Gi mistake... did it shrink too much?

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[Thomas Ambrose]

For those of you out there who know about the uniform, maybe you can help me out. I just purchased one of those thick and heavier gi's. Visiting home this weekend, and having access to free laundry, I washed it for the first time. Following the instructions on the tag, I gave it a cold wash. I was supposed to let it drip-dry but was out of the house when it was time to dry it.

My mother decided to do me a favor and dry it for me, and used the drier on hot :eek:. My new gi is now a very much smaller gi. My concern is did it shrink too much, or is it ok? It is about 8-10 inches from the bottom of my foot to the bottom of the pant leg and about 8-10 inches from my wrist to the jacket sleeve. Originally it was maybe 3 inches from the bottom of my foot, and right up to my sleeve. The front of it looks a bit strange to me... but otherwise fits and feels just fine. It isn't "extra tight" or anything and I have the same range of motion as before.

Advantages: My wrist is now exposed, which is beneficial for obvious reasons during training. There is also no way I will trip over the pant leg. Both of these were problems with my older light gi.

Disadvantages: I feel like it may look a bit awkward, but that just may take some getting used to.

Anyway, here is my question. What is the customary length of sleeves and trouser legs? I cannot think of what the sleeves are on other people, and I haven't really paid attention to people's ankles, especially when they wear hakamas! Also, how should the two "flaps" of the jacket line up relative to my body? By flaps I mean the two parts of the top where the right side goes over the left side and then the obi wraps around.

Any suggestions of input would be helpful. Once I get back to my apartment, I will try to take a few pictures in case that will give a better idea.

I am trying to get a feel before I do something dumb, like coming out at my next practice wearing a "ridiculously" small uniform :blush:

thanks!!!

[Nafis Zahir]

Next time, don't get a gi that is already short as you said, but get one that is a little longer or just right, so that when it does shrink, it'll be just right! Wash it in warm water and then put it in the drier. You should be okay.

[p00kiethebear]

It is about 8-10 inches from the bottom of my foot to the bottom of the pant leg and about 8-10 inches from my wrist to the jacket sleeve. Originally it was maybe 3 inches from the bottom of my foot, and right up to my sleeve. The front of it looks a bit strange to me... but otherwise fits and feels just fine. It isn't "extra tight" or anything and I have the same range of motion as before.

Bahahahaahahahahaa!

Yeah, if it doesn't hinder your motion it's probably ok. But depending on the sensitivity level of the dojo to such issues, you may be the butt of many jokes in the days to come. They will make you feel afraid... afraid and shameful of your mothers ignorance.

Can we get a picture of this maybe?

On a more serious note, we had one person in our dojo who hated long gi pant legs so his were always about 1 or 2 inches below his kneecaps. The skin made him stand out but he didn't seem to mind too much.

By flaps I mean the two parts of the top where the right side goes over the left side and then the obi wraps around.

You got it backwards buddy. That's how dead people wear their gis. Always wrap the left side over the right. Unless of course you ARE dead. In which case you would be some sort of aiki-zombi :hypno: once again, can we get a picture of this? I've never seen an aiki-zombi before.

[MaryKaye]

Too short may look a little funny, but too long is a safety hazard. I go with too short, myself. If it is unacceptable someone at your dojo will tell you. More likely they will appreciate being able to reach your wrists.

If you really get hooked on aikido you'll probably end up having classes on successive days, and you'll want a gi you can throw in the dryer. Drip-drying takes too long. So if this gi ends up small, next time buy one size bigger.

Mary Kaye

[BLangille]

Out of curiosity, what are your measurements, and what size gi did you get?
I would get one a little large so you can dry it in the dryer, they tend to end up really stiff if you air dry them, plus take a long time to dry.

[Thomas Ambrose]

First of all, here is the picture of my "newly shrunk gi" and me in it. Pardon the low quality, but it is the best digital camera my parents had at their house. Also, don't mind my dopey-unenthusiastic expression :p I might change it to a clearer picture with a better expression later should I have time.

http://people.emich.edu/tambrose/junk/shrinkgi.jpg

I think I actually like the sleeves being short. It is cooler and of course, easier to grab my wrists. On the other hand, the pant-legs haven't won me over yet, and look pretty silly (even though comfortable and safe) to me still. Also it looks a bit extra skinny around the waist, but then again, I am a tall skinny guy, and the extra-skinny-looking-ness is probably not because of the shrunken gi ;)

So what do you all think. I will find out for sure on Tuesday when I show up for practice (I will probably bring my older gi also just to be on the safe side!).

Oh yeah to answer specific questions...

Out of curiosity, what are your measurements, and what size gi did you get?

I am 6'2 tall, and wear 34x34 pants and 16.5 34/35 shirts. Pretty much i tend to a large-tall when exact measurements aren't available. The recently shrunken gi is labelled 4/180. My older gi, which was always a bit large and never shrank down to a size that I fealt was comfortable was labelled 6/200.

You got it backwards buddy. That's how dead people wear their gis. Always wrap the left side over the right. Unless of course you ARE dead. In which case you would be some sort of aiki-zombi once again, can we get a picture of this? I've never seen an aiki-zombi before.

Afraid I am not a zombie! I think I got my right and left confused when describing it from my head. I tend to get it right when actually putting it on! Although the dumb look on my face is kind of zombie like :p.

[William Westdyke]

Ha.... Your gi is longer than mine in the legs and arms. It is dojo independent though. In my school many people wear shorts under their hakama as pants are often really hot and stuffy. I should let you know I train at a very formal Iwama affiliated dojo. I don't see ANY problems with your gi.

Will from hot, stuffy, sunny, southern Arizona

[William Westdyke]

Oh yeah... if anyone really cares what your gi looks like they should be smacked. As long as it doesn't stink, it holds up to a shoulder grab, and doesn't constrain your movement it really shouldn't matter.
Will

[p00kiethebear]

Looks fine to me. Have fun training.

[DCP]

Looks like my preference, but I wear a hakama.

If anyone gives you grief, just say they are your summer training pants and they'll think you are wise . . .

[Aikidoiain]

Looks fine mate.

I've got two white suits - a medium and a heavy weight. I wash them in the woolens program followed by a short spin. No hot spin drying. I just hang them on the airer and they're fine.

(housewife's tip of the day!) :D

Iain. :ki: :)

[Sita Nanthavong]

i think it looks fine. :)

shorties are great for under hakama. you don't want your whites showing down below if your pant legs are too long and your hakama doesn't quite cover it all up. it's not pretty. in our dojo, if whites are showing, you get a talking to... again and again until you get your pants hemmed up properly or you wear shorts.

again, like the others say... so long as you're not restricted and/or constricted, that's all that matters. :)

[batemanb]

The trousers on one of my Gi's is way shorter than that, although I reserve them for under my hakama. My other Gi is about the same as yours.

Looks fine from here, I seen plenty of people with similar Gi's, I wouldn't worry about it.

Regards

[jester]

Looks fine. That's how all of my Gi's fit. As long as it's not tight around the chest, and your pants have freedom of movement.

I buy my gi's a little large, then I dry them really hot to get the shrinking out, then I can hem them shorter if I need to.

Some of the old pictures of Judo guys from the 40's and 50's have their gi's really short also.
I think long Gi's look sloppy and funny.

[Thomas Ambrose]

Everyone, thanks for the advice!

I feel a bit better about wearing them and will try it out at my training tonight. I will double check with the instructor to make sure, but I am almost certain there will be no problems with it at my dojo (other than maybe a few jokes at my expense ;) ).

I am a LONG way away from wearing a hakama. At anyrate, I probably won't trip over my pants anymore :) Thanks again!