Slip system

Abstract

A slip system includes a skirt or a slip with an adjustable length. The skirt may be a standalone skirt or part of a dress. The slip may be a full slip or a half slip. In addition to the skirt or slip, the slip system includes one or more removable, replaceable sections. Each removable, replaceable section may add to the length of a main body of the skirt or slip. Each removable, replaceable section may impart the skirt or slip with a desired appearance by providing variety in a design and/or style of the skirt or slip.

Claims

1. A slip system, comprising: a main body of a skirt or a slip capable of surrounding hips of an individual and including a hem at a lower portion of the main body and a first lower connector at or near the hem; at least one removable, replaceable section including a first upper connector capable of being removably secured to the first lower connector of the main body, the at least one removable, replaceable section comprising a strip with ends that define at least a portion of a slit when the first upper connector of the removable, replaceable section is secured to the first lower connector of the main body.

2. The slip system of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a main body of a skirt.

3. The slip system of claim 2, wherein the main body comprises a main body of a skirt of a dress.

4. The slip system of claim 3, wherein a bodice of the dress is reversible from front to back.

5. The slip system of claim 4, wherein the bodice of the dress includes an asymmetric neck line.

6. The slip system of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a main body of a slip.

7. The slip system of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable, replaceable section includes an upper portion of a slit.

8. The slip system of claim 1, wherein the main body of the skirt or the slip includes a slit and the ends of the strip of the at least one removable, replaceable section are capable of defining an extended portion of the slit.

9. The slip system of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable, replaceable section has a same color, pattern, and/or style as the main body.

10. The slip system of claim 1, wherein at least one of a color, a pattern, and a style of the at least one removable, replaceable section differs from a color, a pattern, or a style of the main body.

11. The slip system of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable, replaceable section includes a second lower connector at or adjacent to a hem of the at least one removable, replaceable section.

12. The slip system of claim 11, comprising at least one additional removable, replaceable section.

13. The slip system of claim 12, wherein the at least one removable, replaceable section overlaps an upper portion of the at least one additional removable, replaceable section when a second upper connector of the at least one additional removable, replaceable section is secured to the second lower connector of the at least one removable, replaceable section.

14. A method for customizing a skirt, comprising: selecting a main body of the skirt, the main body of the skirt including a slit; selecting at least one removable, replaceable section comprising a strip to be placed at a bottom of the skirt to extend the slit of the main body of the skirt; and removably securing the at least one removable, replaceable section to the bottom of the body of the skirt to extend the skirt and to extend the slit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein selecting the at least one removable, replaceable section comprises selecting at least one removable, replaceable section having a cut that modifies a cut of the main body of the skirt.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: removing the at least one removable, replaceable section from the bottom of the skirt.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: selecting another removable, replaceable section; and removably securing the another removable, replaceable section to the bottom of the skirt.

18. A slip system, comprising: a main body of a skirt or a slip capable of surrounding hips of an individual and including a hem at a lower portion of the main body and a first lower connector at or near the hem; a plurality of removable, replaceable sections having configurations capable of imparting the main body with a corresponding plurality of different skirt cuts, each removable replaceable section of the plurality of removable, replaceable sections including a first upper connector capable of being removably secured to the first lower connector of the main body.

19. The slip system of claim 18, wherein the main body includes a slip and each removable, replaceable section of the plurality of removable, replaceable sections comprises a strip with ends that define an extended portion of the slit when the first upper connector of the removable, replaceable section is secured to the first lower connector of the main body.

20. The slip system of claim 18, wherein each removable, replaceable section of the plurality of removable, replaceable sections is configured as a loop.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a slip system according to this disclosure, in which the slip system is part of a dress or a full slip, respectively;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of slip system, showing features of removable, replaceable sections of the slip system;

(4) FIG. 3A provides a schematic representation of an embodiment of slip system that includes a main body and three removable, replaceable sections that have been secured together in a desired arrangement;

(5) FIG. 3B provides a schematic representation of the embodiment of a slip system shown in FIG. 3A, with the removable, replaceable sections detached from one another;

(6) FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded views of other embodiments of a slip system, in which removable, replaceable sections may vary from the main body of a skirt or a slip or from one another to enable customization of the skirt or slip;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a slip system with a removable, replaceable section that introduces a slit into a skirt or a slip;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a slip system with a removable, replaceable section that continues a slit in a skirt or a slip as the skirt or slip is lengthened; and

(9) FIG. 8 shows an individual wearing the slip system of FIG. 1 in a reverse orientation from that shown in FIG. 1, providing a different neck line at the front of the slip system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) A slip system with one or more removable, replaceable sections is disclosed. While the attached drawings and the ensuing description are intended to provide a general description of some embodiments of slip systems, their manufacture, and their uses, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a slip system that incorporates teachings of this disclosure may be embodied by a variety of ways.

(11) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a slip system 10 that comprises a dress. The embodiment of slip system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a bodice 11 and skirt 14. The bodice 11 includes an asymmetric, reversible neck line 12 and a strap or sleeve 13. The strap or sleeve 13 is depicted in FIG. 1 as a cap sleeve; FIG. 2 illustrates a strap or sleeve 13 that comprises a tank top strap; other styles of straps and sleeves (e.g., half sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, etc.) are also possible, The bodice 11 may include any suitable type of strap or sleeve 13. In other embodiments, the slip system 10 may comprise a skirt without a bodice or a slip (e.g., a full slip, a half slip, etc.). For the sake of simplicity, the term skirt, as used here, may refer to any of the skirt of a dress, a standalone skirt, the portion of a full slip that surrounds an individual's waist and hips, and a half slip.

(12) The skirt 14 of the slip system 10 includes a main body 15. The main body 15 of the skirt 14 is capable of surrounding an individual's hips, and may also surround at least portions of her thighs. The main body 15 may have any desired length (e.g., micro, mini, knee-length, etc.) and be of any type or style (e.g., A-line, pencil, pleated, etc.). In addition to the main body 15, the slip system 10 includes at least one removable, replaceable section 16. The embodiment of slip system 10 depicted by FIG. 1 includes three removable, replaceable sections 16, 18, and 20, which are capable of being arranged sequentially to add length to the main body 15 of the skirt 14.

(13) FIG. 2 provides an exploded view of the main body 15 of the skirt 14 and the removable, replaceable sections 16, 18, and 20 of the slip system 10. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows three removable, replaceable sections 16, 18, and 20 in a separated state before they have been attached to each other and to the main body 15 of the skirt 14.

(14) With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 15 of the skirt 14 of the slip system 10 includes a connector 22, which can receive an upper connector 24 of a first removable, replaceable section 16. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the connector 22 of the main body 15 of the skirt 14 and the upper connector 24 of the first removable, replaceable section 16 may comprise cooperating sides, or halves, of a zipper.

(15) The first removable, replaceable section 16 may also include a lower connector 26, which may cooperate with an upper connector 28 of a second, removable, replaceable section 18 of the slip system 10. The lower connector 26 and the upper connector 28 may comprise cooperating sides, or halves, of a zipper.

(16) Similarly, the second removable, replaceable section 18 may include a lower connector 30, which may cooperate with an upper connector 32 of a third, removable, replaceable section 20 of the slip system 10. The lower connector 30 and the upper connector 32 may also comprise cooperating sides, or halves, of a zipper. The third removable, replaceable section 20 of the slip system may lack a lower connector.

(17) As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, zippers comprise a non-limiting embodiment of connector 22 and upper connector 24, of lower connector 26 and upper connector 28, and/or of lower connector 30 and upper connector 32 (referred to collectively hereinafter as connectors). Other embodiments of connectors 22-32 may include, but are not limited to, buttons, ribbons and eyelets, laces and eyelets, snaps, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., those sold under the VELCRO trademark, etc.), and other touch-type fasteners.

(18) In some embodiments, a pair of cooperating connectors 22 and 24, 26 and 28, 30 and 32 may be visible when a removable, replaceable section 16 is secured to the main body 15 of the skirt 14 or when a removable, replaceable section 18, 20 is secured to another removable, replaceable section 16, 18. The visibility of one or more cooperating pairs of connectors 22 and 24, 26 and 28, 30 and 32 may comprise part of the styling of the skirt 14, particularly when zippers, buttons, laces, or ribbons are used.

(19) Alternatively, as illustrated by FIG. 1, one or more pairs of cooperating connectors 22 and 24, 26 and 28, 30 and 32 may be hidden when a removable, replaceable section 16 is secured to the main body 15 of the skirt 14 or when a removable, replaceable section 18, 20 is secured to another removable, replaceable section 16, 18. A hem or trim at the bottom of the main body 15 and/or the upper adjacent removable, replaceable section 16, 18 of the slip system 10 may overlap an upper portion of the next-lower removable, replaceable section 16, 18, 20, providing the skirt 14 and removable-replaceable sections 16, 18, 20 with a layered appearance, or an imbricate appearance.

(20) A layered appearance may be achieved with the main body 15 of a skirt 14 and/or one or more removable, replaceable sections 16, 18, 20 of a slip system 10 of this disclosure in any suitable manner. In a specific embodiment, depicted by FIGS. 3A and 3B, any (or all) of the removable, replaceable sections 16, 18 may include a top layer 34, 36 that substantially covers from view a lower, underlying cooperating pair of connectors 26 and 28, 30 and 32. The main body 15 of the skirt 40 may have a similar configuration. The top layer 34, 36, 38 (of the lowermost removable, replaceable section 20) may have a length that exceeds a length of a main panel of its corresponding removable, replaceable section 16, 18, 20. The excess length of the top layer 34, 36 may extend over and, thus, cover cooperating pairs of lower connectors 26, 30 at or near the hems, or bottom edges, of one or more removable, replaceable sections 16, 18 and upper connectors 28, 32 at or near the top edges of one or more of the next lower removable, replaceable sections 18, 20.

(21) Slip systems 10 with other configurations that hide cooperating pairs of connectors 22 and 24, 26 and 28, 30 and 32 are also possible. Without limitation, lower connectors 22, 26, 30 may be positioned on inside surfaces of the main body 15 and/or one or more removable, replaceable sections 16, 18 of the slip system 10, above the hems of or trim pieces of the main body 15 and/or one or more removable, replaceable sections 16, 18. When positioned in such a manner, an upper connector 22, 26, 30 can engage, mutually engage, or be engaged by a corresponding, complementary upper connector 24, 28, 32 at a location is hidden from view.

(22) FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a slip system 10 with one or more removable, replaceable sections 16, 18, 20 that differ from the main body 15 of the skirt 14 in design. For example, one or more of the removable, replaceable sections 16, 18, 20 may have a different color than the main body 15, have a different pattern than the main body 15, or be made from a different fabric than the main body 15.

(23) FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a slip system 10 with one or more removable, replaceable sections 16, 18 that have a different style from that of the main body 15 of the skirt 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 15 has a pencil style, while the removable, replaceable sections 16 and 18 have an outwardly flared style. Other combinations of styles may be achieved with differently configured main bodies 15 and or removable, replaceable sections 16, 18.

(24) In FIG. 6, a slip system 10 with removable, replaceable sections 16, 18 that provide a skirt 14 with a slit 62 is depicted. A first removable, replaceable section 16 may include the top portion 17 of a slit 62. Such a removable, replaceable section 16 may be useful with a main body 15 that lacks a slit. Such a removable, replaceable section 16 may be configured as a loop. One or more subsequent removable, replaceable sections 18 may be added to the bottom of the first removable, replaceable section 16 to extend the slit 62 as the skirt 14 is lengthened. Each such removable, replaceable section 18 may comprise a strip rather than a loop.

(25) The embodiment of slip system 10 shown in FIG. 7 includes a skirt 14 with a main body 15 that includes a slit 60. Each removable, replaceable section 16, 18 that may be added to the bottom of the skirt 14 may comprise a strip to enable them to define an extended slit 62 as they are added to the bottom of the skirt 14. The ends 17, 19 of each removable, replaceable section 16, 18 define edges of the extended slit 62.

(26) As illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 8, embodiments of slip systems 10 that comprise dresses may include bodices 11 with asymmetric neck lines 12, 40. An assymetric neck line 12, 40 may enable reversal of the slip system 10 from front to back, providing an individual with different options as to which side of the asymmetric neck line 12, 40 will be visible from the individual's front. FIG. 1 shows the slip system 10 with a lower neck line 12 facing forward, while FIG. 8 shows the same slip system 10 with a higher neck line 40 facing forward.

(27) In use, an individual may select one or more removable, replaceable sections for use with a main body of a skirt of a slip system according to this disclosure. The removable, replaceable section(s) may be selected merely to lengthen the skirt, or to provide variation in the design (i.e., color, pattern, fabric, trim, etc.) or style (e.g., shape, etc.) of the skirt. Alternatively, removable, replaceable sections may be removed from the main body of the skirt, and the skirt or the item of clothing of which the skirt is a part, may be worn by itself. Regardless of whether the slip system is worn in a long arrangement, an intermediate arrangement, or a short arrangement, it may be layered with other items of clothing to provide a desired appearance. As an example, it may be worn as a slip beneath a dress or a skirt, other items of clothing may be placed over it, and/or it may be placed over other items of clothing.

(28) Although the preceding disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the ensuing claims. Other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of each claim is, therefore, indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements.