Keikogi for Women?

[Richard Stevens]

Does anyone know a good source for Keikogi made specifically for women? I've heard mention of Aikido or Kendo Gi that were gender specific, however, all I've been able to find are BJJ uniforms. Any tips are much appreciated.

[ichibyoshi]

The only gender specific aspect to keikogi that I am aware of is colour (white), although this is not really a strict convention. That, and the fact that keikogi for naginata are plain cotton like karate-gi and not orizashi like kendo/judo gi. Other than that, the design of the garment really allows for a wide range of body types within each sizing. I'm not aware of any differences in cut of the keikogi for women.

Here is a reputable company that sells a range of high quality options:
http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33

BTW the "Musashi" stitched keikogi may be appropriate. Generally worn only by children in Japan, they are an option for a small woman who finds the orizashi fabric too bulky and restrictive of her shoulder movements.

Or perhaps the woman/women in question could look to these Yoshin Ryu (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7762281@N08/1506018970/) ladies for inspiration :D b

[Chuck.Gordon]

Janet Rosen (http://zanshinart.blogspot.com/ and http://www.zanshinart.com/) has begun sewing custom hemp keikogi tops.

Hre business email is zanshinart@yahoo.com.

cg

[zanshinart]

The only gender specific aspect to keikogi that I am aware of is colour

For those of us not built like Japanese men, or even Japanese women (think broad shoulders, broad hips), the difficulty is that in order to fit shoulders and hips we have way too much fabric at the waist. Bujin was the only company I know of that did a woman's gi top shaped with darts on a commercial- they were wonderful.
Thank you, Chuck, for the above mention - yes, I've done some with dart shaping; the main thing is - as per Bujin's design - it calls for a "karate style" top instead of a "judo style" because one cannot really put darts in a judo style top that has the separate lower section.

[Richard Stevens]

Thanks for all the tips. The woman in question bought this Gi:

http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Uniforms/Womens_Uniforms/8_oz_Womens_Middleweight_Brushed_Cotton_Traditional_Jacket.aspx

If it isn't up to snuff I will direct her towards zanshin!

[zanshinart]

Thanks for all the tips. The woman in question bought this Gi:

http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Uniforms/Womens_Uniforms/8_oz_Womens_Middleweight_Brushed_Cotton_Traditional_Jacket.aspx

If it isn't up to snuff I will direct her towards zanshin!

OH! That's a nice one!! - very much like Bujin used to make, and very well priced. Thank you for the link.