Patent Publication Number: US-2020297038-A1

Title: Collar construction for an upper-body garment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application having attorney docket number 339478/190014US02 and entitled “Collar Construction for an Upper-Body Garment,” claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/821,643, entitled “Collar Construction for an Upper-Body Garment,” and filed Mar.  21 ,  2019 . The entirety of the aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects herein are directed to a collar construction for an upper-body garment that facilitates easy donning and doffing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditional crew-neck collar constructions comprise a single, annular piece of material that is affixed to a neck opening of an upper-body garment. Such constructions may cause difficulty when donning and doffing the upper-body garment by having limited stretch. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a first example upper-body garment having a first collar configuration in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of the first example upper-body garment of  FIG. 1  in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a front, close-up view of the first collar configuration of the first example upper-body garment of  FIG. 1  in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along cut line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A  in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a view of a back collar panel of the first collar configuration in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a view of a front collar panel of the first collar configuration in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of a second example upper-body garment having a second collar configuration in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a front, close-up view of the second collar configuration of the second example upper-body garment of  FIG. 6  in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along cut line  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 7A  in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a view of a back collar panel of the second collar configuration in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a view of a first front collar panel of the second collar configuration in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a view of a second front collar panel of the second collar configuration in accordance with aspects herein; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a wearer donning the first example upper-body garment of  FIG. 1  in accordance with aspects herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated. 
     At a high level, aspects herein are directed to example collar constructions that facilitate easy donning and doffing of, for instance, an upper-body garment incorporating the collar construction. Instead of, for example, a traditional crew-neck collar construction that comprises a single, annular piece of material that is affixed to a neck opening of an upper-body garment, the current aspect utilizes two or more collar panels, such as a front collar panel and a back collar panel, that are joined to a neck opening of an upper-body garment such that the terminal ends of the respective collar panels overlap at the opposing sides of the neck opening. Additionally, in the areas where the terminal ends of the front and back collar panels overlap, the terminal ends are not joined or affixed to each other so that they can move independently of each other in response to, for instance, tensioning forces allowing for a greater degree of stretch as compared to traditional annular constructions. For instance, a traditional male annular crew-neck construction may measure about 22 cm from a first side to a second side of the neck opening in a resting state and may expand to, for instance, about 30 to 31 cm when stretched. Aspects herein contemplate that the collar construction described herein may measure about 22 cm from a first side to a second side of the neck opening in a resting state and may expand to, for instance, about 40 cm when stretched. Thus, when a wearer dons or doffs an upper-body garment having the example collar construction, the wearer may more easily pull the collar over her head. This may be especially helpful for wearers with physical disabilities who may struggle with donning and doffing upper-body garments. 
     In one example collar construction, which may conform to a crew-neck type collar, a front collar panel and a back collar panel are used to form the collar construction. The front collar panel has a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end. The inferior edge of the front collar panel is affixed to a front side of a neck opening of an upper-body garment. The back collar panel also has a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end. The inferior edge of the back collar panel is affixed to a back side of the neck opening. The first terminal end of the front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the first terminal end of the back collar panel at a first lateral side of the neck opening, and the second terminal end of the front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end of the back collar panel at a second lateral side of the neck opening. The terminal ends of the respective front and back collar panels are detached from each other in the areas in which they overlap. 
     In a second example collar construction, which may conform to a V-neck type collar, a first front collar panel, a second front collar panel, and a back collar panel are used to form the collar construction. Each of the first front collar panel and the second front collar panel have a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end. The inferior edge of the first front collar panel is affixed to a first front side of a neck opening of an upper-body garment, and the inferior edge of the second front collar panel is affixed to a second front side of the neck opening. The inferior edge of the back collar panel is affixed to a back side of the neck opening. The first terminal end of the first front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the first terminal end of the back collar panel at a first lateral side of the neck opening, and the first terminal end of the second front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end of the back collar panel at a second lateral side of the neck opening. The terminal ends of the respective collar panels are detached from each other in the areas in which they overlap. As described above, constructing the collars as described provides a greater degree of stretch at least at the lateral sides of the collar construction which facilitates easy donning and doffing. Moreover, the use of the collar constructions as described provides for a different and desired aesthetic than, for instance, garments having a boat-neck type construction that do not utilize collar panels. 
     In example aspects, the collar panels described above may be formed from a material having two-way stretch or four-way stretch. For instance, the collar panels may be formed of a knit material having a ribbed knit structure where the longitudinal axes of the ribs are oriented generally perpendicular to the inferior edges of the respective collar panels. This orientation, as opposed to having the ribs oriented generally horizontal or parallel to the inferior edges of the collar panels, allows for an enhanced degree of stretching in the lateral or width-wise direction when the collar panels are incorporated into the upper-body garment. In example aspects, the material used to form the collar panels may have a greater stretch characteristic (i.e., more stretch) than, for instance, a material used to form the upper-body garment. As an example, the material used to form the upper-body garment may comprise a knit material without ribbed knit structures, a woven material, a non-woven material, and the like. This may be advantageous in aspects where enhanced stretch is not necessarily needed in the upper-body garment (e.g., cold-weather, woven outerwear garments), but the upper-body garment must still be donned and doffed by pulling the neck opening of the upper-body garment over the wearer&#39;s head. 
     To further facilitate donning and doffing the upper-body garment, the back collar panel may be shaped or formed so that a center portion of the inferior edge extends inferiorly a greater distance than a first side portion and a second side portion of the inferior edge resulting in a “V-shape” of the back collar panel along its inferior edge. This provides a greater amount of high stretch material at the back of the collar which further assists, for example, the donning of the upper-body garment especially as the collar is pulled over the top and posterior part of the wearer&#39;s head. 
     As used herein, positional terms such as “medial,” “lateral,” “front,” “back,” “superior,” “inferior,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “side,” and the like are with respect to an upper-body garment having the collar constructions described herein being worn as intended and as shown and described herein by a wearer standing in anatomical position. For example, the term “front” when describing a garment having the collar construction described herein may mean that the front of the garment and/or collar is configured to cover a front torso area and/or a front neck area respectively of a wearer. Similarly, the term “back” may mean that the back of the garment and/or collar is configured to cover a back torso area and/or a back neck area respectively of a wearer. The term “side” may mean that the garment and/or collar is configured to cover a side torso area and/or side neck area respectively. With respect to the terms “medial” and “lateral,” the term “medial” means positioned near the median plane of the upper-body garment and/or a wearer wearing the upper-body garment, and the term “lateral” means positioned toward the sides of the garment and/or a wearer wearing the garment. Thus, a structure that is positioned medial to another structure would be positioned closer to the median plane of the upper-body garment and/or a wearer wearing the upper-body garment. A structure that is positioned lateral to another structure would be positioned closer to the sides of the upper-body garment and/or a wearer wearing the upper-body garment. The term “inner-facing surface means a surface that is positioned closer to a body surface of a wearer when the upper-body garment is worn, and the term “outer-facing surface” means a surface that is positioned opposite the inner-facing surface and is positioned to face in a direction toward an external environment of the upper-body garment. 
     The term “terminal end” as used herein with respect to the collar panels means the opposing ends of the collar panel pieces when they are incorporated into an upper-body garment. In one example aspect, the terminal ends may be formed by the intersection of the superior edge and the inferior edge of the respective panels. The term “terminal end” is not necessarily meant to convey the outermost edge of the end of the collar panel, but, instead, the area adjacent to the outermost edge of the end of the collar panel (i.e., within about ±1 cm to about 5 cm medial to the outermost edge of the end of the collar panel). As used herein, the term “about” means within ±5% of a designated value. 
     With respect to the term “overlapping relationship” when referring to the terminal ends of the front and back collar panels, this means that a textile surface of, for instance, a first terminal end of a front collar panel is positioned adjacent to a textile surface of the first terminal end of the back collar panel. The term “overlapping relationship” may mean that the two textile surfaces are in physical contact with each other (i.e., are touching each other but are not attached to each other) but may also mean that the two textile surfaces are in close proximity to each other but not necessarily in physical contact. 
     Unless otherwise noted, all measurements provided herein are measured at standard ambient temperature and pressure (25 degrees Celsius or 298.15 K and 1 bar) when the upper-body garment and/or the collar is in a resting, non-tensioned state. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , front and back views respectively of an example upper-body garment  100  are provided in accordance with aspects herein. The upper-body garment  100  comprises a front portion  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a back portion  112  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that together define a neck opening  114  and a waist opening  116 . In example aspects, the neck opening  114  can be divided into general regions or sides. For example, the neck opening  114  may comprise a front side, a back side, a first side, and a second side where the front side is generally located on an anterior aspect of the upper-body garment  100 , the back side is generally located on a posterior aspect of the upper-body garment  100 , the first side is generally located at the lateral extent of a right side of the neck opening  114 , and the second side is generally located at the lateral extent of a left side of the neck opening  114 . The denoting of different sides or regions of the neck opening  114  are not meant to indicate rigid demarcation lines. For instance, when describing the front collar panel as being affixed to a front side of the neck opening  114 , it is contemplated herein that the terminal ends of the front collar panel may extend slightly on to the back portion  112  of the upper-body garment  100 . Similarly, when describing the back collar panel as being affixed to a back side of the neck opening  114 , it is contemplated herein that the terminal ends of the back collar panel may extend slightly on to the front portion  110  of the upper-body garment  100 . When describing the terminal ends of the front and back collar panels, it is contemplated herein that the terminal ends may extend slightly on to the front portion  110  and/or the back portion  112  of the upper-body garment  100 . 
     The front portion  110  and the back portion  112  may further define a first sleeve opening  118  and a second sleeve opening  120  from which an optional first sleeve  122  and second sleeve  124  respectively may extend. Although shown as a long-sleeve upper-body garment, it is contemplated herein that the upper-body garment  100  may comprise a sleeveless construction, may comprise half-sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, quarter sleeves, cap sleeves, and the like. 
     In example aspects, the front portion  110  and the back portion  112  may comprise two separate panels of material that are joined together (i.e., seamed together) at a first side seam  126  and a second side seam  128  where the first and second side seams  126  and  128  are positioned on opposing lateral sides of the upper-body garment  100 . To describe it differently, the first and second side seams  126  and  128  may extend from an inferior margin of the first and second sleeve openings  118  and  120  respectively to the waist opening  116 . The front portion  110  and the back portion  112  may also be joined together (i.e., seamed together) at a first shoulder seam  130  and a second shoulder seam  132  where the first and second shoulder seams  130  and  132  are positioned on opposing sides of the neck opening  114 . To describe it differently, the first and second shoulder seams  130  and  132  may extend from opposing lateral margins of the neck opening  114  to a superior margin of the first and second sleeve openings  118  and  120  respectively. It is also contemplated herein that the front portion  110  and the back portion  112  may comprise a single pattern piece or multiple pattern pieces that are joined together to form the upper-body garment  100  such that the upper-body garment  100  may be seamless (e.g., when a single pattern piece is used) or may comprise additional seams positioned at various locations on the upper-body garment  100 . 
     In example aspects, the front portion  110  and the back portion  112  may be formed from a material having a stretch characteristic where the stretch characteristic may include no-stretch or low stretch. For instance, the front portion  110  and the back portion  112  may be formed of a knit material, a woven material, a non-woven material, a braided material, and the like. In example aspects, the knit material, the woven material, the non-woven material, and the braided material may not include elastomeric yarns such as, for example, spandex or elastane. 
     The upper-body garment  100  comprises a collar construction that is referenced generally by the numeral  134 . In example aspects, the collar construction  134  has the appearance of a crew-neck type collar construction. The collar construction  134  comprises a front collar panel  136  and a separate back collar panel  138 . As shown more clearly in the back view of  FIG. 2 , the back collar panel  138  includes a center portion that extends inferiorly a greater extent than side portions of the back collar panel  138  to form a “V-shape.” As will be explained in greater detail below, by forming the back collar panel  138  as described, a greater amount of high stretch material is positioned at the back neckline which may facilitate the pulling of the collar construction  134  over the top and posterior side of a wearer&#39;s head when donning the upper-body garment  100 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a front, close-up view of the collar construction  134 , while  FIG. 4  depicts a pattern piece used to form the back collar panel  138 , and  FIG. 5  depicts a pattern piece used to form the front collar panel  136  in accordance with aspects herein. Referring collectively to  FIGS. 3A and 4 , the back collar panel  138  comprises a superior edge  410 , an inferior edge  412 , a first terminal end  414 , and a second terminal end  416  opposite the first terminal end  414 . Before being incorporated into the collar construction  134 , the superior edge  410  of the back collar panel  138  may linearly extend (i.e., extend in a horizontal direction) between the first terminal end  414  and the second terminal end  416  as shown in  FIG. 4 . As further shown in  FIG. 4 , the inferior edge  412  may comprise a first segment  411  that extends inferiorly from the first terminal end  414  to a vertex  415  and a second segment  413  that extends inferiorly from the second terminal end  416  to the vertex  415  resulting in a V-shaped inferior edge. 
     With continued respect to  FIG. 4 , in example aspects, the first terminal end  414  and the second terminal end  416  of the back collar panel  138  may comprise respective areas adjacent to where the superior edge  410  of the back collar panel  138  intersects the inferior edge  412  of the back collar panel  138 . More particularly, the first terminal end  414  of the back collar panel  138  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  410  of the back collar panel  138  intersects the first segment  411  of the inferior edge  412  where the intersection point is indicated by reference numeral  418 , and the second terminal end  416  of the back collar panel  138  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  410  of the back collar panel  138  intersects the second segment  413  of the inferior edge  412  where the intersection point is indicated by reference numeral  420 . The first terminal end  414  of the back collar panel  138  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  418  Likewise, the second terminal end  416  of the back collar panel  138  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  420 . 
     When the back collar panel  138  is incorporated into the upper-body garment  100 , the inferior edge  412  of the back collar panel  138  is affixed to a back side of the neck opening  114  using, for instance, stitching, adhesives, bonding, seam tape, spot welding, and the like. In example aspects, after the inferior edge  412  of the back collar panel  138  is affixed to the back side of the neck opening  114 , the intersection point  418  is positioned adjacent to the first shoulder seam  130  so that the first shoulder seam  130  is in contact or near contact (e.g., within ±1 cm) of the intersection point  418 , and the intersection point  420  is positioned adjacent to the second shoulder seam  132  so that the second shoulder seam  132  is in contact or near contact with the intersection point  420 . 
     Referring now collectively to  FIGS. 3A and 5 , the front collar panel  136  comprises a superior edge  510 , an inferior edge  512 , a first terminal end  514 , and a second terminal end  516  opposite the first terminal end  514 . Before being incorporated into the collar construction  134 , the superior edge  510  of the front collar panel  136  may comprise an arcuate shape or curved shape extending between the first terminal end  514  and the second terminal end  516 . In example aspects, the inferior edge  512  may also comprise an arcuate shape or curved shape extending between the first terminal end  514  and the second terminal end  516 . In some aspects, the radius of curvature of the superior edge  510  of the front collar panel  136  may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the inferior edge  512  of the front collar panel  136  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 5 . Stated in a different way, a length of the superior edge  510  of the front collar panel  136  may be less than a length of the inferior edge  512  of the front collar panel  136 . 
     With further respect to  FIG. 5 , in example aspects, the first terminal end  514  and the second terminal end  516  of the front collar panel  136  may comprise respective areas adjacent to where the superior edge  510  of the front collar panel  136  intersects the inferior edge  512  of the front collar panel  136  at opposing lateral sides of the front collar panel  136 . More particularly, the first terminal end  514  of the front collar panel  136  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  510  of the front collar panel  136  intersects a first lateral side of the inferior edge  512  where the intersection point is indicated by reference numeral  518 , and the second terminal end  516  of the front collar panel  136  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  510  of the front collar panel  136  intersects a second lateral side of the inferior edge  512  where the intersection point is indicated by reference numeral  520 . The first terminal end  514  of the front collar panel  136  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  518 . Likewise, the second terminal end  516  of the front collar panel  136  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  520 . 
     When the front collar panel  136  is incorporated into the upper-body garment  100 , the inferior edge  512  of the front collar panel  136  is affixed to a front side of the neck opening  114  using, for instance, stitching, adhesives, bonding, seam tape, spot welding, and the like. Because of the overlapping relationship between the first and second terminal ends  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138  and the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136 , the intersection points  518  and  520  of the front collar panel  136  are not visible in  FIG. 3A  but, in example aspects, they would each be located posterior to the first shoulder seam  130  and the second shoulder seam  132  respectively. 
     With respect to both the front collar panel  136  and the back collar panel  138 , and as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the front collar panel  136  and the back collar panel  138  may be formed of a two-way or four-way stretch material such as, for example, a ribbed knit material that has a stretch characteristic. In example aspects, the front collar panel  136  and the back collar panel  138  may include elastomeric yarns such as spandex to impart the stretch characteristic. In example aspects, the stretch characteristic of the front collar panel  136  and the back collar panel  138  may be greater than the stretch characteristic of the material used to form the upper-body garment  100 . In example aspects, the front and back collar panels  136  and  138  may be seamed to the neck opening  114  of the upper-body garment  100  so that the long axes of the ribs of the ribbed knit material forming the front and back collar panels  136  and  138  are oriented generally perpendicular to the superior edges  510  and  410  of the front and back collar panels  136  and  138  respectively. For instance, with respect to  FIG. 4 , a long axis  422  of rib  423  is oriented generally perpendicular (i.e., within ±20 degree of perpendicular) to the superior edge  410  of the back collar panel  138 . And with respect to  FIG. 5 , a long axis  522  of rib  523  is oriented generally perpendicular to the superior edge  510  of the front collar panel  136 . This construction may facilitate a greater degree of stretch in the lateral direction (i.e., the width direction) when donning and doffing the upper-body garment  100  as is a known feature of ribbed knit materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , which illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along cut line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A , in example aspects, the second terminal end  516  of the front collar panel  136  is positioned medial to (i.e., closer to a median plane of the upper-body garment  100 ) the second terminal end  416  of the back collar panel  138  so that the second terminal end  516  of the front collar panel  136  and the second terminal end  416  of the back collar panel  138  are in an overlapping relationship at a second side  314  of the neck opening  114 . A similar relationship holds true for the first terminal end  514  of the front collar panel  136  and the first terminal end  414  of the back collar panel  138  at a first side  312  of the neck opening  114 . To state this differently, the intersection point  520  of the front collar panel  136  is positioned posterior to the intersection point  420  of the back collar panel  138  at the second side  314  of the neck opening  114 . And, similarly, the intersection point  518  of the front collar panel  136  is positioned posterior to the intersection point  418  of the back collar panel  138  at the first side  312  of the neck opening  114  to cause the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136  to be in overlapping relationships with the first and second terminal ends  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138  at the first and second sides  312  and  314  of the neck opening  114 . 
       FIG. 3B  further illustrates that although the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136  are in an overlapping relationship with the first and second terminal ends  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138 , the respective first and second terminal ends  514  and  414 , and  516  and  416  are detached from each other in areas except for where the first and second terminal ends  514  and  414 , and  516  and  416  are seamed or attached to the neck opening  114  of the upper-body garment  100 . To describe this differently, an inner-facing surface  417  of the first and second terminal ends  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138  are detached from or not affixed to an outer-facing surface  517  of the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136 . As stated previously, by not affixing the first and second terminal ends  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138  to the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136 , the front and back collar panels  136  and  138  can move independently of each other at the first side  312  and the second side  314  of the neck opening  114  to allow for greater stretch when donning and doffing the upper-body garment  100 . 
     It is also contemplated herein that the first terminal end  514  of the front collar panel  136  may be positioned lateral to (i.e., further away from the median plane of the upper-body garment  100 ) the first terminal end  414  of the back collar panel  138  at the first side  312  of the neck opening  114 , and the second terminal end  516  of the front collar panel  136  may be positioned lateral to the second terminal end  416  of the back collar panel  138  at the second side  314  of the neck opening  114 . Similar to above, the intersection point  518  would still be positioned posterior to the intersection point  418 , and the intersection point  420  would still be positioned posterior to the intersection point  420 , and the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136  would still be in an overlapping and detached relationship with the first and second terminal ends  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138 . Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within the scope herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a front view of a second example upper-body garment  600  is illustrated in accordance with aspects herein. The upper-body garment  600  shares similar features as the upper-body garment  100  but includes a different collar construction. Many of the features related to the upper-body garment  100  may also apply to the upper-body garment  600  and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. For example, the upper-body garment  600  comprises a front portion  610  and a back portion which would look similar to the back portion  112  shown in  FIG. 2 . The front portion  610  and the back portion together define a neck opening  614  and a waist opening  616 . Similar to the neck opening  114 , the neck opening  614  can be divided into general regions or sides but the denoting of different sides or regions of the neck opening  614  are not meant to indicate rigid demarcation lines. 
     The front portion  610  and the back portion may further define a first sleeve opening  618  and a second sleeve opening  620  from which an optional first sleeve  622  and second sleeve  624  respectively may extend. Although shown as a long-sleeve upper-body garment, it is contemplated herein that the upper-body garment  600  may comprise a sleeveless construction, may comprise half-sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, quarter sleeves, cap sleeves, and the like. 
     In example aspects, the front portion  610  and the back portion may be joined together (i.e., seamed together) at side seams and at a first shoulder seam  630  and a second shoulder seam  632  where the first and second shoulder seams  630  and  632  are positioned on opposing sides of the neck opening  614 . 
     In example aspects, similar to the upper-body garment  100 , the front portion  610  and the back portion of the upper-body garment  600  may be formed from a material having a stretch characteristic where the stretch characteristic may include no-stretch or low stretch. For instance, the front portion  610  and the back portion may be formed of a knit material, a woven material, a non-woven material, a braided material, and the like. 
     The upper-body garment  600  comprises a collar construction that is referenced generally by the numeral  634 . In example aspects, the collar construction  634  has the appearance of a V-neck type collar construction. The collar construction  634  comprises a first front collar panel  636 , a second front collar panel  638 , and a back collar panel  640 . 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a front, close-up view of the collar construction  634 , while  FIG. 8  depicts a pattern piece used to form the back collar panel  640 , and  FIGS. 9 and 10  depict pattern pieces used to form the first front collar panel  636  and the second front collar panel  638  respectively in accordance with aspects herein. Referring collectively to  FIGS. 7A and 8 , the back collar panel  640 , which has a similar construction to the back collar panel  138 , comprises a superior edge  810 , an inferior edge  812 , a first terminal end  814 , and a second terminal end  816  opposite the first terminal end  814 . Before being incorporated into the collar construction  634 , the superior edge  810  of the back collar panel  640  may linearly extend (i.e., extend in a horizontal direction) between the first terminal end  814  and the second terminal end  816  as shown in  FIG. 8 . As further shown in  FIG. 8 , the inferior edge  812  may comprise a first segment  811  that extends inferiorly from the first terminal end  814  to a vertex  815  and a second segment  813  that extends inferiorly from the second terminal end  816  to the vertex  815  resulting in a V-shaped inferior edge. 
     With continued respect to  FIG. 8 , in example aspects, the first terminal end  814  and the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640  may comprise respective areas adjacent to where the superior edge  810  of the back collar panel  640  intersects the inferior edge  812  of the back collar panel  640 . More particularly, the first terminal end  814  of the back collar panel  640  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  810  of the back collar panel  640  intersects the first segment  811  of the inferior edge  812  where the intersection point is indicated by reference numeral  818 , and the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  810  of the back collar panel  640  intersects the second segment  813  of the inferior edge  812  where the intersection point is indicated by reference numeral  820 . The first terminal end  814  of the back collar panel  640  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  818  Likewise, the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  820 . 
     When the back collar panel  640  is incorporated into the upper-body garment  600 , the inferior edge  812  of the back collar panel  640  is affixed to a back side of the neck opening  614  using, for instance, stitching, adhesives, bonding, seam tape, spot welding, and the like. In example aspects, after the inferior edge  812  of the back collar panel  640  is affixed to the back side of the neck opening  614 , the intersection point  818  is positioned adjacent to the first shoulder seam  630  so that the first shoulder seam  630  is in contact or near contact with the intersection point  818 , and the intersection point  820  is positioned adjacent to the second shoulder seam  632  so that the second shoulder seam  632  is in contact or near contact with the intersection point  820 . 
     Referring now collectively to  FIGS. 7A and 9 , the first front collar panel  636  comprises a superior edge  910 , an inferior edge  912 , a first terminal end  914 , and a second terminal end  916  opposite the first terminal end  914 . In example aspects, the superior edge  910  may linearly extend between the first terminal end  914  and the second terminal end  916 , while the inferior edge  912  may have an arcuate shape extending between the first terminal end  914  and the second terminal end  916 . 
     With further respect to  FIG. 9 , in example aspects, the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  910  of the first front collar panel  636  intersects the inferior edge  912  of the first front collar panel  636  at a first lateral side of the first front collar panel  636  as indicated by an intersection point  918 . For example, the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  918 . The second terminal end  916  of the first front collar panel  636  may comprise a different construction in example aspects. For instance, the second terminal end  916  may comprise an area adjacent to where a panel edge  913  extends between the superior edge  910  and the inferior edge  912 . For instance, the second terminal end  916  of the first front collar panel  636  may comprise an area extending laterally from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the panel edge  913 . 
     When the first front collar panel  636  is incorporated into the upper-body garment  600 , the inferior edge  912  of the first front collar panel  636  is affixed to a first front side of the neck opening  614  using, for instance, stitching, adhesives, bonding, seam tape, spot welding, and the like. The intersection point  918  of the first front collar panel  636  is positioned posterior to the intersection point  818  of the back collar panel  640  so that the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  is in an overlapping relationship with the first terminal end  814  of the back collar panel  640 . 
     Referring now collectively to  FIGS. 7A and 10 , the second front collar panel  638  comprises a superior edge  1010 , an inferior edge  1012 , a first terminal end  1014 , and a second terminal end  1016  opposite the first terminal end  1014 . In example aspects, the superior edge  1010  may linearly extend between the first terminal end  1014  and the second terminal end  1016 , while the inferior edge  1012  may have an arcuate shape extending between the first terminal end  1014  and the second terminal end  1016 . 
     With further respect to  FIG. 10 , in example aspects, the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638  may comprise an area adjacent to where the superior edge  1010  of the second front collar panel  638  intersects the inferior edge  1012  of the second front collar panel  638  at a first lateral side of the second front collar panel  638  as indicated by an intersection point  1018 . For example, the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638  may comprise an area extending medially from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the intersection point  1018 . The second terminal end  1016  of the second front collar panel  638  may comprise a different construction in example aspects. For instance, the second terminal end  1016  may comprise an area adjacent to where a panel edge  1013  extends between the superior edge  1010  and the inferior edge  1012 . For instance, the second terminal end  1016  of the second front collar panel  638  may comprise an area extending laterally from about 1 cm to about 5 cm from the panel edge  1013 . 
     When the second front collar panel  638  is incorporated into the upper-body garment  600 , the inferior edge  1012  of the second front collar panel  638  is affixed to a second front side of the neck opening  614  using, for instance, stitching, adhesives, bonding, seam tape, spot welding, and the like. The intersection point  1018  of the second front collar panel  638  is positioned posterior to the intersection point  820  of the back collar panel  640  so that the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638  is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640 . 
     With respect to the first front collar panel  636 , the second front collar panel  638  and the back collar panel  640 , and as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , the panels  636 ,  638  and  640  may be formed of a two-way or four-way stretch material such as, for example, a ribbed knit material that has a stretch characteristic Like the upper-body garment  100 , the first front collar panel  636 , the second front collar panel  638  and the back collar panel  640  may be seamed or joined to the neck opening  614  of the upper-body garment  600  so that the long axes of the ribs of the ribbed knit material forming the first front collar panel  636 , the second front collar panel  638  and the back collar panel  640 , are oriented generally perpendicular to the superior edges  910 ,  1010 , and  810  of the first front collar panel  636 , the second front collar panel  638  and the back collar panel  640  respectively to provide enhanced stretch in the lateral direction. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7B , in example aspects, the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638  is positioned medial to (i.e., closer to a median plane of the upper-body garment  600 ) the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640  so that the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638  and the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640  are in an overlapping relationship at a second side  714  of the neck opening  614 . Similarly, the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  is positioned medial to the first terminal end  814  of the back collar panel  640  so that the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  and the first terminal end  814  of the back collar panel  640  are in an overlapping relationship at a first side  712  of the neck opening  614 . 
       FIG. 7B  further illustrates that although the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638  is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640 , and although the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  is in an overlapping relationship with the first terminal end  814  of the back collar panel  640 , the respective terminal ends  914  and  814 , and  1014  and  816  are detached from each other in areas except for where the terminal ends  914  and  814 , and  1014  and  816  are seamed or attached to the neck opening  614  of the upper-body garment  600 . To describe this differently, an inner-facing surface  817  of the first and second terminal ends  814  and  816  of the back collar panel  640  are detached from or not affixed to an outer-facing surface  1017  of the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  and the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638 . As stated previously, this construction enables the back collar panel  640 , the first front collar panel  636 , and the second front collar panel  638  to move independently of each other at the first side  712  and the second side  714  of the neck opening  614  to allow for greater stretch when donning and doffing the upper-body garment  600 . 
     Similar to above, it is also contemplated herein that the first terminal end  914  of the first front collar panel  636  may be positioned lateral to (i.e., further away from the median plane of the upper-body garment  600 ) the first terminal end  814  of the back collar panel  640  at the first side  712  of the neck opening  614 , and the first terminal end  1014  of the second front collar panel  638  may be positioned lateral to the second terminal end  816  of the back collar panel  640  at the second side  714  of the neck opening  614 . Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein. 
     With respect to the second terminal ends  916  and  1016  of the first front collar panel  636  and the second front collar panel  638  respectively, it is contemplated herein that the second terminal ends  916  and  1016  may be positioned in an overlapping relationship as shown in  FIG. 7A . To describe this differently, it is contemplated herein that the second terminal end  916  of the first front collar panel  636  may be positioned interior to the second terminal end  1016  of the second front collar panel  638  although the opposite relationship is also contemplated. It is further contemplated, that the second terminal end  916  of the first front collar panel  636  may be detached from the second terminal end  1016  of the second front collar panel  638 , or the second terminal end  916  of the first front collar panel  636  may be attached to the second terminal end  1016  of the second front collar panel  638 . Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein. 
       FIG. 11  depicts an example wearer  1100  donning the upper-body garment  100  in accordance with aspects herein. As shown, when pulling the upper-body garment  100  over the wearer&#39;s head, the overlapping relationship between first and second terminal ends  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138  and the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136  may allow for a greater degree of stretch in the anterior-to-posterior direction and in the lateral direction. To state it differently, because the first and second terminal end  414  and  416  of the back collar panel  138  are in an overlapping relationship with the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136  but are detached from the first and second terminal ends  514  and  516  of the front collar panel  136 , there is an extra volume of material at the first and second sides of the neck opening  114  that enables a greater degree of stretch. A depiction of an example wearer donning the upper-body garment  600  would share similar features. 
     Aspects associated with the collar constructions described above may also be applied to other articles of apparel. For instance, the collar construction  134  may be applied to a waistband of a lower-body garment such that the waistband comprises a front waistband piece having terminal ends and a back waistband piece having terminal end where the terminal ends of the front waistband piece and the terminal ends of the back waistband piece are in an overlapping and detached relationship at opposing lateral sides of the lower-body garment. Similar to the collar construction, this may facilitate easier donning and doffing of the lower-body garment. 
     The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting. 
     Clause 1. An upper-body garment comprising: 
     a front portion and a back portion that together define at least a neck opening; 
     a front collar panel having a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end, the inferior edge of the front collar panel affixed to a front side of the neck opening; and 
     a back collar panel having a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end, the inferior edge of the back collar panel affixed to a back side of the neck opening, wherein the first terminal end of the front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the first terminal end of the back collar panel at a first side of the neck opening, and wherein the second terminal end of the front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end of the back collar panel at a second side of the neck opening. 
     Clause 2. The upper-body garment according to clause 1, wherein the first terminal end of the front collar panel is at least partially detached from the first terminal end of the back collar panel, and wherein the second terminal end of the front collar panel is at least partially detached from the second terminal end of the back collar panel. 
     Clause 3. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 2, wherein the first terminal end of the front collar panel is positioned medial to the first terminal end of the back collar panel, and wherein the second terminal end of the front collar panel is positioned medial to the second terminal end of the back collar panel. 
     Clause 4. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 3, wherein the first terminal end of the front collar panel is positioned lateral to the first terminal end of the back collar panel, and wherein the second terminal end of the front collar panel is positioned lateral to the second terminal end of the back collar panel. 
     Clause 5. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 4, wherein the front portion and the back portion of the upper-body garment are formed from a first material having a first stretch characteristic, and wherein the front collar panel and the back collar panel are formed from a second material having a second stretch characteristic. 
     Clause 6. The upper-body garment according to clause 5, wherein the second stretch characteristic is greater than the first stretch characteristic. 
     Clause 7. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 5 through 6, wherein the second material comprises a knit material having a plurality of ribbed knit structures. 
     Clause 8. The upper-body garment according clause 7, wherein a longitudinal axis of each rib of the plurality of ribbed knit structures is oriented generally perpendicular to the superior edge of the respective front collar panel and back collar panel. 
     Clause 9. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 8, wherein the inferior edge of the back collar panel comprises a first segment that extends inferiorly from the first terminal end of the back collar panel to a vertex and a second segment that extends inferiorly from the second terminal end of the back collar panel to the vertex to form a V-shape. 
     Clause 10. An upper-body garment comprising: 
     a front portion and a back portion that together define at least a neck opening; 
     a first front collar panel having a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end, the inferior edge of the first front collar panel affixed to a first front side of the neck opening; 
     a second front collar panel having a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end, the inferior edge of the second front collar panel affixed to a second front side of the neck opening; and 
     a back collar panel having a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end, the inferior edge of the back collar panel affixed to a back side of the neck opening, wherein the first terminal end of the first front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the first terminal end of the back collar panel at a first side of the neck opening, and wherein the first terminal end of the second front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end of the back collar panel at a second side of the neck opening. 
     Clause 11. The upper-body garment according to clause 10, wherein the second terminal end of the first front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end of the second front collar panel at a center front of the neck opening. 
     Clause 12. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 10 through 11, wherein the first terminal end of the first front collar panel is at least partially detached from the first terminal end of the back collar panel, and wherein the first terminal end of the second front collar panel is at least partially detached from the second terminal end of the back collar panel. 
     Clause 13. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 10 through 12, wherein the first terminal end of the first front collar panel is positioned medial to the first terminal end of the back collar panel, and wherein the first terminal end of the second front collar panel is positioned medial to the second terminal end of the back collar panel. 
     Clause 14. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 10 through 12, wherein the first terminal end of the first front collar panel is positioned lateral to the first terminal end of the back collar panel, and wherein the first terminal end of the second front collar panel is positioned lateral to the second terminal end of the back collar panel. 
     Clause 15. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 10 through 14, wherein the front portion and the back portion of the upper-body garment are formed of a first material having a first stretch characteristic, wherein the first front collar panel, the second front collar panel, and the back collar panel are formed from a second material having a second stretch characteristic, and wherein the second stretch characteristic is greater than the first stretch characteristic. 
     Clause 16. An upper-body garment comprising: 
     a front portion and a back portion that together define at least a neck opening, the front portion and the back portion formed from a first material having a first stretch characteristic; 
     a front collar panel having a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end, the inferior edge of the front collar panel affixed to a front side of the neck opening; and 
     a back collar panel having a superior edge, an inferior edge, a first terminal end, and a second terminal end, the inferior edge of the back collar panel affixed to a back side of the neck opening, 
     wherein: the front collar panel and the back collar panel are formed from a second material having a second stretch characteristic that is greater than the first stretch characteristic, the first terminal end of the front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the first terminal end of the back collar panel at a first side of the neck opening, and the second terminal end of the front collar panel is in an overlapping relationship with the second terminal end of the back collar panel at a second side of the neck opening. 
     Clause 17. The upper-body garment according to clause 16, wherein the second material comprises a knit material having a plurality of ribbed knit structures. 
     Clause 18. The upper-body garment according to clause 17, wherein a longitudinal axis of each rib of the plurality of ribbed knit structures is oriented generally perpendicular to the superior edge of the respective front collar panel and back collar panel. 
     Clause 19. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 16 through 18, wherein: the front portion and the back portion of the upper-body garment are joined together at least at a first shoulder seam and a second shoulder seam, the first terminal end of the front collar panel and the first terminal end of the back collar panel are positioned adjacent to the first shoulder seam, and the second terminal end of the front collar panel and the second terminal end of the back collar panel are positioned adjacent to the second shoulder seam. 
     Clause 20. The upper-body garment according to any of clauses 16 through 19, wherein the inferior edge of the back collar panel comprises a first segment that extends inferiorly from the first terminal end of the back collar panel to a vertex and a second segment that extends inferiorly from the second terminal end of the back collar panel to the vertex to form a V-shape. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.