Abstract:
A multi-function clothing accessory comprising an elongated generally oval-shaped panel having a peripheral ruffled edge, wherein tubular wristlets are formed inbound of the ends of the panel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/574,715, filed Aug. 8, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to clothing apparel, and in particular to a multi-function clothing accessory that can be adapted for use as a headscarf, a neck scarf or stole, a waist or hip belt, a sarong, a peplum or a peplum dress, a shawl and a jacket. 
     Various clothing accessories such as scarves, shawls, belts, sarongs, etc. exist. Consider, for example, scarves. Scarves usually are made from a single piece of textile having a square, rectangular or triangular configuration. Scarves generally are made from a wide assortment of materials and are worn in a wide variety of styles including as conventional neck scarves, head wraps, head bows, shoulder wraps and shawls or stoles. However, conventional scarves have limitations, and cannot be used, for example, as a jacket or belt. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a clothing accessory item that can be used not only as a jacket, but also a headscarf, a neck scarf or stole, a belt, a sarong, a peplum or a peplum dress and a shawl. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a multi-purpose clothing accessory comprising an elongated generally oval-shaped panel having a peripheral ruffled edge. Tubular wristlets are formed inboard at the ends of the panel. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the panel comprises a single piece of fabric. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the ruffle is stitched to the panel. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the ruffle is adhesively fixed to the panel. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the multi-purpose clothing accessory is used as a headscarf. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the multi-purpose clothing accessory is used as a neck scarf. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, the multi-purpose clothing accessory is used as a shawl or stole. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, the multi-purpose clothing accessory is used as a waist or hip belt. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, the multi-purpose clothing accessory is used as a sarong. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, the multi-purpose clothing accessory is used as a peplum or a peplum dress. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, multi-purpose clothing accessory is used as a jacket. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, the panel has a length-to-width aspect ratio of about 2.0 to about 4.0. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, the panel has a length-to-width aspect ratio of about 2.2 to about 3.6. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present invention will be seen from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein 
         FIG. 1   a  is a top-plan view of a clothing accessory in accordance with my invention; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a bottom-plan view thereof; 
         FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  illustrate the use of the clothing accessory as a scarf; 
         FIGS. 3 to 12  illustrate the use of the accessory as a belt around the waist, as a hip belt, as a peplum or a peplum dress, as a head covering scarf combination, as a sarong, as a jacket and as a wrap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show a clothing accessory  10  in accordance with the present invention. The clothing accessory comprises an elongated panel  12  having a generally oval shape. Panel  12  preferably comprises a single piece of fabric. A peripheral ruffle  14  is affixed to the panel  12 . The opposite ends  16 ,  18  of the panel are gathered and stitched together inboard of the ends, i.e., at  18  and  20 , respectively, to form stylized wristlets with the top longer than the bottom of the wrist or equal top and bottom or the arm length shorter or longer. The clothing accessory preferably is made in two sizes—a small size and a larger size for taller or wider individuals. On the larger size the widest part on panel  12  is approximately 1 to 2 inches wider. The clothing accessory also may be made in three or more sizes, or as a single, unisize product. 
     Preferably, panel  12  has a length-to-width aspect ratio of about 2.0 to 4.0, preferably about 2.2 to 3.6. 
     By way of example, but not limitation, details of construction of an accessory in accordance with the present invention are provided as follows. 
     In one embodiment the accessory  10  has an overall length of about 58 inches from end-to-end, and a maximum width, at its center, of approximately 16 inches. The ruffle  14  is approximately 4 inches wide and preferably is stitched to the panel  12 . However, for some applications, ruffle  14  could be affixed to panel  12  using an adhesive. 
     The accessory  10  preferably is slightly tapered to form an oval shape. In one preferred embodiment, the panel  12  tapers from approximately  16  inches at its widest, and begins to taper at about one-quarter the way from the ends or about five inches from the ends, tapering easily down to 10 and then finally from 4 inches to 2 inches. The ends  16  and  18  of the accessory are gathered and fixed together, e.g. by sewing, snaps, buttons, etc., at approximately 4 to 8 inches from the ends to form wristlets. 
     In another embodiment, the panel  12  is about 28 inches across, and measures about 62 inches in length. As before, a ruffled piece is affixed to the periphery of the panel  12 . The ruffle preferably is about 4 inches wide. However, the ruffles may be as little as about 1-2 inches wide, and may be 5 or 6 or more inches wide. In this latter embodiment, the wristlets may be formed at about 6-10 inches from the ends. On the larger size the ruffles preferably remain the same proportions as the small size and the same width. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention will be seen by reference to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  and  3  to  10  which illustrate various uses of the invention as follows: 
     Folded in half with a straight edge at the front of the head,  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  illustrate three ways to wear the accessory as a scarf. 
     Folded in half, the accessory becomes a ruffled belt which may be tied either at the front, side or back of the user.  FIG. 3  illustrates use of the accessory as a belt worn at the waist. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates use of the accessory as another form of waist belt  20  or as a hip belt  22 . 
       FIG. 5  shows use of the accessory as another form of hip belt  24 , or folded in half, the accessory becomes a peplum or a peplum dress  26 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show other uses of the accessory as a peplum or a peplum dress. 
     Folded in a variety of other ways, the accessory becomes a neck scarf, or a collar.  FIG. 8  shows use of the accessory as a head covering scarf. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show use of the accessory as a sarong, which may be made longer or shorter by folding the accessory in the middle or only one-third of the way from the middle; 
     Used unfolded, the accessory may be used as a jacket.  FIG. 11  shows use of the accessory as a jacket in which the wearer places her hands through the wristlets. 
     Alternatively, used unfolded, the accessory may be used as a wrap.  FIG. 12  shows use of the accessory as a wrap. 
     It is thus seen there is provided a novel and useful multi-use clothing accessory. The accessory can be used as a neck scarf and tied in multiple ways. The accessory also may be used as a peplum or a peplum dress either as is or folded. The accessory also may be used as a waist belt or a hip belt. The accessory also may be used as a head covering or as a sarong or as a jacket or as a shawl. 
     Various changes may be made in the foregoing invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.