Abstract:
A convertible garment may be provided. This convertible garment may be a two-piece “bikini style” bathing suit or bra and panty set which may be convertible to a “baby-doll” bathing suit or bra and panty set, providing abdominal coverage. This may be accomplished through the provision of a removable midriff apron which attaches to the top of the bikini style swim suit or bra providing partial or circumferential coverage of the midriff (abdomen and/or back) during pregnancy or otherwise when desired.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Early swimwear, particularly for women, covered up a considerable portion of the body. Swimwear has since evolved to the tight fitting one piece bathing suits and then to the two piece bathing suit. From there swimwear has developed to include the bikini with some of the very small ones being referred to as mini or micro bikinis. This same trend has occurred in the private sector, behind the closed doors of couples&#39; bedrooms, in an attempt to maintain the intimacy between women and their significant others. Corsets have given way to bras and panties, which have given way to thongs and other forms of lingerie 
         [0002]    These latter types of swimwear and lingerie may be fine for many women to wear when swimming, sunbathing or enticing their significant other but are not always suitable for the pregnant woman, the self-conscious woman, the woman struggling with weight control issues or the woman with scars related to midline incisions due to Caesarean Section births, hysterectomies, and the like. 
         [0003]    To not show their baby bumps, scars, insecurities or imperfections in public, is a difficult chore for this subset of women, most of whom forgo certain activities or don a typical, traditional “one-piece” suit. Some opt for a two piece bathing suit, which can be folded down when in private. These options may not be great alternatives for the women who find the bikini style garment more comfortable or wish to have a genuine bikini suntan. Additionally, it may not be practical to have separate garments when a desire for such covering is only temporary. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one exemplary embodiment, a convertible garment may be disclosed. The convertible garment may include a top portion, a midriff portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion and the midriff portion may include at least one fastener. The at least one fastener may allow the midriff portion to be removably attached to the top portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]    Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a second exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of a second exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a third exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of a third exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  shows a second exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  shows a third exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
         [0018]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0019]    Referring to the figures generally, a convertible garment  100  may be provided. It may be recognized by a person having ordinary skill in the art that convertible garment  100  may be a bathing suit, lingerie, or similar two piece garment. An exemplary embodiment of garment  100  may have a top portion  120 , a bottom portion  140 , and a midriff portion  160 . 
         [0020]    An exemplary embodiment of top portion  120  may have similar components to a typical bra or bikini top. This may include breast cups  122 , a back strap, and optionally neck straps or shoulder straps  126 . A plurality of fasteners  130  configured to secure a midriff portion  160  may be installed on top portion  120 . Fasteners  130  may be oriented along a top edge of breast cups  122  and back strap so as to cover top portion  120 . Alternatively, fasteners  130  may be oriented proximate the middle or a lower edge  128  of the top portion  120 . Fasteners  130  may be disposed along an interior of a lower edge  128  of top portion  120  such that fasteners  130  are not visible when midriff portion  160  is not attached. In some embodiments, the fasteners  130  may extend all the way around the top portion  120  of a convertible garment  100 . In alternative embodiments, fasteners  130  may extend only partly around the circumference of top portion  120 . For example, fasteners  130  may only extend along a front of top portion  120 . In yet further embodiments, fasteners  130  may be intermittently configured. For example, fasteners  130  may extend only along a lower edge of breast cups  122 , or along a lower edge of breast cups  122  and at least one point along a back strap. Fasteners  130  may be positioned around top portion  120  in a variety of configurations so as to create various aesthetic affects. Exemplary fasteners  130  may include snaps, hooks, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, zippers, magnets, ribbons, ties, or other fasteners as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments utilizing hook and loop type fasteners, fasteners  130  may include hook material, loop material, or any combination thereof. 
         [0021]    Midriff portion  160  may also be shaped and sized in a variety of configurations so as to cover different portions of a wearer&#39;s body or to create desired aesthetic effects. The various configurations may be intended for different applications. For example, a midriff portion  160  may be configured for maternity applications or non-maternity applications. In maternity applications, midriff portion  160  may be configured and sized appropriately to accommodate a wearer&#39;s pregnant mid-section. Alternatively, in non-maternity applications, midriff portion  160  may be configured and sized to accommodate a wearer&#39;s non-pregnant mid-section. In various exemplary embodiments, midriff portion  160  may cover only a portion of the circumference of a wearer&#39;s body. Also, midriff portion  160  may only cover a front portion of a wearer&#39;s midriff, leaving an open back. Midriff portion  160  alternatively may be a complete cylindrical shape. Midriff portion  160  may also be loose fitting in some embodiments or tight fitting in others. Midriff portion  160  may be joined to top portion  120  such that an overlap of the midriff fabric is created. Alternatively, midriff portion  160  and top portion  120  may be joined such that an overlap is not formed. In some exemplary embodiments and as shown in the exemplary figures, midriff portion  160   b  may be longer, so as to cover bottom portion  140 . In other embodiments, midriff portion  160   c  may even extend to approximately the feet of the wearer, similar to a gown or dress (shown as  160   c  in exemplary  FIG. 1 ). Midriff portions  160  may be interchangeable with a variety of tops and bottoms. For example a wearer may mix and match colors or styles of convertible garment  100  components. 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment, bottom portion  140  may include leg openings  142  and a body opening  144 . Top portion  120 , bottom portion  140  and midriff portion  160  may be worn together or in any desired combination. It may be realized by a person having ordinary skill in the art that to wear a midriff portion  160  may require the wearing of at least a top portion having compatible fasteners. An exemplary midriff portion  160  may include counterpart fasteners  132  to the fasteners  130  installed on top portion  120 . The midriff portion  160  may include an upper edge  168  which may have a plurality of securing fasteners  132  configured to secure to fasteners  130  on the top portion of a convertible garment  100 . In one exemplary embodiment, fasteners  132  may be negatively charged magnetic fasteners  132  which are spaced to attach to positively charged magnetic fasteners  130  on an interior of lower edge  128  of top portion  120 . Exemplary fasteners  132  may include counter parts to exemplary fasteners  130 , including snaps, hooks, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, zippers, magnets, ribbons, ties, or other fasteners as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments utilizing hook and loop type fasteners, fasteners  132  may include hook material, loop material, or any combination thereof. 
         [0023]    Convertible garment  100  may further include extensions of fabric or other material to separate fasteners from a wearer&#39;s skin. Similarly, fabric or other materials may be used to hide fasteners from sight. In the case of magnetic fasteners, the fasteners may be fully enclosed between layers of fabric. In yet further embodiments, fasteners themselves may be decoratively configured, as opposed to purely functional embodiments. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, bottom portion  140  may include fasteners for interacting with midriff portion  160 . The connection of fasteners on bottom portion  140  with fasteners on midriff portion  160  may be used to give an impression of a one-piece bathing suit type garment, or may be used to tie off or secure midriff portion in a desired orientation. For example, the fasteners may retain midriff portion  160  close to a wearer&#39;s body along a waistline. 
         [0025]    To use the an exemplary embodiment of a convertible bathing suit  100 , the wearer thereof may put on top portion  120 , with or without midriff  160  attached, and bottom portion  140  in a typical manner of putting on lingerie, a bathing suit or bikini. For clarity of this disclosure, when the midriff portion is attached, the convertible garment  100  may be referred to as being in the “baby doll” configuration, whereas when it is not attached it may be referred to as being in the “bikini” configuration. The wearer may swim, sunbathe, and engage in the other normal activities with the garment in either the “baby doll” type or bikini type configuration, as seen fit. Whenever it is desired to shield or conceal the midriff/abdomen, the wearer may simply take the midriff portion  160  and secure the fasteners  132  thereof to the fasteners  130  of the top portion  120 . The wearer may then engage in any desired activities where there is a concern for midriff/abdominal exposure. Once the need for the midriff portion  160  has passed, the user thereof may simply unsecure the same from the top portion  120  and return to wearing a bikini. From the above it may be seen that the convertible garment is readily convertible from a bikini to a “baby doll” configuration and back to a bikini. 
         [0026]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0027]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.