Suits

Everything has fashion. Martial Arts have the gi.

This is a garment, developed a little over a hundred years ago in Japan. It is made of white cotton and consists of pants, a top, and a belt. It often gets called pyjamas by outsiders.

You'd think that would be the end of it. Get one of these gi things and you're ready to train.

Train in what? How seriously?

The Karategi is made in any of three material weights. A lightweight gi would make a fine, comfy set of sleepwear. A heavyweight gi can almost stand up with nobody inside of it. Medium sits between these two. The heavier the suit, the longer it lasts, and the better it looks. Serious participants opt for heavyweight uniforms.

Like the Karategi, the Judogi comes in numerous weights. It is also held together with multiple layers and with double stitching. Even a heavyweight Karategi wouldn't hold up long to the pushing and pulling of Judo play.

I also train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Most of the people there wear Judogi. There is no real reason to do otherwise. There is, however, fashion. The Jiu-Jitsu version of the gi is generally similar to a Judogi, but cut a little closer to the body and a little lighter in weight. They also tend to have either manufacturer or association logos prominently displayed on chests, legs, or on backs.

I currently have two heavyweight Judogis, and one Jiu-Jitsu suit. I also have about half a dozen heavyweight Karategis.

I bet you couldn't tell them apart.

...but I can.