Female Gis

Hello!

It's spring time and well, I need a few new gis once again. (Funny how training 6 days a week kills gis faster than you can believe.) Currently, I've been ordering from Kioyta Co Inc- mainly because that is who my sensei uses. The factors that go into purchasing a gi for me are:

1. I'm a college student- hence money is a big thing.
2. If I use the JK brand as example I am a 4 top and a 5 bottom. I am a 5'9" female with a very curvy body and long legs which makes me a hard fit when I am just trying to get jeans much less a gi.
3. I am a very amaetur sewer (seams are fine) and my mother is a seamstress so taking in things is no problem. The main thing is, she works another job in the medical field right now and I don't want to ask her to do much other than a quick stick or two.
4. If I was to go the custom made route or a female gi, I would rather get the top only. I'm fine with the pants being oddish (ie not lying flat on my stomach) because its not a beauty contest! Also, I've never had problems with my pants really just the top.
5. Its HOT up here so I only want to use karate gis. I already have to wear a shirt under it for 'modesty' so I'm always warm.

Anyone who could recomend a brand (ie Century) and give me a review on it would be of great help. Thanks.

(Also anyone have a pattern for a gi top? I'd love to know where you got it from.)

Zoe, I sent you my email addy via PM if you want advice/coaching on sewing one.

I like my Kwon student karate gis. They are a little heavier than most karate gi's . They have string ties to help keep the top closed and they are inexpensive. I always cut my gi pants off under the knee patch so the length is not an issue but they are long enough anyway.

Mary, how does the size on those gis run? I'm use to the JK brand from Kiotya Co and wear a 5 with them.

I am 5' 10 and weigh 200 pounds and I wear a 5.

Since this is in the same realm, I figured I'd post here instead of starting a new topic. Has anyone tried the Century women's cut gi? I'm slightly hesitant to spend 100 dollars on the top and pants without trying it on, especially since returns are going to be difficult, and I will still be out a little bit of money if it doesn't fit. I'm extremely curvy, and I can't even find a top that works in the same size. I have a proforce Gladiator karate gi top that is a 5 and is too large and gapes open at the neck/chest, and I also have a Mugen size 5 top that almost chokes me at the neck because it's too small. The Century women's gi specifies that the seams are cut for a woman, so I was hoping to get some feedback if anyone here has tried it.

And Janet, your keikogi top looks beautiful, and if I was employed, I would order one in a heartbeat, but I too am a poor college student.

Ashley, I'm studying the graphics on the Century website to see if I can figure out where the shaping is and I can't. Normally one would see shaping darts at bust and waist or a princess type seam but looking at both black and white versions I can't see any - if they shape ONLY at side seams I'd say for those of us with real curves, not adequate.
Even the quite lovely Bujin womens gi top seemed to have been made with a slender and young Japanese woman in mind: the bust dart points to where someone about 20 years old might have her fullest point relative to shoulder/waist length and fitted to about an A-B cup size. Not very helpful for a full busted or mature woman.

Janet Rosen wrote: Ashley, I'm studying the graphics on the Century website to see if I can figure out where the shaping is and I can't. Normally one would see shaping darts at bust and waist or a princess type seam but looking at both black and white versions I can't see any - if they shape ONLY at side seams I'd say for those of us with real curves, not adequate. Even the quite lovely Bujin womens gi top seemed to have been made with a slender and young Japanese woman in mind: the bust dart points to where someone about 20 years old might have her fullest point relative to shoulder/waist length and fitted to about an A-B cup size. Not very helpful for a full busted or mature woman.

Blast it, but I really appreciate you checking. I'm assuming most of my top issues stem from the fact that I'm a DD. Unfortunately I'm beginning to think I'm doomed.

Ashley Hemsath wrote: Blast it, but I really appreciate you checking. I'm assuming most of my top issues stem from the fact that I'm a DD. Unfortunately I'm beginning to think I'm doomed.

A karate style gi jacket CAN be altered to fit if you have somebody local to work with you. You want it to fit properly across your full bust/around upper and mid back as the alterations will be to remove excess fabric at neck, shoulder and upper chest plus diminish any excess fullness at the waist.

Ashley Hemsath wrote: Blast it, but I really appreciate you checking. I'm assuming most of my top issues stem from the fact that I'm a DD. Unfortunately I'm beginning to think I'm doomed.

I feel your pain. I'm a DDD and built like a truck. Iv'e just resigned myself to the fact that a gi is not gonna be flattering on my body. Although the hackama really does help.

I just got a new Piranha Gear karate Gi and it is a pretty decent fit. They are rather expensive though.