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Any uniform is a dress code, whose primary function is identification. The usage of a uniform, as a means of identification, may be broadly classified as general identification and specific identification. A general identification occurs when the uniform denotes belongingness to a particular group or social entity. For example, schoolchildren wear a particular uniform that identifies their belongingness to a particular school. Likewise, different professions have different identifying uniforms. For example, a gi (martial arts uniform) identifies a martial artist, a white overcoat identifies a doctor, and a police uniform identifies a person serving in the police force.

In the past few years several studies have been done on the topic of how colour of a uniform can affect an athlete’s performance in sports. Some studies argue that a white coloured uniform is disadvantageous in competitions; while some studies state that a superiority effect is achieved if the uniform is red; whereas other studies opine that aggression is increased if the uniform colour is black.

Martial arts uniforms have different names in different martial arts, for example, in Taekwondo it is known as a “dobok”, and in Karate it is known as a “dogi”. Nonetheless, a kimono-style top with pants and a belt is commonly known as a “gi”. A gi is available in various colours and sizes. Most martial arts schools have a patch of their own, which needs to be sewn on the gi. Sewing a patch can be done by hand or by a sewing machine. The process of sewing is simple and it consists of three stages, namely before sewing, sewing and after sewing.

Common weaves of a gi. What is a gi? A traditional martial arts uniform that is used to practice Japanese martial arts and its derivative forms, is known as a “keikogi” (keiko, roughly translated as “practice”, and gi, roughly translated as “dress or clothes”). A keikogi is also known as a keikoi, or a dōgi.

Every martial art has its own uniform. For example, Taekwondo has a dobok, and Karate has a dogi. Traditionally, the colour of the front cross-over jacket and the pants is white, while the belts are coloured, which signifies the skill level attained by the wearer.

When you are looking for your first martial art uniform you need to understand how the sizing of martial arts uniforms works. You need to know you’re buying a uniform that gives you the room to move comfortably in your style of martial art, so you can carry out every stretch, kick or jump that you need to without feeling restricted – or hearing that dreaded ripping sound! At the same time, you also want to know if the uniform is going to shrink and if so by how much.