Uniform color

[MStaubitz]

And yet another newbie question...

I was just browsing around on Triplette's website, and I noticed the words "Colors available" under some of the listed fencing jackets.

Now, all the fencing jackets I have seen so far were white. Are colors other than white allowed for competitions? Or are those colors just for practice?

Thanks,
Marc

[epeemike81]

The torso of a jacket must be white.

the arms, as well as the legs (knickers, can be any color. This rule dates back to the days when iodine was put on the tip of the weapon to score.

-m

------------------
DUCK AND COVER!!!!!!

[MStaubitz]

Thanks...

I was already thinking of a black jacket... since I am big sucker for black clothing... but I guess there goes that...

I guess i could get black knickers and get the arms done in black, but then I would look like a penguin... On the bright side, that might make my opponents laugh so hard that I could easily score...

epeemike81=eskin???

[Peach]

I like black too, but generally black uniforms seem to be prerogative of fencing masters (coaches).

[epeemike81]

foilist=wayne???

Black would be nice...

Black shirt, black pants, black leather boots, black hat, black leather grip on my sword, a whip, black mask...

No, wait...

Back to reality and my white uniform with the little club patch on the non-weapon arm.

(maybe some day!)

[SteveMcDonough]

I'd go with black... Why couldn't they put white chalk on the tips in the olden days? We'd be so much happier!

I'm sure Dame'll tell you about my 'penchant' for black clothing!

Steve the eternal goth

------------------
Wine Gums ROCK!.

[damianip]

Black is for maestri!!

Don't even think about black: you have to earn the right to wear it.

I personally favor plaid.

Paolo

[weezelbit]

If you look at old fencing pictures you may see black, as well as white uniforms. Black uniforms were (are?) for professionals - like our coaches now.

I seem to remember some talk of allowing pastel uniforms. Would this be to cover up the laundry habits of those who threw their red socks in with their jacket?

How about jaquard weave uniforms? You could even have advertising and it would be white on white . . .oops, maybe there's a problem there.

[U.M.Amherst.Sabre95]

"If you look at old fencing pictures you may see black, as well as white uniforms. Black uniforms were (are?) for professionals - like our coaches now."

Actually the uniforms were black because weapons were tipped with chalk that would appear on the uniform when a touch was made. This was back in the late 1800's.

[Gajuith]

The rule on colors was just changed for the 2000 season. Colors are allowed on the torso, but it must be a single light color(pastels). The arms and legs can be any color or combination from what I understand.

[weezelbit]

US Am.,

That makes sense. The photo I am talking about is one from an exhibit on sports in a town in Italy that shows a Santelli from the second half of the nineteenth century. An old family friend (and once fencer) took a photo of the picture to show me. He is wearing a black uniform. We were told by another family friend, an octogenerian fencer, that at that time only professionals wore black. That doesn't necessarily mean those pros were coaches. I only mentioned the coach connection because they are our pros and they wear black today. I thought it might have some basis in a tradition.

Along the same lines, didn't they used to fence one-touch epee and use colored chalk to mark the the uniforms? My mother remembered watching such a bout. The action was halted because the director saw a touch and both fencers dropped their weapons and held up the their arms. The four judges rushed over and went over them "like apes looking for nits" in my mother's words. She had a low opinion of epee. She fenced sabre. Oh, how far from the tree this little nut has fallen. (I fence epee.)

She also told me about some scandal where an epeeist was caught soaking his uniform in lemon juice so the marks wouldn't show up. Love it.

[epeemike81]

Originally posted by weezelbit:
US Am.,

Along the same lines, didn't they used to fence one-touch epee and use colored chalk to mark the the uniforms? My mother remembered watching such a bout. The action was halted because the director saw a touch and both fencers dropped their weapons and held up the their arms. The four judges rushed over and went over them "like apes looking for nits" in my mother's words. She had a low opinion of epee. She fenced sabre. Oh, how far from the tree this little nut has fallen. (I fence epee.)

She also told me about some scandal where an epeeist was caught soaking his uniform in lemon juice so the marks wouldn't show up. Love it.

They may have used that system as well, though the system I am aware of used a small barb on the tip which was soaked in iodine. when a touch was made, the iodine would color the threads.

-m

[HilandDoug]

The pastel rule has been changed this year to allow any color.

I also favor plaid, and would love to have some plaid fencing knickers that would be done in my clan tartan. I think that would be the ultimate in cool for me.

[MStaubitz]

Doug,

would that be your clan tartan?
http://www.inverizon.com/scotlink/mcltart.htm

Also, check your email when you get a chance... I sent you another link to try...

[This message has been edited by MStaubitz (edited 07-12-2001).]

[SteveMcDonough]

I'm looking at a new club..

There's a guy there with a scarlet mask and glove.. I reckon that looks real cool.

Steve.

------------------
Wine Gums ROCK!.

[tsalyards]

Only dorks wear colored uniforms. Don't be a dork.

-Tad

[Inquartata]

I second tsalyards on this. I am praying this "colorizing" thing never catches on; it just looks sooo tacky...

[Foil Girl]

and yet... if we get flashier uniforms we might get a better crowd of spectators.

------------------
-Foil Girl
"Nadie nace sabiendo"