Under dogi

[Madelaine]

Hey there

I'm new here, and have a quick question. I have been training in aikido and was wondering if there was some kind of protocol about what you wear under your dogi. Obviously one would wear a bra, but is a singlet (I think Americans call it a wife beater, which is unfortunate) be un-budo like?

No one at my dojo cares, but I was wondering if there was a general ethic.

Thanks
Madelaine

[Jeff C.]

Madelaine, the general ethic seems to be this: If you were to remove your dogi, would your under-attire be considered inappropriate in public?

I ask female students to wear at least a sports bra under a t-shirt. Any bra without wires of any type will do.

Jeff Cook

[jjaje]

I always thought a singlet was a one piece suit, top and bottoms, used in sports like wrestling and triathalons. A wife beater is the stereotypical "tank top".

If the instructor has no preference, then I would think whatever is comfortable to you, that you might see at any regular gym or workout facility would be fine.

[Nina]

Hi Madelaine,
I guess you can wear whatever you want. In our dojo most woman wear just a normal t-shirt or top under the dogi. Since there exists throws or other techniques, where you look `hackly` afterwards, I think that`s the best solution. Recently I read that we should wear white cloth under...

[De_Franza]

Defineitly start with deodorant.

I think Jeff said it best, if the Gi opened up, would you be embarassed?
Any kind of T shirt is usually consindered perfect. One of the fancy sweat-wicking super athlete shirts might be more comfortable, but they are costly of corse. Then again, a good thick Gi doesn't usually get saturated.

Mostly, its a matter of personal taste, but my understanding is that most women prefer a sports bra for safety and comfort as well.

[Webmaster]

Let's just keep this simple. All women should wear the following under their dogi.



In the interest of tradition, black leather only.

[Defined]

Depends on your instructor, but I have never heard of any preference. I'd say Jeff hit it on the head with wear something you would be comfortable wearing without the jacket covering it.

Personally I wouldn't wear a singlet because during training the gi gets grabbed around the chest/shoulder area quite often and they tend to grab the clothing underneath as well. Wearing a singlet in this case can result in it falling off the shoulders and down. When it stretches it is course makes it worse. Plus most singlets are a lower cut which again doesn't help when being grabbed. You may or may not have this problem.

Hence I just wear ordinary cheap T-shirts with something like a crew neck. Just make sure it's at least something like cotton or the fancy shmancy wicking shirts. They really cheap polyester types ones are horrible to sweat in.

[KZMiller]

I used to wear just a supportive tank top under my gi, but my instructor said it was too distracting to his male students so I had to wear a t-shirt. I don't think it would be a problem at Robert's school! Can I practice there?

[Madelaine]

Thanks for the witty replies - now I need to buy more leather and deodorant!

Thanks Jeff - think I will go with how comfortable I'd feel without my dogi.

I have also learnt that singlet clearly does not translate into 'American'. We call a singlet what you call a tank top. I was definitely not intending to wear some triathlon lycra under my gear.

Or ever, in fact.

But it's good to know the right term, especially when shopping online. Who knows what I would have ended up with!

Thanks heaps everyone!

[Jeff C.]

Madelaine, you aren't going to wear a rash guard under your dogi? That's what all the cool kids are wearing these days! Good luck to you.

Jeff Cook

[Eliz]

Hi Madelaine. Welcome to BudoSeek!

We always advise women to go with white baby tees.

They will pass ANY and ALL undergarment restrictions.

"Comfortable" and "appropriate" are not uniform standards, unfortunately. Many instructors and organizations strictly prohibit t-shirts, colored sports bras (or "just a sports bra") and many women do not like the fit of a traditional loose fitting tank top.

The baby tees are a tighter fit, light weight cotton material, 3/4 sleeve, belly length and scoop neck.

Hope that helps.

[De_Franza]

Just recalled: Havn't there been threads (no pun intended) about gi's cut for women?

[Eliz]

Just recalled: Havn't there been threads (no pun intended) about gi's cut for women?

That is funny! That pun went right over my head at first.

Yes. There are a few manufacturing companies going that route. I keep saying I will purchase one - one of these days.....

The women's cut is more to prevent gapping in the jacket and provides roomier hips in the pant. To my knowledge it does little to prevent jackets from falling open during Hapkido style throws, etc.

[Redcat]

Bill, I started a thread about women's gis some time ago. Lead me to Juka gis, which I currently wear, but not the women's cut, which is a bit lightweight.

To the OP - I usually wear a sports bra/top that I would wear on the street as outerwear when running. If you need a resource, look no further than your local running/triathon shop!

[dao]

They are more difficult and expensive to to get in the US, but my favorite undershirt isn't cotton it is hemp. It is very lightweight, breathes better than anything I've ever worn and seems to indestructable although after about 10 years it started stretching in the wash.