If you've started kendo recently, you probably have been wearing some sportswear to practice. That's perfectly fine for now, but if you are planning to get into armour fairly soon, it may be a good idea to place orders to get your hakama (flared trousers) and kendo-gi (or keiko-gi: the top).
1. Getting your new kendo clothing
I think most of us buy our supply from either of these websites:
Eurokendo (http://www.eurokendo.com/)
Nine Circles (http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/)
Take your time and measure yourself properly when you are ordering: especially for a hakama.
If you get a hakama too long for you, it may get in your way (I've tripped on my own hakama and fell down a few times when it was too long for me!). On the other hand, if it's too short, it looks a bit silly... so please get the right size for your safety, and for you to look good.
We don't specify a colour as a club. Many of us generally wear navy blue keiko-gi and hakama... probably the most standard. Some of us wear white keiko-gi with black hakama (including me) just because we happen to have them.
If you are buying one now, probably navy blue's recommended, because white one becomes dirty / stained quite easily! Your choice in the end though!
Also, try to get at least one "tenugui" at hand. This is the cloth that you place around your head when you put a men on. There are lots of colours and designes... but the important thing is, it absorbs your sweat and that it can wrap around your head tightly!
If you forget to get one, don't worry: most of the senior members probably have spares they can give/lend you! No need to get more than one or two... you'll get free tenugui for almost every competition you attend :p it'll multiply in numbers very quickly...
2. Maintenance
When you do get your navy blue keiko-gi, wash them separately from all your other clothes, and avoid tumble drying the first few times you wash them (because it may shrink beyond recognition...). You don't normally have to wash them more than once every two weeks... or even a month.
Do hang it up in your room (preferrably by a radiator) or outside after each practice... it will make the practice a lot more pleasent that way next time you wear it...
I don't recommend you wash your hakama unless you really need to. Just fold it neatly and put it away.
If you want to wash it, either hand-wash while it's folded, or place it neatly folded in a washing net/bag and use a delicate cycle. Hang it up in a way the folds are kept the way it was.
3. Bogu
We don't recommend you to buy your own bogu at this point, as they can be quite pricey. We have some in our club shead that you can borrow and use, so don't feel obligated to buy your own.
However, if you want to have your own, feel free. Again, measure yourself properly before placing an order (especially when you are buying it online)!
If you have any questions about clothing or equipments, email away to one of the senior members!
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