Modern Designs On Martial Arts Clothing
When we think about martial arts clothing, most of us probably picture the sparkling white gi – the angry white pyjamas – worn by many of the traditional Japanese martial arts, such as karate, judo or aikido. A few of us might conjure up images of the shadowy ninja, dressed in all black and face covered. Or perhaps the martial arts clothes worn by the kung fu practitioner, a black jacket with white collar and cuffs and toggle fasteners.
All of these types of martial art clothing were worn in the past and in the regions and countries where these fighting arts were created and developed. In most cases, the clothing was worn because it was very similar to normal everyday clothing. Not because it was part of any particular uniform. People who train in many martial arts these days wear these uniforms to uphold the traditions of their respective styles. But such clothing in a normal setting – like taking the dog for a walk, or going out to buy a newspaper – would be considered eccentric (at best) by the neighbors!
Chinese Martial Arts T-Shirt - Baguazhang
Most kung fu styles nowadays stick to black kung fu pants, or simple tracksuit bottoms, and a white or black t-shirt, perhaps with a club badge and name, or maybe some Chinese kung fu characters for their style. This is close to what would normally be worn by the general public. It’s good for avoiding unnecessary finger-pointing and whispers behind your back, but also because if you train in normal martial art clothes, you’ll feel mentally prepared to fight if you get attacked in the street.
Some martial arts develop a kind of fashion all of their own, and this has rapidly happened with the modern sports fighting styles of the mixed martial arts (MMA). Although the clothes for competition (fightwear) is very minimal – comprising just shorts and MMA gloves, like in boxing or Muay Thai – a whole MMA fashion scene has appeared, including intricately ornate designs for t-shirts and hoodies. Sort of a signpost to the art they practise, even though these aren’t their ‘work clothes’.
Maybe it’s time for all the martial arts to have a traditional uniform which upholds tradition and is used for demos and other ‘ceremonial’ occasions. But when it comes to practical fighting and self-defense, to use modern clothing, especially for the striking arts. It’s a little more difficult for arts like judo where the gi itself can be used for throwing and choking techniques.
I’m guessing that many schools already do have occasional lessons and seminars in civvies for realistic self-defense purposes. Doing it this way means that students in a real situation don not have to mentally switch into fighting mode – they can just react.
And if you’ve got a nice club logo, and come up with a cool design, your students can wear a club hoodie, and advertise their club as well!
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