Top with integrated support

Abstract

A top is provided. The top includes an external garment that includes an external garment inner surface and an external garment outer surface, wherein the external garment comprises a first textile material; and an internal support that includes an internal support inner surface and an internal support outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the internal support outer surface is configured to contact at least a portion of the external garment inner surface, and wherein the internal support comprises a second textile material.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 777,995, filed Mar. 26, 2025; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a top. The top contains an external garment and an internal support that are connected to each other.BACKGROUND

[0003] Known tops, including shirts, blouses and scrub tops, are typically not connected to a wearer’s undergarment, such as a bra.

[0004] Wearing a top over an uncomfortable undergarment can have several disadvantages, such as discomfort and irritation due to abrasions and / or chafing due to constant rubbing against skin, which can be exacerbated by an additional outer layer, restricted movement, an untidy appearance, etc.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for an improved top, that provides increased comfort levels for wearers, minimizes the need for readjustment of an undergarment, reduces visible lines of an undergarment and does not include uncomfortable clasps.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] In accordance with one or more embodiments, tops are provided. One embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a top that includes an external garment that includes an external garment inner surface and an external garment outer surface, wherein the external garment comprises a first textile material; and an internal support that includes an internal support inner surface and an internal support outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the internal support outer surface is configured to contact at least a portion of the external garment inner surface, wherein the internal support comprises a second textile material, wherein at least a majority of the internal support inner surface is configured to contact a user’s skin in a worn configuration, wherein a distal end of the internal support comprises an internal support elastic fiber band configured to exert a pressure against a circumference of the user’s skin in the worn configuration, and wherein the internal support is connected to the external garment by at least one of a neck seam, a shoulder seam, a collar seam, and an armhole.

[0007] These and other advantages of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, and, together with the summary given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments below, serve as a further explanation and disclosure to explain and / or illustrate embodiments of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration, including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of a garment, a top 100.

[0010] FIG. 2 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a view from the front / anterior, with the external garment 101 shown to be substantially transparent for illustrative purposes.

[0012] FIG. 4 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100, with the top 100 turned inside out.

[0013] FIG. 5 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100 on a mannequin, in a worn configuration.

[0014] FIG. 6 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100 on a mannequin, in a worn configuration, with a portion of the external garment 101 moved.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] To facilitate the understanding of this disclosure a number of terms in quotation marks are defined below. It is noted that the drawings of the present application are provided for illustrative purposes only and, as such, the drawings are not drawn to scale. It is also noted that like and corresponding elements are referred to by like reference numerals.

[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as particular structures, components, materials, dimensions, processing steps and techniques, in order to provide an understanding of the various embodiments of the present application. However, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that various embodiments of the present application may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures or processing steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present application.

[0017] It will be understood that when an element as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “over” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly over” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when element is referred to as being “beneath” or “under” another element, it can be directly beneath or under the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly beneath” or “directly under” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0018] As used herein, the term “substantially” or “substantial”, is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a surface that is “substantially” flat would either be completely flat, or so nearly flat that the effect would be the same as if it were completely flat.

[0019] As used herein, terms defined in the singular are intended to include those terms defined in the plural and vice versa.

[0020] As used in this specification and its appended claims, terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration, unless the context dictates otherwise. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the disclosure, but their usage does not delimit the disclosure, except as outlined in the claims.

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weights, reaction conditions, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and without limiting the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters describing the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains standard deviations that necessarily result from the errors found in the numerical value's testing measurements.

[0022] Thus, reference herein to any numerical range expressly includes each numerical value (including fractional numbers and whole numbers) encompassed by that range. To illustrate, reference herein to a range of “at least 50” or “at least about 50” includes whole numbers of 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, etc., and fractional numbers 50.1, 50.2 50.3, 50.4, 50.5, 50.6, 50.7, 50.8, 50.9, etc. In a further illustration, reference herein to a range of “less than 50” or “less than about 50” includes whole numbers 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, etc., and fractional numbers 49.9, 49.8, 49.7, 49.6, 49.5, 49.4, 49.3, 49.2, 49.1, 49.0, etc. In yet another illustration, reference herein to a range of from “5 to 10” includes whole numbers of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and fractional numbers 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5,4, 5,5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, etc.

[0023] In the discussion and claims herein, the term “about” indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as long as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or structure to the illustrated embodiment. For example, for some elements the term “about” can refer to a variation of ±0.1%, for other elements, the term “about” can refer to a variation of ±1% or ±10%, or any point therein.

[0024] The term “textile material” or “material” is used in a broad sense to encompass any suitable fibrous material which may be woven or non-woven or of any other appropriate construction. The material forming the textile material can be natural fibers, synthetic fibers, mineral fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, fibers composed of synthetic products and / or fibers composed of synthesized polymers. As such, the textile material includes natural materials, synthetic materials, and materials that contain synthetic fibers. Without limitations, the textile material can be in any size, shape or form.

[0025] As used herein, “natural fibers” refer to fibers which are obtained from natural sources, such as cellulosic fibers and protein fibers, or which are formed by the regeneration of or processing of natural occurring fibers and / or products. Natural fibers are not intended to include fibers formed from petroleum products. Natural fibers include fibers formed from cellulose, such as cotton fiber and regenerated cellulose fiber, commonly referred to as rayon, or acetate fiber derived by reacting cellulose with acetic acid and acetic anhydride in the presence of sulfuric acid. Herein, “natural fibers” are intended to include natural fibers in any form, including individual filaments, and fibers present in yarns, fabrics and other textiles, while “individual natural fibers” is intended to refer to individual natural filaments.

[0026] As used herein, “cellulosic fibers” are intended to refer to fibers comprising cellulose, and include, but are not limited to, bamboo, cotton, linen, flax, rayon, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, hemp and ramie fibers. Herein, “rayon fibers” is intended to include, but is not limited to, fibers comprising viscose rayon, high wet modulus rayon, cuprammonium rayon, saponified rayon, modal rayon and lyocell rayon. Herein, “protein fibers” are intended to refer to fibers comprising proteins, and include, but are not limited to, wools, such as sheep wool, alpaca, vicuna, mohair, cashmere, guanaco, camel and llama, as well as furs, suedes, silks, and manmade materials.

[0027] As used herein, “synthetic fibers” refer to those fibers that are not prepared from naturally occurring filaments and include, but are not limited to, fibers made from simple components by polymerization, polycondensation or polyaddition. Materials for forming the synthetic fibers include, but are limited to, polyesters, polyamides such as nylons, polyacrylics, polyurethanes such as spandex, elastanes, elastodienes, fluoro fibers, acrylics, modacrylics, aramids, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylenes, polypropylenes and vinylals. Synthetic fibers include fibers formed from petroleum products. Synthetic-fiber containing materials are those that contain both the purely synthetic fiber and also natural materials.

[0028] In some embodiments, the textile material can comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, wool, cotton, bamboo, silk, cellulose, nylon, aramid, acetate, acrylic, jute, sisal, sea grass, coir, polyamide, polyolefin, polyacrylamide, polypropylene, polyaramide, and blends thereof.

[0029] In some embodiments, the textile material is a fibrous material. As used herein, the term “fibrous material” means any material having a ligneous (fibrous) component. Generally, fibrous materials are materials that comprise fibers or materials that are fibers themselves.

[0030] In some embodiments of the various aspects described herein, the textile material can comprise components other than the matrix material of the textile material distributed in the matrix of the textile material. Such materials can include, but are not limited to nanocomposites, nanoparticles, dyes, antibacterial, antifungal agents, metals, metal alloys, carbon nanotubes, graphene, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), nanoclays, metallic fibers and particles (catalysts), and the like.

[0031] In some embodiments, the textile material is a fiber. As used herein, the term “fiber” refers to any slender, elongated structure that can be carded, combed, or otherwise formed into a thread. Examples include “staple fibers”, a term that is well-known in the textile art. A reference to “fiber” of “fibers” may mean or include individual fibers or a plurality or bulk of fibers as the situation requires. A plurality of fibers may comprise fibers of different compositions or may be substantially uniform in composition. Thus, by way of illustration, a reference to “natural fiber” or “synthetic fiber” may mean and may include a single fiber of such type, or may mean any quantity or plurality of such fibers and they may be comprised in threads, felts, yarns, fabrics materials etc., all as will be apparent from the context.

[0032] The fiber can be substantially inelastic, elastic, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the terms “elastic”, “elastomeric”, “elasticity” or derivations thereof are used to describe the ability of various materials and / or structures to reversibly undergo deformation under stress, e.g., become stretched or extended, in at least one direction when a force is applied to the material and / or structure and to resume substantially to their original dimensions upon relaxing, i.e., when the force is released, without (or with minimal) rupture or breakage. “Elastic” can refer to a material or combination of materials, and / or a structure or a combination of structures, that can be elongated in at least one direction by at least about 5% (or at least about 10%, or at least about 15%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 25%, or at least about 30%, etc.) of its relaxed, original length (i.e., can stretch up to about 5%, or up to about 10%, up to about 15%, or up to about 20%, or up to about 25%, or up to about 30%), without rupture or breakage, and upon release of the applied force, recovers at least about 40% of its elongation. For example, a structure that has an initial length of about 100 mm can extend at least to about 110 mm, and upon removal of the force would retract to a length of about 106 mm (~40% recovery). “Elastic” may refer to a single material, or it may refer to a combination of materials forming an article. An elastic material structure may be incorporated and / or combined with other less elastic or not elastic material structures.

[0033] The fiber can be a synthetic fiber or a natural or organic fiber. As one of skill in the art is well aware, smoothness of the outer surfaces is significantly varied between different fibers. Accordingly, the outer surface of the fiber can be smooth or rough. By way of example only, manmade fibers, such as polyester fibers, usually have a smooth outer surface. In contrast, natural fibers, such as cotton, usually have a rough outer surface. One consequence of the roughness of the outer surface is that rough surfaces take more fluid to completely cover the surface per unit diameter.

[0034] In some embodiments, the textile material is a thread. As used herein, the term “thread” refers to continuous or discontinuous elongated strands formed by carding or otherwise joining together one or more different kinds of fibers. In embodiments threads may be incorporated into yarns or other structures comprising a plurality of threads, before being woven to form fabrics. In some embodiments, the thread comprises two or more different types of fibers.

[0035] As used herein, the term “yarn” refers to a structure comprising a plurality of strands that have been twisted, spun or otherwise joined together to form the yarn and may include spun yarns, continuous filament yarns, and yarns of core spun construction. Yarns according to the invention may be manufactured using virtually any yarn-forming process known in the art, including but not limited to, by spinning or stretch broken spinning.

[0036] In some embodiments, the textile material is a fabric. As used herein, the term “fabric” is to be understood in its widest meaning. The term “fabric” may be used for all structures composed of fibers which have been manufactured according to a surface-forming method. Fabrics include materials where one or more different types of yarns, threads, filaments, or fibers that have been woven, knitted, felted, wrapped, spun, co-mingled, coated, coextruded, braided, entangled, applied or otherwise assembled into a desired material. Generally, the fabric has a structure which comprises a series of meshes or openings and filament bundles which define the mesh boundaries, such as woven, knitted, knotted, interwoven or tufted structures. Without limitations, the term “fabric” is intended to include woven fabrics, yarn sheets, knitted fabrics and non-woven fabrics. Further, the fabrics may be constructed from a combination of fibers, threads or yarns. Fabrics comprising different fibers, threads or yarns are also referred to as fabric blends herein.

[0037] In some embodiments, the textile material isa cloth. As used herein, the term cloth refers to any textile fabric woven, nonwoven, felted, knitted or otherwise formed from any filament or fiber or plurality of filaments or fibers, including but not limited to thread yarn, monofilaments, and ribbons. Further, the term cloth is intended to include within its scope not only woven, knitted, non-woven, and felted materials, but also sheet materials.

[0038] In some embodiments, the textile material is a garment. As used herein, the term “garment” refers to any item that is worn by a user to cover or protect some region of the user's body from weather or other factors in the environment outside the body. Exemplary garments, include, but are not limited to, scrubs, tops, coats, jackets, pants, hats, gloves, shoes, socks, shirts, etc. It is noted that the term “garment” is intended to cover clothing for human or animal use.

[0039] FIG. 1 is an illustration, including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of a garment, a top 100. The top 100 includes an external garment 101 and an internal support 201, which are connected to each other as described herein. The outer surface of the external garment 101 is comprised of an external garment posterior outer surface 102 and an external garment anterior outer surface 104. The external garment posterior outer surface 102 and the external garment anterior outer surface 104 can include the respective sleeve areas as well. The inner surface of the external garment 101 is comprised of an external garment posterior inner surface (discussed and shown herein 108) and an external garment anterior inner surface (discussed and shown herein 116).

[0040] In this embodiment, the external garment 101 can be any garment structure to cover a portion of a human user’s torso. The external garment 101 is comprised of a first textile material. In this embodiment the first textile material can be a suitable combination of synthetic fibers. For example, a combination of nylon and spandex or a combination of polyester and spandex. As used herein, the term “spandex” has its conventional meaning; namely, a manufactured fiber or filament in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymer comprised of at least 85% of a segmented polyurethane. In one embodiment, the external garment 101 can comprise the first textile material of about 79% nylon and about 21% spandex. The internal support 201 comprising the second textile material noted below can also comprise about 79% nylon and about 21% spandex. In another embodiment the internal support 201 can comprise one or more of a cotton blend, about 100% cotton, about 100% polyester, a polyester blend, about 100% nylon, a nylon blend, about 100% rayon, and a rayon blend.

[0041] Reference is made to various directional adjectives throughout this application. As used herein, the term “anterior” refers to a side or portion of the top 100 that is intended to be oriented towards the front of the human body when the top 100 is in a worn configuration. Likewise, the term “posterior” refers to a side or portion of the top 100 that is intended to be oriented towards the back of the human body when the top 100 is in a worn configuration.

[0042] As can be seen in the front / anterior view, the top 100 can optionally include no pockets or one or more pockets 106 (in this embodiment two pockets) in any suitable shape, size and location on the top 100.

[0043] A portion of the internal support 201 is shown through a neck opening of the top 100 in the front / anterior view. In FIG. 1 an internal support posterior inner surface 208 is shown through the neckline opening. In this embodiment the neckline opening is shown as a v-neck type opening, however, in other embodiments the opening can be any shape, including but not limited to crewneck, scoop-neck, zippered, henley, polo, ringer, mock, cowl, boat, and any symmetrical or asymmetrical openings.

[0044] The external garment 101 and the internal support 201 are connected to each other through any suitable stitching and / or adhesive in at least one of the following: a neck seam 310, a collar seam 314, a shoulder seam 318, and an armhole seam 320. As used herein, the term “stitch”, “stitched”, “stitching”, etc. includes any type of sewing or needlework in which a fiber or bundle of fibers is passed through both the external garment 101 and the internal support 201, connecting the fiber or bundle of fibers to both the external garment 101 and the internal support 201. This includes any kind of sewing, and includes manual and / or machine sewing.

[0045] In some embodiments, both the neck seam 310 and the collar seam 314 are present, such that an entire circumference of the neckline is stitched. In some embodiments, one shoulder seam 318 of the two shoulder seams 318 is stitched while the other is not. In some embodiments, one armhole seam 320 of the two armhole seams 320 is stitched, while the other is not, and in some embodiments neither armhole seam 320 is stitched, in some embodiments only a portion of one or both of the armhole seams 320 is stitched, while another portion is not stitched.

[0046] FIG. 2 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100 as it would typically be worn as a user. FIG. 2 includes the external garment 101 and a portion of the internal support 201. The external garment posterior outer surface 102 and the external garment anterior outer surface 104 are both seen, as well as the optional pocket(s) 106. A portion of the internal support posterior inner surface 208 is seen through the neckline opening. Also shown are the neck seam 310, the collar seam 314, and the shoulder seam(s) 318.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a view of the top 100 from the front / anterior (External garment anterior outer surface 104 side), with the external garment 101 shown to be substantially transparent for illustrative purposes. FIG. 3 provides a fuller view of the internal support 201, including a view of an internal support anterior outer surface 204, and the portion of the internal support posterior inner surface 208 visible in the previous figures. Also shown are the neck seam 310, the collar seam 314, the shoulder seam(s) 318, and the armhole seam 320.

[0048] In this embodiment, the internal support 201 can act substantially as a sports bra, wireless bra, and / or a bralette, by providing comfort and support to the user. The internal support 201 can optionally include one or more of shaping foam(s), foam(s), liner(s), cup(s), compressive element(s), padding, mesh portion(s), auxetic structure(s). These optional portions of the internal support 201 can provide a more robust structure to the internal support 201 itself. The internal support 201 can be configured to reduce skin irritation by having limited movement between the user and the internal support 201, while not unduly restricting the user. The internal support 201 can be configured to reduce pressure points on the user. The internal support 201 can be configured to not include any metal components, such as underwires, clasps, adjusters, etc. The internal support 201 can be configured to not include any plastic components, such as ribs, clasps, adjusters, etc. The internal support 201 can be configured to exclude metal components and plastic components.

[0049] The outer surface of internal support 201 is comprised of the internal support posterior outer surface 202 and the internal support anterior outer surface 204. The inner surface of the internal support 201 is comprised of the internal support posterior inner surface 208 and an internal support anterior inner surface (discussed and shown herein 216).

[0050] At least a portion of the internal support outer surface, comprised of the internal support posterior outer surface 202 and the internal support anterior outer surface 204, is configured to contact at least a portion of the external garment inner surface, which is comprised of the external garment posterior inner surface (discussed and shown herein 108) and the external garment anterior inner surface (discussed and shown herein 116). In a worn configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, at least a majority (which includes an entirety or substantially an entirety) of the internal support inner surface, which is comprised of the internal support posterior inner surface 208 and an internal support anterior inner surface (discussed and shown herein 216) is configured to contact a user’s skin. In some embodiments the internal support 201 inner surface contacts the user’s skin directly, without an intervening material. In some embodiments, the internal support inner surface contacts an intervening material, such as an undergarment (for example a tank top, a bra, a shirt, a bandeau, etc.), the intervening material being between the internal support 201 and the user’s skin. The contact provided by the internal support 201 to the user’s skin is configured to provide a degree of support and a degree of compression, both of which can be modified.

[0051] A distal end of the internal support 201 comprises an internal support elastic fiber band 214 configured to exert a pressure against an entire circumference, or a majority of the circumference, of the user’s torso skin in the worn configuration. The internal support elastic fiber band 214 is configured to provide a higher degree of support and / or a higher degree of compression as compared to the remainder of the internal support 201. An internal surface of the internal support elastic fiber band 214 can optionally include a friction increasing material, such as a silicon, which can be configured to limit movement of the internal support elastic fiber band 214 during use.

[0052] The internal support 201 comprises a second textile material. In this embodiment the second textile material can be a suitable combination of synthetic fibers. For example, a combination of nylon and spandex or a combination of polyester and spandex. In some embodiments, the first textile material and the second textile material can be the same or substantially the same. In some embodiments, the first textile material and the second textile material can be different from each other.

[0053] FIG. 4 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100, with the top 100 turned inside out. In this view, the external garment 101 has been turned inside out for illustrative purposes, such that the interior of optional pockets 106, the external garment posterior inner surface 108, and the external garment anterior inner surface 116 are visible.

[0054] Also visible are the internal support 201, the internal support posterior inner surface 208, the internal surface of the internal support elastic band 214, and the internal support anterior inner surface 216. Also shown are the neck seam 310, the collar seam 314, the shoulder seam(s) 318, and the armhole seam 320. A portion of the external garment anterior outer surface 104 is visible through the open neckline.

[0055] FIG. 5 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100 on a mannequin, in a worn configuration. FIG. 5 includes the external garment 101, with the external garment posterior outer surface 102 and the external garment anterior outer surface 104 are both seen, as well as the optional pocket(s) 106. Also shown are the neck seam 310, the collar seam 314, and the shoulder seam(s) 318.

[0056] FIG. 5 demonstrates the “worn configuration” discussed herein, such that at least a majority (which includes an entirety or substantially an entirety) of the internal support inner surface, which is comprised of the internal support posterior inner surface 208 and an internal support anterior inner surface (discussed and shown herein 216) is configured to contact a user’s (mannequin in this figure) skin. In addition a portion(s) of one or both of the external garment posterior outer surface 102 and the external garment anterior outer surface 104 can contact the user’s skin in areas where the inner support 201 is not intervening.

[0057] FIG. 6 is photographs of the top 100 including a front / anterior view, and a back / posterior view of the top 100 on a mannequin, in a worn configuration, with a portion of the external garment 101 moved vertically upwards to allow for more of the inner support 201 to be visualized.

[0058] A portion of the external garment posterior outer surface 102 of the external garment 101 can be seen in the back / posterior view. The internal support posterior outer surface 202, internal support anterior outer surface 204, and the internal support elastic band 214 can also be seen in FIG. 6. Also shown is the collar seam 314.

[0059] The described embodiments and examples of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to represent every embodiment or example of the present disclosure. While the fundamental novel features of the disclosure as applied to various specific embodiments thereof have been shown, described and pointed out, it will also be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and / or elements and / or method steps shown and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the disclosure may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. Further, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims both literally and in equivalents recognized in law.

Claims

1. A top comprising:an external garment comprising an external garment inner surface and an external garment outer surface, wherein the external garment comprises a first textile material; andan internal support comprising an internal support inner surface and an internal support outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the internal support outer surface is configured to contact at least a portion of the external garment inner surface,wherein the internal support comprises a second textile material,wherein at least a majority of the internal support inner surface is configured to contact a user’s skin in a worn configuration,wherein a distal end of the internal support comprises an internal support elastic fiber band configured to exert a pressure against a circumference of the user’s skin in the worn configuration, andwherein the internal support is connected to the external garment by at least one of a neck seam, a shoulder seam, a collar seam, and an armhole.

2. The top of claim 1, wherein the top does not include any metal component. (Exclude metal components such as underwire, clasps and adjusters).

3. The top of claim 1, wherein the top does not include any plastic component (Exclude plastic components, such as underwire, clasps and adjusters).

4. The top of claim 1, wherein the top does not include any plastic component, and the top does not include any metal component.

5. The top of claim 1, wherein an internal surface of the internal support elastic band comprises a friction increasing material.

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