Lower Torso Garment with Support Element

This application is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/818,701, filed Aug. 9, 2022, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/238,665, filed Apr. 23, 2021, which is a Continuation of U.S. National Phase application Ser. No. 16/090,539, filed Oct. 1, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority to International Application Serial No. PCT/US2017/027496, filed Apr. 13, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/322,779, filed Apr. 14, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

This disclosure relates to lower torso garments having support elements, such as men's underwear.

In one aspect, a lower torso garment is provided. The lower torso garment includes a waistband positioned at an upper end of the lower torso garment, a body region coupled to the waistband and extending between the waistband and a lower end of the lower torso garment, two leg openings proximate to the lower end, and a pouch positioned on a front portion of the body region. The pouch includes a support element that has at least one strip of elastomeric material.

In some instances, the lower torso garment further includes a gusset positioned proximate to the lower end and coupled to the pouch via a horizontal seam.

In certain instances, the support element is at least partially coupled to the pouch via the horizontal seam.

In some instances, the support element includes a first panel extending between a bottom of the pouch and a top of the pouch and a second panel extending between the bottom of the pouch and the top of the pouch. The first panel and the second panel are each coupled to the pouch.

In certain instances, the at least one strip of elastomeric material includes a first strip of elastomeric material positioned on the first panel and a second strip of elastomeric material positioned on the second panel.

In some instances, the first panel and the second panel are each at least partially defined by a first short edge coupled to the pouch proximate to the lower end of the lower torso garment, a second short edge coupled to the pouch proximate to the upper end of the lower torso garment, a first long edge extending between the first and second short edges, and a second long edge located opposite the first long edge. The first long edge is coupled to the pouch along a lateral edge of the pouch, and the second long edge is at least partially decoupled from the pouch and the body region.

In certain instances, the first short edge of the first panel and the first short edge of the second panel overlap.

In some instances, the first panel and the second panel are each constructed of a fabric including a twist. In some such instances, for each of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel, the twist is positioned between the first short edge and the second short edge.

In another aspect, a lower torso garment is provided. The lower torso garment includes a waistband positioned at an upper end of the lower torso garment, a body region coupled to the waistband and extending between the upper end of the lower torso garment and a lower end of the lower torso garment, a pouch, a support sling, and at least one elastic element positioned on the support sling. The pouch is defined by a first lateral seam coupling the pouch to a first side of the body region, a second lateral seam coupling the pouch to a second side of the body region, an upper seam coupling the pouch to the waistband, and a lower seam coupling the pouch to the body region and located opposite the upper seam. The support sling is coupled to the pouch by the first lateral seam and the second lateral seam.

In some instances, the pouch includes a pass-through fly opening.

In certain instances, the support sling further includes a first fabric panel including a first lateral edge that is coupled to the pouch along the first lateral seam and a second fabric panel including a second lateral edge that is coupled to the pouch along the second lateral seam.

In some instances, the first fabric panel includes a first inner edge extending between the upper seam and the lower seam and located opposite the first lateral seam. In addition, the second fabric panel includes a second inner edge extending between the upper seam and the lower seam and located opposite the second lateral seam. Additionally, the at least one elastic element further includes a first elastic element extending along the first inner edge of the first fabric panel and a second elastic element extending along the second inner edge of the second fabric panel.

In certain instances, the lower torso garment further includes a first overlap area defined by an overlap between a first portion of the first fabric panel and a first portion of the second fabric panel proximate to the lower seam.

In some instances, the lower torso garment further includes a second overlap area defined by an overlap between a second portion of the first fabric panel and a second portion of the second fabric panel proximate to the upper seam.

In a further aspect, a lower torso garment is provided. The lower torso garment includes a body region defined by an upper end and a lower end, a waistband coupled to the body region proximate to the upper end, a gusset, and a pouch coupled to the body region via at least a first lateral seam and a second lateral seam. The body region includes first and second leg portions defining first and second leg openings, respectively, proximate to the lower end. The gusset is coupled to the body region and positioned between the first and second leg portions. The pouch further includes a support element including a first elastomeric element.

In some instances, the support element includes a first support panel coupled to the first lateral seam and a second support panel coupled to the second lateral seam. The first elastomeric element is positioned on the first support panel and a second elastomeric element is positioned on the second support panel.

In certain instances, the first elastomeric element extends along a first free edge of the first support panel, and the second elastomeric element extends along a second free edge of the second support panel. The first free edge and the second free edge are located opposite the first lateral seam and the second lateral seam, respectively.

In some instances, the support element is positioned on an interior of the pouch and provided in the form of a first support panel coupled to the pouch along the first lateral seam and a second support panel coupled to the pouch along the second lateral seam.

In certain instances, an opening configured to receive at least a portion of an external male genitalia of a wearer is at least partially defined by a first interior edge of the first support panel and a second interior edge of the second support panel.

In some instances, the lower torso garment further includes at least one overlap area formed by a portion of the first fabric panel and a portion of the second fabric panel that overlap.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

This disclosure describes support elements for lower torso garments, for example men's underwear (e.g., boxers, boxer-briefs, briefs, and/or others). Support elements can take a variety of forms, for example, depending on the intended location of support, lower torso garment type, function, flexibility, and/or other factors. Support elements described herein can be used to support at least a portion of the external male genitalia of a wearer of the lower torso garment, where the wearer's external male genitalia is disposed proximate a front pouch region of the lower torso garment. The front pouch region can include a variety of support elements that can provide support for all or a portion of the external male genitalia. For example, the lower torso garment can include a support sling surrounding (partially, substantially, or completely) the front pouch, such as about a periphery of the front pouch. The support sling can include support panels, such as web-like mesh fabric layers, shaped to define, in part, a partially enclosed sling region for at least a portion of the external male genitalia of a wearer to be disposed, where the sling region can include an area between an interior surface of the front pouch and the support panels of the support sling. In some instances, the support elements can include a stitch line or a stitch seam across or along a lower portion of the front pouch of the lower torso garment to provide stretchability, support, or both stretchability and support to the front pouch supporting the male anatomy of a wearer.

is a front view of an example lower torso garment, for example, a men's boxer brief. The lower torso garment includes a waistbandat an upper end of the lower torso garment, and a body regionincluding a front pouch, a rear buttocks area (not shown), and a left leg regionand a right leg region, each with respective leg openingsandat lower ends of the respective left leg regionand right leg region. The waistbandhas a torso-encircling shape, and connects to the body region, for example, via seamless knitting, stitching, fusing, bonding, adhering, or other connections. With a wearer wearing the example lower torso garment, the waistband encircles a torso of the wearer, the front pouchresides adjacent to and supporting at least a portion of the external male genitalia of the wearer, the buttocks region resides adjacent to the buttocks of a wearer, and the left and right leg regionsandreceive the legs of the wearer. The front pouchis shown inas stitched to adjacent fabric of the body regionat lateral seams, for example, a left pouch seamand a right pouch seam; however, the front pouchcan connect to adjacent fabric of the body regionin a variety of other ways. For example, the front pouchcan connect to the adjacent fabric of the body regionby knitting (e.g., seamless knitting), stitching, fusing, bonding, adhering, or other connections.

In some implementations, the front pouchof the lower torso garmentincludes a support element or multiple support elements to provide support, reinforcement, and/or comfort to the front pouchand/or to a wearer of the lower torso garment. In certain instances, the support element includes a flexible fabric, such as a flexible mesh fabric. However, the material of the support element can vary, and can be more flexible, less flexible, or the same flexibility as the fabric of the front pouchand/or body region. In some examples, the support element of the front pouchincludes a support sling disposed at an interior of the garment. The support sling can take a variety of forms, as described in more detail below. In some instances, the body regionincludes a gusset portion at a bottom of the lower torso garmentbetween the leg regionsand. The lower torso garmentcan be manufactured in a variety of ways, such as circularly knitting all or most of the lower torso garment, cutting fabric to form portions of the lower torso garment, and/or stitching together the cut portions of the lower torso garmentat stitches or seams joining the garment portions, such as at areas indicated in the drawings. The front pouchcan be knit to the body region, shown inas knit at the left and right lateral seamsandabout the front portion and a bottom horizontal seamproximate the gusset. In some examples, such as shown in, and described in more detail later, the front pouch can include a pass-through fly opening including an overlap, for example, for through-access of all or a portion of the external male genitalia to be exposed exterior to the garment through the pass-through when the garment is worn by the wearer.

is a cross-sectional interior front view of an example lower torso garmentshowing the interior of the front of the lower torso garment, for example, the portions of the interior front of the lower torso garmentthat engage the skin of a wearer of the lower torso garment. Example lower torso garmentis like the lower torso garmentof, except the example lower torso garmentincludes a support element in the form of a support slingdisposed within the body region(i.e., at an interior of the garment) proximate the front pouchand along the left and right lateral seamsandthat substantially define the lateral periphery of the front pouch. The support slingincludes a left fabric paneland a right fabric panelextending from a bottom edge of the front pouchto a top edge of the front pouch adjacent the waistband.

Referring to the example lower torso garment of, the left fabric paneland the right fabric panelof the support slingare disposed in a criss-cross pattern and reside on either side of the front pouchproximate one of the substantially vertical seamsandon the lateral sides of the front pouch. The left fabric paneland the right fabric panelcan each include a web of fabric that attaches to a periphery of the front pouchand extends between a top and a bottom of the front pouch. The left fabric paneland the right fabric paneloverlay at least a portion of the fabric of the front pouch, for example, to create a pocket for the external male genitalia of the wearer, where all or at least a portion of the external male genitalia of the wearer resides and is supported within the pocket between the fabric of the front pouchand the left and right fabric panelsand. In some examples, the left fabric paneland the right fabric panel reside between at least a portion of the external male genitalia of the wearer and the inner thigh of the wearer to act as a fabric barrier between skin contact of the inner thigh and the external male genitalia of the wearer. As shown in, the left fabric paneland the right fabric panelare substantially symmetrical across a vertical centerline of the garment, for example, across a centerline of the front pouch. A long-edge of each fabric panel attaches along its edge length to the left or right lateral seam (or, respectively) of the front pouch, and a first short edge at one end of each fabric panel attaches proximate the waistbandand a second short edge at its other end (e.g., opposite the first short edge) is attached at a bottom of the front pouch(e.g., at the gusset). Each of the fabric panels criss-cross, or twist, between its connection proximate the waistbandand its connection at the bottom of the front pouch. For example, the left fabric panelcriss-crosses along its longitudinal length as it extends from the top of the front pouchto the bottom of the front pouch. Similarly, the right fabric panelcriss-crosses along its longitudinal length as it extends from the top of the front pouchto the bottom of the front pouch. At the one end proximate the waistband, the first short edge of the fabric panel (e.g., left fabric panelor right fabric panel) extends substantially outwardly (e.g., toward a wearer's side) along the waistband, while the second short edge extends substantially inwardly, opposite the direction of first short edge. As shown in, the left fabric paneland the right fabric paneloverlap at an overlap areanear a bottom of the front pouch, where the overlapped edge of the left fabric panelis indicated in a dashed line. The widths of the left fabric paneland the right fabric panelcan partially or completely overlap at its lower attachment to the bottom of the front pouch. As the left fabric paneland right fabric panelextend upwards toward the waistband, the overlap areadecreases until the fabric panels no longer overlap, creating a substantially triangular area of the overlap area.

The left fabric paneland the right fabric panelcan include a plurality of materials and fabrics. For example, the fabric panels can include a flexible fabric, such as a flexible mesh fabric, a fabric web, taping, or other material. The material of the support element can vary, and can be more flexible, less flexible, or the same flexibility as the fabric of the front pouch and/or body region. In some instances, the fabric of the body regioncan include cotton, spandex, a combination of these, and/or other material, the front pouch fabric can include cotton, spandex, a combination of these, and/or other material, the thread (e.g., the seams) can include polyester, cotton, and/or other material, the waistbandcan include polyester, spandex, and/or other material, and the support sling (e.g., support sling) can include polyester, spandex, and/or other material. For example, the fabric panels of the support sling can include a knitted synthetic mesh fabric, such as knitted polyester fiber, a lightweight jersey (e.g., cotton) fabric, can include ventilation openings, and can include spandex or other elastomeric material. The left and right fabric panels can have zero stretch or some degree of stretch (e.g., up to 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, or more stretch), and the stretch can include a material stretch or a mechanical stretch (e.g., cotton ribs).

In some instances, the support sling (e.g., criss-cross support sling) is integrated into the make or construction of the lower torso garment (e.g., boxer brief, or lower torso garment) to provide enhanced support as a result of adding the criss-crossed support slingproximate the area of the front pouch. By adding the inner sling to the inside of lower torso garment at the front pouch and criss crossing the sling layers (e.g., fabric panels, or webs) at a bottom portion of pouch, the wearer noticeably feels more support, for example, than when wearing a lower torso garment without a sling in the pouch. The sling can be accomplished by using two panels of light weight stretch fabric criss crossed at bottom portion of pouch inside the garment. In some implementations, the criss cross support sling can be added to the pattern for garment make-up and stitched into the seams during construction.

The shape and placement of the support sling can vary. For example,is a cross-sectional interior front view of an example lower torso garmentwith a support sling, where FIG.B shows the interior of the front of the lower torso garment. The example lower torso garmentand support slingare like the example lower torso garmentand support slingof, except the support slingof lower torso garmentincludes a substantially planar left fabric paneland right fabric panel, where the left fabric paneland right fabric paneldo not include a criss-cross, or twist, as the panels extend vertically along the front pouch. Instead, a periphery of the support slingremains within the periphery of the front pouch. The left fabric paneland the right fabric panelinclude the overlap areanear a bottom of the front pouch, where the overlapped edge of the right fabric panelis shown in a dashed line. A laterally outside edge of the left fabric panelconnects to and extends along the left lateral seam, and a laterally outside edge of the right fabric panelconnects to and extends along the right lateral seam. Top edges of the left fabric paneland right fabric panelextend laterally inwardly towards each other, leaving a gap between the top edges and the inner edges of the fabric panels that define an opening, for example, for a portion of the external the male genitalia to pass through when a wearer wears the lower torso garment.

is a cross-sectional interior front view of an example lower torso garmentwith a support sling, whereshows the interior of the front of the lower torso garment. The example lower torso garmentand support slingare like the example lower torso garmentsandand support slingsandof, respectively, except the support slingof lower torso garmentincludes a substantially planar left fabric paneland right fabric panelthat overlap each other at a first overlap areaat a bottom of the front pouchand also overlap each other at a second overlap areaat a top of the front pouch. For example, a first portion of the left fabric paneloverlaps a first portion of the right fabric panelto define the first overlap area, and a second portion of the left fabric paneloverlaps a second portion of the right fabric panelto define the second overlap area.shows the first overlap areaand second overlap areaas substantially the same size; however, the overlap area can be different. For example, the first overlap areacan be larger or smaller than indicated in, and can be larger or smaller than the second overlap area. Similarly, the second overlap areacan be larger or smaller than indicated in, and can be larger or smaller than the first overlap area.

In some instances, constructing the example lower torso garment (e.g., lower torso garment,,) includes determining the correct placement for the support sling (e.g., support sling,,) on the lower torso garment by fitting the lower torso garment on a fit model and analyzing original garment specs of the lower torso garment (e.g., boxer brief) in which the support sling is to be added. Once placement and pattern are determined, two panels of fabric can be added, one to each side of the pouch inside of garment (at seaming). In some examples, the support sling can be sewn into the garment using the correct stretch direction for the fabric used as the sling. Edges of the sling fabric panels can be edged using a purl stitch, an over edge stitch, a finished edge, a laser-cut edge, a finished seam, a folded seam, or other edge type.

Referring to the example lower torso garmentshown in, the support slingis a key-hole shaped support sling. The keyhole support slingis disposed on an interior of the boxer-brief lower torso garmentand lines the periphery of the front pouch. The left fabric paneland right fabric panelof the support slingat least partially overlap at the second overlap areaat an upper end of the front pouchand at the first overlap areaat a lower end of the front pouch. A long-edge of each panel of the left fabric paneland the right fabric panelattaches along its edge length to the left or right lateral seam of the front pouch, and a first short edge at one end is attached proximate the waistband and the second short edge at its other end is attached at the bottom of the front pouch(e.g., at the gusset). Both the short edges extend substantially inwardly, and can overlap at the upper seam and lower seam of the front pouch. The fabric panels create a keyhole-shaped opening between the two fabric panels. The fabric panels can include a plurality of materials and fabrics. In the example lower torso garmentof, the fabric panels include a mesh fabric.

In some instances, the keyhole support sling can be constructed by adding to each side of the pouch inside of the lower torso garment (e.g., at the seaming) the two pieces of fabric that cross over one another at the top and bottom of pouch to create the keyhole sling and support for the wearer. The keyhole support sling can be sewn into the garment using the correct stretch direction for the sling fabric. Edges of sling fabric panels can be edged using a purl over edge stitch for comfort.

The left fabric panel (,,) and the right fabric panel (,,) of the support sling (,,) of the lower torso garments (,,) ofcan be disposed in a variety of locations and positions, and can include various materials and constructions. For example, the left and right fabric panels can include a single ply fabric panel or a multi-ply fabric panel (e.g., dual ply fabric panel), and the inner edges of the fabric panels can include a purl stitch, an over-edge stitch, a finished edge, a laser-cut edge, a finished seam, a folded seam, or other edge type.

The front pouchcan act as a basket sling that acts as a support basket for the external male genitalia of a wearer, and can provide for multi-directional support of the external male genitalia, for example, during movement and/or activity of the wearer.

is a front view of an example lower torso garment, similar to the lower torso garments,,of, except (at least) the front pouch includes a support element in the form of a support stitch lineextending horizontally (substantially or exactly) between the lateral side seamsandat the periphery of the front pouch, and the lower torso garmentincludes a pass-through fly openingincluding an overlap, for example, for through-access of the external male genitalia to be exposed exterior to the garment through the pass-through when the garment is worn by the wearer. The example lower torso garmentofdoes not include a support sling described earlier with respect to; however, the example lower torso garmentcan include one or more of the other support elements, support structures, and/or support slings described herein. In some instances, the lower torso garmentexcludes the fly opening. The support stitch lineis illustrated as extending between the left and right lateral seamsandof the front pouchproximate a front-bottom area of the front pouch. The horizontal seam extends between the left and right front pouch seam to provide support for the crotch region of a wearer of the garment. The horizontal seam can include a cover stitch, over edge stitch, flatlock seam, or other type of stitch or seam. The SPI (stiches per inch) can vary. For example, the SPI can be about 13 (e.g., between 11 and 15), or different (e.g., between 5 and 20). The front pouchcan include two layers of fabric (e.g., two-ply fabric), and the horizontal seam can be sewn through both layers of the front pouch fabric.

The type and placement of the support stitch linecan vary. For example,shows the support stitch lineas placed just below the fly opening(e.g., within one or two inches of the fly opening edge), about two-thirds (⅔) down the longitudinal length of the front pouchfrom the top of the front pouch, or one-third (⅓) up the longitudinal length of the front pouchfrom the bottom of the front pouch. However, the location of the support stitch linecan vary, for example, the support stitch linecan be located vertically higher or lower than the position indicated in.

The support stitch linecan take a variety of forms. Although the support stitch lineis described herein in some instances as including a seam, the support stitch linemay not be a seam or a stitch. Instead, the support stitch linecan include a support element, such as a tape or other attachment that can fuse, bond, adhere, or otherwise attach to the front pouchof the lower torso garment, between fabric layers of the front pouch, or otherwise connect to the front pouch. For example, the support stitch linecan include a stitch-sew line extending laterally across the front pouch, taping that is fused, adhered, or otherwise attached to the front pouch, other material that is fused or bonded to the fabric of the front pouch, sew thread that is knit, woven, stitched, or otherwise connected to the front pouch, and/or other materials. In some examples, the support stitch lineincludes a width of up to an inch (e.g., ¼ inches, ½ inches, ¾ inches, or another width dimension). In some instances, the support stitch linecan provide some degree of stretch. In some examples, the support stitch linehas less stretch than the fabric of the front pouch, for example, to provide strength and/or support to the front pouch in addition to or in lieu of a gusset.

are a front view and a cross-sectional interior front view, respectively, of an example lower torso garment, similar to lower torso garmentof, where the example lower torso garment includes a support stitch lineextending horizontally (substantially or exactly) between the lateral side seamsandat the periphery of the front pouch.shows the interior of the front of the example lower torso garment. In some instances, such as shown in the example lower torso garmentof, the support stitch lineis a horizontal support seam that creates gathersin the fabric about (e.g., surrounding) a support seam. In some instances, this support stitch lineincludes one or more elastic elements(e.g., elastomeric elements, or other elements effecting an elastic/elastomeric/stretch characteristic of the stitch) integrated into the support stitch line, for example, at an interior side of the front pouch. The elastic element(s)biases the horizontal support stitch lineto compress edges of adjacent fabric edges to create the fabric gathers(e.g., extra body fabric, fabric folds, fabric wrinkles, and/or other forms of gathers) in the fabric of the front pouchsurrounding the horizontal support stitch line. The fabric gathersallow a greater degree of stretch to the fabric of the front pouch(e.g., than fabric without gathers), and allows space for the external male genitalia of a wearer of the lower torso garment. The support stitch linecan extend between a left and right seam of the front pouchproximate a front-bottom area of the front pouch, and includes the elastic element.

The type and placement of the support stitch linecan vary. For example,show the support stitch lineas placed below the fly opening(e.g., within one or two inches of the fly opening edge). However, the location of the support stitch linecan vary, for example, the support stitch linecan be located vertically higher or lower than the position indicated in.

The support stitch linecan take a variety of forms. Although the support stitch lineis described herein in some instances as including a seam, the support stitch linemay not be a seam or a stitch. Instead, the support stitch linecan include a support element, such as a tape or other attachment that can fuse, bond, adhere, or otherwise attach to the front pouchof the lower torso garment, between fabric layers of the front pouch, or otherwise connect to the front pouch. For example, the support stitch linecan include a stitch-sew line extending laterally across the front pouch, taping that is fused, adhered, or otherwise attached to the front pouch, other material that is fused or bonded to the fabric of the front pouch, sew thread that is knit, woven, stitched, or otherwise connected to the front pouch, and/or other materials. In some examples, the support stitch lineincludes a width of up to an inch (e.g., ¼ inches, ½ inches, ¾ inches, or another width dimension). In some instances, the support stitch linecan provide some degree of stretch. In some examples, the support stitch linehas less stretch than the fabric of the front pouch, for example, to provide strength and/or support to the front pouch in addition to or in lieu of a gusset.

In some instances, the horizontal support stitch lineand adjacent portions of the left lateral side seamand right lateral side seamof the front pouch(e.g., portions of the left and right seams extending upward from the horizontal seam) can include elastic elementsstitched, tacked, bonded, fused, or otherwise integrated into the lateral side seamsand. The elastic elementscan extend to a portion of the length of the lateral side seamsand, for example, ¼ of the length, ⅓ of the length, or another portion of the length of the lateral side seamsandbeginning at the intersection of the support stitch lineand the respective lateral side seamsandof the front pouch. In some examples, the generally vertical elastic elementsextend along the sew line of the lateral side seamsand, while the elastic elementof the horizontal support stitch lineextends across the fabric of the front pouch. In some implementations, the elastic elementand/or the elastic elementsare stitched when in a stretched state and where the adjacent fabric is in a relaxed (e.g., unstretched state), and where returning the elastic element(s) to its unstretched state creates the fabric gathersabout the horizontal support stitch lineand/or the adjacent portions of the left lateral side seamand right lateral side seamof the front pouch. The elastic elements and the fabric gathersprovide for a volume (e.g., increased volume) of the sling region while maintaining, increasing, or otherwise affecting the support of the front portion at the horizontal seam and/or at other seam areas. The elastic elementand/or the elastic elementscan take a variety of forms. For example, an elastic element can include a strip or band of elastomeric material, an elastomeric thread, a stretchy sew tape, or other elements with a degree of stretch greater than the degree of stretch of the fabric of the front pouch. Although the support stitch lineis described herein in some instances may include a seam, the support stitch linemay not be a seam or a stitch. Instead, the support stitch linecan include a support element, such as a tape or other attachment that can fuse, bond, adhere, or otherwise attach to the front pouchof the lower torso garment.

In some instances, the gathered horizontal stitch line or seam is constructed by determining the correct placement of the gathered stitch line or seam on the lower torso garment, which is done by fitting on a fit model and analyzing original garment specs of the boxer brief in which the stitch line or seam is to be added. Once placement is determined, elastic can be added to the inside of the garment at bottom of pouch while stretching the elastic during sewing to create gathers in the fabric. The SPI (stitches per inch) can include an SPI of 13, but can vary, for example, between 5 and 20. The gathering stitches work best (e.g., supports best) when sewn through both layers of the pouch fabric.

A gathered support pouch creates support for the wearer of the lower torso garment. A conventional way to add support on this type of garment is by adding a gusset. A gusset can include a piece of fabric, generally in a rectangle or diamond shape, inserted in a garment to allow for more space and greater ease of movement. In men's underwear, for example, the gusset appears along the inseams and crotch area of the garment. Although a conventional gusset does provide support, it may not provide any additional shaping to a front pouch, whereas a gathered pouch does provide an increase in support and comfort for the wearer.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.