Upper-Torso Garment with Hood and Integral Scarves and Bodice

Hijabs are garments used as head coverings for a variety of purposes, for example, for covering a user's head, hair, neck and ears while leaving the user's face uncovered. Hijabs may be used during various activities, including work activities, social activities, athletic activities, and more. In addition, users often where hijabs as part of cultural, religious, historical and social events or requirements. Typical hijabs include a headscarf of various lengths and sizes that is wrapped around the user's head, hair, neck and ears in a manner that is comfortable for the user while providing the desired head covering function.

This detailed description is directed to an upper-torso garment, which includes a hood combined with various additional useful features, such as an integral bodice and integral multi-functional scarves. In examples, a scarf may be affixed to each side of the hood such that each scarf drapes down below the hood's face opening. When worn, the scarves may remain in a draped position or may be wrapped around the user's neck, hair or torso as desired. In addition, the integral bodice can include various fasteners for securing the upper-torso garment about the torso of the user.

With some conventional hijabs, a single length of scarf may be used as a head covering. In such examples, the single length of scarf is wrapped about the user's head to cover the user's hair, neck and ears while leaving the user's face uncovered and visible. In other conventional examples, the scarf may be wrapped to cover the user's hair, ears, neck and a lower portion of the users face leaving only the user's eyes uncovered and visible. In still other conventional examples, the hijab scarf may be used to cover the user's entire head where a portion of the covering material that is wrapped over the user's eyes is configured to allow the user to see through the covering material for visibility. With such conventional hijabs, use of the head covering may be difficult in conditions that may cause the hijab to come loose or fall from the user's head. For example, if the user is outdoors in windy conditions, the hijab may be blown loose or off the user's head. For another example, if the user is engaged in activities of varying intensity such as athletics or a variety of work activities that include varying user movement speeds, erratic movements or physically stressful movements, such as jumping, tumbling, overhead lifting or other similar athletic or work activities, the hijab may come loose, become improperly adjusted or may fall from the user's head altogether. Such occurrences may lead to discomfort, interruption of user activity, or safety problems, for example, where the hijab shifts on the user's head and obstructs the user's vision.

In contrast to conventional hijabs, the upper-torso garment of the present disclosure includes a hood that can fit more securely. For example, the hood can include a face securing band (e.g., made from an elastic material) disposed around a perimeter of the face opening of the hood such that the face securing band holds the face opening snugly against the user's face and under the user's chin.

According to at least some examples, the hood may be comprised of one or more integrated panels that provide for a form fit to cover the user's head and to provide space in a rear portion of the head covering to accommodate the user's hair inside the head covering. According to at least one example, the panel in the rear portion of the head covering provides a bulge at the rear of the head covering to accommodate the user's hair so that tucking the user's hair inside the rear portion of the head covering does not cause the head covering to be pulled away from the forward portion of the user's head and face. Side panels of the head covering are formed to provide a snug fit of the head covering over the sides of the user's face and ears and under the user's jawline and chin and to the user's neck. As should be appreciated, the construction of the head covering may include a number of connected panels, for example, a top panel (e.g., apex) for the top of the user's head, a rear panel for the back of the user's head, a lower front panel for the neck area under the user's chin, and two side panels (one for each side of the head covering) for covering the side of the user's face and ears. The rear panel, the lower front panel and side panels may be of sufficient length to cover the user's neck when the head covering is donned. Alternatively, instead of top, lower front, rear and side panels that are combined to create the head covering, the head covering may comprise an integrated garment formed to cover the user's head, the sides of the user's face and ears and that provides a space in a rear portion of the head covering for the user's hair.

According to another example, a bodice is provided that extends downward from the head covering for securing the head covering and bodice combination to the user's torso for providing additional security against movement of the head covering on the user's head or off the user's head. According to one example, the bodice is affixed to or integrated with the portion of the head covering that covers the neck of the user. The bodice includes a rear component that extends from the rear portion of the head covering down the user's back. The bodice includes a front component that extends from a forward portion of the head covering under the user's chin and down the user's chest. On each side of the combined head covering and bodice, a gap is provided between the rear and front components of the bodice for the user's shoulders and arms to extend outward from the combined head covering and bodice components to allow free movement of the user's shoulders and arms.

Each of the rear and front components of the bodice may include an integrated elastic material for urging the rear and front components of the bodice against the back and chest of the user, respectively. According to one example, a belt, strap or band is affixed to or integrated with the rear or front components of the bodice for securing the rear and front components of the bodice to each other for providing a secure fit of the bodice around the user's torso. According to this example, a buckle, clasp or other suitable connective material (e.g., a Velcro strip) may be affixed to or integrated with one of the rear or front components of the bodice to allow the belt, strap, or band to secure the rear and front components of the bodice together. For example, a belt, strap or band may be affixed to a lower end of the rear component of the bodice for passing around the user's side from rear to front under the user's arm for connecting to a receiving buckle, clasp or other suitable connective system such that the rear and front components of the bodice are connected to each other around the user's torso for providing security from undesired movement of the head covering about or off the user's head.

According to additional examples, a scarf is affixed to or integrated with each side of the hood at a position above a lower edge of the sides of the hood. Each scarf is configured to drape from a respective side of the head covering to a length below the user's face sufficient to allow the scarf to be wrapped around the user's neck or torso or to allow the scarf to be tied around the rear portion of the head covering at a position where the user's hair creates an outwardly protruding bulge in the rear portion of the head covering. In at least some examples, the scarves may be tapered such that the ends of the scarves affixed to or integrated with the sides of the head covering are narrowed to avoid obstruction of the user's exposed face, but that are flared (widened) toward a lower terminating end to provide desired scarf material for wrapping around the user's neck, torso or rear portion of the head covering.

These and other aspects are described further below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely example implementations, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims.

depicts a perspective view of an upper-torso garment with integrated scarves and bodice, in accordance with examples of this disclosure. According to examples, the upper-torso garment(hereafter “hijab”) includes a head covering or hood, a bodiceand a pair of scarves. The hijabfits over a user's head and upper body or torso and may advantageously be used for warmth, support, sports, decoration, fashion, and the like, or the hijabmay be worn in association with one or more cultural or religious purposes. The head coveringfits over the head of a user and includes an openingfor exposing a user's face. According to other examples, the openingmay be covered with a visually permeable material, for example, a partially or totally see-through material that will allow a user's head and face to be covered, but that will allow a user to see through the covering over the opening.

Referring still to, according to examples, the hijabincludes an integrated bodiceextending below the head coveringand over the upper torso of the user. A gapis provided in the bodicefor allowing the shoulders and arms of the user to extend out of the bodice. A belt or strapis provided for securing a back portion of the bodiceto a front portionof the bodicearound the torso of the user. A pair of scarvesare included that extend from each side of the head covering. As described in detail below, the scarvesmay drape downward, as illustrated in, or the scarvesmay be used for tying around the user's torso, neck or head as desired by the user.

According to examples, the hijabmay be made from a variety of suitable materials. For example the hijabmay be made from a lightweight moisture wicking material that is particularly useful when the hijabis used in athletic situations, or when the hijabis worn during higher temperatures and/or higher humidity environments. According to other examples, the hijabmay be made from a heavier weighted material, such as fleece, that is particularly useful in colder environments. As should be appreciated, any material used for clothing items may be used for the hijab.

depicts a side elevation view of the upper-torso garment of, showing the upper-torso garment with the integrated bodice of, but without the integrated scarves of, in accordance with examples of this disclosure. According to examples, the head coveringof the hijabmay be provided from a single garment piece, or the head coveringmay be constructed from one or more panels. Referring still to, according to one example, the head coveringincludes a top portion or panel(e.g., apex at the topmost portion when the hood is up) for covering a top portion of a user's head. A rear portionmay be included for covering the back portion of a user's head. According to this example, the rear portionmay be configured for tightly fitting over the backside of the user's head, or as illustrated in, the rear portionmay be configured with an enlarged area or “bulge” to allow the rear portionto encase and support a user's hair bunched or tied behind the user's head.

According to examples, the head covering or hoodmay also include a pair of side portions or panelsconfigured to cover the sides of a user's face. A lower front portionof the head covering or hoodis illustrated for covering a portion of the user's neck beneath the user's chin. According to examples, each of the portions,,,of the head coveringmay be constructed from separate pieces of material that may be combined together to form the head covering. Alternatively, the head coveringmay be constructed from a single piece of material that includes each of the portions or panels,,,as illustrated in.

Referring still to, according to an example, the head covering or hoodmay include a bandfor fitting the face openingabout an upper portion of the user's face. A bandmay be included for fitting the face openingabout a lower portion (e.g., beneath the chin) of the user's face. According to this example, the bands,may be made from the same material as other portions of the head covering, or the bands,may be made from a different material than other portions of the head covering. For example, the bands,may be made from one or more decorative materials or may include one or more decorative designs. Alternatively, the bands,may be made from an elastic material that urges the face openingtightly or snuggly about the user's face. Urging the openingtightly or snuggly about the user's face is particularly advantageous for securing the head coveringabout the user's face during athletic activities, or for keeping the users head warm, or for keeping the user's hair secured inside the head covering.

Referring still to the head covering, a pair of drawstrings or cordsis illustrated for tightening the head coveringabout the user's neck. In, the drawstrings or cordsare illustrated extending behind the user's neck, but according to one example, the drawstrings or cordsmay extend below the user's chin to allow the user to selectively tighten the head coveringaround the user's neck for keeping the head coveringsecure while in use. In some examples, the cordscan extend to the interior of the garment and out of view. That is, the cordscan be stowed inside the garment so as to avoid interfering with activities. In some examples, an opening along the perimeter edge of the face opening is positioned on the internal portion of the face-opening perimeter edge so as to allow the cords to extend to the interior and out of view.

Referring still to, the bodiceextends from a bottom edge of the head coveringand down over the user's upper torso. According to examples, the bodiceprovides a number of useful functions. The bodicemay keep the upper-torso garment or hijabsecured on the user which is particularly useful when the user engaged in an athletic activity. The bodicemay also provide for warmth in colder environments. In addition, if the upper-torso garment or hijabis worn as an outer garment, the back and front portions,of the bodice (described below) may also serve as decorative or fashion-oriented spaces for different colors, patterns, logos, advertisements, and the like.

According to examples, the bodiceincludes a rear or back portionthat extends from beneath the rear portionof the head covering. The rear or back portionof the bodice extends downward along the user's back and may terminate at any of a number of desired positions, for example, upper-torso, mid-torso, or waistline. A front portionof the bodiceextends from beneath the lower or front portionof the head covering. The front portionof the bodiceextends downward to a distance similar to or equal to the downward distance of the rear or back portionto a number of desired positions, for example, upper-torso, mid-torso or waistline.

According to one example, a panel or portionis provided that extends from beneath the side portionsof the head coveringdownward to an upper opening or gapthrough which the user's shoulders and arms extend between the rear and front portions,of the bodice. According to this example, the panel or portionmay extend over the user's shoulders from the user's side neck area to a position where the gapbegins. As described above with reference to the head covering, the portions, panels or components,,of the bodice may be made from separate pieces of material that are combined to form the bodicethat is then attached to the head covering. Alternatively, the portions, panels or components,,of the bodicemay be made from a single piece of material that is then attached to the head covering. According to another alternative, the combined head coveringand bodicemay be made from a single piece of material instead of a combination of separate pieces of material.

Referring still to, a strap or beltis illustrated along a lower edge of the rear and front portions,of the bodice. According to examples, the belt or strapprovides for connecting the rear portionof the bodiceto the front portionof the bodicefor securing the bodice around the torso of the user. According to one example, as illustrated in, the belt or strapmay be attached to a lower edge of either the rear portionof the bodiceat a position at which the gapbegins on each side of the rear portionfor connection to a lower edge of the front portionof the bodice. Alternatively, the belt or strapmay emanate from each side of the front portionfor connecting to the rear portionof the bodice. In either case, the strapmay include a bucklepositioned at a terminating end of the strapconfigured for attachment to an awaiting buckle receiverto allow the rear portionof the bodiceto be connected to the front portionof the bodice. According to examples, the buckleand buckle receivermay be in the form of any suitable attachment means, for example, a clasp or connection material such as a hook and loop fastener material.

According to examples, the belt or strapmay be part of a bandthat is integrated along the lower edge of the rear and front portions,of the bodice. According to one example, the bandand/or the strapmay be made from an elastic material that further aids in snugly fitting the bodicearound the torso of the user.

depicts a side elevation view of the upper-torso garment with hood and integral scarves and bodice of, showing the integrated scarves in a forward draped configuration, in accordance with examples of this disclosure. As described above, according to examples, a scarfmay be affixed to each side of the side portionof the head covering. The scarvesextend from each side of the head covering. The scarvesmay drape downward, as illustrated in, or the scarvesmay be used for tying around the user's torso, neck or head as desired by the user. In, the scarvesare illustrated in a downward draping configuration. According to this configuration, the scarvesmay serve as decorative or fashion-oriented additions to the upper-torso garment or hijab. For example, the scarvesmay include decorative colors, patterns, logos, advertisements and the like as desired.

The scarvesmay be made from the same material as the other components of the upper-torso garment or hijab. In this case, the scarvesmay be made from separate pieces of material that are affixed to the side portionsof the head covering, or the scarvesmay be made from a single piece of material from which the other components of the head coveringare made. Alternatively, the scarvesmay be made from a different material as used for the other components of the hijabthat are then affixed to the side portionsof the head covering was.

According to examples, in addition to use of the scarvesin a downward draping configuration, as illustrated in, the scarvesmay be used in a variety of other manners.depicts a side elevation view of the upper-torso garment with hood and integral scarves and bodice of, showing the integrated scarves pulled about the torso of a user and tied behind the user's torso, in accordance with examples of this disclosure. As illustrated in, the scarvesare crossed over the user's chest and then pulled behind the user's torso. Behind the user's torso, the scarvesare tied together with knotto secure the scarves behind the user's back. As should be appreciated, according to this configuration, the scarvesmay be wrapped around the user at any number of positions along the user's torso (e.g., high-torso, mid-torso, waistline, etc.). Placement of the scarvesaround the user's torso, as illustrated in, can provide for enhanced security against movement of the hijab, additional warmth, or simply may provide the user with desired aesthetics.

depicts a side elevation view of the upper-torso garment with hood and integral scarves and bodice of, showing the integrated scarves pulled about the neck of a user and tied below the user's chin, in accordance with examples of this disclosure. As illustrated in, the scarvesare wrapped around the user's neck and are tied together under the user's chin with knot. As should be appreciated, according to this configuration, the scarves may be wrapped around the user's neck and tied behind the user's neck if desired. As with the torso wrapping configuration illustrated in, this example configuration may also provide for warmth or added security against movement of the hijab, or this configuration may simply provide the user with desired aesthetics.

depicts a side elevation view of the upper-torso garment with hood and integral scarves and bodice of, showing the integrated scarves pulled behind the back of the hood and about the hair of the user contained in the back of the hood, in accordance with examples of this disclosure. In, another example use of the scarvesas illustrated. According to this example, the scarvesare wrapped around the rear portionof the head coveringunder which the user's hair is bunched or tied. Use of the scarvesaccording to this example allows the user to store the scarves out of the way of the user's arms or torso. Alternatively, use of the scarves, according to this example, allows the user to bind the user's hair inside the head covering, or use of the scarves according to this example may provide for a desired aesthetic. As should be appreciated, the configurations of the scarvesillustrated inare for purposes of example only and are not limiting of the many other configurations of the scarvesthat may be utilized according to examples of the present disclosure.

A. An upper-torso garment comprising: a top portion configured for covering a top of a user's head; a rear portion configured for covering a back of a user's head; a lower front portion configured for covering a portion of a user's neck underneath the user's chin; a pair of side portions configured for covering the sides of a user's face; the upper-torso garment having a face opening configured for leaving a front of the user's face uncovered; and a scarf affixed to each side portion of the pair of side portions at a position above a lower edge of the upper-torso garment, the scarf extending downward below the lower edge of the upper-torso garment.

B. The upper-torso garment of Clause A, wherein each of the top portion, the rear portion, the lower front portion and the pair of side portions comprise separate panels of the upper-torso garment.

C. The upper-torso garment of Clauses A and B, wherein the rear portion panel is configured to form an outwardly extending bulge for containing a user's hair.

D. The upper-torso garment of Clause A, wherein the rear portion, the lower front portion and the pair of side portions extend downward over a user's neck.

E. The upper-torso garment of Clauses A and D, wherein a lower end of the scarf extends to a length substantially below the lower edge of the downwardly extending pair of side portions.

F. The upper-torso garment of Clauses A, D and E, wherein the scarf is tapered from a first width at an upper end of the scarf at which the scarf is affixed to each side portion of the pair of side portions to a second width at the lower end of the scarf.

G. The upper-torso garment of Clause A, further comprising a face opening support band disposed about a perimeter of the face opening configured for leaving a front of the user's face uncovered.

H. The upper-torso garment of Clauses A and G, wherein the face opening support band is an elastic band configured for urging the perimeter of the face opening against the user's face.

I. A clothing article, comprising: a head covering including a top portion, a rear portion, a lower front portion and a pair of side portions; the top portion configured for covering a top of a user's head; the rear portion configured for covering a back of a user's head; the lower front portion configured for covering a portion of a user's neck underneath the user's chin; the pair of side portions configured for covering the sides of a user's face; the head covering having a face opening configured for leaving a front of the user's face uncovered; and a bodice integrated with the head covering and extending below a lower edge of the head covering.

J. The clothing article of Clause I, wherein the bodice comprises: a rear component extending below the rear portion of the head covering; and a front component extending below the lower front portion of the head covering; and a gap between the rear component and the front component, the gap extending downward below each side portion of the pair of side portions, the gap configured to allow a user's shoulders and arms to protrude through the gap below each side portion of the pair of side portions.

K. The clothing article of Clauses I and J, wherein the rear and front components of the bodice include an integrated elastic material configured to urge the rear and front components against the user's torso.

L. The clothing article of Clauses I through K, wherein the bodice includes an attachment belt configured for attaching a lower end of the rear component to a lower end of the front component, the attachment belt extending across the gap between the rear component and the front component below each side portion of the pair of side portions.

M. The clothing article of Clauses I through L, further comprising an attachment buckle affixed to a lower end of each of first and second sides of the front component of the bodice for receiving the attachment belt from a lower end of each of first and second sides of the rear component of the bodice.

N. The clothing article of Clauses I through M, wherein the attachment belt is an elastic belt configured for urging the rear component of the bodice toward the front component of the bodice around the user's torso.

O. The clothing article of Clauses I through N, further comprising: a scarf affixed to each side portion of the pair of side portions at a position above a lower edge of the head covering, the scarf extending downward below the lower edge of the head covering.

P. The clothing article of Clauses I through O, wherein a lower end of the scarf extends to a length substantially below a lower edge of each side portion of the pair of side portions.

Q. The clothing article of Clauses I through P, wherein the scarf is tapered from a first width at an upper end of the scarf at which the scarf is affixed to each side portion of the pair of side portions to a second width at the lower end of the scarf.

R. A head and torso covering, comprising: a head covering including a top portion, a rear portion, a lower front portion and a pair of side portions; the top portion configured for covering a top of a user's head; the rear portion configured for covering a back of a user's head; the lower front portion configured for covering a portion of a user's neck underneath the user's chin; the pair of side portions configured for covering the sides of a user's face; the head covering having a face opening configured for leaving a front of the user's face uncovered; a bodice integrated with the upper-torso garment and extending below a lower edge of the upper-torso garment; and a scarf affixed to each side portion of the pair of side portions at a position above a lower edge of the upper-torso garment, the scarf extending downward below the lower edge of the upper-torso garment.

S. The head and torso covering of Clause R, wherein the bodice comprises: a rear component extending below the rear portion of the head covering; a front component extending below the lower front portion of the head covering; and a gap between the rear component and the front component, the gap extending downward below each side portion of the pair of side portions, the gap configured to allow a user's shoulders and arms to protrude through the gap below each side portion of the pair of side portions.

T. The head and torso covering of Clauses R and S, wherein the bodice further comprises: an attachment belt configured for attaching a lower end of the rear component to a lower end of the front component, the attachment belt extending across the gap between the rear component and the front component below each side portion of the pair of side portions; and an attachment buckle affixed to a lower end of each of first and second sides of the front component of the bodice for receiving the attachment belt from a lower end of each of first and second sides of the rear component of the bodice.

As used herein, a recitation of “and/or” with respect to two or more elements should be interpreted to mean only one element, or a combination of elements. For example, “element A, element B, and/or element C” may include only element A, only element B, only element C, element A and element B, element A and element C, element B and element C, or elements A, B, and C. In addition, “at least one of element A or element B” may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B. Further, “at least one of element A and element B” may include at least one of element A, at least one of element B, or at least one of element A and at least one of element B.

This detailed description is provided in order to meet statutory requirements. However, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in different ways, to include different elements, and/or different combinations of elements, similar or equivalent to those described in this disclosure, and in conjunction with other present or future technologies. The examples herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. In this sense, alternative examples or implementations can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present subject matter pertains without departing from the scope hereof.