FIE standards

[pinkandgeek]

why is it that i haven't seen colored fencing apparel in competitions? is it required by the FIE that clothing be white? i think it would be pretty cool to see some lime green socks, purple gloves maybe. being the n00b that i am, i am sure that there is a very simple answer, i just don't know what it is.

[BySword]

yes, clothing has to white. but lame can be light color. socks and glove dont matter. mask mesh can have customized color too.

it's required in USFA rules too.

[mrbiggs]

The FIE doesn't have that standard, exactly. The USFA has different rules.

USFA standards:
http://www.fencing.net/forums/post368548-12.html
(Single color for lamés. I can't find the jacket rules, but I beleive you can have some color.)


Anything but black is legal for FIE competitions.

This thread might have some additional help: How do you like colored lamés? but I don't want to look through it all.

[fencerbill]

Wasn't there something about 5 years ago that knickers were supposed to be royal blue? I remember a Peabody World Cup Sabre in which several of the Italians were wearing blue knickers. Maybe it was provisional and not continued.

[KD5MDK]

I think that if you didn't wear your national colors on your knickers, then they had to be blue. Then they decided to go with national colors for everybody, I guess.

[SJCFU#2]

Two reasons:

First - tradition: At one time the rules did call for white. This is changing, but as you can see from some of the previous posts there are still some inconsistencies and additional changes can probably be expected (perhaps shortly after someone shows up at an FIE event with dark blue lettering on a dark blue lame or jacket, to borrow one of Donald's favorite examples).

Second - economics: Producing more than one of anything tends to drive costs up. The increased cost associate with painting the mesh of a mask a different color is minimal (which explains why some are available for only slightly more than standard) however different colored clothing would requires different colored fabrics and fabric mills generally requires a minimum size order. Therefore manufacturers tend to be reluctant to produce items in a special color unless they know they can sell enough to cover the cost of the fabric. Of course if you were willing to pay the full cost for a minimum order of fabric then you could probably find some manufacturers who would be happy to make you a special order uniform.

[sjpfencer220]

This is just a little question to branch off from this, I have definately seen jackets with either blue stripes going down the back of the arm, for specific clubs but not at world cups, or having about 1/4 inch thick black seems, clearly for design. Is there any rule about this in the US?

[KD5MDK]

Sounds like the University Florida. As far as I know, their uniforms have been used without trouble at NACs.

[noodle]

torso has to be light colored

[oiuyt]

The black seams sounds like the Duelist piping.

In the US the following rules apply:

Fencers’ clothing may be of different colors, but on the body it must be a single color, white or a light shade.
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Note: At USFA local, divisional, and sectional competitions, there are no restrictions on colors or decorations on uniforms, providing that the uniforms still comply with all other requirements.

Fencers may use masks in color or decorated with drawings.
However, and to avoid any negative effect on the image of fencing and of the FIE, these drawings and colors must be sent to the office of the FIE in Lausanne, for approval by the Executive Committee.

I'm having trouble locating the letter detailing the recent FIE change, but basically it allows for any color other than black to be used in the uniform. I don't know whether or not it specifies a single color on the torso still or not.

-B

[pinkandgeek]

hmm that clears it up, thanks.

[DHCJr]

The FIE rule you are thinking of is M.25.3. Our friends accross the pond have this document, http://www.britishfencing.com/updates24%20May2006.doc

which has the most recent changes approved. They will have the official English translation FIE rule book soon posted.

Also because of the new rule of socks, jackets, breeches and lame being part of the National Uniform, individuallity is not encouraged.

[DHCJr]

The British now have the newest English translation of the FIE rules are now on their website www.britishfencing.com

This is a completely newly designed web site and it is wonderful to go through. Very colorful, very informative and easy to navigate.