Durable nonwoven garment exhibiting recoverable extensibility

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a garment comprised of nonwoven fabric, and particularly, to nonwoven fabric garments that exhibit prolonged durability while maintaining acceptable fit and finish. Garments fabricated in accordance with the present invention are particularly suited for use in daily-wear applications, such as in shirts and blouses. The present nonwoven fabric has been particularly configured to exhibit elastic characteristics, that is, extensibility and recovery, in the cross-direction of the fabric.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A garment comprising a nonwoven fabric, said nonwoven fabric exhibiting an extensibility of at least about 50% and a recovery of at least about 85%, said nonwoven fabric further exhibiting a wash durability of at least 25 cycles.  
     
     
         2 . A garment as in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabric is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of staple length fiber, continuous filament, and the combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A garment as in  claim 2 , wherein the fibers are selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and the combinations thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A garment as in  claim 1 , wherein the garment is a shirt.  
     
     
         5 . A garment as in  claim 4 , wherein said third has a weight of about 6 ounces.  
     
     
         6 . A garment as in  claim 4 , wherein said shirt comprises an assembly of a plurality of sections of said nonwoven fabric which define a pair of arm holes, said shirt including a pair of elongate elastic members respectively secured to said arm holes.