Garment for bathers and method of manufacturing such garment

Abstract

A garment (1; 101) for bathers, comprising a flexible laminar body (2; 102) which extends according to a longitudinal direction (X) between a first end (2a; 102a) and a second end (2b; 102b) opposite and having, respectively, a first width (L1) and a second width (L2) orthogonally to the longitudinal direction (X), the flexible laminar body (2; 102) having a width that takes a minimum value (LM) at an intermediate section (3) and which progressively increases from the intermediate section (3) towards each of the aforementioned first end (2a; 102a) and second end (2b; 102b), the flexible laminar body (2; 102) being wearable by a bather (H) in an operative configuration in which the intermediate section (3) is positioned in contact with the inguinal fork, the two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) of the flexible laminar body (2; 102) extend between the intermediate section (3) and, respectively, each of the first end (2a; 102a) and second end (2b; 102b) are positioned at the level, respectively, of the shoulder and of the back, and the first end (2a; 102a) and the second end (2b; 102b) are arranged substantially at the level of the shoulders. The garment (1; 101) comprises connection means (6) for securing it to the body of the bather (H) in the operative configuration, the connection means (6) comprising first connection means (7) which can be released and positioned astride the shoulders to constrain the first end (2a; 102a) to the second end (2b; 102b) when the flexible laminar body (2; 102) takes the operative configuration.

Description

[0001] GARMENT FOR BATHERS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH GARMENT

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the technical field of equipment for waterbased activities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a garment intended for bathers.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a method for making the bathing suit mentioned above.

[0006] State of the prior art

[0007] In recent years, there has been a growing public interest in water-side activities such as beaches and swimming pools and water sports.

[0008] On the other hand, data released by health authorities show that water accidents, including the extreme event of drowning, are quite frequent, especially among children.

[0009] In addition, practicing water-based activities is particularly hampered by the insecurity perceived in the water by non-experienced swimmers.

[0010] In the alight of the above, it is clear that there is an increasing need for safety in water on the part of bathers.

[0011] In order to increase the safety mentioned above, there is known the use of buoyancy aids.

[0012] According to a known technique, the aids mentioned above include water wings and life-jackets.

[0013] The water wings and life-jackets have the drawback of being bulky, with the consequence of limiting movements and, therefore, reducing the fun in the water and / or hindering the learning of aquaticity.

[0014] Other known aids are wetsuits, made of elastomeric materials with a certain degree of buoyancy, such as Neoprene®. These wetsuits adhere to the body covering the torso up to the shoulders and at least partially also the limbs, which are inserted into specially designed tubular protrusions.

[0015] The wetsuits mentioned above are made so as to remain as adherent as possible to the body of the bather, so as to retain a thin layer of water that maintains the body heat.

[0016] To this end, the wetsuits mentioned above have zippers, Velcro or other functionally similar closing elements which allow them to be closed around the body of the bather.

[0017] A wetsuit of a known type may provide for that the above-mentioned closing elements extend along the bust of the bather, for example along the back, for a substantial length of the latter.

[0018] A variant of the wetsuit of the known type, used for example for underwater activities, provides for the head protection. In this case, the wetsuit is open below so that it can be worn from top to bottom, it has no lower limb protection and it comprises closing elements that are closed under the inguinal fork.

[0019] Given their adherence to the body and the wide surface extension, all wetsuits of the aforementioned known types have the drawbacks of being rather uncomfortable to wear and remove.

[0020] For the same reasons, although these wetsuits offer good comfort in their specific use, for more general use they are quite uncomfortable and hinder movement.

[0021] A further drawback of a wetsuit stems from the fact that it is also designed to retain body heat. This function, while advantageous in the use for which the wetsuit is intended, becomes a disadvantage in other circumstances, for example outside the water, significantly increasing the feeling of warmth and making the recreational and sports activities carried out near the water, which normally take place in summer, in the presence of high solar radiation, uncomfortable.

[0022] Wetsuits also have the drawback of a rather complex production process, which requires several sewing operations and the assembly of the numerous sizes that make up the model, as well as the application of the aforementioned closing elements.

[0023] In addition, each wetsuit is configured to fit a specific body size, and therefore the manufacturer must provide a variety of sizes for each model to cover all possible sizes, which will further increase costs. In the light of the above-mentioned drawbacks, a wetsuit is perceived as a purely technical garment reserved for people involved in certain water sports, rather than a garment suitable for general bathers.

[0024] Summary of the invention

[0025] An object of the present invention to at least partly overcome the drawbacks illustrated above.

[0026] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a garment for bathers that allows greater comfort of use with respect to the wetsuits of the known type.

[0027] Another object of the invention lies in the fact that the garment mentioned above offers the bather good safety in the water, especially for those who cannot swim and beginners who engage in recreational water-side activities and / or in water sports.

[0028] Another object of the invention lies in that the garment provides bathers with greater comfort than that offered by the known buoyancy aids, same case applying to the safety offered.

[0029] Furthermore, an object of the invention lies in the fact that the garment is simple to make.

[0030] Last but not least, an object of the invention lies in the fact that the garment is suitable for bathers of different body sizes.

[0031] The objects mentioned above are attained by a garment for bathers according to claim 1 .

[0032] The objects mentioned above are also attained by a method for making the aforementioned garment for bathers according to claim 15.

[0033] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention are specified in the relative dependent claims.

[0034] Advantageously, the greater comfort of the garment of the invention considering the same perceived safety of the bather compared to the use of buoyancy aids of the known-type improves the overall experience in water and / or the ease of learning aquaticity.

[0035] Still advantageously, thanks to the combination of greater safety than a garment of the known type and greater comfort and ease of use than a wetsuit of the known type, the garment of the invention is particularly suitable for use by a general bather for any water or recreational water-side activities, rather than limited to the practice of certain sports activities.

[0036] In addition, advantageously, the simplicity of making the garment of the invention allows to reduce the cost for producing the garment compared to that of the wetsuit of the known type, thus helping to make it suitable for a wide audience.

[0037] Equally advantageously, the possibility to use the same garment for multiple bathers of different body sizes helps to reduce the cost of storage for the manufacturer and the dealer.

[0038] These and other objects and advantages which will be mentioned below will be more apparent from description outlined below of some preferred embodiments of the invention, which are shown by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings.

[0039] Brief description of the drawings

[0040] Fig. 1 shows the garment of the invention in a developed configuration, in plan view, in a first embodiment.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows the garment of Fig. 1 in operative configuration, in schematic view in the first embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a different embodiment of the garment of Fig. 1 in developed configuration, in plan view, in a second embodiment.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows the garment of Fig. 3 in operative configuration, in schematic view in the second embodiment.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows the garment of the invention in a developed configuration, in plan view, in a variant of the first embodiment.

[0045] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

[0046] The garment of the invention, shown in Fig. 1 in its entirety with 1 , is particularly suitable for use by bathers, understood as any person who carries out an activity in the water, be it swimming, water sports or, more simply, diving in the water to take a bath.

[0047] The garment 1 comprises a flexible laminar body 2 which mainly extends according to a longitudinal direction X between a first end 2a and a second end 2b opposite each other.

[0048] Right from now, it should be observed that in the present invention, the expression "laminar body" must be understood in the sense of indicating a body developed predominantly according to a first dimension parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal X direction and to a second dimension orthogonal to the latter. The two dimensions mentioned above define a two-dimensional surface. The extension of the laminar body according to a third dimension orthogonal to the aforementioned two-dimensional surface has a substantially uniform value and substantially lower than the extension of the body according to the first two dimensions mentioned above.

[0049] Right from now, it should be observed that in the present description the expression "width" used in relation to the flexible laminar body 2 or parts thereof is to be understood as measured according to the second dimension mentioned above.

[0050] The width of the flexible laminar body 2 takes a minimum value LM at an intermediate section 3, substantially central according to the longitudinal direction X, from which the width mentioned above increases progressively proceeding toward each end 2a and second end 2b, where the flexible laminar body 2 has, respectively, a first width L1 and a second width L2.

[0051] Preferably, most of the above width increase occurs within a central portion 11 of the flexible laminar body 2 which extends, according to the longitudinal direction X, for a length smaller than the total length of the flexible laminar body 2 and substantially on the waist area of the bather.

[0052] It should be noted that neither the width L1 nor the width L2 are necessarily the maximum for the flexible laminar body 2. On the contrary, preferably and as will be better described below, an enlarged portion comprised between the central portion 11 mentioned above and each end 2a and 2b has a width greater than the width L1 and L2 of the respective end.

[0053] The flexible laminar body 2 is configured so that it can be worn by a bather H and, due to its flexibility, deformed to take a predefined operative configuration, which is schematically shown in Fig. 2. The above-mentioned operative configuration is such that the intermediate section 3 is positioned in contact with the inguinal fork of the bather H and the first end 2a and the second end 2b are arranged substantially at the level of the shoulders of the bather H, so that the two halves 4, 5 of the flexible laminar body 2, developed between the intermediate section 3 and, respectively, the first end 2a and the second end 2b, are positioned respectively at the level of the chest and the back.

[0054] Fig. 2 shows the bather H in front view and, therefore, there can only be seen the first half 4 of the flexible laminar body 2 which is arranged at the level of the chest.

[0055] It is clear that, in the operative configuration mentioned above, the flexible laminar body 2 covers the bust of the bather substantially wholly, leaving the limbs and, preferably, the neck vacant. To this end, the two ends 2a and 2b have corresponding concave profiles which, when the flexible laminar body 2 is in operative configuration, cooperate in defining a hole to accommodate the neck of the bather H.

[0056] Connection means 6 for keeping the garment 1 stably associated with the body of bather H in the operative configuration mentioned above are also provided for.

[0057] In particular, the above-mentioned connection means 6 comprise first means of connection 7 which can be positioned astride the shoulders to constrain the first end 2a to the second end 2b when the flexible laminar body 2 takes the operative configuration.

[0058] The above-mentioned first means of connection 7 can be released, so that the bather can easily wear the garment 1 and, equally easily, remove it.

[0059] It is clear that the garment 1 described above provides greater comfort in use with respect to wetsuit of the known type.

[0060] As a matter of fact, the garment 1 is easy to wear, first by positioning the intermediate section 3 of the flexible laminar body 2 as described above, then folding the two halves 4, 5 around the body and, lastly, connecting the two ends 2a, 2b to each other above the shoulders.

[0061] In particular, given that the garment 1 has no tubular parts to fit the limbs, unlike in known wetsuits, it does not require uncomfortable corresponding operations to wear it.

[0062] The object of making the garment 1 easy to produce in a simple manner, is also attained given that the flexible laminar body 2 configured as described above can be achieved by a single cut from a one-piece flexible laminar element, thus avoiding most of the seams that is required in the case of a wetsuit of the known type.

[0063] Therefore, the flexible laminar body 2 can be a single piece.

[0064] On the other hand, the flexible laminar body 2 configured as described above may be a body in two or more pieces, with a reduced number of seams.

[0065] In the latter case, the required amount of material may be reduced and the two or more pieces may for example be joined at the intermediate section 3, as shown in fig. 5, and / or at the shoulders, to obtain body 2.

[0066] Furthermore, thanks to the above-mentioned closure on the back of the shoulders, the first connection means 7 have a very small extension compared to the closing elements used wetsuits of the known type, helping to further facilitate the wearing of garment 1 and to further simplify its manufacturing.

[0067] Furthermore, it is clear that the configuration of the garment 1 allows to minimize the surface extension of the flexible laminar body 2, compatibly with the requirements of covering the bust. As a result, the use of raw material for garment 1 is also restricted, further contributing to the reduction of its cost of production.

[0068] A further result of the limited extension of garment 1 is the greater freedom of movement and the greater thermal dispersion that it allows with respect to a wetsuit, favouring its use also in recreational activities outside the water and in summer.

[0069] Preferably, the flexible laminar body 2 comprises a layer made of elastomeric material, with the advantage of improving the adherence to the body of the bather H and, therefore, improve the stability of the garment 1 in the operative configuration. Even more preferably, the flexible laminar body 2 has, as a single layer, the above- mentioned layer made of elastomeric material.

[0070] In other words, the flexible laminar body 2 is entirely made of a single layer of elastomeric material. Preferably, the flexible laminar body 2 is configured to exert a buoyancy action on the bather H in water.

[0071] This buoyancy action can be achieved, for example, by using as elastomeric material for the layer mentioned above Neoprene® or Yulex®, which, having a specific weight smaller than 1 , have buoyancy characteristics.

[0072] Advantageously, the use of one of the materials mentioned to obtain a buoyancy evenly distributed on the bust of the person, avoiding altering the balance in the water.

[0073] Still advantageously, the aforementioned buoyancy is achieved by maintaining the adherence of garment 1 to the body, so as to avoid altering the body profile in water.

[0074] Further variant embodiments may provide for the use of buoyancy elements incorporated in the flexible laminar body 2.

[0075] For example, the buoyancy elements mentioned above may comprise inserts made of materials with a specific weight smaller than 1 , for example of the type similar to those used in life jackets of the known type.

[0076] A second embodiment of the invention, particularly shown in figs. 3 and 4, may have all the characteristics described so far, with some variations specified below.

[0077] Therefore, hereinafter, the reference numeral of the characteristics may be identical for both embodiments or they may vary, if specified in the text.

[0078] In particular, the variation may suggest that the specific characteristic, for example already described in relation to the first embodiment, will have some variants.

[0079] For the sake of clarity, figs. 1 , 2 and 5 refer to the first embodiment, while figs. 3 and 4 refer to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0080] In the second embodiment of the invention, provided by way of non-limiting example in Fig. 3 and 4 in its entirety with 101 , the connection means 6 preferably comprise, besides the first connection means 7 which are entirely similar to those described above, also second connection means 8 which are configured to mutually constrain the two halves 104 and 105 of the flexible laminar body 102 at the respective longitudinal edges 104a , 105a which delimit the above-mentioned halves 104, 105 according to the longitudinal direction X. In particular, the second connection means 8 are configured to pass laterally around the bust of the bather H, preferably at the level of the hips and / or of the waist, as observable in Fig. 4.

[0081] Advantageously, the aforementioned second connection means 8 allow to close the flexible laminar body 102 around the lower limbs of the bather H, therefore increasing the stability for coupling the garment 101 to the body of the bather H and the degree of protection in the cold, without compromising the ease of wearing.

[0082] Preferably, the second connection means 8 are releasable, facilitating the ease of wearing. The configuration described above is particularly suitable for use with small children.

[0083] It goes without saying that such a configuration can be adapted for any user requiring such a side releasable closure, for example in the case of adults who normally use nappies or similar, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0084] A variant embodiment, shown in fig. 2 and therefore related to the first embodiment, provides for that the connection means 6 comprise, besides the first connection means 7, second connection means 8’ which include seams. Advantageously, the seams increase the stability of the garment 1 in the operative configuration.

[0085] This variant is suitable for an adult or for users, even smaller ones, such as children or young boys and girls, which do not require releasable lateral closures.

[0086] Preferably, the above-mentioned connection means 8’, for example the seams mentioned above, are made to connect the longitudinal edges 4a and 5a of the two halves 4, 5 at the level of the two enlarged portions described above. In particular, the width of the two enlarged portions is such that the two portions, when connected by the aforementioned seams, define a tubular area suitable for accommodating the corresponding bust area of the bather H.

[0087] Preferably and as observable in Figs. 1 and 3, one or more of the abovedescribed releasing means of connection 6, which may include the first connection means 7 but also the second connection means 8 , comprise one or more corresponding protrusions 9, each of which extends from a first half of the two halves 4, 5 or 104, 105 of the flexible laminar body 2 , respectively 102, towards a corresponding vacant end 9a so that it can be superimposed with the second of the two halves 4, 5 or 104, 105 in operative configuration, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In addition, the vacant end 9a and the second of the two halves 4, 5 or 104, 105 comprise mutual coupling means 10.

[0088] For example, the half 4 or 104 may directly include coupling means 10, while the half 5 or 105 may include protrusions 9 inclusive of the mutual coupling means 10.

[0089] It is clear that, in the two embodiments, such coupling means 10 may be obtained at the ends 2a, 2b or 102a and 102b, while in the second embodiment they may also be obtained at the sides 104a, 105a.

[0090] Preferably, the above-mentioned protrusions 9 are obtained as a single piece from the above-mentioned flexible laminar element, maintaining the advantage of the ease of manufacture of the garment 1 or 101.

[0091] Preferably, each protrusion 9 extends from the half 5 or 105 intended to be arranged on the side of the back, so that the vacant end 9a is coupled to the half 4 or 104 arranged on the top or on the side of the chest, making coupling particularly easy.

[0092] Therefore, in each of the two embodiments, the mutual coupling means 10 longitudinally constrain the ends 2a and 2b or 102a and 102b at the protrusions 9 by mutually superimposing the whole or a portion of the coupling means 10, so as to ensure a stable connection between the ends, which will then wrap the upper part of the shoulders.

[0093] In addition, in the second embodiment, the mutual coupling means 10 may also be positioned laterally to constrain the halves 104 and 105 laterally, at the protrusions 9 by mutually superimposing the whole or a portion of the coupling means 10, so as to ensure a stable connection between the lateral ends which will then wrap the lateral part of the bust.

[0094] In other words, when the body 102 is in the operative configuration, the longitudinal edges 104a and 105a are, at the protrusion 9, not contiguous with each other, but distal from each other. In any case, in each embodiment, the mutual coupling means 10 may for example comprise Velcro® elements or the like, like in the case shown in the figures where, in particular, the elements not exposed are shown with dashed lines.

[0095] The mutual coupling means mentioned above 10 may also comprise a slot on each protrusion 9 which may be coupled to a corresponding buckle of the second half 4, 5, or 104, 105, or slidable buckles, snap-in couplings, buttons, or any other similar means of the known type.

[0096] Two or more of the variants mentioned above of the coupling means 10 may also be used combined with each other.

[0097] Still preferably, the above-mentioned mutual coupling means 10 can be adjusted, so as to allow a certain adaptation of the flexible laminar body 2 or 102 to the body size of the bather H.

[0098] Advantageously, the configuration described above allows the use of garment 1 with a variety of bathers of different heights or body sizes, thus achieving another object of the invention.

[0099] The above is achieved by configuring the mutual coupling means 10 so that they define a plurality of possible coupling positions different from each other between each protrusion 9 and the second half 4 or 5 and / or 104 or 105.

[0100] This adjustment may be achieved, for example, by using Velcro® elements of suitable length, and / or by equipping each protrusion 9 with a plurality of slots, which may be coupled to a corresponding buckle and / or a corresponding button on the second half 4 or 5 and / or 104 or 105, and / or by using any of the elements described above in a manner per se known in the garments industry.

[0101] Still preferably, the garment 1 is configured so that, in the operative configuration, the longitudinal edges 4a, 5a , respectively 104a , 105a , of the two halves 4, 5, respectively 104, 105, remain mutually released along the longitudinal direction X for at least a vacant portion thereof comprising the aforementioned ends 2a and 2b respectively 102a and 102b, the vacant portion extending for a length L3 such that the flexible laminar body 2 or 102 leaves open an area of pre-fixed height below the underarms of the bather H, as observable in Figs. 2 and 4.

[0102] Advantageously, the aforementioned uncovered area allows to adapt the same garment 1 or 101 to a plurality of bathers of different heights, contributing to the achievement of the object mentioned above.

[0103] In particular, advantageously, the uncovered area avoids rubbing in the underarms area that can occur with a wetsuit of the known type, therefore avoiding possible redness.

[0104] Still advantageously, the above-mentioned uncovered area contributes to increasing the freedom of movement for the bather H and, therefore, the comfort of garment 1 or 101.

[0105] As mentioned above, the present invention also relates to a method of making the garment 1 , 101 according to any one of the embodiments and variants described above.

[0106] The method mentioned above comprise the operation of cutting a flexible laminar element made of a single piece or two or more pieces to obtain the flexible laminar body 2, 102 configured as described above.

[0107] It is clear that should the flexible laminar element be made of a single piece, the method mentioned above allows to obtain the flexible laminar body 2 or 102 from a single flexible laminar element by means of a single cutting operation and without having to sew various elements to each other, thus achieving the aim of simplifying the making of the garment 1 or 101.

[0108] Preferably, the method provides for the further operation of securing the first releasable connection means 7 to the flexible laminar body 2, 102. The operation mentioned above may be carried out before or after carrying out the cutting operation described above.

[0109] Furthermore, the method may provide for the operation of securing the coupling means 10 at the vacant end 9a of the protrusions 9 and the second half in question 4 or 5 and / or 104 or 105 of the flexible laminar body 2 and / or 102.

[0110] A variant embodiment of the method mentioned above may provide for seams on the flexible laminar body 2 so as to obtain the second connection means 8’ described above.

[0111] In the light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-established objects. In particular, the particular configuration of the flexible laminar body described above confers to the garment of the invention greater comfort in use with respect to the wetsuits of the known type, considering the same comfort offered to the bather.

[0112] Furthermore, the buoyancy properties of the flexible laminar body increase the safety of the bather in water.

[0113] Furthermore, given that the above-mentioned buoyancy elements are incorporated into the garment, the latter offers the bather a greater comfort compared to water wings and life-jackets.

[0114] Furthermore, the possibility of obtaining the garment from a single cutting operation of a single laminar element allows to simplify the manufacture thereof with respect to the wetsuits of the known type.

[0115] Still, the provision of adjustable means of connection allows to adapt the garment to bathers of different heights and body sizes.

[0116] The invention is susceptible to modifications and variants all falling within the inventive concept outlined in the attached claims.

[0117] In particular, the elements of the invention may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements and the materials may be selected depending on the needs, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0118] Furthermore, one or more elements of a specific embodiment of the invention technically compatible with another specific embodiment may be introduced into the latter additionally to or to replace elements of the latter.

[0119] Should the technical elements specified in the claims be followed by reference signs, such reference signs are included with the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility of the invention and, therefore, they do not entail any limitation to the claimed scope of protection.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Garment (1 ; 101 ) for bathers (H) comprising a flexible laminar body (2; 102) which mainly extends according to a longitudinal direction (X) between a mutually opposite first end (2a; 102a) and second end (2b; 102b) having, respectively, a first width (L1 ) and a second width (L2) orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (X), said flexible laminar body (2; 102) having a width that takes a minimum value (LM) at the level of an intermediate section (3) and that progressively increases from said intermediate section (3) towards each one of said first end (2a; 102a) and second end (2b; 102b), said flexible laminar body (2; 102) being wearable by a bather (H) in an operating configuration in which: said intermediate section (3) is positioned in contact with the inguinal fork; the two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) of said flexible laminar body (2; 102) extending between said intermediate section (3) and, respectively, each one of said first end (2a; 102a) and second end (2b; 102b), are positioned in contact with, respectively, the chest and the back;- said first end (2a; 102a) and said second end (2b; 102b) are arranged substantially at the level of the shoulders, said garment (1 ; 101 ) comprising connection means (6) for securing said garment (1 ; 101 ) to the body of said bather (H) in said operating configuration, said connection means (6) comprising first connection means (7) which can be positioned astride said shoulders to constrain said first end (2a; 102a) to said second end (2b; 102b) when said flexible laminar body (2; 102) takes said operating configuration, said first connection means (7) being releasable.

2. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible laminar body (2; 102) is configured to exert on said bather (H) a buoyancy action when in water.

3. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to any claim 1 or 2, wherein said connection means (6) comprise second connection means (8’; 8) configured to mutually constrain said two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) at the respective longitudinal edges (4a, 5a; 104a, 105a) passing laterally around the chest of said bather (H).

4. Garment (101 ) according to claim 3, wherein said second connection means (8) are releasable.

5. Garment (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein said second connection means (8’) comprise seams.

6. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein it is configured in such a way that, in said operating configuration, said longitudinal edges (4a, 5a; 104a, 105a) of said two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) remain mutually released along said longitudinal direction (X) for at least a vacant portion thereof, which comprises said first end (2a; 102a) and second end (2b; 102b) and which extends for a length (L3) such that said flexible laminar body (2; 102) leaves an area having predefined height under the armpits of said bather (H) uncovered.

7. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said one or more of said releasable connection means (6) comprise one or more corresponding protrusions (9), each one of which extends from one of said two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) of said flexible laminar body (2; 102) towards a corresponding vacant end (9a), said vacant end (9a) and the other one of said two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) comprising mutual coupling means (10).

8. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said protrusions (9) are obtained as a single piece with said flexible laminar body (2; 102) at said one of said two halves (4, 5; 104, 105).

9. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one or more of said releasable connection means (6) can be adjusted, so as to allow to adapt said flexible laminar body (2; 102) to the body of said bather (H).

10. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to claim 8 or 9 when appended to claim 7, wherein when said flexible laminar body (2; 102) is in said operative configuration, said mutual coupling means (10) longitudinally and / or laterally constrain said vacant end (9a) and the other of said two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) by mutually superimposing the whole or a portion of said mutual coupling means (10) at said first end (2a; 102a) and second end (2b; 102b) and / or at the sides of said two halves (104, 105).

11. Garment (101 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein when said flexible laminar body (2; 102) is in said operative configuration, the longitudinal edges (104a,105a) of said two halves (104, 105) are distal from each other at said protrusions (9).

12. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said flexible laminar body (2; 102) comprises a layer made of elastomeric material having a specific weight smaller than 1 .

13. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said flexible laminar body (2; 102) is a single layer entirely made of elastomeric material having a specific weight smaller than 1 .

14. Garment (1 ; 101 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible laminar body (2; 102) is a single cut obtained in one piece or a cut in at least two pieces, with minimum number of seams.

15. Method for making a garment (1 ; 101 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein it comprises the operation of obtaining said flexible laminar body (2; 102) per cut from a flexible laminar body in a single piece or in at least two pieces.

16. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising a step for securing of said coupling means (10) at said vacant end (9a) of said protrusions (9) and said other of said two halves (4, 5; 104, 105) of said flexible laminar body (2; 102).

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