An article of apparel is disclosed that includes zones with a textile having a structure than changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change, to modify a property of the textile. The zones may be along a center back area and/or side areas of the apparel, and the textile may increase in air permeability when exposed to water. In some embodiments, slits are formed in the textile.

Aspects herein are directed to an apparel layer system configured to provide variable levels of insulation, warming, or air permeability. The apparel layer system comprises a first layer of material and a second layer of material both extending in a first planar direction. A third layer of material is positioned between the first and the second layers of material and is selectively affixed thereto. An adjustment mechanism coupled to the second layer of material can be mechanically manipulated to shift the second layer of material between different positions or states to achieve variable levels of offset between the first and second layers of material in the first planar direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first planar direction.

An opening section adjustment mechanism adjusts an opening area of an opening section through which a rope is passed. The opening section adjustment mechanism includes an opening creation mechanism that leaves an opening section around the rope passed through the opening section even when the opening area of the opening section is adjusted to the minimum.

Example of a garment, such as a jacket, pullover, hoodie, hat, or the like, having a cinchable or adjustable opening between panels is provided. When cinched, the inner panel's functionality is reduced or concealed. When uncinched, the inner panel's functionality is increased or exposed.

A ventilated jacket includes a body portion having a front side and a rear side, a sleeve portion extending from the body portion, and a ventilation system including a plurality of vent openings configured to allow airflow into and out of the jacket. The ventilation system includes an underarm vent having a first end and a second end, the underarm vent extends across a seam between the body portion and the sleeve portion. The jacket further includes a wing that follows a path established by a rear side of the underarm vent. The wing includes a first end adjacent the first end of the underarm vent and a second end adjacent the second end of the underarm vent. The wing extending outward from the underarm vent to channel oncoming air into the underarm vent when the sleeve portion is held in an extended orientation away from the body portion.

Aspects herein are directed to an article of apparel having a vent opening formed by overlapping the edges of a first panel and a second panel. A plurality of discrete overlay film structures are applied to the second panel adjacent to the vent opening. When the article of apparel is exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo a reversible increase in dimension in at least the z-direction which cause the second panel of material to undergo a reversible decrease in dimension in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vent opening thereby causing the vent opening to dynamically transition from a closed state to an open state.

Aspects herein are directed to a vented upper-body garment that includes a plurality of panels that extend across a back aspect of a torso region of the garment, around first and second sides of the torso region, and at least partially across a front aspect of the torso region. Respective edges of the panels overlap each other to form vent openings that facilitate the flow of air into and out of the garment.

Articles and methods of using and making adaptive garment portions are provided. An adaptive garment portion is one that has shifting surfaces with apertures that shift from an aligned to an offset orientation depending on environmental conditions/stimuli. For example, a first surface material and a second surface material may be coupled by a responsive material portion. The responsive material portion may physically change in response to a change in environmental conditions internal or external to the garment (e.g., thermal energy, moisture) and/or stimuli (e.g., light energy, electrical energy, magnetic fields). The physical change in the responsive material portion facilitates the planar shift of the first surface material relative to the second surface material.

Systems and methods of integrating dynamic materials into articles for adjustable physical characteristics, e.g., aesthetic, functional. For example, in response to a human's body heat, a dynamic material may change shape to allow additional permeability in an article of clothing. Similarly, in response to the presence of moisture, an article of clothing may close a vent to prevent the introduction of rain into an internal portion of the article. The shape changing material may change shape that merely affects a feature formed by the shape changing material. Additionally, it is contemplated that the shape changing material may change shape that affects a geometric structure of the article as a whole, e.g., protrusions, dimples, vents, etc.

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.