Are you new to learning Taekwondo?
If yes, it can be quite overwhelming for you. Martial arts require a lot of training, hard work, and above everything, self-discipline. From the way you dress to how you carry yourself, everything matters. And nothing ever escapes the eyes of ruthless instructors.
Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but you do need to dress smartly for your Taekwondo lessons. If you aren’t sure how to go about it, this guide is for you.
Keep reading!
What To Wear In Taekwondo
1. Dobok
The dress code is mainly decided by your Taekwondo academy and varies from one training school to another. However, most of them require the learners to wear a white Dobok. This training uniform consists of a pant and a top and comes in different versions.
Traditional Doboks have a front of a cross-over jacket and a black trim on the collar or the bottom for belts. Newer uniforms, on the other hand, use jackets that close vertically.
If you are a beginner, you can wear workout clothes like t-shirts and lowers (preferably without pockets) to the classes. But once you have decided to continue training, you will be expected to wear a Dobok.
2. Belt
Belts are a crucial part of Taekwondo, and its traditional belt system goes all the way back to the 1940s. Students wear belts that indicate their training and skill level; to earn each belt, they need to master certain skills.
The different levels of belts awarded to Taekwondo learners are:
- White belt – for beginners
- Yellow stripe
- Green stripe
- Blue stripe
- Red stripe
- Black stripe – for experts
3. Jewellery
There are certain rules when it comes to wearing jewellery to Taekwondo lessons. Most institutes don’t allow any jewellery on the training grounds. However, exceptions can be made for medical bracelets and wedding rings.
If you choose to wear your wedding band, make sure it doesn’t have a diamond, as it can hurt other students while sparring. If it does, you can cover it with tape to reduce the possibility of injuries.
When practising Taekwondo, taking off any jewellery and piercings is best. If it gets stuck in your uniform or tugged by a fellow trainee, it will hurt and can lead to injuries.
4. Patches
Moving on, patches are sewn on martial arts uniforms to signify a person’s status, rank, and achievements. You don’t get much freedom while sporting a Dobok, as there is no room for bending the rules. But you can personalise your uniform a little by putting on different patches.
The only thing you need to be careful of is placement. If you don’t know the correct placements, we can help you out. To begin with, an association patch is generally worn on the right chest. As you might have already seen, American Taekwondo Association, Singapore Taekwondo Federation, or World Traditional Taekwondo Union shield patches are attached to that side.
You can wear custom school patches on the left chest. If you receive any leadership stars, you can attach them to the collar of your Dobok. Note that you can only wear up to 20 stars at a time. Lastly, the master club patches can be worn on the sleeves of your Dobok.
5. Sparring Gear
Sparring requires extra gearing up, as you have more chances of getting hurt. All male students should wear groin protection, and everyone should use a mouth guard. We suggest wearing hand and shin pads, but they are not mandatory.
However, you will have to wear them during tournaments. You can also wear a helmet for added protection if you wish to.
6. Shoes
There aren’t many rules in Taekwondo when it comes to shoes. You can either train barefoot or wear martial art shoes. These shoes are generally required only in the formal training hall.
Some Extra Tips
Here are some tips that can help you stay well-dressed during your Taekwondo lessons:
- Never wear dark undergarments under your white Dobok
- Some schools don’t allow students to wear T-shirts underneath their Dobok, so pay attention to that
- Wash your Dobok after every use
- Keep your uniform neatly tucked beneath your belt
- Be very careful of your belt and always tie it correctly (you can refer to tutorial videos if you struggle with it)
Styled For Success: The Perfect Outfit For Your Taekwondo Sessions!
We have reached the end of this short guide.
Learning Taekwondo takes a lot of hard work and patience. And dressing up appropriately plays a major role in how your peers perceive you. Always wear a clean Dobok to your lessons with a neatly tied belt.
Additionally, don’t forget to take off all the jewellery you normally wear, and you should be good to go! Ready to gear up for your first training session? Head to MMA Factory and check out our wide range of apparel and accessories for your Taekwondo training.
