A lower torso garment, such as a brief, includes a body having a pair of leg openings, a crotch portion between the leg openings, and a waist opening, and a waist band connected to the body and positioned at the waist opening. The waist band includes a folded fabric portion forming an inner layer and an outer layer surrounding an elastomeric band. The elastomeric band includes a thermoplastic elastomer film including a styrenic block copolymer, and is positioned between the inner and outer layers.

In certain embodiments, the inventive subject matter it is directed to a garment, e.g., boardshorts that includes pelvic and leg regions, the pelvic region being free of a fly structure in a fly region. A waistband system included at the top of the pelvic region for encircling the user's waist. The waistband system has an elastic housing configured to fully or partially encircle a user's waist, an elastically tensionable element having a portion slidably disposed in the housing and through an opening formed in the housing. A lock is associated with the tensionable element and the garment to allow for selective adjustment of tension in the tensionable element. The opening and lock are disposed off and away from the front pelvic region so that the front of the garment, or selected areas thereof, may have a flush finish.

In certain embodiments, the inventive subject matter it is directed to a garment, e.g., boardshorts that includes pelvic and leg regions, the pelvic region being free of a fly structure in a fly region. A waistband system included at the top of the pelvic region for encircling the user's waist. The waistband system has an elastic housing configured to fully or partially encircle a user's waist, an elastically tensionable element having a portion slidably disposed in the housing and through an opening formed in the housing. A lock is associated with the tensionable element and the garment to allow for selective adjustment of tension in the tensionable element. The opening and lock are disposed off and away from the front pelvic region so that the front of the garment, or selected areas thereof, may have a flush finish.

An improved waistband for lower body garments, such as pantyhose, tights, leggings, or underwear. The waistband is knitted as a tube on a circular knitting machine with horizontal courses with respect to the length of the tube. The tube is configured into a continuous loop and seamed. The tube is perpendicularly sewn to the top of the panty portion of the garment to create the waistband such that the knit courses in the waistband align vertically with respect to the length of the garment. The vertical alignment of the courses in the waistband provide comfort and support while resisting the roll down effect that occurs in knitted waistbands having horizontally aligned courses.

An improved waistband for lower body garments, such as pantyhose, tights, leggings, or underwear. The waistband is knitted as a tube on a circular knitting machine with horizontal courses with respect to the length of the tube. The tube is configured into a continuous loop and seamed. The tube is perpendicularly sewn to the top of the panty portion of the garment to create the waistband such that the knit courses in the waistband align vertically with respect to the length of the garment. The vertical alignment of the courses in the waistband provide comfort and support while resisting the roll down effect that occurs in knitted waistbands having horizontally aligned courses.

The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad is an orthopedic device. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad is an article of loin wear. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad is adapted for use with a person. The article of loin wear has incorporated into it a back brace that provides lumbar support to the person wearing the underwear with integrated lumbar support pad. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad adds a belt fastener within the waistband region generally associated with loin wear. Moreover, the belt fastener includes a lumbar support apparatus to accomplish the function of the underwear with integrated lumbar support pad. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad comprises an article of loin wear and a brace.

The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad is an orthopedic device. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad is an article of loin wear. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad is adapted for use with a person. The article of loin wear has incorporated into it a back brace that provides lumbar support to the person wearing the underwear with integrated lumbar support pad. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad adds a belt fastener within the waistband region generally associated with loin wear. Moreover, the belt fastener includes a lumbar support apparatus to accomplish the function of the underwear with integrated lumbar support pad. The underwear with integrated lumbar support pad comprises an article of loin wear and a brace.

An undergarment for covering a pelvic region of a wearer is adapted to finger graspable pulls shaped and located to aid a wearer with diminished motor capacity and/or manual (i.e., hand) dexterity to more easily put on and take off the undergarment independently, without needing precise finger, hand, and arm control. The undergarment desirably uses materials, color choices, and decorative trim and elements to make the finger pulls and/or to decorate the undergarment to make the undergarment look more aesthetically appealing and reduce resemblance to specialty medical garment used by medical patients.

An undergarment for covering a pelvic region of a wearer is adapted to finger graspable pulls shaped and located to aid a wearer with diminished motor capacity and/or manual (i.e., hand) dexterity to more easily put on and take off the undergarment independently, without needing precise finger, hand, and arm control. The undergarment desirably uses materials, color choices, and decorative trim and elements to make the finger pulls and/or to decorate the undergarment to make the undergarment look more aesthetically appealing and reduce resemblance to specialty medical garment used by medical patients.

An assist garments worn on or below the waist has finger loops mounted on a band to assist in dressing and undressing.