This section describes our accepted attire for practicing Kickboxing. 

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First we must consider why we wear standard attire. It provides the following benefits:

• It enables us to display our school and our grade

• It promotes a sense of belonging to a group

• It allows for flexibility and movement, e.g. for head kicks or for footwork.

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Trousers will be Kickboxing-type, so cotton or satin. We wear a t-shirt, ideally one with the school or organisation logo. 

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To display our grade we may use belts (and we certainly do use them on gradings) or handwraps of the belt colour. Belts are tied using the reef knot (although you may see advanced members using more elaborate knots but they'll always be tidy and even.) The belt is crossed-over at the back but not twisted due to breakfalling onto it. Black belt students will have stripes ("dan bars") on the LEFT end. These will be in RED. They may also have some embroidery such as their name on the RIGHT end. This will always be red but may be in English or Japanese characters (katakana.) 

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For footwear, straw sandals, zori, (or equivalent such as flip-flops) are recommended for off the mat. No outdoor footwear on the mats. Absolutely no socks unless you have a foot health problem or they are gripping socks for grappling.

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Finally, colours. 

• Everybody in BLACK t-shirt

• Students in WHITE trousers

• Instructors in BLACK trousers

• The head Instructor will wear RED trousers

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In what counts as a hot British summer, a sweatband may be worn.

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And to consider safety, in addition to the above, the following are safety aspects:

• Students, male and female, may like to wear groin guards

• It is recommended that hair is tied back, but this is up to you

• No metalwork in the hair

• External piercings such as ears, nose, nipples and navels need to be removed or covered

• No jewellery about the wrist including hair bands

• No rings with stones

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It is worth noting that there is no immediate pressure to purchase any of our clothing and that gradings are optional.