Patent Publication Number: US-11388935-B2

Title: Body shapewear undergarment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/802,707, filed Feb. 7, 2019, the entirety of both are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to apparel items, and, more particularly, relates to a body shaping apparel items. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparel is one of the most widely consumed items in the world. Many users employ apparel for the use of body shaping or contouring (hereinafter referred to as “shapewear”). Many users find shapewear items, however, uncomfortable or painful to use because they apply uniform compression to a user&#39;s body parts that do not necessarily need or otherwise warrant compression. Furthermore, some known shapewear items, which are generally worn underneath other apparel, also do not provide enough support or contouring to a user&#39;s buttocks or mid-section. 
     As such, there exists a need in the art to overcome the above-described disadvantages and provide users a shapewear item that can be comfortably worn, while also providing enough shaping, contouring, or support of a user&#39;s body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a body shapewear undergarment that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that effectively, efficiently, and comfortably accommodates users of various body sizes and shapes. To effectuate the same, one embodiment of the shapewear of the present invention is formed without seams and pre-stretch or stressed in particular sections with specifically configured coupling sections. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a body shapewear undergarment, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 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. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user&#39;s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the body shapewear undergarment, wherein “transverse” should be understood to mean a direction corresponding to a direction opposite the longitudinal direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 1-18  are perspective views of a body shapewear undergarment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 19-25  are perspective views of a body shapewear undergarment, namely a brassiere, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 26-31  are perspective views of a body shapewear undergarment, namely another brassiere, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The invention described herein provides a body shapewear undergarment that overcomes known disadvantages of those known devices and methods of this general type and that effectively and efficiently utilizes hook-and-eye closures as well as innovative body shaping seam lines to create a body shapewear undergarment that is user-friendly and functional. The undergarment may also be employed in the post-surgical or post-partum environment, in addition to being employed by users as daily wear. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a front view.  FIG. 1  and other figures show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a body shapewear undergarment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a body shell  100  preferably of a unitary elastically deformable material (as further described herein). Said another way, the body shell  100  may be formed of a unitary piece of material. The body shell  100  includes an exterior surface  136 , an interior surface  138  opposing the exterior surface  136 , a front side  140 , and a back side  502  opposing the front side  140  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The body shell  100  further includes a head opening  106 , a left arm opening  108 , a right arm opening  110 , a left leg opening  102 , and a right leg opening  104 . Located above the left and right arm openings  108 ,  110  are two adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114 . 
     In one embodiment, the body shell  100  may be of a stretchable, elastic fabric (e.g., nylon, spandex, lycra, polyester, neoprene, latex, cotton), or any other stretchable fabric that is designed to compress, shape, slim, and smooth. 
     In a further embodiment, the front side  140  includes a breast lifting section  128 , a torso compression section  116 , a pelvis section  130 , and a thigh section  132 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the back side  502  of the body shell  100  may be seen. The back side  502  opposes the front side  140  of the body shell  100 . The back side  502  includes an upper back section  504 , a torso compression section  506 , a buttocks-shaping section  508 , and a rear thigh section  510 . As discussed herein, the garment provides targeted compression at specialized locations utilizing elastic bands or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the body shell  100  includes a left leg  202  and a right leg  204 . The pelvis section  130  of front side  140  includes an opening  206 . The opening  206  is disposed at the bottom of pelvis section  130 , between the left leg  202  and the right leg  204 . The opening  206  effectively allows the wearer to easily utilize the restroom without taking off the body shell  100 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the opening  202  may continue to the bottom of buttocks shaping section  508 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , the breast lifting section  128  includes perimeter edge  302  which is designed to fall below a wearer&#39;s chest and provide gentle support to the breasts for a lifting effect. 
     In a further embodiment, best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , one or both of the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114  may comprise front terminal ends  120 ,  122 . The front terminal ends  120 ,  122  are continuously connected to the front side  140  of the body shell  100 . One or both of the front terminal ends  120 ,  122  include a bottom edge  410 , a left side edge  412 , and a right-side edge  414 . One or both of the front terminal ends  120 ,  122  may further include one or more longitudinal hook row(s)  408   n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. The longitudinal hook row  408   n  is disposed on the interior surface  138  and located along the bottom edge  410  of front terminal end  120 . The longitudinal hook row  408   n  includes one or more hook closure member(s)  402   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. The hook closure member(s)  402   a - n  may have a first portion that extends substantially perpendicular to the interior surface  138 , along with a second portion, referred to as “hook,” that may extend away from the first portion and substantially parallel to the interior surface  138 . 
     In a further embodiment, one or both of the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114  may further comprise rear terminal ends  124 ,  126 . The rear terminal ends  124 ,  126  are continuously connected to the back side  502  of the body shell  100 . One or both of the rear terminal ends  124 ,  126  include a bottom edge  416 , a left side edge  418 , and a right-side edge  420 . One or both of the rear terminal ends  124 ,  126  may further include one or more longitudinal eye row(s)  404   a - n  disposed on the exterior surface  136 , proximal to the bottom edge  416  of rear terminal end  124 . The longitudinal eye rows  404   a - n  include one or more eye closure member(s)  406   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, longitudinal hook row  408   n  of front terminal end  120  may comprise hook closure members  402   a ,  402   n ; longitudinal eye row  404   a  of rear terminal end  124  may comprise eye closure members  406   a ,  406   b ; and longitudinal eye row  404   n  of rear terminal end  124  may comprise eye closure members  406   c ,  406   n . The eye closure members  406   a - n  may be shaped into a U-formation, allowing the hook of hook closure members  402   a - n  to secure into place and establish a wearer&#39;s preferred placement of the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114 . Said another way, the front terminal ends  120 ,  122  and rear terminal ends  124 ,  126  of the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114  combine to establish a method of adjustable closure comprising hook-and-eye closures. When the hook-and-eye closure members of the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114  are fastened, the front terminal ends  120 ,  122  overlay the rear terminal ends  124 ,  126 . Moreover, when a wearer of the body shell  100  clips hook closure member(s)  402   a - n  to eye closure member(s)  406   a - n  which are disposed on a longitudinal eye row that is located closer to the bottom edge  416 , the adjustable shoulder strap becomes looser around the wearer&#39;s shoulder. Similarly, when a wearer of the body shell  100  clips hook closure member(s)  402   a - n  to eye closure member(s)  406   a - n  which are disposed on a longitudinal eye row that is located further from the bottom edge  416 , the adjustable shoulder strap becomes tighter around the wearer&#39;s shoulder. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the torso compression section  116  has a length  118  extending from underneath the breast lifting section  128  to the top of the pelvis section  130 . Moreover, the torso compression section  116  includes one or more shaping seam line(s)  134   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term “seam lines” is utilized herein to refer to bands shaped as lines that are built or incorporated in the garment at the locations specified herein, thereby being “seamless.” The shaping seam line(s)  134   a - n  are designed to provide superior support to the wearer of the body shell  100  and maintain an hourglass figure. The torso compression section  116  may be made of the same stretchable, elastic fabric (e.g., nylon, spandex, lycra, polyester, neoprene, latex, cotton, or any other stretchable fabric that is designed to compress, shape, slim, and smooth), but instead with a tighter compression ratio than that of the rest of the body shell  100 . 
     Mirroring the shaping seam lines  134   a - n  of torso compression section  116  of front side  140 , the torso compression section  506 , as seen in  FIG. 5 , also includes one or more shaping seam line(s)  512   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. The shaping seam line(s)  512   a - n  are designed to provide superior support to the wearer of the body shell  100  and maintain an hourglass figure. Moreover, the torso compression section  506  of back side  502  is of a continuous fabric as torso compression section  116 , having a tighter compression ratio than that of the upper back section  504 , buttocks shaping section  508 , and/or rear thigh section  510 . 
     In a further embodiment, the buttocks shaping section  508  of the back side  502  of the body shell  100  is shaped and sized to surround the gluteus maximus of the wearer. The buttocks shaping section  508  may be reinforced with stretchable, elastic material of a certain composition for targeted slimming, smoothing, and lifting effects (e.g., nylon, spandex, lycra, polyester, neoprene, latex, cotton, or any other stretchable fabric that is designed to compress, smooth, and slim). In one embodiment, one or more elastic bands are incorporated into the garment along lines  514  through, for example, stitching said bands into the inside surface of the garment or otherwise incorporating them within the garment. As such, the buttocks shaping section  508  is operably configured to be provide a lift, support, and stabilization to the buttocks, with the assistance of a seamless underbutt band, e.g., band  514 . This seamless band  514  holds, lifts and shapes the buttocks in a round shape. Also, the compression of the fabric within the buttocks shaping section  508  is also different, in that it is not flat; rather, the buttocks shaping section  508  includes extra material thereon that defines a cavity therein to receive a user&#39;s buttocks. As such, the buttocks shaping section  508  does not flatten the buttocks of a user like other garments out in the market. Therefore, the combination of the bands  514  with the light compression from the fabric in the buttocks area  508  will prevent a user&#39;s buttocks from appearing flat. 
     In one embodiment, the buttocks-shaping section  508  is beneficially defined by a plurality seam lines  514  separating the buttocks-shaping section  508  from the rear thigh section  510  and at least one seam line  516  separating the buttocks-shaping section  508  from the torso compression section  506 . The torso compression sections  506  of the front and back sides of the unitary body shell may also have a static inherent material compression state and the buttocks-shaping section  508  of the back side has a static inherent material compression state of a compression value less than a compression value of the static inherent material compression state of the torso compression sections  506  of the front and back sides of the unitary body shell. In one embodiment, this difference in compression value is created by plastically deforming material fibers inherent in the material. This is required when the shapewear undergarment is unitary. The plastic deformation may be generated in a manufacturing process, e.g., providing tensile force internally within the buttocks-shaping section  508  by a substantially rigid structure. Said differently, the buttocks-shaping section  508  may be pre-stretched and plastically deformed in order to provide adequate support and contouring to the user&#39;s buttock that is different than the mid-section of the garment  100 . 
     In another embodiment, best depicted in  FIGS. 6-9 , the body shapewear undergarment may include a body shell  600 . The body shell  600  includes an exterior surface  602 , an interior surface  620  opposing the exterior surface  602 , a front side  622 , and a back side  902  opposing the front side  622  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ). The body shell  600  further includes a right side  604 , a left side  606  opposing the right side  604 , a head opening  624 , a left arm opening  626 , a right arm opening  628 , a left leg opening  630 , and a right leg opening  632 . 
     In one embodiment, the body shell  600  may be of a stretchable, elastic fabric (e.g., nylon, spandex, lycra, polyester, neoprene, latex, cotton), or any other stretchable fabric that is designed to compress, shape, slim, and smooth. 
     In a further embodiment, the front side  622  includes a brassiere section  612 , a torso compression section  614 , a pelvis section  616 , and a thigh section  618 . Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the back side  902  of the body shell  600  may be seen. The back side  902  opposes the front side  622  of the body shell  600 . The back side  902  includes an upper back section  904 , a torso compression section  906 , a buttocks shaping section  908 , and a rear thigh section  910 . The seamless bands described herein will lift, support and/or stabilize breasts or breast area or under bust, which is beneficial in the post-surgical application. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the body shell  600  includes a left leg  638  and a right leg  640 . The pelvis section  616  includes an opening  642 . The opening  642  is disposed at the bottom of pelvis section  616 , between the left leg  638  and the right leg  640 . The opening  642  effectively allows the wearer to easily utilize the restroom without taking off the body shell  600 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the opening  642  may continue to the bottom of buttocks shaping section  908 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the brassiere section  612  at least partially covers the breasts and is designed to provide support and lift a wearer&#39;s chest in lieu of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , which has limited breast coverage. The garment also includes one or more elastic breast bands  646  incorporated into the garment, similar to bands  512   a - n  and  514 , thereby creating a seamless breast support portion of the garment. 
     The torso compression section  614  has a length  644  extending from underneath the brassiere section  612  to the top of the pelvis section  616 . Moreover, referring to  FIG. 7 , the torso compression section  614  includes one or more shaping seam line(s)  702   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. The shaping seam line(s)  702   a - n  are designed to provide superior support to the wearer of the body shell  600  and maintain an hourglass figure. The torso compression section  614  may be made of the same stretchable, elastic fabric (e.g., nylon, spandex, lycra, polyester, neoprene, latex, cotton, or any other stretchable fabric that is designed to compress, shape, slim, and smooth), but instead with a tighter compression ratio than that of the rest of the body shell  600 . 
     Mirroring the shaping seam lines  702   a - n  of torso compression section  614  of front side  622 , the torso compression section  906  of back side  902 , as seen in  FIG. 9 , also includes one or more shaping seam line(s)  912   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. The shaping seam line(s)  912   a - n  are designed to provide superior support to the wearer of the body shell  600  and maintain an hourglass figure. Moreover, the torso compression section  906  of back side  902  is of a continuous fabric as torso compression section  614 , having a tighter compression ratio than that of the upper back section  904 , buttocks shaping section  908 , and/or rear thigh section  910 . 
     In a further embodiment, the buttocks shaping section  908  of the back side  902  of the body shell  600  is shaped and sized to surround the gluteus maximus of the wearer. The buttocks shaping section  908  may be reinforced with stretchable, elastic material of a certain composition for targeted slimming, smoothing, and lifting effects (e.g., nylon, spandex, lycra, polyester, neoprene, latex, cotton, or any other stretchable fabric that is designed to compress, smooth, and slim). 
     Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the front side  622  may further include a hook-and-eye closure panel  608  disposed along the center, between the right side  604  and the left side  606 . In an exemplary embodiment, the hook-and-eye closure panel  608  may have a length  610  extending from the top of the brassiere section  612  to the bottom of the pelvis section  616 . 
     In a further embodiment, as may best be seen in  FIG. 8 , the hook-and-eye closure panel  608  may comprise a left flap  802  and right flap  804 . The left flap  802  includes a left terminal edge  806 . The right flap  804  includes a right terminal edge  808 . The left flap  802  may include one or more hook closure member(s)  810   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one, disposed on the interior surface  620  and along the left terminal edge  806 . The hook closure member(s)  810   a - n  may have a first portion that extends substantially perpendicular to the interior surface  620 , along with a second portion, referred to as “hook,” that may extend away from the first portion and substantially parallel to the interior surface  620 . The right flap  804  may include one or more traverse eye column(s)  812   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. In an exemplary embodiment, the right flap  804  includes three traverse eye columns. Moreover, the traverse eye column(s)  812   a - n  include one or more eye closure member(s)  814   a - n , where “n” represents any number greater than one. The eye closure members  814   a - n  may be shaped into a U-formation, allowing the hook of hook closure members  810   a - n  to secure into place and establish a wearer&#39;s preferred placement of the left flap  802  and right flap  804 . Said another way, the hook closure members  810   a - n  of the left flap  802  clip onto eye closure members  814   a - n  of the right flap  804 . When the hook-and-eye closure members are fastened, the left flap  802  overlays the right flap  804 . The left terminal edge  806  of left flap  802  and the right terminal edge  808  of the right flap  804  combine together to make up hook-and-eye closure panel  608 . When a wearer of the body shell  600  fastens the hook closure member(s)  810   a - n  onto eye closure members  814   a - n  on a traverse column disposed closer to right side  604 , the body shell  600  becomes tighter fitting around the wearer&#39;s body. Similarly, when a wearer of the body shell  600  fastens the hook closure member(s)  810   a - n  onto eye closure members  814   a - n  on a traverse column disposed closer to left side  606 , the body shell  600  becomes looser fitting around the wearer&#39;s body. 
     The embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 6-9  further includes adjustable shoulder straps  634 ,  636  disposed above the left and right arm openings  626 ,  628 . The adjustable shoulder straps  634 ,  636  of body shell  600  may feature the same components as the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114  of body shell  100  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Said another way, the adjustable shoulder straps  634 ,  636  include the same method of adjustable closure comprising hook-and-eye closures (not shown). Thus, a wearer of the body shell  600  may adjust the shoulder straps  634 ,  636  to a preferred position. 
     In another embodiment, best depicted in  FIGS. 10-18 , the body shapewear undergarment may include a body shell  1000 . The body shell  1000  includes many of the same features described above in previous embodiments of the present invention, thus, for sake of brevity, solely the distinguishing features shall be discussed in detail. The body shell  1000  includes a front side  1002 , and a back side  1200  opposing the front side  1002  (as shown in  FIG. 12 ). The front side  1002  includes a breast lifting section  1004 , a torso compression section  1006 , a pelvis section  1008 , and a thigh section  1010 . Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the back side  1200  of the body shell  1000  may be seen. The back side  1200  opposes the front side  1002  of the body shell  1000 . The back side  1200  includes an upper back section  1202 , a torso compression section  1204 , a buttocks shaping section  1206 , and a rear thigh section  1208 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , the front side  1002  may further include a hook-and-eye closure panel  1012  disposed along the center. The hook-and-eye closure panel  1012  may feature the same components as the hook-and-eye closure panel  608  of body shell  600  described above and shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the breast lifting section  1004  may be seen which may feature the same components as the breast lifting section  128  of body shell  100  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 13 , the breast lifting section  1004  may feature two eyes  1306 ,  1308  on opposing sides made of the same continuous fabric of body shell  1000 . Moreover, the upper back section  1202  may feature two eyes  1310 ,  1312  on opposing sides made of the same continuous fabric of body shell  1000 . The body shell  1000  may further include two adjustable shoulder straps  1302 ,  1304  designed to be both adjustable and removably coupled to the body shell  1000  manually by the user. One or both of the adjustable shoulder straps  1302 ,  1304  include bra slides  1330 ,  1332  operably configured to allow length adjustment of the adjustable shoulder straps  1302 ,  1304 . Moreover, adjustable shoulder strap  1302  may comprise front terminal end  1314  and rear terminal end  1318 . Adjustable shoulder strap  1304  may comprise front terminal end  1316  and rear terminal end  1320 . The front terminal end  1314  includes hook closure  1322  and front terminal end  1316  includes hook closure  1324 . The rear terminal end  1318  includes hook closure  1326  and rear terminal end  1320  includes hook closure  1328 . The hook closure  1322  combines with eye  1306  and hook closure  1324  combines with eye  1308  effectively allowing the user to place the adjustable strap  1302  over the user&#39;s shoulder. Additionally, hook closure  1326  combines with eye  1310  and hook closure  1328  combines with eye  1312  effectively allowing the user to place the adjustable strap  1304  over the user&#39;s shoulder. 
     In another embodiment, best depicted in  FIGS. 19-25 , the body shapewear undergarment may include a brassiere  1900 . The brassiere  1900  includes many of the same features described above in previous embodiments of the present invention, thus, for sake of brevity, solely the distinguishing features shall be discussed in detail. The brassiere  1900  at least partially covers the breasts and is designed to provide support and lift a wearer&#39;s chest. 
     With reference to  FIG. 19 , the brassiere  1900  includes a hook-and-eye closure panel  1902  disposed along the center. The hook-and-eye closure panel  1902  may feature the same components as the hook-and-eye closure panel  608  of body shell  600  described above and shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . The brassiere also includes a lower elastic retention portion  1902  that is made up of one or more elastic bands, e.g., neoprene rubber, nylon, or the like. The lower elastic retention portion  1902  may be approximately 1-3 inches in length  1904 . In other embodiments, the length  1904  may vary outside of said range. In preferred embodiments, the length of the lower elastic retention portion  1902  uniformly spans around the perimeter of the brassiere  1900 . The lower elastic retention portion  1902  prevents the brassiere  1900  from rolling up or digging into the user. Beneficially, the brassiere  1900  also includes another beneficially elastic band(s)  1906  incorporated therein. The incorporation of the bands, which is oriented and configured in a manner different than band  1902 , creates a seamless portion or double layer that provides advantageous support for the user. More specifically, specific placement of the band  1908  includes a length  1908  tapering as the band spans from the outside edges of the garment to the hook-and-eye closure panel  2602  (as discussed below) on the back side of the brassiere  1900  and into the mid portion of the garment on the front side of the brassiere  1900 . 
     The embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 19-25  further includes adjustable shoulder straps  1904 ,  1906 . The adjustable shoulder straps  1904 ,  1906  of brassiere  1900  may feature the same components as the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114  of body shell  100  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Said another way, the adjustable shoulder straps  1904 ,  1906  include the same method of adjustable closure comprising hook-and-eye closures (not shown). Thus, a wearer of the brassiere  1900  may adjust the shoulder straps  1904 ,  1906  to a preferred position. 
     In another embodiment, best depicted in  FIGS. 26-31 , the body shapewear undergarment may include a brassiere  2600 . The brassiere  2600  includes many of the same features described above in previous embodiments of the present invention, thus, for sake of brevity, solely the distinguishing features shall be discussed in detail. The brassiere  2600  at least partially covers the breasts and is designed to provide support and lift a wearer&#39;s chest. 
     With reference to  FIG. 26 , the brassiere  2600  includes a hook-and-eye closure panel  2602  disposed along the center. The hook-and-eye closure panel  2602  may feature the same components as the hook-and-eye closure panel  608  of body shell  600  described above and shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . 
     The embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 26-31  further includes adjustable shoulder straps  2604 ,  2606 . The adjustable shoulder straps  2604 ,  2606  of brassiere  2600  may feature the same components as the adjustable shoulder straps  112 ,  114  of body shell  100  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Said another way, the adjustable shoulder straps  2604 ,  2606  include the same method of adjustable closure comprising hook-and-eye closures (not shown). Thus, a wearer of the brassiere  2600  may adjust the shoulder straps  2604 ,  2606  to a preferred position. The garment may be formed from single layers of fabric in the front and back, respectively. As such, the wide or thick band  2608  at the bottom of the brassiere  2600  prevents it from rolling up and digging into the skin.