Aspects herein are directed to articles of apparel formed from a base textile and including a plurality of discrete overlay film structures affixed to the base textile at one or more locations on the article of apparel. When exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo an increase in dimension in at least the z-direction and the base textile undergoes a decrease in dimension in one or more of the x-direction and the y-direction.

Aspects herein are directed to articles of apparel formed from a base textile and including a plurality of discrete overlay film structures affixed to the base textile at one or more locations on the article of apparel. When exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo an increase in dimension in at least the z-direction and the base textile undergoes a change in dimension in at least the z-direction to produce stand-off nodes.

A particulate blocking undergarment for workers operating in hazardous environments. The undergarment adds particulate blocking technology to an undergarment (men's and women's brief, bra) that provides a protective barrier to significantly reduce the risk of exposure to carcinogens and infiltration around protective over garments. The protective barrier includes a plurality of layers including an inner flame retardant layer and an outer particulate blocking layer. The inner layer may include a Polartech Power Stretch FR materialand/or other material per NFPA 1975. The outer layer may include a Stedfast, Stedair Prevent materialand/or other materials per NPFA 1971.

An apparatus for targeted fat tissue loss in the form of a garment is provided. The garment is configured, for example, as a pair of either short or long pants, and comprises an integrated elastic member. The elastic member conforms to and compresses with an inward pressure a targeted body region of the wearer's body. For example, a region proximate to the lower torso/waist of the wearer may be targeted. The garment further comprises a zipper and waistband portion. The zipper extends vertically, for example, on the side of the garment, making the garment easier to put on and take off. The waistband portion helps secure the garment to the wearer's body.

The present invention provides a lightweight glove for baseball or softball that may include an elastic backfinger to provide a conforming fit to the wearer's hand. In general, the elastic backfinger may replace existing, often leather backfingers, the back panel, the liner, and/or other elements of traditional gloves glove with the elastic material, combination of elastic materials, or combination of elastic and inelastic materials.

A swimsuit for competition swimming is contemplated as being formed with a network of tension bands disposed interior to the external surface of the swimsuit for storing energy and resisting motion, and with a plurality of reinforcement liners configured to complement the functionality of the network of tension bands while maintaining strength and flexibility in targeted locations while prevent intrusion of water from being retained within the components of the suit through a network of strategically positioned drains. The swimsuit may optimize the swimmer's swimming motion with reduced discomfort and without degrading prematurely due to wear.

A swimsuit for competition swimming is contemplated as being formed with a network of tension bands disposed interior to the external surface of the swimsuit for storing energy and resisting motion, and with a plurality of reinforcement liners configured to complement the functionality of the network of tension bands while maintaining strength and flexibility in targeted locations while prevent intrusion of water from being retained within the components of the suit through a network of strategically positioned drains. The swimsuit may optimize the swimmer's swimming motion with reduced discomfort and without degrading prematurely due to wear.

Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings, venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item may comprise the engineered openings. Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.

A garment includes a first layer configured to contact a wearer of the garment and keep the garment from riding up during use, one or more pocket panels coupled to the first layer such that one or more pockets are defined between the pocket panels and the first layer, and a strap extending circumferentially at least partially about an upper portion of the garment. The first layer extends generally vertically between the upper portion of the garment and a lower portion of the garment. The pocket panels include one or more stretch materials configured to expand in a transverse direction while being substantially less expandable in a longitudinal direction. The strap is configured to control a size of a waist opening defined by the upper portion of the garment and support a load on the first layer and/or pocket panels.

A garment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure provides support to a wearer, while still contouring to the wearer's body. Preferably, the garment is made from a disclosed combination of rigid panels and more elastic panels, with more support on the wearer's front and more elasticity for contouring to the wearer's back and sides. The mesh panels take the natural shape of the wearer's hips and buttocks, supporting the form rather than trying to force the wearer's body into a particular shape.