Abstract:
Disclosed is a posture support garment. The posture support garment can be designed to use an elastic tension fabric that provides tension on the left sleeve and right sleeve of the posture support garment. The tension created can pull the back of the left sleeve and the right sleeve inwards towards the middle of the wearer of the posture support garment&#39;s back. This, in turn, can cause the wearer&#39;s shoulders to be pulled back and upwards, thus stretching the wearer&#39;s chest and shoulder muscles while also relieving tension on the wearer&#39;s back and neck muscles. This can help reverse the effects of repetitive poor posture as well as the physical pains associated with poor posture. The elastic tension fabric can be concealed beneath a back panel to the posture support garment which allows the elastic tension fabric to stretch and contract without affecting the appearance of the back panel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/822,522, filed on May 13, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to posture aids and more specifically to an adjustable posture support garment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Poor posture can lead to a variety of bodily pains, including neck and back pain. Poor posture often results in certain muscles tightening up or shortening while others lengthen and become weak. This may be the result of repetitive motion resulting from long work hours. For example, sitting at a desk hunched over can cause the chest and shoulder muscles to remain in a contracted short state causing the muscles to tighten, while at the same time, the back muscles are lengthened and become weak. Extended periods of poor posture can cause the chest and shoulder muscles to get so tight and the back muscles to get so weak that the body begins to naturally position itself with poor posture. 
         [0004]    To correct the effects of repetitive poor posture and the associated neck and back pain, proper posture must be practiced for extended periods of time. While positioning the body to use correct posture may be easy, holding this position at all times may be hard. For example, when working the body will naturally revert to the poor posture position. Thus, without a persistent reminder a person can easily revert back to poor posture without even noticing. 
         [0005]    Common solutions include rigid braces that hold the shoulders in a proper position. While these types of braces can be effective, they often provide the wearer with a reduced range of motion. Further, these types of braces are often bulky, uncomfortable and cumbersome and cannot be worn undetected. Thus, a person may be less likely to wear it at all times. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved posture aid. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein. 
         [0007]    Disclosed is an adjustable posture support garment. The adjustable posture support garment can be designed to use an elastic tension fabric that provides tension to the top portion of the left sleeve and the top portion of the right sleeve of the posture support garment, which pulls the left sleeve and the right sleeve inwards towards the middle of the wearer of the posture support garment&#39;s back. This in turn pulls the wearer&#39;s shoulders back and assists in positioning the shoulders and arms in a position promoting good posture. 
         [0008]    The elastic tension fabric can be attached to the left and right sleeves of the posture support garment directly onto the sleeves and at the front and/or back seam(s) of the left sleeve and the front and/or back seam(s) of the right sleeve, causing the elastic tension fabric to wrap over the wearer&#39;s left and right shoulders at the left and right sleeves and create tension that pulls the wearers shoulders back and towards each other. The tension in the sleeves serves as an aid and reminder for the wearer to position shoulders and arms correctly to support good posture. 
         [0009]    To conceal the elastic tension fabric and thus conceal that the wearer is wearing a posture support garment, the posture support garment can include a back panel that provides a back to the posture support garment and also covers the elastic tension fabric. To allow the elastic tension fabric to move freely without substantially affecting the appearance of the back panel, the back panel and the elastic tension fabric can be independent of each other, meaning that the back panel and elastic tension fabric are not directly attached. Further, the posture support garment can be designed such that the back panel is not attached to the back of the left and right sleeve along the back seam of the left and right sleeve. This can further allow the elastic tension fabric and the right and left sleeve to move independently without the stretching and contracting of the elastic tension fabric directly affecting the shape of the back panel. The appearance of the back panel of therefore remains substantially unaffected by the stretching and contracting of the elastic tension fabric. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the elastic tension fabric can be adjustable to allow the wearer to adjust the tension pulling back the wearer&#39;s shoulders. For example, the elastic tension fabric can be split into a right portion and a left portion and use one of various adjustable connecting methods to connect the two portions. For example, the left and right portion can be connected using a lace, hook and loop, hook and eye, fastener element, snaps, pins, clasps, Velcro®, etc. The length of the elastic tension fabric can be adjusted using the provided connecting method. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure will become apparent by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a posture support garment 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a posture support garment with an adjustable elastic tension fabric; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable elastic tension fabric; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable elastic tension fabric; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of posture support garment designed such that the elastic tension fabric the crosses the wearer&#39;s back as two separate straps; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a posture support garment where the elastic tension fabric connects along the back of the posture support garment to create a unified elastic tension fabric; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A-7C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a posture support garment including a placement element; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a posture support garment including a front fastening element; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a posture support garment where the tension fabric is woven into the posture support garment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         [0022]    The present disclosure addresses the need in the art for an improved posture support garment. Traditional posture braces utilize rigid and bulky straps that physically hold the wearer&#39;s shoulders in a specified position. While effective at holding the shoulders in a proper position, these types of posture braces are not practical for daily use. For example, the rigid and bulky design limits the wearer&#39;s range of motion. This not only affects the wearer&#39;s ability to perform routine tasks, but also brings unwanted attention to the fact that the wearer is wearing a posture brace. In addition to limiting motion, the bulky design cannot be easily hidden and may be difficult to put on and remove, resulting in a user choosing to not wear the posture brace. 
         [0023]    The present disclosure discloses an adjustable posture support garment that can be worn undetected while providing adequate tension to aid in the correction of the wearer&#39;s posture. Additionally, the posture support garment can provide the user with a full range of motion and is simple to put on and remove. To accomplish this, the posture support garment can include an elastic tension fabric connecting the left and right sleeves of the posture support garment wherein the tension created by the elastic tension fabric pulls the left and right sleeve of the posture support garment towards the middle of the wearer&#39;s back, causing the wearer&#39;s shoulders and arms to be pulled into a position promoting good posture. The elastic tension fabric can be hidden beneath a back panel of the posture support garment that provides a back to the posture support garment and conceals the pullback of the sleeves and elastic tension fabric. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a front and back view of an exemplary embodiment of a posture support garment. As shown elastic tension fabric  110  connects to right sleeve  120  at seam  160  illustrated in  FIG. 1B  as a line running from point L to point K. Further elastic tension fabric connects to left sleeve  115  at seam  165  illustrated in  FIG. 1  B as a line running from point I to J. Elastic tension fabric  110  can be positioned beneath left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 , thereby concealing the fact that posture support garment  105  includes elastic tension fabric  110  below left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 . 
         [0025]    As shown, elastic tension fabric  110  runs from seam  160  along the top of the right sleeve  120  to the middle of the posture support garment wearer&#39;s back. Likewise, elastic tension fabric  110  runs from seam  165  along the top of the left sleeve  115  to the middle of the posture support garment wearer&#39;s back. Elastic tension strap  110  creates tension between left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 , thereby pulling a wearer&#39;s shoulders backwards. 
         [0026]    As shown, elastic tension fabric  110  can continue from seam  160  on right sleeve  120  and seam  165  on left sleeve  115  to below the wearer&#39;s armpit on each arm and connect behind the posture support garment wearer&#39;s back. This creates tension between left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120  that pulls the wearer&#39;s shoulders back and upwards. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1A  shows a rear view of the posture support garment. As shown, posture support garment  105  includes elastic tension fabric  110 , which connects to the top 1 to 4 inches of left sleeve  115  to the top 1 to 4 inches of right sleeve  120 . Posture support garment  105  can further include back panel  135  that conceals elastic tension fabric  110 . Elastic tension fabric  110  is thus hidden by back panel  135  and not visible when viewing the back of posture support garment  105 . Areas of posture support garment  105  illustrated in  FIG. 1A  that are concealed by back panel  135  and left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120  are filled with diagonal stripes. 
         [0028]    Elastic tension fabric  110  can additionally be attached to left sleeve  115  at seam  125 , which is illustrated as the line running from point A to point B in  FIG. 1A . Further, elastic tension fabric  110  can additionally be attached to right sleeve  120  at seam  130 , which is illustrated as a line running from point C to point D in  FIG. 1A . Elastic tension fabric  110  can be attached to left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  125  using any of a variety of known methods in the art, such as sewing, stitching, etc. 
         [0029]    Elastic tension fabric  110  can provide tension to left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 , causing left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120  to be pulled back and towards each other. The tension created by elastic tension fabric  110 , combined with tension created by left sleeve  115  and left sleeve  120  on the wearer&#39;s shoulders, causes the wearer&#39;s shoulders to be pulled back, thus elongating the wearer&#39;s chest and shoulder muscles while relieving tension on the wearer&#39;s upper back muscles. Specifically, posture support garment  105  stretches and elongates the wearer&#39;s deltoid, pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles while releasing pressure on the wearer&#39;s supraspinatus, infraspinatus, rhomboids and lattisimus dorsi muscles, thus aiding the wearer to achieve good posture. 
         [0030]    To accomplish this, elastic tension fabric  110  can be made of an elastic material suitable to provide adequate tension to pull back the wearer&#39;s shoulders. For example, in some embodiments, elastic tension fabric  110  can be made of a stretch fabric such as spandex or elastane. Using a stretch fabric such as spandex or elastane can provide adequate tension to properly pull back the wearer&#39;s shoulders, thus encouraging correct posture. Further, the elastic properties of a stretch fabric can also provide the wearer with a full range of motion when necessary. 
         [0031]    The tension created by elastic tension fabric  110  can be variable based on the length of elastic tension fabric  110  and the elasticity of the material used from elastic tension fabric  110 . For example, the shorter the length of elastic tension fabric  110 , the greater the tension on left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 . Likewise, the longer the length of elastic tension fabric  110 , the weaker the tension on left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 . Further, the greater the elasticity of the material used for elastic tension fabric  110 , the weaker the tension on left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 . Likewise, the lower the elasticity of the material used for elastic tension fabric  110 , the greater the tension of left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the length of elastic tension fabric  110  can be directly proportional to the elasticity of the material used to create elastic tension fabric  110 . For example, the length of elastic tension fabric  110  can be shorter when the material used is highly elastic, thus resulting in adequate force on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. Likewise, to create adequate force of the wearer&#39;s shoulders, the length of elastic tension fabric  110  can be longer when the material used has low elasticity. 
         [0033]    To conceal elastic tension fabric  110 , in some embodiments, posture support garment  105  can include back panel  135  that covers the wearer&#39;s back and is placed over elastic tension fabric  110 . Thus, back panel  135  can conceal the entirety of elastic tension fabric  110 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, back panel  135  can be independent of elastic tension fabric  110 . In this type of embodiment, elastic tension fabric  110  is only attached at front seams  160  and  165  illustrated in  FIG. 1B  as well as along part of the top portion of the sleeve  115  between points J to E and the top portion of sleeve  120  between points L to F. Although, in the above described embodiment, back seam  125  of left sleeve  115  and back seam  130  of right sleeve  120  are not attached to elastic tension fabric  110 , this does not mean that elastic tension fabric cannot be attached to these seams in other embodiments. In some embodiments, elastic tension fabric  110  can be thinner than the length of seam  125  and seam  130 , and thus a portion of both seam  125  and seam  130  can be attached to back panel  135  and not attached to elastic tension fabric  110 . 
         [0035]    Back panel  135  can be attached to front panel  170  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) of posture support garment  105  at seam  140  running from point B to point G, seam  145  running from point C to point H, seam  125  running from point B to A, seam  130  running from point C to D, seam  150  running from point A to point M and seam  155  running from point D to point N. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1B  shows a front view of posture support garment  105 . As shown, posture support garment  105  can include front panel  170 . Front panel  170  can be attached to back panel  135  (shown in  FIG. 1A ) at seams  140 ,  145 ,  150  and  155 . Further, front panel  170  can be connected to left sleeve  115  at seam  165  running from point I to point J, and right sleeve  120  at seam  160  running from point K to point L. 
         [0037]    Returning to the discussion of  FIG. 1A , in some embodiments, the force created by posture support garment  105  to pull back a wearer&#39;s shoulders can be set based on the length of elastic tension fabric  110 . For example, the shorter elastic tension fabric  110  is, the greater the force created on left sleeve  115  and right sleeve  120 . In some embodiments, elastic tension fabric  110  can be a set length such that it cannot be adjusted. 
         [0038]    Alternatively, in some embodiments, the length of elastic tension fabric  110  can be adjusted. Thus, a wearer can shorten elastic tension fabric  110  to create greater force pulling back the wearer&#39;s shoulders.  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable elastic tension fabric. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , elastic tension fabric  205  can include lace  205  to adjust the length of elastic tension fabric  205 . Elastic tension fabric  205  can include left portion  215  and right portion  220 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , left portion  215  can be attached to left sleeve  225  at seam  235  and right portion  220  can be attached to right sleeve  230  at seam  240 . Further, left portion  215  and right portion  220  can include lace holes  245 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 2C , lace holes  245  can be big enough to allow lace  210  to be strung through lace holes  245 . Opposite ends of lace  210  can be tied together to maintain a desired length of elastic tension fabric  205 . Thus, the length of elastic tension fabric  205  can be adjusted by loosening or tightening lace  210  through lace holes  245  to create a smaller or larger distance between left portion  215  and right portion  220 . Opposite ends of lace  210  can be tied together in a knot to maintain the selected length of elastic tension fabric  205 . 
         [0042]    Although only two columns of lace holes  245  are shown per left portion  215  and right portion  220 , this is only one embodiment and is not meant to be limiting. One skilled in the art would recognize that right portion  215  and left portion  220  of elastic tension fabric  205  can each include any number of columns of lace holes  245 , and this disclose recognizes all such embodiments. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable elastic tension fabric. As shown, elastic tension fabric  305 , includes left portion  310  and right portion  315 . As shown, right portion  315  can include multiple columns of eyes  340 . Eyes  340  can be connected to left portion  310  so that at least one side of each of eyes  340  can be lifted from left portion  310 . Right portion  315  can include hooks  345  that can be used to fasten to eyes  340  and thus connect left portion  310  to right portion  315 . The length of elastic strap  305  can be adjusted by changing the column of eyes  340  to which hooks  345  are fastened. In some embodiments, hooks  345  can be S hooks. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable elastic tension fabric. As shown elastic strap  405  includes left portion  410  and right portion  415 . As shown left portion  405  includes fastener element  440  and right portion  405  includes fastener element  445 . Fastener element  440  and  445  can be a hook and loop type fastener such as Velcro®. As shown, fastener element  445  can be on the back side of right strap such that fastener element  445  can be connected to fastener element  440  by overlapping left portion and right portion. The length of elastic tension fabric  405  can thus be adjusted by changing the position at which left portion and right portion are connected by fastener element  440  and fastener element  445 . 
         [0045]    The examples used in  FIGS. 2-4  are just some possible embodiments of an adjustable elastic tension fabric. One skilled in the art would recognize that an elastic tension fabric can be adjusted using any of a variety of known techniques in the art, including but not limited to snaps, pins, clasps, etc. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shown an embodiment of posture support garment  105  designed so that elastic tension fabric  110  crosses the wearer&#39;s back as two separate straps.  FIG. 6 , in contrast, illustrates an embodiment of posture support garment  105  where elastic tension fabric  110  connect along the back of the posture support garment to create a unified elastic tension fabric. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a posture support including a placement element. As shown in  FIG. 7A , posture support garment  505  can include elastic tension fabric  510 . Further, posture support garment  505  can include back panel  535  that conceals elastic tension fabric  510 . Posture support garment  505  can also include placement element  540 . Placement element  540  can be attached to elastic tension fabric  510  at seam  545  running from point A to point B. Placement element  540  can be concealed by back panel  535 . Further, placement element  540  can be independent of back panel  535 , such that placement element  540  is not directly attached to back panel  535  at any point. In some embodiments, placement element  540  and elastic tension fabric  510  can be a single piece rather than two pieces attached at seam  545 . 
         [0048]    As shown, placement element  540  can hang from elastic tension fabric  510  down to near the bottom of back panel  535 . A wearer of posture support garment  505  can thus use their hand to grab and pull placement element  540  to adjust the placement of elastic tension fabric  510  on the wearer&#39;s back. For example, if elastic tension fabric  510  begins to move upward along the wearer&#39;s back, the wearer can pull downward on placement element  510  to adjust elastic tension fabric  510  downwards along the wearer&#39;s back. 
         [0049]    The length of placement element  540  can be variable, although it is preferable that placement element  540  be long enough to allow a wearer to easily grab placement element  540 , while also being short enough to remain concealed beneath back panel  535 . Placement element  540  can be made of any material known in the art. For example, placement element  540  can be made of cotton, polyester, etc. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7B  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of posture support garment  505  including a placement element to keep elastic tension fabric  510  in a proper or desired position. As shown, posture support garment  505  includes placement element  550  that is much wider than placement element  540  shown in  FIG. 5A . In this embodiment, placement element  550  is attached to elastic tension fabric  510  at seam  555  running from point C to point D, and is concealed by back panel  535 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, elastic tension fabric  510  and placement element  550  can be a single piece of elasticized fabric rather than two pieces of fabric attached at seam  555 . 
         [0051]    Placement element  550  can keep elastic tension fabric  510  in the proper position by being attached to posture support garment  505  which anchors elastic tension fabric  510  in the desired or proper positions. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , placement element  550  can be connected to posture support garment  505  at seam  560  running from point C to point E or just a portion of seam  560 , and seam  565  running from point D to point F or just a portion of seam  565 . Thus, placement element  545  can anchor elastic tension fabric  510  in the correct position while still allowing elastic tension fabric  510  to move freely beneath back panel  535 . 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, posture support garment  505  can include body strap  570  to further maintain the position of elastic tension fabric  510 . Body strap  570  can be attached to placement element  545  along at least a portion of seams  560  and  565 . The wearer can position their body between body strap  570  and placement element  545  to add additional support to keep elastic tension fabric  510  in proper placement. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a front view of posture support garment  505  including body strap  570 . As shown posture support garment  505  includes front panel  575  attached to back panel  535 . Body strap  570  can be attached to posture support garment  505  at a portion of seam  565  running from point H to point I, and a portion of seam  560  running from point J to point K. Further, body strap  570  can be concealed beneath front panel  570 . In some embodiments, body strap  570  and front panel  570  are not attached at any point other than at seams  565  and  560 . A wearer can place body strap  570  in front of their body when wearing posture support garment  505 , while elastic tension fabric  510  and placement element  550  are positioned behind the wearer&#39;s body. Body strap  570  can thus create tension to further hold elastic tension fabric  510  and placement element  550  in the correct or desired position. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, body strap  570  can be made of an elastic material to create tension around the wearer&#39;s body. For example, body strap  570  can be made of a stretch fabric such as spandex or elastane. In some embodiments, body strap  570  can be adjustable. For example, body strap  570  can be designed to incorporate the adjustable features illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4  to adjust the elastic tension fabric. Thus, in some embodiments, body strap  570  can incorporate a lace, hook and loop, fastener element, snaps, pins, clasps, etc., to adjust the length of body strap  570 . 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the posture support garment can be designed to include a front fastening element that can be used to adjust the tension created on the wearer&#39;s left and right shoulders. For example, the posture support garment can be a garment such as a jacket, coat or cardigan that can be opened a closed in the front using a front fastening element such as a button, snap, etc. The wearer can thus adjust the strength of force pulling back the wearer shoulders by opening and/or closing the front of the posture support garment using the front fastening element. For example, to decrease the force pulling back the wearer&#39;s shoulders, the wearer can close the front of the posture support garment using either a rigid or an adjustable fastening element. Alternatively, to increase the force pulling the back the wearer&#39;s shoulders, the wearer can open the front of the posture support garment using the front fastening element. Further, closing the front of the posture support garment also functions as an anchor by creating tension that encourages the elastic tension fabric to remain in place. 
         [0000]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a posture support garment including a front fastening element. A front view of posture support garment  605  is illustrated. As shown, front panel  610  is split into left portion  615  and right portion  620 . In some embodiments, left portion  615  and right portion  620  can be connected using a front fastening element. As shown, left element includes front fastening element  625  and right portion  630  includes front fastening element  630  Fastening. Front panel  610  of posture support garment  605  can be closed by connecting left portion  615  to right portion  630  using front fastening element  630 . 
         [0056]    Front fastening elements  625  and  630  can be any type of fastener known in the art. For example, in some embodiments, front fastening element  625  can be a button and front fastening element  630  can be a button hole designed to receive the button. Alternatively, fastening element  625  and fastening element  630  can be a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®, or fastening element  625  and fastening element  630  could be a zipper. Although, Velcro®, a zipper and a button are used as examples, this is not meant to be limiting. One skilled in the art would recognize that front fastening elements  625  and  630  can be any of a variety of fasteners known in the art. 
         [0057]    Further, in some embodiments, posture support garment  605  can include more front fastening elements than illustrated in  FIG. 8 . For example, multiple rows and columns of front fastening elements can be included in either or both of left portion  615  and right portion  620  of front panel  610 . Thus a wearer could adjust the front panel  610  to adjust the strength of the force on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. For example, a wearer can adjust the width of front panel  610  by adjusting the point at which left panel  615  to left panel  620  are connected. By adjusting the width of front panel  610 , the wearer can create more or less tension on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. For example, the shorter the width front panel  610  is adjusted to using front fastening elements  625  and  620 , the less the force created on the wearer&#39;s shoulders to pull back the wearer&#39;s shoulder and promote good posture. Alternatively, the wearer can adjust the width of front panel  610  to make it wider, and thus increase the force on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a posture support garment.  FIG. 9A  illustrates a back view of posture support garment  705 . As shown, elastic tension fabric  710  of posture support garment  705 , is one continuous piece of material that forms the sleeves and back of posture support garment  705 . In this embodiment, posture support garment  705  does not include a back panel to conceal elastic tension fabric  710 . Rather, concealing the fact that the wearer of posture support garment  705  is wearing a posture support brace is accomplished by designing elastic tension fabric  705  to appear as the back panel of posture support garment  705 . Thus elastic tension fabric  710  appears to just be the back panel of a garment rather than a brace providing tension to the wearers shoulder to pull the shoulders back and towards each other. To provide adequate force to the wearer&#39;s shoulders to aid in correcting posture, elastic tension support fabric  710  can be can be made of a stretch fabric such as spandex or elastane. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a front view of posture support garment  705 . As shown, posture support garment  705  can include front panel  715  attached to elastic tension fabric  710 . Front panel  715  can be attached to elastic tension fabric  710  at seam  720  running from point A to point B, seam  725  running from point C to point D, seam  735  running from point D to point F, and seam  730  running from point A to point E. Although front panel  715  is illustrated as a continuous panel, this is just one embodiment and is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, front panel  715  can consist of a left portion and a right portion that can be attached using an attaching element included on the left portion and the right portion. 
         [0060]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         [0061]    Although the posture support garment has been illustrated as a shirt or jacket throughout this disclosure, this is not meant to be limiting. One skilled in the art would recognize that the posture support garment can be any of a variety of garments, including a shirt, jacket, coat, sweater, blouse, button up shirt, dress, etc.