What To Wear For Tai Chi | How to Choose Tai Chi Uniform
Appropriate clothes for Tai Chi is essential.
Since you’re practicing Tai Chi, you’ll need a Tai Chi uniform. There are two reasons for this: first, it looks good and feels authentic, and second, it’s comfortable. Regular clothes just aren’t suitable for Tai Chi practice. Tai Chi uniforms actually have their specific standards.
Different fabrics for Tai Chi uniforms
Silk Tai Chi uniforms
- Seasonal Consideration:
- Spring and autumn seasons have moderate temperatures.
- Silk Tai Chi uniforms are recommended for these seasons.
- Suitable Fabrics:
- Fabrics that are neither too thin nor too thick are ideal.
- Types of Silk Tai Chi Uniforms:
- Two main types: real silk and satin.
- Real Silk:
- Authentic silk material.
- Satin:
- More commonly seen and preferred for its affordability and appearance.
- Particularly suitable for competitions and performances due to its aesthetic appeal.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a satin Tai Chi uniform:
- Softness of the fabric: If it’s not soft enough, it won’t be comfortable to wear.
- Fineness of the texture: Coarse satin won’t be breathable and will feel uncomfortable.
- Brightness of the color: Low-quality satin won’t be as bright and won’t have the soft sheen of high-quality satin.
- Workmanship: Poorly made satin products won’t wash well, may snag easily, and ultimately shorten the lifespan of the Tai Chi uniform.
Real silk Tai Chi uniforms
- Preference for Real Silk:
- Some individuals prefer real silk clothing for its soft and smooth texture.
- Real silk Tai Chi uniforms offer a flowy and lightweight feel, ensuring comfort during wear.
- Care and Maintenance:
- Real silk clothing demands extra care.
- Prone to wrinkles and white stains from sweat.
- Hand-washing is recommended, ideally with lukewarm water (around 25 degrees Celsius).
- Ironing Recommendations:
- Ironing on a low setting is advisable before wearing to maintain appearance and shape.
How to choose a Tai Chi uniform for winter
- Winter Tai Chi Practice:
- Cold weather doesn’t necessitate giving up Tai Chi practice.
- Bulky winter clothes are inevitable for warmth.
- Comfort of Tai Chi Uniforms:
- Professional Tai Chi uniforms offer unparalleled comfort, especially for movements like punches.
- Compromise for Winter Wear:
- Wear a fleece-lined cotton inner shirt under the top for added warmth.
- Loose and comfortable clothing is key.
- Pants Choice:
- Opt for practice pants in a similar color to the top.
- Wear over thermal underwear or leggings for added warmth.
- Comfortable Tai Chi Practice:
- Ensures comfortable Tai Chi practice even in cold weather conditions.
Wearing the right clothes is important for Tai Chi
- Attire for Tai Chi Practice:
- Loose-fitting clothes are essential for comfortable movement.
- Flat shoes with good traction are recommended.
- Shoe Sole Thickness:
- Thinner soles contribute to better balance during Tai Chi practice.
- Professional Tai Chi Clothing:
- Available at sporting goods stores.
- Some stores offer custom-made uniforms.
- Benefits of Professional Uniforms:
- Enhance the elegance and grace of movements during Tai Chi practice.
- Contribute to a more refined practice experience.
Here are some types of Tai Chi uniforms:
- Fossilized wrinkle: This is a very soft and drapey type of fabric that resembles real silk. It has a soft, gentle sheen, doesn’t wrinkle easily, but can only be hand-washed. The fabric is stiff and has slight natural wrinkles, making it elegant and perfect for stage performances and competitions.
- High-elastic hemp: This is a special fabric that has been treated for anti-static properties. It drapes well, doesn’t wrinkle easily, can be machine-washed, has slight elasticity with good recovery, doesn’t attract dust, and is breathable. The whole garment has an elegant look with no shine and is suitable for everyday practice in all seasons.
- Brocade: Soft and drapey with slight elasticity, it has a natural sheen, the fabric is tightly woven and durable, suitable for hand-washing. The fabric is stiff with good recovery, doesn’t wrinkle easily, and comes in a variety of colors. It’s classic and has a similar feel to satin, making it suitable for performances, competitions, or everyday practice.
- Gradient hemp gauze: Refreshing, drapey, and without shine, this fabric has bright and naturally transitioning colors. It doesn’t wrinkle easily, can be machine-washed, and the fabric is stiff and naturally flowing with good breathability. However, the fabric is relatively loose, so it’s not recommended for everyday practice but is suitable for performances and competitions.
- Brocade (again): Soft and smooth with vibrant colors, suitable for hand-washing, the fabric is stiff with good recovery and belongs to the category of performance wear.
The difference between Tai Chi pants and lantern pants
- Design Similarities:
- Tai Chi pants and lantern pants share a similar concept, resembling the shape of a lantern.
- Features include cinched ankles, an elastic waistband, and a loose middle section.
- Key Difference: Tai Chi Pants:
- Designed for martial arts movements.
- Crotch area tailored appropriately for high and low stances.
- Colors reflect the calmness and serenity of Tai Chi, typically plain.
- Regular Lantern Pants:
- No restrictions on design, allowing for various styles such as hippie or Indian.
- Design can be more freely expressive compared to Tai Chi pants.
The main elements of practice pants
Practice pants are essential equipment for practicing Tai Chi. Everyone knows that practicing Tai Chi requires wearing specialized clothing.
- But what exactly makes pants “practice pants”?
- What elements do practice pants include?
Fabric characteristics of practice pants
Each pair of practice pants has its own fabric characteristics, which determine its inherent conditions and performance. These characteristics can be broken down into the following aspects: raw fiber materials, weaving method, texture, weight, hand feel, finishing, wearing comfort, and washing performance.
Fabric types for practice pants
Practice pants come in a variety of fabrics, including cotton, hemp, silk, and chemical fibers.
- Pure cotton practice pants are absorbent and comfortable to wear, but they stain and shrink easily.
- Hemp is not commonly used for practice pants, although it’s absorbent and heat-resistant with higher strength than cotton. However, hemp fibers are stiff, have poor elasticity, and the fabric wrinkles easily.
- Silk practice pants have long, smooth, and soft fibers with better elasticity than those of cellulosic fibers and a unique sheen.
- Chemical fiber practice pants generally have lower absorbency than natural fibers and can generate static electricity after friction. They tend to attract dust, but most are strong and elastic and prone to pilling after extended wear.
Standards for wearing Tai Chi pants
Practice pants are all very loose, but how loose is loose enough? There are actually a few standards for wearing practice pants:
- Looseness: Generally, practice pants should be 20 centimeters looser than your actual measurements. Otherwise, it will restrict your movements during practice. Of course, slightly looser pants won’t affect your practice much, but overly loose pants may look unflattering and sometimes feel cumbersome during routines.
- Length: The pant legs of practice pants should be long enough to reach and basically cover the top of your feet. When standing upright, the pant legs shouldn’t drag on the ground. These are, of course, general standards. Some practitioners may have personal preferences, such as liking slightly longer pants.
Choosing the color of Tai Chi pants
- Color Choices for Practice Pants:
- Various colors available on the market.
- Preference for Light Colors:
- Light colors, especially white, commonly chosen for large-scale performances or group activities.
- White offers an elegant and classic appearance.
- Individual Use Options:
- For personal use, consider choosing a color that complements your skin tone or matches personal preferences.
- Wide range of colors available to suit individual tastes and needs.
Types of fabric for Tai Chi pants
There are many types of fabric for practice pants. Some common ones include:
- Regular imitation silk: Soft and drapey.
- Soft and flowy brocade: Suitable for performances and competitions.
- Comfortable and breathable feather cotton (cotton blended with silk): A good balance between comfort and breathability.
- Drapey and easy-care high-elastic hemp: A comfortable and practical choice for everyday practice.
- Thick fleece: Provides warmth for cold weather.
- Luxurious and warm Korean fleece (high-quality): A premium option for warmth and style.
- Heavyweight real silk: Showcases a luxurious look for those who want to stand out.
As new fabrics are constantly being developed, more and more suitable options for Tai Chi clothing are being discovered by practice pants manufacturers. For example, with the development of society and changing times, high-elastic hemp fabric is becoming an increasingly popular choice for practitioners.