First of all, greetings. This is my first post on MT. I'm a newbie here, and a newbie to Karate - a 48 year-old first-timer in Isshinryu. I've brushed up against Isshinryu, you might say, since I worked with Angie Uezu in Okinawa in the 1980's, but I did not study karate. He was a security guard on the base, I was an MP. So I knew *about* Isshinryu, but it has taken me this long to get involved with it.
I'm studying Isshinryu here in Michigan. I purchased my first gi through my dojo, it was quite expensive but very nice. Size 7, made by Century.
I wanted to purchase a second gi, since I train twice a week but can only visit the laundromat once a week. However, when I asked at the dojo where I might find another gi, their suggestion was to purchase it through them. Well, yes, but it's very expensive through them. So I dropped the matter.
However, today at the laundry, someone left an ink pen in one of the dryers and my gi seems to be completely ruined. I'm very upset about it, but nothing I can do, I guess. So now the situation is urgent, and I need not one gi, but two. Buying another gi through my dojo is out of the question at the moment financially.
So, I am asking for suggestions from you kind folks. I'm not sure where to look - I've seen a bunch of the websites out there, but not at all sure if any of them are good choices. As well, I'm also a 'big boy' and Century's size 7 is a tad on the small side for me. Pants 8 inches too long, but not enough room around the middle, if you know what I mean.
Any thoughts on where I might look for a decent gi that would fit and not cost the world?
Also - just out of curiosity - nobody has told me that I *can't* show up with a gi that I bought elsewhere. Is it considered bad form to do so?
Thanks very much for any feedback!
I'm studying Isshinryu here in Michigan. I purchased my first gi through my dojo, it was quite expensive but very nice. Size 7, made by Century.
I wanted to purchase a second gi, since I train twice a week but can only visit the laundromat once a week. However, when I asked at the dojo where I might find another gi, their suggestion was to purchase it through them. Well, yes, but it's very expensive through them. So I dropped the matter.
However, today at the laundry, someone left an ink pen in one of the dryers and my gi seems to be completely ruined. I'm very upset about it, but nothing I can do, I guess. So now the situation is urgent, and I need not one gi, but two. Buying another gi through my dojo is out of the question at the moment financially.
So, I am asking for suggestions from you kind folks. I'm not sure where to look - I've seen a bunch of the websites out there, but not at all sure if any of them are good choices. As well, I'm also a 'big boy' and Century's size 7 is a tad on the small side for me. Pants 8 inches too long, but not enough room around the middle, if you know what I mean.
Any thoughts on where I might look for a decent gi that would fit and not cost the world?
Also - just out of curiosity - nobody has told me that I *can't* show up with a gi that I bought elsewhere. Is it considered bad form to do so?
Thanks very much for any feedback!