A method for making a garment having a lofted assembly having an outer
support layer and garment so produced are provided. The method includes
the steps of positioning a support fabric on a lofted material; sewing
the support fabric to the lofted material to form a lofted assembly;
positioning the lofted assembly in a molding apparatus having at least a
first mold and a second mold, closing together the first mold and the
second mold thereby sandwiching the lofted assembly therebetween and
while maintaining a uniform preset gap between said first mold and the
second mold so that the inherent loft characteristics of the lofted
assembly are substantially preserved after pressure and/or heat are
applied.