1  further wherein, the interior surface of the first textile and the exterior surface of the first textile are the same color. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 1  further wherein, the interior surface of the first textile and the exterior surface of the first textile are different colors. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 1  further wherein, the interior surface of the second textile and the exterior surface of the second textile are the same color. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 1  further wherein, the interior surface of the second textile and the exterior surface of the second textile are the different colors. 
     
     
         14 . A method of making a garment comprising:
 selecting a first textile having a neutral color;   forming a torso portion operable to extend around a torso of a wearer from the first textile wherein the torso portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface;   selecting a second textile having a vibrant color;   forming an upper portion operable to extend around a neck of the wearer from the second textile wherein the upper portion has a front panel and a back panel; and   connecting the torso portion to the upper portion so that the garment has a body comprising the torso portion, and the upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first textile and the second textile differ only in color. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first textile and the second textile are selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the first textile and the second textile are mesh. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising securing a collar to the neck opening. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the collar is the vibrant color. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising a v-shaped notch in the neck opening. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the steps of
 selecting a third textile having a neutral color; 
 forming a torso portion operable to extend around the torso of the wearer from the third textile wherein the torso portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface; 
 selecting a fourth textile having a vibrant color; 
 forming an upper portion operable to extend around the neck of from the fourth textile wherein the upper portion has a front panel and a back panel; 
 connecting the third textile torso portion to a fourth textile upper portion to form a second body; and 
 connecting the first body to the second body. 
 
     
     
         22 . A reversible garment comprising:
 a body comprising a torso portion, an upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings,   wherein the torso portion is configured to extend around a torso of a wearer, the torso portion having a front panel and a back panel comprised of a first textile, the first textile having a neutral color;   further wherein the upper portion is configured to extend around a neck of the wearer, the upper portion having a front panel and a back panel comprised of a second textile, the second textile having a vibrant color,   further wherein the vibrant color is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color,   further wherein at least one of the neutral color and vibrant color on a first side of the garment is different than a second side of the garment.   
     
     
         23 . The reversible garment of  claim 22  wherein the first textile and the second textile differ only in color. 
     
     
         24 . The reversible garment of  claim 22  wherein the first textile and the second textile are selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber. 
     
     
         25 . The reversible garment of  claim 22  wherein at least one of the first textile and the second textile are mesh. 
     
     
         26 . The reversible garment of  claim 22  further comprising a collar. 
     
     
         27 . The reversible garment of  claim 26  wherein the collar is the vibrant color. 
     
     
         28 . The reversible garment of  claim 22  further comprising a v-shaped notch in the neck opening. 
     
     
         29 . The reversible garment of  claim 22  wherein the upper portion has a first fabric layer in a first color and a second fabric layer in a second color different than the first color.