Wearing club logos or clothes on the street?

[Canoe2fish]

Hy folks...just wondering what your take is on wearing shirts, jackets or other gear advertising your involvement with your particular club or the sport in general. I'm only a blue belt so far, so I mainly just wear our T shirts at home or at the dojo. I suppose I feel like I can't really wear something like that inpublic until I have earned the right so to speak. (after I have reached Blackbelt)

I also wonder if this would be bragging of sorts, and I'm sure in some instances an invitation for a fight. (At my age, I don't frequent the local watering holes or tend to be in those types of places that physical conflicts are often started anyway)

What do you guys thinkÉ (É is a question mark for some reason...anyone know why it shows up this wayÉÉÉÉ)

[bushido_man96]

I don't think that it is a big deal at all. Just keep your head about you, and concern yourself with the area you will be in. I wear some tournament T-shirts from time to time, and I did as a colored belt as well.

[KarateEd]

I generally don't wear anything that is MA related. I even have casual friends that I have known for years that don't have the slightest idea that I do MA at all. Why do I do this? It is my own personal choice. I guess I do it mostly to avoid any confrontation with someone wanting to "see how good this guy (me) is."

However, I don't think that there is any problem with you (or anybody else) wearing MA clothes, hats, etc.

Ed

[NightOwl]

I generally don't wear anything that is MA related. I even have casual friends that I have known for years that don't have the slightest idea that I do MA at all. Why do I do this? It is my own personal choice. I guess I do it mostly to avoid any confrontation with someone wanting to "see how good this guy (me) is."

However, I don't think that there is any problem with you (or anybody else) wearing MA clothes, hats, etc.

Ed

I'm a bit of the same way- I've seen some 'I'm a black belt!' t-shirts out there and I really don't want to have to fend off cretins shouting out bruce lee war crys all day. While a club or group is different, I still don't want to have to deal with that potential problem.

[DWx]

I have a key ring on my house/car keys which has our club logo on it and I have a small sticker in the back of the car with our club logo and phone no. Other than that I rarely ever carry or wear anything Martial Arts related. Sometimes round the house I'll wear the shirts and hoodies and stuff but rarely in public and all the ones I have don't explicitly scream Martial Artist. The problem with wearing them in public is that people see you and instantly get ideas. They either think you're some sort of supreme champion and avoid you or they try to confront you and make you fight them.

[NightOwl]

They either think you're some sort of supreme champion and avoid you or they try to confront you and make you fight them.

I prefer the former

[DWx]

They either think you're some sort of supreme champion and avoid you or they try to confront you and make you fight them.

I prefer the former

I am the former (joking)

[pittbullJudoka]

The only ma related logos I don't agree with are the "I am a Black Belt" "black Belt Club" type. These seem to be bragging to me. I often wear shirts from tournaments I've competed in, Sprawl shirts that have our dojo logo, or a Sprawl hoodie.

Everyone at pur dojo has the Sprawl shirts like mine and we'll often see each other out in town with them on. We aren't advritising we're just proud of our dojo. None of us have ever had any problems while out in town.

You mentioned wearing these types of logos to a "watering hole" this is someone just looking for a confrontation in my opinion.

There's nothing wrong with the types of clothes if you're honest about why you're wearing them.

[ps1]

More than what you wear, is how you wear it. I wear shirts with the academy logo and such. They are good advertising for the school and I like the look of them. Is there a little pride in that? Probably, yes.

However, I get annoyed by the "tap or snap" style shirts, and the shirts that say things like "Black Belt" club. I think they are just obnoxious.

Do I believe that apparel alone will get you into a fight? No. Your attitude has to be poor as well.

For example: I have a gracie jiujitsu shirt that has a picture of a guy wearing mma gloves throwing a punch (this one is borderline for me, but comfortable, so I wear it). One day a guy came up to me with a little attitude and asked me if I'm, "some sort of tough guy." When I simply said no and explained the shirt, we began to converse and now the guy trains at the school. A different person may have said yes, and the situation could have been very different.

Hope that helps.

[ps1]

One other point I just thought of is precedent set by your school. If other members of your school do not tend to wear this type of thing, it's a good idea to follow suit.

In the end...your decision though.