A protective apparel system includes an article of apparel having a first part of a magnetic fastening system and at least one protective element having a second part of the magnetic fastening system. The first part of the magnetic fastening system being joinable to the second part to attach the at least one protective element to the article of apparel.

A fastening element configured for attachment to a wearable clothing or accessory substrate whereby ornamental elements are configured for removable fastening thereto for changeable decorative appearance of the clothing or accessory wherein the fastening element is ornamental in appearance whereby it is aesthetically viewable with or without ornamental elements fastened thereto and whereby the fastener is able to be integrated with appearance of the ornamental element or completely hidden by the ornamental elements.

A pullover-style shirt, the shirt comprising an exterior layer of fabric, an interior layer of fabric, an aperture in the exterior layer, securing means that serve to close the aperture when the aperture is not actively manipulated by a user, but that allow the easy opening of the aperture to display the interior layer when the aperture is actively manipulated by a user. The inventor contemplates that the interior layer should bear a graphic display that is exposed when the aperture is opened. The securing means are to be a system of opposite polarity magnets that sewn into the edges of the aperture, thus closing the aperture via their force of attraction when not restrained from one another. Still further, the inventor expressly contemplates that the aperture should be positioned so as to locate over the sternum of a user when the pullover top is worn.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention includes an athletic garment including a garment configured to snugly fit a torso wherein the garment has a front portion and a rear portion. The athletic garment further includes a pocket secured to the rear portion of the garment providing a pocket for containing items therein. The pocket includes a secured portion and a hanging portion wherein the secured portion is secured to the garment and the hanging portion is not secured to the garment.

A technique for closing garments provides a flexible line and a take-up component. The flexible line has a first end and a second end. Each end of the flexible line is coupled to a respective fastener, and each fastener is configured to attach to a respective garment portion, such as portions of a sweater, prayer shawl, scarf, or the like. The take-up component contains a segment of the flexible line and is adjustable to vary the segment's length. In this manner, a person can attach the two fasteners and adjust the take-up component to vary a degree of closure between the garment portions.

A configurable shirt may include a shirt including a front and rear face, and a top and bottom half. The bottom half may include an inner and outer layer. A top edge of the inner layer may be attached to an inside surface of the outer layer along a first horizontal perimeter. The front and rear face may border along a vertical perimeter. The configurable shirt may further include an attachment perimeter along a second horizontal perimeter. A bottom edge of the outer layer may include an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism may interface with the attachment perimeter to attach the bottom edge of the outer layer to the attachment perimeter. The configurable shirt may include a first and second position. In the first position, the attachment mechanism may be attached to the attachment perimeter. In the second position, the attachment mechanism may not be attached to the attachment perimeter.

A collar stay includes a stay body having an opening therein, and a magnet configured to be retained in the opening. The magnet has at least one indentation around an outer circumference thereof. The opening includes an inner circumferential surface having at least one protrusion therefrom, the protrusion shaped to engage the at least one indentation to retain the magnet in the opening.

This invention features magnetic, laundry tolerant, no-sew button adapters that convert traditional shirt buttons into magnetic closures to help people with dexterity limitations. The adapters simply attach to any shirt to help make getting dressed easier and a restore a crucial activity of daily living. Users can simply push the lapels of a shirt together to engage magnetic force, activating the buttons to snap into place. The shirt can be opened easily by pulling the lapels apart to undress.

A switch clasp comprising a first part and a second part. The first part comprises a fastening structure adapted to secure the first part to a first item. The second part comprises a fastening structure adapted to secure the second part to a second item, said second part having an attractor adapted to attract a complementary attractor in the first part when the first and second parts are brought into engagement. At least one of said first part and second part including a sensor responsive to engagement and disengagement of the first and second parts to switch from a first condition to a second condition whereby a signal corresponding to the condition is output

A fastening system that either attaches to existing buttons or attaches directly to an article of clothing are presented. The fastening system has a first portion that attaches to a button hole or a first part of the article and a second portion that attaches to a button or second part of the article. The first portion and second portion detachably attach to each other by a twist-lock, magnetic mechanism, or some other attachment mechanism. Alternatively, the fastening system can be built directly into an article without augmenting an existing button and button-hole fastener.