Abstract:
Disclosed is a brassiere that is adjustable for varying levels of modesty or daring. The brassiere includes a modesty panel that is integrated to the design of the brassiere, but is also interchangeable with other modesty panels. The modesty panel can be selected from among a set of modesty panels. In this manner, a wearer may vary the look of an outfit or ensemble by using modesty panels of varying colors, fabrics, textures, or levels of modesty or daring. In various embodiments, the modesty panel is fastened to the brassiere using traditional hook and loop fasteners. In other various embodiments, the to modesty panel may be fastened using hook material and corresponding loop material, or may be fastened using buttons or snap fasteners. Any other manner of fastening systems may be used to render the modesty panel combined with the brassiere as a single article of clothing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation In Part Application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,608 filed Feb. 10, 2009, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,241,088. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to an undergarment, and more particularly to a brassiere. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Clothing choices for modern women span an array of garments, in many different styles. Among available garments are blouses, tank tops, T-shirts, camisoles, and other tops, which afford various styles of necklines. These choices enable women to achieve various “looks” in their attire. Typically, for example, female attire may include a blouse. The blouse may have a button front or may be a V-neck blouse where the garment does not have buttons. In either instance, a certain amount of cleavage may show unless in some cases an undergarment is worn, such as a camisole which conceals the cleavage and very likely in many instances also conceals the woman&#39;s brassiere. In some circumstances a particular amount of cleavage may be appropriate to show, while in other circumstances more or less cleavage may generally be appropriate. 
     For example, nowadays many women have employment outside the home. They may have professional jobs or other positions where standards of dress require a particular level of modesty or workplace decorum. For this reason, a woman may wear a camisole or other type of garment under a blouse to help conceal the woman&#39;s cleavage and/or brassiere. In this way, standards of workplace decorum as to professional dress can be met. 
     After work, however, a woman may decide that the professional dress appropriate for work can impede recreational activities, or may not be appropriate when going out with friends, or going out to, for example, a nightclub. In this case, it may be necessary to change one&#39;s clothes, to take off one&#39;s blouse and remove the camisole, for example, or even to change one&#39;s blouse entirely. It can be inconvenient, however, to need to change clothing when one goes from a workplace environment to a recreational environment or an entertainment venue after work, for example, where different levels of cleavage exposure may be appropriate. A couple of approaches to addressing the need to change clothing have been devised. 
     A brassiere which provides cleavage coverage is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,921, “Prosthetic Brassiere,” issued Aug. 30, 2005 to Kimberly Eudenbach and Sandra L. Busook. This patent discloses a prosthetic brassiere suitable for use by mastectomy patients, including brassiere cups that are adapted to hold prosthetic breasts. The prosthetic brassiere of Eudenbach and Busook also includes a privacy panel that attaches to the prosthetic brassiere to conceal the prosthetic breast and/or scars from surgery. Because the brassiere cups are adapted to hold prosthetic breasts, each includes material to define a pocket into which a prosthetic breast may be inserted. The privacy panel attaches to upper portions of the prosthetic brassiere cups. 
     Another approach for providing cleavage coverage is described by Patricia A. Calimari and Karla A. Kennedy, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0281585, “Partial Undergarment And Method For Covering A Woman&#39;s Exposed Cleavage,” published Dec. 6, 2007. In this approach, a partial undergarment for covering a woman&#39;s exposed cleavage is provided. The partial undergarment attaches to the straps of the woman&#39;s brassiere, with another portion of the partial undergarment wrapped around the brassiere itself. The partial undergarment does not provide for different levels of cleavage coverage, and may look bulky under the wearer&#39;s clothing due to its means of attachment. In addition, there may be a need to remove an outer garment in order to be able to remove the partial undergarment. 
     Neither of the two prior art approaches are completely satisfactory. In one case, the approach is directed to wearers of prosthetic breasts, and moreover lacks a secure bottom fastening that a wearer of a lightweight brassiere may desire. In the other case, the method of attachment may be cumbersome and take time to arrange for proper cleavage coverage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed in this application is a brassiere that is adjustable for varying levels of modesty or daring. The brassiere includes a modesty panel that is integrated to the design of the brassiere, but is also interchangeable with other modesty panels. The modesty panel can be selected from among a set of modesty panels. In this manner, a wearer may vary the look of an outfit or ensemble by using modesty panels of varying colors, fabrics, textures, or levels of modesty or daring. 
     In various embodiments, the modesty panel is fastened to the brassiere using traditional hook and eye fasteners. In various other embodiments, the modesty panel may be fastened through the use of hook and loop fasteners. The loops may be made of for example, wire, thread, or another filamentary material; hook and wire loop fasteners may be referred to as hook and eye fasteners. In still other various embodiments, the modesty panel may be fastened using hook material and corresponding loop material, such as, for example, VELCRO. One or more of the various embodiments may include fastener concealment flaps that insulate the breasts from contact with the hooks, loops, or other fasteners. It will be understood that any other manner of current fastening systems and/or future fastening systems may be used to render the modesty panel combined with the brassiere as a single article of clothing, and are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     The modesty panel is designed to span a region between a left brassiere cup and a right brassiere cup to provide coverage of a wearer&#39;s cleavage. The region spanned by the modesty panel includes at least one point midway between a lower portion of the left brassiere cup and a lower portion of the right brassiere cup, that can be used to provide a securing point for a bottom central portion of the modesty panel. The securing point of the bottom central portion may include a button fastener, a snap fastener, or any other suitable type of fastener. 
     The modesty panel may be selected from among a set of modesty panels, as mentioned above. The different modesty panels may be distinguished by fabric, texture, and/or color. Moreover, due to the design of the modesty panel and the brassiere in combination, the modesty panel can achieve various levels of modesty or daring. The properties of the brassiere in combination with the modesty panel thus can allow for an adjustment between a workplace or professional type of appearance, and a more casual, less formal mode of attire, for example, more suitable for after work and/or recreational activities. A more daring look may also be more desirable with more fashionable garments intended for evening activities (for example, attendance at concerts or nightclubs). 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an outer garment without a modesty panel; 
         FIG. 2  shows how the outer garment of  FIG. 1  may appear if a first level modesty panel according to an embodiment is worn with the outer garment; 
         FIG. 3  shows how the outer garment may look when worn with a brassiere including a second level modesty panel according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  shows how the outer garment may look with a very low level modesty panel according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a brassiere including a modesty panel according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example modesty panel according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  shows a modesty panel and brassiere according to an embodiment during a portion of a sequence of steps for attaching the modesty panel to the brassiere; 
         FIG. 8  shows the modesty panel and brassiere of  FIG. 7  during a second portion of a sequence of steps for attaching the modesty panel to the brassiere; 
         FIG. 9  shows the modesty panel and brassiere of  FIGS. 7 and 8  in their final arrangement as an integrated article of clothing; 
         FIG. 10  shows a brassiere with a first level modesty panel according to an embodiment as may be worn with an outer garment corresponding to  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a brassiere with a second level modesty panel according to an embodiment as may be worn with an outer garment corresponding to  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a brassiere with a very low level modesty panel according to an embodiment as may be worn with an outer garment corresponding to  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows another view of an embodiment of a brassiere, showing loops adjacent the inward edges of the left and right brassiere cups; 
         FIG. 14  shows another view of an embodiment of a brassiere, showing loop material adjacent the inward edges of the left and right brassiere cups; 
         FIG. 15  shows a modesty panel according to an embodiment that includes a set of hooks corresponding to the loops adjacent the inward edges of the left and right brassiere cups of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  shows a modesty panel according to an embodiment that includes a set of hook material areas corresponding to the loop material areas adjacent the inward edges of the left and right brassiere cups of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 17  shows a modesty panel according to an embodiment that includes a set of buttons that would correspond to buttonholes adjacent the inward edges of the left and right brassiere cups. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1 , which shows an outer garment  100  without a modesty panel. While the outer garment may be fashionable when worn by itself, this garment may not be suitable for a work environment or in a professional setting. In addition, the outer garment may reveal surgery scars or a mastectomy prosthesis if one is worn. 
       FIGS. 2-4  show successive levels of daring due to use of successively more daring modesty panels  210 - 410 .  FIG. 2  shows how the outer garment of  FIG. 1  may appear if a first level modesty panel  210  is worn with the outer garment  200 . The first level modesty panel  210  would cover substantially all cleavage and give a professional, layered, or covered look. The first level modesty panel  210  is attached close to the highest point of the cups of the brassiere (see  FIG. 10 , below), and would, for most women, cover all cleavage. 
       FIG. 3  shows how the outer garment  300  may look when worn with a brassiere including a second level modesty panel  310 . The second level modesty panel  310  would cover a portion of the cleavage area. The second level modesty panel  310  would be made for those who want to be sexy and not show very much cleavage and still maintain that professional, layered, or covered look. The second level modesty panel  310  is attached to the cups of the brassiere near the middle section of the brassiere (see  FIG. 11 , below). 
       FIG. 4  shows how the outer garment  400  may look with a very low level modesty panel  410 . The very low, or third level, modesty panel  410  would typically show some cleavage, as many women may desire, but can also enhance the bosom and give the outer garment  400  a different look. The very low, third level modesty panel  410  is attached to the cups of the brassiere below the middle section of the brassiere (see  FIG. 12 , below). 
     In the various embodiments, as described below, all of the modesty panels  210 - 410  of  FIGS. 2-4  can be removed easily, as explained below in connection with  FIGS. 7-9 . For example, with the first level modesty panel  210  and second level modesty panel  310 , if a woman wants to go to a casual setting after work, all she has to do is remove the modesty panel  210  or  310  from the brassiere and the outer garment  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) reveals cleavage that was covered. There would be no need to remove the outer garment  200  or  300  to remove the modesty panel. Moreover, there is no additional “bulk” from another undergarment that might have been worn to conceal the cleavage, or from a need to wrap ends of the modesty panel around the brassiere or its straps. In addition, there is no additional bulk from added material in a brassiere cup to receive a prosthetic breast. As previously mentioned,  FIGS. 2-4  show three levels of modesty and/or daring as an example of how an outer garment may look with various levels of modesty panels. It should be understood that there may be any suitable number of modesty levels, for example, two, four, or even five or more modesty levels. Although the combination of a brassiere with a modesty panel is discussed herein in various embodiments with three modesty levels, it will be appreciated that various designs, including more or fewer modesty levels, are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Turning now to a brassiere in combination with a modesty panel,  FIG. 5  shows a brassiere  502  including a modesty panel  510  according to an embodiment. The brassiere  502  includes a left brassiere cup  504  and a right brassiere cup  506 . It should be understood that the left brassiere cup and the right brassiere cup as shown, are designed and configured to support a left natural breast and a right natural breast, respectively. That is, in general the left brassiere cup does not include a pocket configurable to receive a prosthetic breast; similarly, in general the right brassiere cup does not include a pocket configurable to receive a prosthetic breast. (In various embodiments a brassiere cup of the brassiere may however support a breast prosthesis.) The brassiere  502  also includes a lower central portion  507  between the left brassiere cup  504  and the right brassiere cup  506 . The brassiere  502  in addition includes a support band  508  that is coupled with the left brassiere cup  504  and with the right brassiere cup  506 , and configured to substantially encircle a torso of a wearer when the brassiere  502  is worn as an undergarment. 
     The left brassiere cup  504  has an inward edge  511  as shown, and has a lower portion  512 . Similarly, the right brassiere cup  506  has an inward edge  513  and a lower portion  514 . In the embodiment shown, the modesty panel  510  has a set of attachment areas  516 ,  520 ,  524 ,  528 ,  532 , and  536  in left and right attachment portions  535  and  537 , respectively, the attachment areas configured to be removably attached to the brassiere cups adjacent the inward edge  511  of the left brassiere cup  504  and adjacent the inward edge  513  of the right brassiere cup  506 . To accomplish attachment of the attachment areas  516 ,  520 ,  524 ,  528 ,  532 , and  536  to the brassiere cups  504  and  506 , corresponding fasteners or attachment devices  518 ,  522 ,  526 ,  530 ,  534 , and  538  are disposed adjacent the inward edges  511  and  513  of the brassiere cups, as shown. It is understood that in various embodiments there may be more, or fewer, attachment areas in the left and right attachment portions  535  and  537 . 
     In addition to the attachment areas  516 ,  520 ,  524 ,  528 ,  532 , and  536  in the attachment portions  535  and  537 , the modesty panel  510  has a bottom central portion  542 . The bottom portion  542  includes a fastening device, for example, a buttonhole, a hook or other fastener ( 650 , see  FIG. 6 ), that can secure the bottom of the modesty panel to the brassiere at at least one point within a region  544  midway between the lower portions  512  and  514  of the left and right brassiere cups, by coupling the modesty panel  510  with the lower central portion  507  of the brassiere. In this manner the brassiere  502  and modesty panel  510  are secured together by a fastening arrangement. For this purpose the brassiere  502  includes a button, a hook (or other appropriate fastening device)  540  located in the region  544  and adapted to mate with the buttonhole, hook or fastener  650 , and provides a secure fastening of the bottom of the modesty panel  510 , as explained in connection with  FIGS. 8 and 9  below. 
     Besides the button  540 , the brassiere  502  also includes a left strap  546  coupled with the upper portion of the left brassiere cup  504  at a first end, and with the support band  508  at a second end of the left strap. Also, the brassiere  502  includes a corresponding right strap  548  that is coupled with the upper portion of the right brassiere cup  506  at a first end, and with the support band  508  at a second end of the right strap. The straps are configured to be worn over respective left and right shoulders, and in this way help to support the brassiere  502  during wear as an undergarment, as shown. 
     It should be appreciated that the combination of the brassiere  502  and the modesty panel  510  is not limited to the style shown in  FIG. 5 . That is, the brassiere in combination with the modesty panel can embody different styles, including for example support, push-up, sheer, underwire, strapless, plunge, nursing, mastectomy/prosthetic, sports, and all other types not mentioned. It may also be adapted for use in swimwear. In various embodiments the modesty panel can include at least one of a lace portion, a satin portion, a silk portion, a cotton portion, a polyester portion, or a stretch material portion. Thus, the benefit of a removable modesty panel with a secure bottom fastening (see  FIG. 9 , below) can be available for wear with many different types of garments, and therefore in different work and/or recreational contexts. 
     A brassiere including a modesty panel is also suitable for use in children&#39;s wear, as a “beginner&#39;s bra” or a “training bra,” that is, a training brassiere. Young girls may engage in activities requiring particular styles of clothing. For example, some children may participate in ceremonial activities, such as choir, chorale, or school events requiring particular styles of dress. Children of school age range in development from well before puberty, to prepubescence, and through puberty. For some girls, it may be appropriate to wear a “training”-style brassiere with a modesty panel, particularly with ceremonial robes or formal dress that may be low-cut. 
     Moreover, a girl may desire to wear a training bra incorporating a modesty panel with school wear, for example, with a school uniform. The modesty panel adds a style aspect to the training bra that may be more comfortable or more convenient than wearing, for example, a camisole or t-shirt. The wearing of a training bra with a modesty panel may also be desirable during play activities. It is understood that a training bra incorporating a modesty panel is within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Turning now to the modesty panel itself in more detail,  FIG. 6  illustrates an example modesty panel  610  according to an embodiment. The modesty panel  610  is designed to span a region between the left brassiere  504  (see  FIG. 5 ) cup and the right brassiere cup  506  to provide coverage of a wearer&#39;s cleavage. As mentioned above, the region spanned by the modesty panel  610  includes at least one point midway between a lower portion of the left brassiere cup and a lower portion of the right brassiere cup, that can be used to provide a securing point for a bottom central portion of the modesty panel  610 . The securing point of the bottom central portion may include a button fastener, a hook fastener, a snap fastener, or any other suitable type of fastener, as discussed below. 
     The modesty panel  610  includes a left attachment portion  635  and a right attachment portion  637 . The left attachment portion  635  includes areas of attachment  616 ,  624 , and  632 . The areas of attachment  616 ,  624 , and  632  may include for example hooks, buttons, or snap fasteners or even hook material such as for instance VELCRO. Similarly, the right attachment portion  637  includes areas of attachment  620 ,  628 , and  636 , and these areas of attachment may also include for instance hooks, buttons, snap fasteners, hook material or similar fastening means. The hooks (or other attachment devices) on the modesty panel mate with corresponding loops (or corresponding mating attachment devices) on the brassiere cups. In this way, the left attachment portion  635  is configured to be removably attached with the set of left hooks on the left attachment portion and the corresponding set of left loops adjacent the inward edge  511  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the left brassiere cup  504 . In a similar way, the right attachment portion  637  is configured to be removably attached with the set of right hooks on the right attachment portion and the corresponding set of right loops adjacent the inward edge  513  of the right brassiere cup  506 . As discussed above, the loops may be made of wire, thread, or of another filamentary material; a hook and wire loop fastener may also be known as a hook and eye fastener. A bottom central portion  642  may include an attachment area  650  which in various embodiments may define a buttonhole, or in various other embodiments may be a hook fastener or a snap fastener. In various embodiments a loop, for example, of thread, string or elastic cord, may be connected with the bottom central portion  642  to define the attachment area  650  (see  FIG. 17 , below). 
       FIG. 6  also shows schematically that there may be a variety of modesty panels, distinguished by their level of daring. The first level modesty panel has an upper boundary or edge denoted at  652 . A middle level or second level modesty panel may have an upper edge  654 , and thus may include only the attachment areas  624 ,  628 ,  632 , and  636 , as well as the bottom attachment area  650 . A very low level modesty panel may have an upper edge  656 , and include the attachment areas  632  and  636 , as well as the bottom attachment area  650  in the bottom attachment region  642 . It is understood that there may be more or fewer attachment areas than the seven areas shown on the modesty panel  610 . In particular, there may be two or more bottom attachment areas  650 , and there may be four, two, or any suitable number of attachment areas within either of the attachment portions  635  and  637 . In this manner the modesty panel  610  can provide a means for concealing at least a portion of a region between the left brassiere cup  504  (see  FIG. 5 ) and the right brassiere cup  506 . Also, in this way a modesty panel can provide a particular level of modesty or daring from among a set of modesty levels. 
     Due to its design, the modesty panel  610  is straightforward to attach to the brassiere  602 .  FIGS. 7 through 9  show a sequence in which the modesty panel can be attached to the brassiere. For example, in  FIG. 7 , the brassiere  702  is shown with the modesty panel  710  partially attached. In  FIG. 7 , the left side of the modesty panel  710  has been attached at attachment points  716 ,  724 , and  732 . For example, in an embodiment, hooks  1516 ,  1524 , and  1532  (see  FIG. 15 , below) may have been inserted into corresponding loops  1318 ,  1326 , and  1334  (see  FIG. 13 , below). That is, the set of left loops is configured to engage the set of left hooks. Similarly, the set of right loops (not shown) is configured to engage the set of right hooks (not shown). The bottom central portion  742  has not yet been attached, and as shown in  FIG. 7 , the right side of the modesty panel is ready to be attached to the right brassiere cup  706 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the modesty panel  810  after attachment to both the left brassiere cup  804  and to the right brassiere cup  806 , but before the attachment of the bottom portion  842  of the modesty panel to the brassiere  802 .  FIG. 8  shows the brassiere  802  and the modesty panel  810  and also shows that there is a button  840  toward the bottom of the brassiere, in the lower central portion of the brassiere ( 544 , see  FIG. 5 ), and a bottom portion  842  of the modesty panel  810 . By pulling down on the bottom portion  842 , and then drawing it up in front of the brassiere  802 , the button  840  may be inserted into a corresponding buttonhole ( 1550 , see  FIG. 15 , below) on the modesty panel in the bottom portion  842 . It is understood that another fastening device  540  (see  FIG. 5 ) may be used in place of the button  840 , with a corresponding fastening device  650  (see  FIG. 6 ) adapted to mate with the fastening device  540  in place of the buttonhole  1550 . Typically, but not necessarily, the button  840  or other fastening device  540  is on the front of the brassiere  802  so as not to discomfort the wearer of the brassiere. In various embodiments the fastener may instead be disposed on the inside of the brassiere. In this way the modesty panel  810  is secured or anchored around the lower portion of the brassiere  802  (which includes the lower central portion  507  and the region  544 , see  FIG. 5 ), providing a greater level of security to a wearer. For example, with hooks and loops as fastening means, or even with hook material and loop material, the drawing up of the bottom portion  842  around the lower portion of the brassiere  802  helps securely engage the fasteners  516 ,  518 ,  520 ,  522 ,  524 ,  526 ,  528 ,  530 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536 , and  538  (see  FIG. 5 ). It will be appreciated that even with other types of fasteners, for example, buttons and buttonholes, or snap fasteners for  516 ,  518 ,  520 ,  522 ,  524 ,  526 ,  528 ,  530 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536 , and  538 , securing the bottom portion  842  provides a benefit to a wearer through additional securing of the modesty panel. It is understood that there may be alternative means of attachment of the bottom portion  842  than through use of a button and buttonhole. For example, a loop in place of the button  840  and a hook on the modesty panel in the bottom portion  842  may be used. For another example, one portion of a snap fastener in place of the button  840  on the brassiere and a corresponding portion of a snap fastener on the modesty panel in the bottom portion  842  may be used also. 
       FIG. 9  shows the modesty panel and brassiere of  FIGS. 7 and 8  in their final arrangement as an integrated article of clothing  902 . As shown, the bottom portion of the modesty panel is affixed to the brassiere at the attachment point  940 , which may include, as previously mentioned, a button, snap fastener, wire hook and loop, or even hook and loop material such as VELCRO, for example. Thus, the sequence of drawings  FIGS. 7-9  illustrates how the brassiere/modesty panel combination becomes a single undergarment. 
     The modesty panel may be removed by reversing the steps taken to attach it. For example, a wearer may first undo the button  940  (see  FIG. 9 ). Next, the bottom portion  942  of the modesty panel  810  may be removed from around the lower portion of the brassiere  902 , to bring the modesty panel and brassiere back to the configuration of  FIG. 8 . Then, one of the sides of the modesty panel  710  (see  FIG. 7 ) may be undone from its attachment to the respective brassiere cup. Finally, the other side of the modesty panel  710  may be undone, and the modesty panel removed. It should be understood that the order of some or all of these steps may be changed. In addition, one side of the modesty panel  710  need not be completely detached before beginning detachment of the other side. 
     The ease with which a wearer can attach and remove the modesty panel can provide for a variety of levels of modesty that a wearer may choose to display. That is, as discussed above, there can be different levels of modesty or daring that may be arranged, as a wearer may choose. For example,  FIGS. 10-12  correspond to  FIGS. 2-4 , but show only the brassiere, and not the outer garment.  FIG. 10  shows a brassiere  1002  with a first level modesty panel  1010  as may be worn with an outer garment  200  corresponding to  FIG. 2  with the modesty panel  210 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the modesty panel has the highest level upper edge  1052 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 11 , it corresponds to the outer garment  300  of  FIG. 3  with the modesty panel  310 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the brassiere  1102  includes a second level modesty panel  1110  which has a second level upper edge  1154 . Finally,  FIG. 12  corresponds to the outer garment  400  of  FIG. 4  with a very low level modesty panel  410 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the brassiere  1202  includes a very low, third level modesty panel  1210  which has the low level upper edge  1256 . It will be understood that a wearer may change the look of her attire from that of  FIG. 2  to that of  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4  by removing the modesty panel  1010  of  FIG. 10  and replacing it with the modesty panel  1110  of  FIG. 11  or the modesty panel  1210  of  FIG. 12 . It will further be understood, with reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , that such changes are straightforward to accomplish. 
     Returning now to discussion of the brassiere  502  (see  FIG. 5 ),  FIG. 13  shows  1302  another view of an embodiment of a brassiere, showing loops  1318 ,  1322 ,  1326 ,  1330 ,  1334 , and  1338  adjacent the inward edge  1311  of the left brassiere cup and the inward edge  1313  of the right brassiere cup. The loops  1318 ,  1322 ,  1326 ,  1330 ,  1334 , and  1338  are instances of the fasteners or attachment devices  518 ,  522 ,  526 ,  530 ,  534 , and  538 . A button  1340  on the front of the brassiere  1302  is shown in dashed outline; it provides a means for securing a bottom portion  642  of a modesty panel  610  (see  FIG. 6 ).  FIG. 13  also shows that the support band  1308  includes a fastening arrangement  1358   a - 1358   b , which may be, for example, a hook and loop arrangement as is known in the art. The brassiere  1302  also includes a strap  1346  between the left brassiere cup  1304  and the support band  1308  and a strap  1348  between the right brassiere cup  1306  and the support band  1308 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the support band  1308  includes a left segment  1308   a  coupled with the left brassiere cup, and a right segment  1308   b  coupled with the right brassiere cup. The fastening arrangement  1358   a - 1358   b  can have an unfastened condition and a fastened condition. As shown, the fastening arrangement  1358   a - 1358   b  is configured to fasten the left segment  1308   a  with the right segment  1308   b  when the fastening arrangement is in the fastened condition, and to separate the left segment  1308   a  and the right segment  1308   b  when the fastening arrangement is in the unfastened condition. Typically, but not necessarily, the fastening arrangement  1358   a - 1358   b  is disposed toward a back of the torso of a wearer when the brassiere is in position as an undergarment. The fastening arrangement  1358   a - 1358   b  can thus provide a means for fastening the left segment  1308   a  with the right segment  1308   b.    
       FIG. 13  also shows a fastener concealment flap  1339  adjacent the inward edge  1313  of the right brassiere cup  1306 . For clarity in showing the loops  1318 ,  1326 , and  1334  in  FIG. 13 , only the right fastener concealment flap  1339  is shown, but it is understood that embodiments with a fastener concealment flap would have both a right fastener concealment flap adjacent the inward edge  1313  of the right brassiere cup  1306  and a left fastener concealment flap adjacent the inward edge  1311  of the left brassiere cup  1304 . The fastener concealment flaps insulate the breasts of the wearer from contact with the fasteners  1322 ,  1330 , and  1338 . In this manner, a more comfortable feel to the brassiere is provided. Moreover, the fastener concealment flap may be fabricated from material, such as, for example, satin, to enhance the appearance and/or design of the brassiere when not being worn. 
       FIG. 14  is similar to  FIG. 13  and shows another view of an embodiment of a brassiere.  FIG. 14  shows loop material areas  1418 ,  1422 ,  1426 ,  1430 ,  1434 , and  1438  adjacent the inward edge  1411  of the left brassiere cup  1404  and the inward edge  1413  of the right brassiere cup  1406 . In an analogous way as described above in connection with  FIG. 13 , the loops  1418 ,  1422 ,  1426 ,  1430 ,  1434 , and  1438  are instances of the fasteners or attachment devices  518 ,  522 ,  526 ,  530 ,  534 , and  538 . A fastener  1440  on the front of the brassiere is shown in dashed outline; it is used to secure the bottom portion  642  (see  FIG. 6 ) of a modesty panel  610  to the brassiere  1402 . The fastener may be a button  1440 , like the button  1340  of  FIG. 13 , or may be another kind of fastener, for example, a snap fastener. It should be understood that any appropriate fastener as known in the art may be used.  FIG. 14  also shows that the support band  1408  includes a fastening arrangement  1458   a - 1458   b , which may be, for instance, a hook material and loop material arrangement, for example using a material such as VELCRO. Just as in  FIG. 13 , the support band  1408  includes a left segment  1408   a  and a right segment  1408   b  that may be fastened or separated depending on the condition of the fastening arrangement  1458   a - 1458   b.    
     The brassiere  1402  also includes a strap  1446  between the left brassiere cup  1404  and the support band  1408  and a strap  1448  between the right brassiere cup  1406  and the support band  1408 . Although shown as non-intersecting straps, in various embodiments the straps may cross, and even intersect, behind the back of a wearer. It should be appreciated that, although the embodiments of  FIGS. 13 and 14  are shown with straps, a modesty panel as described herein may in various embodiments be incorporated into a strapless design. 
     As just discussed,  FIGS. 13 and 14  show some details of the means for attaching the modesty panel  610  (see  FIG. 6 ) with the brassiere  502  (see  FIG. 5 ).  FIGS. 15 and 16  show corresponding details of the attachment areas on the modesty panels  1510  (see FIG.  15 ) and  1610  (see  FIG. 16 ) respectively. An embodiment of a modesty panel that employs buttons as fasteners is shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     Thus,  FIGS. 15 through 17  show modesty panels similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 , with specific types of fasteners shown in the attachment areas corresponding to  616 ,  620 ,  624 ,  628 ,  632 , and  636  (see  FIG. 6 ).  FIG. 15 , for example, shows a modesty panel  1510  that includes a set of hooks  1516 ,  1520 ,  1524 ,  1528 ,  1532 , and  1536  corresponding to the loops  1318 ,  1322 ,  1326 ,  1330 ,  1334 , and  1338 , respectively, adjacent the inward edges  1311  and  1313  of the left brassiere cup  1304  and the right brassiere cup  1306  of  FIG. 13 . A buttonhole  1550  is shown in the bottom region  1542 , that is designed to secure the bottom portion of the modesty panel  1510  to the brassiere  802  (see  FIG. 8 ) with for example, a button  840 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a modesty panel  1610  that includes a set of hook material areas  1616 ,  1620 ,  1624 ,  1628 ,  1632 , and  1636  corresponding to the loop material areas  1418 ,  1422 ,  1426 ,  1430 ,  1434 , and  1438 , respectively, adjacent the inward edges  1411  and  1413  of the left brassiere cup  1404  and the right brassiere cup  1406  of  FIG. 14 . As in  FIG. 15 , a buttonhole  1650  is shown in the bottom region  1642 , that is designed to secure the bottom of the modesty panel  1510  to the brassiere  502  (see  FIG. 5 ) with for example, a button  540 . It will be appreciated that in either of  FIGS. 15 and 16 , some other system for fastening the bottom portion  542  of the modesty panel to the brassiere may be employed, for example, a hook fastener or a snap fastener. 
     It will also be appreciated that some other means may be used for attaching the attachment portions of the modesty panel to the areas adjacent the inward edges of the left and right brassiere cups. For example, and as mentioned above,  FIG. 17  shows an embodiment of a modesty panel  1710  that uses buttons  1716 ,  1720 ,  1724 ,  1728 ,  1732 , and  1736  as fasteners, as may be used with a brassiere that included buttonholes. The buttonholes may be arranged adjacent the inward edges of the left and right brassiere cups in a manner similar to the arrangement of the loops  1318 ,  1322 ,  1326 ,  1330 ,  1334 , and  1338  of the brassiere of  FIG. 13 , or of the areas of loop material  1418 ,  1422 ,  1426 ,  1430 ,  1434 , and  1438  of the brassiere of  FIG. 14 . Thus, the modesty panel  1710  includes a set of buttons corresponding to buttonholes adjacent the inward edges  511  and  513  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the left brassiere cup  504  and the right brassiere cup  506 . It is understood that in yet another embodiment, snap fasteners may be used in place of buttons and buttonholes. 
       FIG. 17  also shows that a loop, for example, of thread, string or elastic cord, may be connected with the bottom central portion  1742  to define the attachment area  1750 . The loop  1750  serves to mate with the button  540  (see  FIG. 5 ) just as a buttonhole  1650  (see  FIG. 16 ) would. 
       FIGS. 15-17 , like  FIG. 6 , also show schematically that there may be a variety of modesty panels, distinguished by their level of daring. The first level modesty panel has an upper boundary or edge denoted at  1552  in  FIG. 15 ,  1652  in  FIG. 16 , and  1752  in  FIG. 17 . A middle level or second level modesty panel may have an upper edge  1554 ,  1654 , or  1754 , respectively, and thus may include only the attachment areas below the upper edge, as well as the bottom attachment area  1550 ,  1650 , or  1750 . A very low level modesty panel may have an upper edge  1556 ,  1656 , or  1756 , respectively, and include the attachment areas below the upper edge, as well as the bottom attachment area in the bottom attachment region  1542 ,  1642 , or  1742 , respectively. 
     In the various embodiments as described herein, all of the modesty panels can be removed easily, as explained above. For example, with the first level modesty panel or a second level modesty panel, if a woman wants to go to a casual setting after work, all she has to do is remove the modesty panel from the brassiere and an outer garment can reveal cleavage that was covered. Alternatively, she can replace the modesty panel with a different modesty panel for a different level of modesty or daring. There would be no need to remove the outer garment to remove or replace the modesty panel. Moreover, there is no additional “bulk” from another undergarment that might have been worn to conceal the cleavage. Furthermore, due to its manner of attachment to the brassiere, particularly at the bottom of the modesty panel, it is held securely in place while in use. 
     The instant disclosure is provided to explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the invention principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. While the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described here, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 
     It is understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second, up and down, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. 
     This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the technology rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principle of the described technology and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.