My Gi Looks Too Big!!

[mistermark21]

Hi guys. I just started in Shotokan Karate and ive bought my very first Gi. Its a RUPLA size 6 (im 190something cm tall. 6 foot 3inches). However, im worried if ive bought the wrong Gi because altho the trousers fit perfect, the sleeves just pass my wrists. Also the bottom of the coat comes down to the middle of my thighs. I see the other students with Gi's that look like theyre made of much thinner material and the bottom of the coat doesnt come as far.

Have i bought the wrong one? Take a look-see:

http://www.rupla.com/uniform_1.html#main_1

[isshinryu5toforever]

Usually a uniform will shrink a little when you wash and dry it. That usually improves the fit. Give that a shot. If that doesn't work, then you can just get the sleeves hemmed. Not much you can do about the apron.

If you just started, did you order the gi through your school or on your own? Because if you're a beginner, it would have been worth the extra cost to just get the gi through your dojo.

[Wastelander]

Hi guys. I just started in Shotokan Karate and ive bought my very first Gi. Its a RUPLA size 6 (im 190something cm tall. 6 foot 3inches). However, im worried if ive bought the wrong Gi because altho the trousers fit perfect, the sleeves just pass my wrists. Also the bottom of the coat comes down to the middle of my thighs. I see the other students with Gi's that look like theyre made of much thinner material and the bottom of the coat doesnt come as far.

Have i bought the wrong one? Take a look-see:

http://www.rupla.com/uniform_1.html#main_1

Any gi you buy that isn't custom sized will not fit properly everywhere unless you happen to be the exact shape of the model it was designed for. A size 4 Tokaido gi fit me perfectly in the pants and jacket length, but the sleeves were too long. I believe the size 4 is supposed to be for people who weigh something like 160lbs and are 5ft 8in tall, and I was 170lbs and 6ft 1in tall. As mentioned above, it will shrink when you wash it. If the sleeves are still too long just hem them to where you want them and leave the length of the jacket where it is--it enhances the look of low stances so if you want to compete in kata divisions it can be a good thing.

[JohnASE]

Sounds fine to me. I'm not familiar with your brand, but I'd guess that the sleeves will shrink a couple of inches (5cm?) maybe. Pants and jacket length will probably shrink the same or more. It's hard to predict as different brands can have vastly different shrinkage.

It might take a couple washings. Don't rush it. Excessive heat can damage the fibers. It's probably better to let it shrink a bit before considering hemming.

Half way down the thigh isn't that long for jacket length, but different dojos prefer different styles. I think the USA-NKf rules state it should cover the hips but be no longer than 3/4 down the thigh.