How to Dress for Fencing

Fencing is a game of mental skill, but you have to have enough physical strength and finesse to get you to the point where your strategy will win the game. Knowing how to dress can help you to perform your best physically. You'll want to dress in clothes that respect the sport, hug the body and allow unfettered movement of the arms, torso and legs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fencing shirt
• Leggings
• Padding

Wear Pants Close to the Body

1. Wear your club colors or choose traditional white fencing pants. Some fencing clubs fence in tan-colored breeches or even black pants, but you should choose white leggings if left to your own devices. White is the traditional color for fencers.

2. Wear leggings or tights under shorts for practice, if your fencing master allows it.

3. Choose slacks that close-fitting while still allowing for complete freedom of movement. Knit fencing pants from a fencing supply store such as LeonPaul.com are best (see Resources below).

Find the Right Shirt

4. Choose a long-sleeved shirt made of very lightweight material. The new synthetic materials will actually wick sweat away from you, keeping you cool.

5. Wear your long-sleeved shirt under your protective fencing pads. Again, a tight garment is always better, since you don't want to give the tip of your opponent's foil anything to grab.

6. Choose a white shirt to keep with tradition, or wear your club colors. If your club fences in colors, it may have fencing clothes that you can buy at the gym or clubhouse.

Tips & Warnings

• When trying on fencing pants, extend your legs into a full lunge. The pants should allow complete ease of movement with no pulling at the groin or lower back. If you are constricted in your lunge, you will lose inches from an attack and possibly lose points.
• Wear any new fencing clothing to practice first to avoid wearing stiff, new clothes to an important bout. If you have no practice sessions before a duel, wear the gear to an exercise session in your weight room, or at least lunge dozens of times in the pants to stretch the fabric.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Fencing clothing and equipment at LeonPaul.com