Patent Description:
Wrap skirts, sometimes also referred to as draped skirts, are formed by a panel that wraps around a person's waist and that partially overlaps itself. Wrap skirts may be formed from a variety of different fabrics or other materials and may have a variety of different vertical lengths, a variety of different shapes and a variety of different degrees of overlapping.

<CIT> discloses an adjustable waist band arrangement for providing a garment adjustable to fit all sizes within a predetermined range. The adjustable waist band arrangement is provided with a waist encircling band having a resiliently stretchable back portion. A pair of front portions of the band are coupled to each of the ends of the stretchable back portion. The front portions are adapted to be positioned in the front of the waist of the wearer in an overlapping arrangement. Restraining means are provided for holding the over-lapped front portions detachably together.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wrap skirt comprising a skirt panel having a top waist portion, a first end and a second end, a first portion of a first connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion between the first end and the second end, a second portion of the first connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion proximate the first end, a first portion of a second connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion between the first and end the second, and a second portion of the second connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion proximate the second end. The first connector is configured to retain the top waist portion about a waistline of a person as an overlapping portion of the skirt panel is wrapped and subsequently retained in place by the second connector. The wrap skirt additionally comprises a sleeve. The sleeve extends along the top waist portion. A webbing is slidably positioned within the sleeve. The first portion of the first connector is carried by a first end portion of the webbing. The second portion of the second connector is carried by a second end portion of the webbing.

The wrap skirt may provide waist length adjustability. In such implementations, the circumference of the waist portion may be adjustable to different waist sizes. Upon being secured in place at a desired waist size, the overlapping portion may be secured in the overlapping state.

In some implementations, the sleeve may have a first opening on a first side of the skirt panel through and from which the first end portion of the webbing supporting the first portion of the first connector extends and may have a second opening on a second side of the skirt panel through and from which the second end portion of the webbing supporting the second portion of the second connector extends. The wrap skirt may further comprise a flexible tether having a first end portion connected to the webbing and a second end portion anchored to the skirt panel.

The webbing may comprise a catch. The catch may be carried by the webbing, for example between the first portion of the first connector and a mouth of the sleeve. The catch may be configured to inhibit movement of the first portion of the first connector into the sleeve. The catch may comprise a hook to engage the mouth of the sleeve.

The webbing may be folded over itself and secured to itself to form the hook.

The flexible tether may have a length of no greater than <NUM> (<NUM> inches). The flexible tether may have a length of at least <NUM> (<NUM> inch).

The flexible tether may be anchored to the skirt panel, for example within the sleeve. The second portion of the second connector may comprise a buckle. The buckle may be slidably and adjustably positioned along the webbing.

The sleeve may have a length of at least <NUM> (<NUM> inches). The sleeve may have a length of no greater than <NUM> (<NUM> inches).

The first connector may comprise a snap connector. The second connector may comprise a buckle connector.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Disclosed are example wrap skirts that facilitate easier wrapping and donning of the wrap skirt by person. The example wrap skirts comprise a waist portion which is to wrap about a person's waist and be in direct contact with the person's waist and an overlapping portion that it overlaps the waist portion. The example wrap skirts facilitate independent support of the waist portion prior to securement of the overlapping portion in an overlapping state. As a result, a person may more easily put on the wrap skirt.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a wrap skirt <NUM> which does not have all features of claim <NUM>. Wrap skirt <NUM> comprises a waist portion <NUM> and an overlapping portion <NUM> that wraps over or overlaps the waist portion. Wrap skirt <NUM> may be easier to be put on in that waist portion <NUM> is configured to be supported about the waist of a person wearing wrap skirt <NUM> independent of and prior to securement of the overlapping portion <NUM> over top of the waist portion <NUM>. As result, a person may first secure the waist portion <NUM> about his or her waist to ensure a proper fit without having to manage positioning of the overlapping portion <NUM>. Once the waist portion <NUM> has been properly fit about the waist, the person may devote his or her attention to properly wrapping and securing the overlapping portion <NUM> over the already secured waist portion <NUM>. Wrap skirt <NUM> comprises skirt panel <NUM>, connector <NUM> and connector <NUM>.

Skirt panel <NUM> comprises a continuous, integral sheet of material having a top waist portion <NUM>, a lower edge <NUM>, a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. One or more of the top waist portion <NUM>, the lower edge <NUM>, first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> may include edge treatments. For example, one or more of the top waist portion <NUM>, the lower edge <NUM>, first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> may include an additional stiffening strip of material, a hem, a fold, additional stitching and the like. Skirt panel <NUM> may be formed from a breathable fabric, a non-breathable fabric, a leather, a synthetic leather, a polymer or other materials. Although illustrated as being imperforate, uninterrupted and rectangular in shape, in some implementations, skirt panel <NUM> may have other shapes or may be perforated or interrupted in that skirt panel <NUM> may include slits, notches, openings or the like. Skirt panel <NUM> may include additional panels or attachments. For example, skirt panel <NUM> may include additional panels of material to form pockets or other complementary features.

Connector <NUM> comprises a connection device secured to skirt panel <NUM> and configured to form waist portion <NUM>. Connector <NUM> comprises a first connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and second connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>. First portion <NUM>-<NUM> is coupled to the skirt panel <NUM> proximate the top waist portion <NUM> between first and <NUM> and second end <NUM>. Second connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM>. As shown by <FIG>, first connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> connects to second connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> to retain waist portion <NUM> about the waist W of a person. Such retention occurs prior to the connection of connector <NUM>.

Connector <NUM> comprise a connection device secured to skirt panel <NUM> and configured to retain overlapping portion <NUM> in place, over an outside of waist portion <NUM>. Connector <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a second portion <NUM>-<NUM>. First connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is coupled to skirt panel <NUM> proximate top waist portion <NUM> between first end <NUM> and second end <NUM>. First connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is coupled skirt panel <NUM> between first connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> of connector <NUM> and second connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> of connector <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are both coupled to skirt panel <NUM> on an inside or inner surface of skirt panel <NUM>, the side of skirt panel <NUM> which is to face the waist and thighs of the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. Connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is coupled to skirt panel <NUM> on an exterior side of skirt panel <NUM>, the side skirt panel <NUM> facing away from the waist and thighs of the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. In other implementations, connector portions <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and/or <NUM>-<NUM> may be coupled to skirt panel <NUM> on a face or side skirt panel <NUM> opposite to that shown, wherein portions of the skirt panel adjacent connector may be folded or bent to facilitate connection of the different connector portions.

In some implementations, connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may comprise cooperating portions of a hook and loop (VELCRO) connector. In some implementations, connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may comprise cooperating portions of a snap connector. In some implementations, connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may comprise cooperating portions of a quick disconnect buckle or other quick release connector. In yet other implementations, connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may comprise other forms of releasable or disengageable connectors, such as, for example, a button and a button hole. In some implementations, connector <NUM> may be of a first type of a connector while connector <NUM> is of a second different type of connector. For example, in some implementations, connector <NUM> may be a snap connector while connector <NUM> comprise a quick connect buckle connector.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example wrap skirt <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an inner face <NUM> of wrap skirt <NUM>, the face or side of wrap skirt <NUM> which is to face towards the waist and thighs of a person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an exterior face <NUM> of wrap skirt <NUM>, the face or side of wrap skirt <NUM> which is to face away from the waist and thighs of a person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. <FIG> is a sectional view of wrap skirt <NUM> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. Wrap skirt <NUM> is similar to wrap skirt <NUM> described above except that wrap skirt <NUM> additionally comprises sleeve <NUM>, webbing <NUM>, tether <NUM> and catches <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> (collectively referred to as catches <NUM>). Those remaining components of wrap skirt <NUM> which correspond to components of wrap skirt <NUM> are numbered similarly.

Sleeve <NUM> (greatly enlarged in <FIG> for purposes of illustration) retains and guides sliding movement of webbing <NUM>. Sleeve <NUM> is coupled to skirt panel <NUM> on the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM> and is sized to slidably receive central portions of webbing <NUM>. In the example illustrated, sleeve <NUM> has opposite axial ends spaced from ends <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, sleeve <NUM> is formed from a panel of material secured to the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>, wherein the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM> forms a portion of the interior surface of sleeve <NUM>. In other implementations, sleeve <NUM> may comprise a tube or a pair of panels which completely form sleeve <NUM>, wherein the sleeve is then coupled to inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>. In some implementations, sleeve <NUM> may comprise multiple sections or multiple spaced loops formed on the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM> and through which portions of webbing <NUM> extend.

Sleeve <NUM> comprises openings <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (collectively referred to as openings <NUM>) through which webbing <NUM> extends. Openings <NUM> are located opposite axial ends of sleeve <NUM>. In the example illustrated, opening <NUM>-<NUM> is located on the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>, opening towards the waist of a person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. Opening <NUM>-<NUM> extends through skirt panel <NUM>, opening through the exterior face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>, opening away from the waist of a person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, sleeve <NUM> extends along a portion of top waist portion <NUM>, having a length less than the length of top waist portion <NUM>. In some implementations, sleeve <NUM> has a length no greater than <NUM>% of the length of top waist portion <NUM>. In the example illustrated, sleeve <NUM> has a length of at least <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and no greater than <NUM> (<NUM> inches). In other implementations, sleeve <NUM> may extend along substantially the entire length of top waist portion <NUM>, wherein openings <NUM> may be located at intermediate portions of the length of sleeve <NUM>, extending through sides of sleeve <NUM> between its opposite axial ends. In some implementations, sleeve <NUM> may extend from one of ends <NUM>, <NUM> and terminate at a location between ends <NUM> and <NUM>.

Webbing <NUM> comprises a length of flexible material projecting from and through both of openings <NUM> of sleeve <NUM> and supporting connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> beyond openings <NUM>. Webbing <NUM> is configured to bend and flex to conform to the waist of the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. Webbing <NUM> is further configured to slide or move within and relative to the interior of sleeve <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, webbing <NUM> comprises a flat strap of inelastic fabric material. In other implementations, webbing <NUM> may comprise a flexible cord having a circular or oval cross-section. In some implementations, webbing <NUM> may be formed from an elastic material. Webbing <NUM> may be formed from materials such as natural or synthetic fabrics, rubbers, synthetic rubbers, polymers and the like.

In the example illustrated, webbing <NUM> may slide along the length of sleeve <NUM> to permit both of connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> to be adjustably repositioned relative to ends <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. As a result, connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be more easily brought into connection with their respective complementary connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> when a person is dressing with wrap skirt <NUM>. Because webbing <NUM> supports both of connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> at its opposite end portions, pulling one of connector portions <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> further out of sleeve <NUM> shortens the extent to which the other of connector portions <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> extends from sleeve <NUM>. As a result, connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be extended when waist portion <NUM> is initially wrapped about a person's waist, allowing a looser initial fit of waist portion <NUM>. Thereafter, connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> may be pulled for connection to connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> to secure overlapping portion <NUM> in its wrapped state while also concurrently tightening waist portion <NUM> about the person's waist.

Tether <NUM> comprises a flexible cord, strap or band of material having a first end portion connected to webbing <NUM> and a second end portion anchored, directly or indirectly, to skirt panel <NUM>. In other implementations, a portion of the teather <NUM> can be connected to the skirt panel <NUM> and another portion, not necessarily the first end of the tether can be coupled to the webbing <NUM>. Tether <NUM> may serve to limit the extent to which webbing <NUM> is pulled through opening <NUM>-<NUM> or alternatively through opening <NUM>-<NUM>. Tether <NUM> allows some limited extent of movement of webbing <NUM> while preventing webbing <NUM> from being completely withdrawn from sleeve <NUM>. In some implementations, tether <NUM> is inelastic. In other implementations, tether <NUM> has a controlled degree of elasticity or stretchability. In some implementations, the tether <NUM> has a length that is shorter than the length of the sleeve <NUM>. In another implementation, the length of the tether <NUM> is no greater than half the length of the sleeve <NUM>. In the example illustrated, tether <NUM> can have a length of at least <NUM> (<NUM> inch) and no greater than <NUM> (<NUM> inches).

Catches <NUM> comprise structures configured to inhibit connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> from being moved or drawn into the interior of sleeve <NUM>. In some implementations, catches <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> comprise structures having a size greater than the size of openings <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively. In some implementations, the connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and/or connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> may concurrently serve as catches in that such connector portions may have a dimension greater than the size of the sleeve openings to inhibit such connector portions from being drawn into the interior of sleeve <NUM>. In some implementations, catches <NUM> each comprise a hook to catch or engage the mouth of the associated opening <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. In some implementations, catches <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> comprise a portion of the webbing <NUM> folded over itself and secured to itself to form a fabric hook.

<FIG> illustrate portions of an example wrap skirt <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of an inner side or face <NUM> of wrap skirt <NUM> in an extended state. <FIG> is a perspective view of an outer face or side <NUM> of wrap skirt <NUM> in the extended state.

<FIG> illustrates portions of wrap skirt <NUM> broken away to illustrate interior contents of a sleeve of wrap skirt <NUM>. Wrap skirt <NUM> is one example implementation of wrap skirt <NUM> described above. Wrap skirt <NUM> comprises skirt panel <NUM> (described above), connector <NUM>, connector <NUM>, sleeve <NUM>, webbing <NUM>, flexible tether <NUM> and catch <NUM>.

Connector <NUM> is similar to connector <NUM> described above except that connector <NUM> particularly comprises a snap connector formed by snap connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. The region of top waist portion <NUM> extending between connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> forms the waist portion <NUM> of wrap skirt <NUM>. In the example illustrated, connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is supported on an end portion of strap <NUM> while connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> supported by a band <NUM> of material fixedly secured to and extending from end <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>. Band <NUM> facilitates easier manipulation of connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> when securing connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> to connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>.

Connector <NUM> is similar to connector <NUM> described above except that connector <NUM> particularly comprises a quick release/quick connect buckle connector formed by connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is slidably positioned and retained along webbing <NUM> while connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is fixed to the outer face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>. Connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a buckle through which webbing <NUM> extends, permitting the positioning of connector portion <NUM> along the length of webbing <NUM> to be adjusted. Connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a buckle portion that resiliently flexes and snaps into the corresponding quick release connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>.

Sleeve <NUM> slidably supports and guides central portions of webbing <NUM> and is secured along top waist portion <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>. In the example illustrated, sleeve <NUM> is formed by a band of fabric stitched or otherwise secured to the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>, forming a passage through which webbing <NUM> extends. Sleeve <NUM> is generally centered at a center point between ends <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In the example illustrated, sleeve <NUM> has a length of at least <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and no greater than <NUM> (<NUM> inches).

Webbing <NUM> is similar to webbing <NUM> described above. In the example illustrated, webbing <NUM> comprise a band of flexible fabric, such as a flexible canvas material. As seen in <FIG>, webbing <NUM> has a first end portion <NUM>-<NUM> projecting from opening <NUM>-<NUM> on the inner face of skirt panel <NUM>, supporting connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and catch <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, webbing <NUM> has a second end portion <NUM>-<NUM> projecting from opening <NUM>-<NUM> on the exterior face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM> and passing through connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>.

As shown by <FIG>, flexible tether <NUM> comprises a strap of material having a first end portion <NUM>-<NUM> affixed or connected to webbing <NUM> (such as by stitching) and a second end portion <NUM>-<NUM> affixed or anchored to skirt panel <NUM>, either directly or indirectly via sleeve <NUM>. As with flexible tether <NUM>, flexible tether <NUM> limits an extent to which webbing <NUM> may be slid and pulled through either of openings <NUM> of sleeve <NUM>. Tether <NUM> prevents webbing <NUM> from being completely withdrawn from sleeve <NUM>. In the example illustrated, flexible tether <NUM> has a length of at least <NUM> (<NUM> inch) and no greater than <NUM> (<NUM> inches). In some implementations, tether <NUM> may be omitted.

Catch <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) comprise a structure configured to inhibit connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> from being moved or drawn into the interior of sleeve <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate catch <NUM> in more detail. As shown by <FIG>, in the example illustrated, catch <NUM> comprises a portion of the webbing <NUM> folded over itself and secured to itself (by stitching) to form a fabric hook <NUM>. Connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is secured on the folded overlapping portion of webbing <NUM>. As shown by <FIG>, the fabric hook <NUM> engages and catches upon the mouth of opening <NUM>-<NUM> to prevent connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> from being completely drawn into the interior of sleeve <NUM>. In the example illustrated, the quick release buckle of connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a size greater than the size of opening <NUM>-<NUM> so as to serve as a catch.

<FIG> illustrate a person donning wrap skirt <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates wrap skirt <NUM> being held behind the person's waist in an open and extended state. In the example illustrated, the person generally centers the sleeve <NUM> along his or her back with the connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> positioned along the left side of the person's waist. As shown by <FIG>, the person may grasp band <NUM>, keeping connector portion <NUM><NUM>-<NUM> exposed (not covered up by the fingers grasping end <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>) and ready for connection to connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the person wrapping end <NUM> to the right, across the front of the person's waist, moving connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> towards connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>. During such connection, the person may rotate skirt panel <NUM> to better view connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> as connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is brought into connection with connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>. During such connection, connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be extended by pulling end portion <NUM>-<NUM> and strap <NUM> further out of sleeve <NUM> so as to temporarily loosen waist portion <NUM> for easier connection of connector <NUM>.

As shown by <FIG>, once connector <NUM> has been connected, portion <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> have been snapped together, the person may rotate waist portion <NUM> about his or her waist to locate the beginning of overlapping portion <NUM> at a desired location, such as along the left side of the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. As further shown by <FIG>, once connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> have been connected to one another, waist portion <NUM> is fully supported about the person's waist prior to connection of connector <NUM>, leaving overlapping portion <NUM> dangling and ready for subsequent connection. The securement of waist portion <NUM> about the person's waist may be performed without the need to concurrently grasp or otherwise manipulate overlapping portion <NUM>. Once waist portion <NUM> has been secured, the person is ready to continue with the securement of overlapping portion <NUM> of wrap skirt <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the person subsequently grasping connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (or nearby regions of wrap skirt <NUM>) to initiate the securement of overlapping portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates overlapping portion <NUM> being wrapped to the left, over waist portion <NUM> and across the front of the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. <FIG> further illustrates connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> being grasped and being moved towards connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> which is supported on end portion <NUM>-<NUM> of strap <NUM>. Because connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is supported by strap <NUM>, connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be more easily manipulated for interconnection with connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>. During such connection, strap <NUM> may be pulled through the buckle portion of connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> to lengthen or shorten end portion <NUM>-<NUM> of strap <NUM>. End portion <NUM>-<NUM> of strap <NUM> may be further pulled or withdrawn from sleeve <NUM> to bring connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> into connecting engagement with connector portion <NUM>-<NUM>. As end portion <NUM>-<NUM> of strap <NUM> is pulled, end portion <NUM>-<NUM> of strap <NUM> is moved further into sleeve <NUM>, tightening waist portion <NUM> about the waist of the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> interconnected to secure and retain overlapping portion <NUM> in position over waist portion <NUM>. As further shown by <FIG>, the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM> may further pull end portion <NUM>-<NUM> through the buckle of connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> to place overlap portion <NUM> in greater tension across the front of the person wearing wrap skirt <NUM>. Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, wrap skirt <NUM> is fully assembled. Wrap skirt <NUM> may be subsequently rotated further about the waist of the person to a desired position.

<FIG> illustrates portions of an example wrap skirt <NUM>. Wrap skirt <NUM> is similar to wrap skirt <NUM> and <NUM> described above except that wrap skirt <NUM> comprises sleeve <NUM> instead of sleeve <NUM> or <NUM>. Those remaining components of wrap skirt <NUM> which correspond to components of wrap skirt <NUM> are numbered similarly. <FIG> illustrates an example of how webbing <NUM> may be supported and slidably guided by a sleeve formed from multiple individual loops <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (collectively referred to as loops <NUM>) while leaving portions of webbing <NUM> exposed.

Loops <NUM> are formed on the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>. The openings of loops <NUM> are aligned along the top waist portion <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>. As shown by <FIG>, the individual loops <NUM> may be differently spaced from one another or uniformly spaced from one another. The different loops <NUM> may have different lengths relative to one another. Although wrap skirt <NUM> is illustrated as having four loops <NUM>, in other implementations, wrap skirt <NUM> may have a greater or fewer of such loops <NUM>.

As further shown by <FIG>, webbing <NUM> has an end portion <NUM>-<NUM> which passes through an opening <NUM>-<NUM> in skirt panel <NUM> such that connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be located on the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM> while connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is located on the exterior face <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of skirt panel <NUM>. In the example illustrated, flexible tether <NUM> may be stitched, welded, adhered or otherwise affixed to the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate portions of an example wrap skirt <NUM> which does not have all features of claim <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate an example of how connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be independently supported by independent webbings. Wrap skirt <NUM> is similar to wrap skirt <NUM> and <NUM> described above except that wrap skirt <NUM> comprises a pair of webbings <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (collectively referred to as webbing <NUM>) directly or indirectly anchored to skirt panel <NUM> by flexible tethers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively. Those remaining components of wrap skirt <NUM> which correspond to components of wrap skirt <NUM> are numbered similarly. In the example illustrated, connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> is illustrated as being supported by a flexible tab or band <NUM> (described above with respect to wrap skirt <NUM>). In other implementations, connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be supported on the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Webbing <NUM>-<NUM> extends from within sleeve <NUM> through opening <NUM>-<NUM> and supports connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> of connector <NUM> on the inner face <NUM> of skirt panel <NUM>. Webbing <NUM>-<NUM> extends from within sleeve <NUM> through opening <NUM>-<NUM> and supports connector portion <NUM>-<NUM> on the exterior face <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of skirt panel <NUM>. In some implementations, in lieu of being slidably supported by single sleeve <NUM>, each of webbings <NUM> may be supported and slidably guided by individual and distinct sleeves, a first sleeve for webbing <NUM>-<NUM> and a second sleeve for webbing <NUM>-<NUM>. In some implementations, each of webbing <NUM> may be supported and slidably guided by multiple individual loops such as loops <NUM> described above with respect to wrap skirt <NUM>.

Because connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are supported by distinct and independent webbings <NUM> which are anchored by distinct tethers <NUM>, connector portions <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be withdrawn from sleeve <NUM> (or their respective sleeves or loops) by different extents when desired. In some implementations, each of tethers <NUM> may be elastic or inelastic. In some implementations, each of webbings <NUM> may be elastic or inelastic.

In some implementations, tethers <NUM> and/or their associated webbings <NUM> may have different characteristics relative to one another. For example, tether <NUM>-<NUM> may have a different length as compared tether <NUM>-<NUM> or may have a different extent or degree of elasticity or stretchability as compared to tether <NUM>-<NUM>. In some implementations, webbing <NUM>-<NUM> may have a different length as compared to webbing <NUM>-<NUM> or may have a different extent or degree of elasticity or stretchability as compared to webbing <NUM>-<NUM>. As a result, the adjustability of the positioning of connectors <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be different and may be customized to preferences of the person to wear wrap skirt <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A wrap skirt (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a skirt panel (<NUM>) having a top waist portion (<NUM>), a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>);
a first portion (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of a first connector (<NUM>) coupled to the skirt panel (<NUM>) proximate the top waist portion (<NUM>) between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>);
a second portion (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of the first connector (<NUM>) coupled to the skirt panel (<NUM>) proximate the top waist portion (<NUM>) proximate the first end (<NUM>);
a first portion (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of a second connector (<NUM>) coupled to the skirt panel (<NUM>) proximate the top waist portion (<NUM>) between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>);
a second portion (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of the second connector (<NUM>) coupled to the skirt panel (<NUM>) proximate the top waist portion (<NUM>) proximate the second end (<NUM>),
wherein the first connector (<NUM>) is configured to retain the top waist portion (<NUM>) about a waistline of a person as an overlapping portion (<NUM>) of the skirt panel (<NUM>) is wrapped and subsequently retained in place by the second connector (<NUM>);
characterized by;
a sleeve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending along the top waist portion (<NUM>); and
a webbing (<NUM>, <NUM>) slidably positioned within the sleeve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the first portion (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of the first connector (<NUM>) is carried by a first end portion of the webbing (<NUM>, <NUM>) and wherein the second portion (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of the second connector (<NUM>) is carried by a second end portion of the webbing (<NUM>, <NUM>).