A swimwear apparatus is provided. The swimwear apparatus may include an upper portion having an upper base layer and an upper bikini layer, and a lower portion having a lower base layer and a lower bikini layer. The upper bikini layer may be configured to be removably attached to the upper base layer, and the lower bikini layer may be configured to be removably attached to the lower base layer.

A fabric-based item may include a housing that is covered in fabric. Areas of the fabric may overlap input circuitry such as button switches, touch sensors, force sensors, proximity sensors, and other sensing circuitry and may overlap other components such as light-emitting components and haptic output devices. The fabric-based item may include control circuitry that gathers user input from the input circuitry and wireless communications circuitry that the control circuitry uses to transmit remote control commands and other wireless signals in response information from the input circuitry. The fabric-based item may have a weight that is located in the housing to orient the housing in a desired direction when the housing rests on a surface. A movable weight may tilt the housing in response to proximity sensor signals or other input. Portions of the fabric may overlap light-emitting components and optical fiber configured to emit light.

A fabric-based item may include a housing that is covered in fabric. Areas of the fabric may overlap input circuitry such as button switches, touch sensors, force sensors, proximity sensors, and other sensing circuitry and may overlap other components such as light-emitting components and haptic output devices. The fabric-based item may include control circuitry that gathers user input from the input circuitry and wireless communications circuitry that the control circuitry uses to transmit remote control commands and other wireless signals in response information from the input circuitry. The fabric-based item may have a weight that is located in the housing to orient the housing in a desired direction when the housing rests on a surface. A movable weight may tilt the housing in response to proximity sensor signals or other input. Portions of the fabric may overlap light-emitting components and optical fiber configured to emit light.

An aquatic sport performance garment configured to improve a user's performance, enhance a user's speed and ease with which the wearer moves through water, provide better control of body temperature in diverse environments and reduce overall fatigue while wearing the garment. A garment having an upper-torso portion, a free-floating, sealing collar and sleeves biased in an arms-up configuration.

A swimming garment formed from a stretchable elasticated fabric that, in use, covers at least part of the wearer's thighs, hips and glutes. The garment includes at least two tension bands that have a higher modulus of elasticity than adjacent regions of the stretchable elasticated fabric so that, in use, the tension bands offer greater resistance to stretch than the adjacent regions. A first one of said tension bands follows a path that extends along the outside of a left thigh region of the garment to a left hip region of the garment and inwardly from the left hip region across a left upper glute region of the garment towards a mid-line of the garment. A second one of said tension bands follows a path that extends along the outside of a right thigh region of the garment to a right hip region of the garment and inwardly from the right hip region across a right upper glute region of the garment towards a mid-line of the garment.

A sports garment comprising a pair of shoulder straps (2). Each shoulder strap has a multi-layer construction and at least one of the layers in the multi-layer construction has a plurality of holes formed therein. The holes are spaced from one another along the length of the strap.

A sports garment comprising a pair of shoulder straps (2). Each shoulder strap has a multi-layer construction and at least one of the layers in the multi-layer construction has a plurality of holes formed therein. The holes are spaced from one another along the length of the strap.

An article of footwear (100), apparel (500, 600), and/or sporting equipment (300, 400), and methods of manufacturing thereof, having a hydrogel present on at least a portion of an externally-facing side of the article. The hydrogel is effective in reducing soil accumulation on the article, and/or for reducing soil adhesion to the article.

An article of footwear (100), apparel (500, 600), and/or sporting equipment (300, 400), and methods of manufacturing thereof, having a hydrogel present on at least a portion of an externally-facing side of the article. The hydrogel is effective in reducing soil accumulation on the article, and/or for reducing soil adhesion to the article.

A cushioning apparatus is provided including a gel-like body including a strap retaining channel sized and shaped to engage with a clothing strap of a garment therein and to fit between the clothing strap and a wearer of the garment. The gel-like body may include a bottom portion of a first material and a top portion attached the bottom portion, the bottom portion of a second material different from the first material. A clothing strap cushioning system is also provided including a garment having at least one clothing strap configured to be worn on a portion of a wearer's body and a cushioning member removably attached to a portion of the clothing strap, and including a retaining channel sized and shaped to hold the clothing strap therein and to fit between the clothing strap and a wearer of the garment.