Patches/Embroidery, etc.

[amylong]

What are your feelings about patches, embroidery, etc. on uniforms?

I've always had a pretty clean gi as far as that goes, but with my new association, patches and embroidery are expected.

It's kinda fun, but I still must say I prefer the clean look.

What are you thoughts/feelings on the matter?

Is it a pride thing to put them on? Fun? Gaudy?

What thinks you?

--Amy

[parkerkarate]

What are your feelings about patches, embroidery, etc. on uniforms?

I've always had a pretty clean gi as far as that goes, but with my new association, patches and embroidery are expected.

It's kinda fun, but I still must say I prefer the clean look.

What are you thoughts/feelings on the matter?

Is it a pride thing to put them on? Fun? Gaudy?

What thinks you?

--Amy

I have absolutly no problem with patches or embroidery. On my Gi top I have the I.K.K.A patch on the right side of my chest and the W.K.K.A on the left side. And than the old W.K.K.A patch on m right arm and Universal Pattern on my left. My belt has W.K.K.A and my last name on one side and my stripes embroidered on the other.

[Billy Lear]

I started a thread related to this topic years ago on Martial Talk.

Click here to view that thread.

It would be interesting to see what everyone's thoughts on the subject are over here on KenpoTalk.

I personally think that the patches required by your instructor / association are enough, but to each his own.

It's kinda weird to see someone with a uniform that looks like it has race car stickers pasted all over it, I guess it's a matter of opinion.

[Carol]

I've never been in to them at all...but then again I'm really old school. I've always worn a plain gi (no patches, embroidery, markings, school name, etc...) when visiting another school. However, this doesn't seem to be a practice that most folks follow.

[Celtic_Crippler]

It doesn't bother me either way. I have mostly plain gi's with the exception of one that has 4 patches on it symbolizing my past and present training.

I do agree with Billy though, there is such a thing as "too many" and you can wind up looking like a walking billboard.

[michaeledward]

I just found a woman on Ebay who makes great Name patches. The curvature of the bottom of the name patch matches the curvature of the top of the Parker Patch exactly.

Often times, the curve of one doesn't match the other, and it looks damn silly .... The curve for the patch on your sleeve, should not be the same as the curve on you name patch.

[J-squared]

Uniform? We're suppose to wear those? Seriously, to each school their own, however, I prefer a more minimal approach, with the fewest adornmants possible.

[amylong]

Uniform? We're suppose to wear those? Seriously, to each school their own, however, I prefer a more minimal approach, with the fewest adornmants possible.

So you're into naked kenpo? I've heard about that. Very interesting. Does your 'non-uniform' include a cup?

My husband got me a black belt for Christmas with the stripes pre-embroidered (I have 10 now) and my name emblazoned down one side.

I nearly choked when I saw it. But I'm sorta getting used to it and now everyone can remember my name. If not, they need their eyes checked.

It's bright gold and block lettered. lol.

--Amy

[J-squared]

Amy,

LOL - naked Kenpo. That's a bad image, especially during grappling portions - ewww!. I know it was mentioned on the pet peeve thread, but mostly the students wear whetever they feel comfortable in (shorts, sweats...) Myself and other instructors often wear the black gi pants and a t-shirt, or rash guard and t-shirt if we plan on rolling.

Although to be fair, there is discussion and movement to being more disciplined and less laid back when it comes to attire, epecially with the younglings.

[Celtic_Crippler]

Amy,

LOL - naked Kenpo. That's a bad image, especially during grappling portions - ewww!.

Depends on who you're grappling with.

[Martin Seck]

So you're into naked kenpo? I've heard about that. Very interesting. Does your 'non-uniform' include a cup?

My husband got me a black belt for Christmas with the stripes pre-embroidered (I have 10 now) and my name emblazoned down one side.

I nearly choked when I saw it. But I'm sorta getting used to it and now everyone can remember my name. If not, they need their eyes checked.

It's bright gold and block lettered. lol.

--Amy

When she says emblazoned she means it!!!!

I prefer the standard crests ... some people get carried away.

[Blindside]

I prefer a minimilist approach, my class gi(s) have a small three inch round school patch on it. My tournament gi has the school emblem emroidered on the back.

Personally I think many kenpo schools over do it, having more than two patches on a gi starts to get pretty tacky IMO. I definately prefer the simple approach, but then maybe I'm just having a bad reaction to patch overkill left over from my boy scout days.

Lamont

[Texas Kenpo]

I'm a less is better type personality on this subject. The 1st thing that popped in my head when reading this was when Royce Gracie fought Matt Hughes last year in the UFC and I remember sitting there watching the camera showing Gracie in the hallway looking like a billboard with what he had on at the time. I guess it just struck me kind of funny since my image of him was traditionalist then to see him with that "Nascar" look.

[NickName99]

The more that better, bring them on
Maybe we can get NASCAR sponsers

Mcdonalds ads

Seriously tho, I like the club patch and parker patch,
Honour the school and Mr Parker.
anything else is for show

[Celtic_Crippler]

Anybody out there got an STP patch they're willing to sell?

[jdinca]

I don't really care one way or the other. Some of it can get to the point that it looks a little silly though.

We wear black pants with our log on the left leg and a black t-shirt. We do a number of different t-shirts designs a year. Some of them get pretty elaborate.

[Rob Broad]

When I teach people, they were the association crest, my crest, at orange belt earn the universla pattern crest. As they learn different weapons they can put a crest for each onthe right leg of the the Gi. At Blue Belt if they own a Heavy Weight Gi they can have hte school name embroidered across the back of it.

[RDCParker]

The more that better, bring them on
Maybe we can get NASCAR sponsers

Mcdonalds ads

Wouldn't THAT be nice if you're a competitor... my boss once mentioned that he'd consider sponsoring me and my son. Our logo is almost as ugly as the Golden Arches, but I wouldn't mind wearing his patch if he was dishing out dollars like that.

But anyway, I actually like patches, embroidery and the like. I think it's cool to represent your school, art and / or team in that fashion. I just like colors, I guess. Ironically, I only have two uniforms, one white and one black, and neither have any decorations on them.

[NickName99]

Oh what was I thinking , I totally forgot about the universal patch.

I fail you universal patch... uggggg

After all the help you give me with forms and proper movement

The sad thing is Im serious. That patch teaches me alot!

[Billy Lear]

Anybody out there got an STP patch they're willing to sell?

The coveted STP patch is reserved for only special martial artists.

Tell them what the acronym stands for in Kenpo bro.