Adjustable shirt-tapering system

Abstract

The circumference of a shirt's waistline, i.e., the taper, is continuously adjustable through the use of a releasable fastening device having a first portion that is releasably attachable to a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are complementary to one another and are located in one plane of the shirt fabric, on a side away from the wearer. The releasable fastening device is located below the beltline of the trousers worn with the shirt so that it is unnoticeable, and is light weight so as to be unobtrusive. To adjust the taper, the shirt is folded so that at least some extent of one of the first and second portions is positioned on top of the other and releasably fastened thereto.

1 . A shirt comprising: 
 fabric shaped into a torso section and a waistline, the fabric comprising a front, a back, sides, an inner portion facing towards an inner position at which a wearer of the shirt would be located, and an outer portion facing away from the inner position, the torso section further comprising a longitudinal axis; and    a releasable fastening device attached adjacent the waistline, the releasable fastening device comprising a first portion of a two-complementary-part releasable fastener, and a second portion of a two-complimentary-part releasable fastener, wherein the first portion and the second portion are complementary to one another and are located in one plane of the fabric so as to face away from the inner position.    
     
     
         2 . The shirt according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and second portion extend along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torso section, and are positioned so as to abut one another at ends thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The shirt according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises one of hook and loop fasteners and the second portion comprises the other of hook and loop fasteners.  
     
     
         4 . The shirt according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions comprise complementary magnetic strips.  
     
     
         5 . The shirt according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a repositionable adhesive material and the second portion comprises a receiving member.  
     
     
         6 . The shirt according to  claim 1 , wherein the releasable fastening device is located on one of the sides.  
     
     
         7 . The shirt according to  claim 6 , further comprising a second releasable fastening device located on the other one of the sides.  
     
     
         8 . The shirt according to  claim 1 , wherein the releasable fastening device is located below the waistline.  
     
     
         9 . The shirt according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover member attached to the releasable fastening device, the cover member comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section comprises a part of a two-complementary-part fastener that is complementary to the first portion, and the second section comprises a part of a two-complementary-part fastener that is complementary to the second portion.  
     
     
         10 . A shirt comprising: 
 fabric shaped into a torso section and a waistline, the fabric comprising a front, a back, sides, an inner portion facing towards an inner position at which a wearer of the shirt would be located, and an outer portion facing away from the inner position, the torso section further comprising a longitudinal axis; and    means for continuously adjusting the taper of the shirt, wherein the means for continuously adjusting is disposed adjacent the waistline, and is disposed in one plane of the fabric so as to face away from the inner position.    
     
     
         11 . The shirt according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for continuously adjusting extends along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torso section, and is positioned so that complementary parts thereof abut one another.  
     
     
         12 . The shirt according to  claim 10 , wherein means for continuously adjusting is located on one of the sides.  
     
     
         13 . The shirt according to  claim 12 , further comprising a second means for continuously adjusting located on the other one of the sides.  
     
     
         14 . The shirt according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for continuously adjusting is located below the waistline.  
     
     
         15 . The shirt according to  claim 10 , further comprising a cover member attached to the releasable fastening device, the cover member comprising means for attaching to the means for continuously adjusting.  
     
     
         16 . A method for adjusting the taper of a shirt while being worn by a body, comprising: 
 placing a thumb over a section of material along a circumference of the shirt adjacent a waistline;    gathering excess material from the circumference of the shirt;    folding the excess material over the thumb;    sliding the thumb out of the folded excess material; and    attaching the fold to a remaining portion of the shirt using a releasable fastening device.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said step of gathering excess material comprises grabbing excess material between at least one finger and either said thumb or a palm of a hand, and further wherein said step of attaching the fold comprises sliding the at least one finger forward while pressing the fold toward the body with the at least one finger.