An article or garment comprising a micro hook-and-loop closure system is provided herein. The article comprises at least one extremity-covering portion. The distal end of the extremity-covering portion comprises a first textile at an outer-facing surface and a second textile at an inner-facing surface. The second textile includes micro hook or micro loop materials that releasably mate with complementary micro hook or micro loop materials of the first textile in order to place the micro hook-and-loop closure system in a closed configuration. The placement, size, and shape of each of the first and second textiles, as extending from a distal end toward a proximal end of the article, enable the article or garment to be expediently and comfortably donned and doffed.

Techniques are disclosed relating to apparel that incorporates features to facilitate changing. In some embodiments, a garment includes a garment structure formed of a fabric material. The garment structure includes a front portion operable to cover a front portion of a wearer's body and a back portion operable to cover a back portion of the wearer's body. The garment includes a first fastener mechanism extending along a first body side of the garment structure. The first fastener mechanism is operable by the wearer to join the front portion to the back portion to create a torso opening for the wearer. The garment further includes a second fastener mechanism extending along an inseam of the garment structure. The second fastener mechanism is operable by the wearer to join the front portion to the back portion to create a first leg opening and a second leg opening for the wearer.

A clothing article accommodating pre-existing attire of a wearer and a pre-existing medical attachment, the article includes a first and second front side and a back side connected to a second front side, the article of clothing accommodating a pre-existing medical attachment connected to the wearer. The clothing article includes a bottom hem around the bottom and a collar around the top of the clothing article. A first front placket and a second front placket extend from the collar to the bottom hem. A first sleeve includes a lateral seam from the wrist to the first front placket, below the collar, with a top placket having fasteners and a bottom placket having mating fasteners. Donning or removing the clothing article includes opening the first lateral seam and wrapping the first sleeve around an arm of the wearer, closing the first lateral seam by engaging the fasteners with the mating fasteners.

The invention generally relates to easily removable clothing that is intended for individuals with limited mobility. The invention further relates to easily and safely removable clothing for individuals that may be recovering from surgery or suffer from a disability which limits their physical mobility. The invention also relates to pull-tab systems that may be combined with clothing or accessories in order to facilitate easier and simpler removal and wear.

A gown (100) can include a body covering portion (101). The gown can optionally include sleeves (107,108) extending distally from the body covering portion. The gown can include a shoulder covering portion (106) defining a head insertion aperture (105). To make the gown self-donnable without compromising sterility of sterile portions, the body covering portion can include an accordion fold (302) or a rolled fold (303) beginning at an end (111) of the gown opposite the head insertion aperture and terminating at the sleeves.

A compound garment has a first garment of contiguous material from a waist band to a genital area, having opposite leg openings proximate the genital area, with at least a pelvic region made from a four-way stretch fabric, a second garment of contiguous material from a waist band to a genital area, having opposite leg openings proximate the genital area, with at least a pelvic region made from a four-way stretch fabric, and a waist band of non-stretch fabric, having a contiguous back portion and a front portion with a fly opening having closure elements enabling the fly opening to be opened and closed. The compound garment is formed by imposing the second garment over the first garment with waistband and leg openings aligned, imposing the non-stretch waistband over the assembled first and second garments, and joining the three along the waistband in the back.

A folded article formed from a protective garment, and a method of folding a protective garment to prepare the garment for donning, expose sleeve openings of the garment for ease of donning. The protective garment is folded into a folded article that is configured to be grasped by an inner surface of the garment and prevent touching the outer surface of the garment during donning. Thus, the sterility of the protective garment can be maintained during donning. The protective garment may further include a hood and visor, and the folded article formed from the protective garment may have the same size and shape as the visor.

An article includes a first garment, a second garment, and a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second. The waterproof fastener includes: a first annular gasket, coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket including a flexible substrate and a continuous groove radially oriented on the first garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first garment, and a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket including a second flexible substrate and a continuous rib radially oriented on the second garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the second garment. The continuous groove is configured to receive the continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit.

An article includes a first garment, a second garment, and a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second. The waterproof fastener includes: a first annular gasket, coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket including a flexible substrate and a continuous groove radially oriented on the first garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the first garment, and a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket including a second flexible substrate and a continuous rib radially oriented on the second garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the second garment. The continuous groove is configured to receive the continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit.

A method of donning a magnetically-fastened upper garment is disclosed. The method and garment are configured for being carried out and worn, respectively, by a post-operative physically challenged individual using one arm only. The upper garment is configured for easy donning and removal without requiring another person's assistance, thus promoting independence of the individual. The upper garment has a front which is vertically separated from the rear at one side of the garment. A plurality of front and rear magnets are embedded in corresponding locations in the free edges along the vertical separation to effect closure of the garment and retention of the garment on the user.