What You Wear

I have posted this question on the main forum, but I wanted to get the general Shaolin view on the subject

Does what you wear dictate your Chinese Martial Arts Authenticity (sp?)? I had a arguement with a fellow co-worker today and he said if you don't wear authentic Chinese uniforms then your linage is somewhat skewed or something. I don't go out in frog pjs and do traditonal forms.. hell a lot of people in China don't even do that. I have seen many people in contemporary Wushu wear a lot of the silk pj's, but that may be a part of the presentation:) I have seen many Shuai Chiao guys come out in a Judo Uniform.. does that make them Judo or Shuai Chiao??? I have even wrestled in a cheap A$$ gi.. why.. because I couldn't afford the traditional hero-skin. My co-worker wouldn't budge on the thought that you have to wear silk uniforms in order to be authentic.. oh well I guess I am using the forum to blow off steam..

Tell what your what you think??

I think if people see a kungfu student in a gi they may be suspicious but in the end it doesn't matter.

Ok what about a naked kung fu guy:D

The gi looks a little more like the short robes worn by monks depicted sparring in an ancient painting in the Shaolin Temple in Henan. (That painting is used as backdrop for the Shaolin Kung Fu Qigong Jan/Feb issue.)

On the other hand, some masters have been content with street clothes, so who am I to say? I have a book published in 1969 entitled "Asian Fighting Arts" by Don Draeger and Robert E. Smith which shows a picture of Kao Fang-hsien, a Shaolin master in Taiwan demonstrating "the eight postures". He's wearing a t-shirt and dark pants...nothing formal.

Personally, I enjoy the formality of wearing a uniform...it's part of the discipline, like bowing in, but as long as you can move easily, I don't think it makes a big difference what you wear as long as it is durable and doesn't restrict movement.

Doesn't matter, but if you wish to portray your school as " what ever it is", in America a traditional uniform of "what ever style" will help americans make the connection. Some Americans don't need it, but lets face it, the majority do.

Don't waste your breathe on people who judge you on what clothing your school wears.

By the way the frog button PJ's were common clothing back in the day, in China(not a uniform). Some people still wear em.

Monks wore uniforms for the same reason as our military shaves everyones head. Its a process of knocking everyones ego's down to the same level, instilling commonality among everyone. There is a bit more to it but I'll stop there.

I'm not one to say in order for your school to be lagit you have to subscribe to a uniform, but it can be an exclamation point to bring the point home the your school is "what ever it is". Lets face there are too many frauds in the MA community and we empower them even further by providing a laxed atmosphere.

Our school doesn't force unforms, but most of the advanced group do to help support our teacher financially. Unlike many systems though we have a very thight control of our material for the time being.

Do you think Americans over-romantize the concept of China in martial arts and everyday life. Being that they lack the mysticism in their everyday life?

... as long as you buy them at our forum sponsors, www.MartialArtsMart.com

Seriously, it doesn't matter what you wear unless you are in a very traditional art, in which case you must follow the tradition. I do think you should wear something special, not only for the practicality (i.e. heavy gi's for judo) but also for what it does to your state of mind. The trappings can help you enter into a more liminal state, sort of like putting on the batsuit. I remember when I used to fence and do kendo, there was much ritual to the mask and kendo men (helmet.) Fencing as a gentlemanly art had many underlying honor codes that were acknowledgee with the mask. And kendo was a do - a spiritual practice - so the men served a purpose beyond protecting your head. It signified crossing over to the spirit practice realm.
At the same time, there is logic to practicing in street clothes every once in a while. But this should be done with the intention of training street techniques.
Additionally, school affliation is important, especially in the Confucian sense, so whatever the school uniform is must be honored. The meaning of the uniform is just that - uniform - so that nothing stands out about the individual beyond their skill. No foppish trapping, no whistles and bells, no ego, just practice. So when I do see someone break uniform, those trapping reveal their ego, and therein lies weakness.

BTW, anyone who know me know that I break uniform flagrantly. Even here at the office I've got the longest hair of all the guys (and some of the girls.)

I guess my question is now

if the purpose of uniforms is to make everyone equal.. then how come one kung fu art views another with such a different opinion regardless of their background?

Is i because "my art is better then yours" or is it Americans are just reading into it too much??

Or Hel l is everyone reading into it too much

"Let everyone Kick everyones A$$"

The uniform only equalizes the people wearing the uniform. The others are outsiders. Take football, for instance, or even the military. The uniform sets them off from the normal - obviously, it's not casual wear. It distiguished them from the rest. It equalizes everone on the team and creates a group identity, sort of like getting the shirt to be in the club. Hierarchy can be under strict and formal control, literally earning your stripes. Thus trappings like colored belts. In short, as long as it's internally meaningful and consistent, it can have great value to that community. It when people try to project that value beyond the community where you get in trouble. For example, what value is a Karate black belt in a Kungfu school?

Americans really spin uniforms sideways. Since many have grown away from military traditions and towards passtime practice, such formal trappings aren't necessary anymore. In fact, practice is more about individual expression than falling into ranks, so now we see extraordinary variation in 'uniforms', self expression in it's myriad forms. Some uniforms look like they've just walked out of a video game now. The epitome of this is Michelle 'Mouse' Krasnoo dressed up like Elvis for demos. Ultimately, this isn't really bad (although, some can get really silly) it's just evolution.

I agree with you all on the aspect of making everyone equal, and I think it is a good idea... to support your school or tradition and even to train for "real action"

Thank you all for your resposes
Greg

You can dress a doll in beautiful clothes, but at the end of the day it is still a doll.
Lou-sy.
regards,

Renlei.

I believe I stated, perhaps not as eloquently as Gene, similar reasons for Chinese style uniforms for CMA.

I believe there is something about the psychology of the uniform, especially for children and I think that CMA deserves the same respect as JMA seems to have by virtue of a "respect for the uniform".

I agree that Karate gis are very cheap compared to KF "suits" I think this may have to do with supply and demand. Also if you wear silk you should expect it to cost more than cotton.

Lastly, I understand that belt rank or flashy clothes mean nothing if you have no skill or spirit. I don't know why exactly I have a bug up my ass about uniforms, I just do.

Actually, there are high end gis that can be much more expensive than silks. Look at some of the stuff made in Japan - awesome quality, big bucks (or should I say yen?) But then again, there are custom silks. Anything custom costs more.
The reason for cheap low end gis is simple - there's a bigger market for it. But you get what you pay for - the low end uniforms tend not to last as long. Frankly, I don't think the Kungfu community would support low end uniforms for 3 reasons - 1. There are some pretty low end stuff available already, maybe not as cheap as some gis, but economical enough and decent quality. 2. There is too much variation in schools. Most Kungfu schools just wear black pants and their own school T. Black pants, well, not very expensive - some even use gi pants. Most Karate/TKD schools were the same standard gi which increases the need for a low end gi. 3. For those schools that do use traditional tops, well, most of those use frog buttons - those are more labor intensive to make than a gi, which of course, adds to the cost.
Honestly, cheap uniforms, or any cheap equipment, are for beginners, weekend warriors, posers and nibblers. If you are serious about your practice, you're going to get the best you can afford. And in the long run, the cheap stuff is more expensive than the good stuff because it'll wear out faster and you'll have to replace it.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but just wanted to say thanks. Once again Gene has put forth a good arguement for the me to use when trying to explain the expense of uniforms.

I would have to agree with Gene as well. Uniforms are a great way to represent your school and to follow traditions. Plain and simple

We don't really have a Shaolin Fashion thread that I could find, so I'm hijacking the old What-You-Wear and copying it to our Shaolin-Trademark because that has had recent activity.

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Xtep and the Shaolin Honor Tradition and Technical Expertise with New Collab
Inspired by the famed Shaolin style of Kung Fu.
Fashion
13 Mins ago
Presented by Xtep

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Sneaker and sports apparel brand Xtep has partnered with The Shaolin, a monastery known for its ancient style of Kung Fu that combines intense mental and physical training, for an unexpected crossover. The collaborative collection is inspired by the sport, creating a lifestyle offering that honors its tradition while ushering the Buddhist icon into a new era.

The Shaolin x Xtep capsule originally debuted during a show at the Shaolin Monastery in the Chinese province of Henan, marking the first event of its kind at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The collection makes obvious draws from traditional garments and gives them a modern edge courtesy of Xtep’s expertise in technical and sports-focused gear. The result is a series of unisex windbreakers, T-shirts, outerwear and fleece sets that combine ages old silhouettes with a contemporary leaning. Driving home its relevance in present day fashion, the collection was shot against the backdrop of New York to show off its global appeal.

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Check out the Shaolin x Xtep collection in the images above and head to Xtep’s website to shop the range.

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Nicholas Daley
FALL 2021 MENSWEAR
COLLECTION
BY CHIOMA NNADI

April 13, 2021

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A budding martial arts enthusiast, Nicholas Daley earned his red belt in karate last October just weeks before London went into a second lockdown. His interest in the sport informed the collection he showed last summer and continues to be a rich source of inspiration. Where last season British karate Olympic hopeful Jordan Thomas starred in the look book, this time around taekwondo champs Lutalo Muhammad and Christian McNeil model the new clothes.

The eastern influence was front and center for fall, with a shibori dyed kimono-style jacket and loosely fitting matching pants, a much cooler take on the tie-dye loungewear that has become ubiquitous in the last year. Daley prides himself on the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, and those hand-dyed Japanese prints were part of a series of deft artisanal touches peppered throughout the collection. There’s his ongoing collaboration with Lavenham, a British manufacturer specializing in quilted outerwear for the great outdoors, and a partnership with Vanners Silks, a storied silk weaving factory in Sudbury. The bold SuperFly-inspired jacquard tiger stripes that appear on crisp cotton Shaolin jackets and waistcoats are their handiwork.

Community is at the heart of what Daley does, as well. And with his mother, Maureen, continuing the family tradition, bringing together local knitting circles across the midlands to produce his signature chunky knit accessories—berets, belts, tams, and crossbody bags—that spirit couldn’t be closer to home.

After months and months spent indoors, there are signs of life in Daley’s North London neighborhood—yesterday stores and restaurants across the city opened their doors for the first time since last year. That said, Nicholas Daley HQ has been a hive of activity throughout. Between an upcoming pop-up shop, fundraising efforts for the London-based jazz music education and artist development organization Tomorrow’s Warriors, and a solo exhibit at Now gallery, the designer has had his hands full. He also managed to launch e-commerce last November, giving his business an essential online boost. The label’s reach has expanded considerably in North America too, with Nordstrom among several U.S. stockists to have picked up the line. Despite the challenges of the current moment, it seems Daley’s emerging fashion brand is fighting fit.

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There are 17 pix but I'm only copying 2. Follow the link if it's your style...:p

This popped up when searching 'Shaolin'

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Ben Affleck models his muscled physique in a Kung Fu t-shirt as he signs a Mallrats poster for a fan... while things continue to heat up with Jennifer Lopez
By DAN HECHING FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 20:24 EDT, 18 June 2021 | UPDATED: 21:02 EDT, 18 June 2021

He has been seen in the throes of romantic passion with his superstar on-again flame just this week.

And on Friday, Ben Affleck was seen out solo in Los Angeles, California, wearing a gray Shaolin kung fu T-shirt.

The double Oscar winner, 48, modeled his impressive arms in the heather gray shirt, which was decorated with a dragon, snake, swan and tiger in the center.

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On Friday: Ben Affleck was seen out solo in Los Angeles, wearing a gray Shaolin kung fu T-shirt and disposable face covering

Affleck was seen walking down the street in a black disposable face mask, which covered his stubbly face.

He wore black jeans, along with weathered white tennis shoes and black socks.

Affleck oozed confidence as he arrived to pick up son Samuel from swimming practice.

His youngest child with ex Jennifer Garner appeared straight from the water, rocking long, wet locks and carrying a warm jacket while dad held his backpack.

The doting father encountered a fan on the way, stopping to sign a poster from his 1995 Kevin Smith movie Mallrats.

The Argo star has been attracting a flurry of attention recently, as he has reignited his relationship with one Jennifer Lopez.

Previously, the starry couple were engaged to be married back in 2004.


But just this past Sunday, Ben and Jen, sometimes referred to by their pet name Bennifer, were seen all over each other during a family dinner at celebrity hotspot Nobu in Malibu.

And things indeed seem to be getting serious between the pair once again, as Affleck has started to bond with Jlo’s twins Emme and Max from her previous relationship with Marc Anthony.

Ben, for his part, shares three children with a different Jen – Jennifer Garner to be exact, to whom he was wed from 2005 until 2018.

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Anyone recognize this design?