What Color Jiu-Jitsu Gi Should You Wear?

With so many different jiu-jitsu gi color options, at times, beginners wonder whether the color of their gi matters and, if so, which color they should choose.

The color of your gi will not matter in most training scenarios. However, some gyms and competitions may choose to enforce rules about which gi color you are allowed to wear. White is the most traditional gi color, but colors like blue and black are popular as well.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics of jiu-jitsu gi colors and the few cases in which they matter. After that, we’ll tell you why belt color matters so much more than the color of your gi. 

What Colors Do Jiu-Jitsu Gis Come In?

Jiu-jitsu gis come in several color options, some of which are more widespread than others. Here are a few gi colors you’re likely to see throughout your training experience:

• White

• Blue

• Black

• Pink

• Red

• Green

• Camo

You’ll likely find additional gi colors beyond that list available for purchase. However, the colors listed above are the most popular ones. Typically, it’s up to you to decide which gi color is your favorite. However, some occasions may call for you to wear a certain kind of gi.

A Few Occasions When Gi Color Might Matter

During most of the time you spend training and competing, your gi color will not matter. Instead, gi color is typically a personal stylistic choice. Despite that being the case for most situations, a few instances may call for you to wear a specific kind of gi.

Training at a Traditional Gym

Some jiu-jitsu gyms are far more traditional than others. That honor for tradition is a sentiment that can manifest itself in numerous ways. At times, these gyms will enforce rules regarding gym etiquette, which can include guidelines on which gi color is appropriate for training.

White is the Traditional Jiu-Jitsu Gi Color

The most traditional gi color is white. When the Gracie family first began popularizing the modern form of jiu-jitsu, white was the only gi color option. Today, some gyms continue to mandate that all students wear a white gi to uphold that history.

When in doubt, wearing a standard white gi is the safest choice. The value of taking that approach is that you’ll have a suitable gi to wear no matter what gym you attend. However, there are plenty of gyms that have no preference for gi colors, meaning that you’ll have the freedom to choose which one you like best. 

During Certain Competitions

Competition organizers may create rules about which gi color you can wear. At times, you may need to wear a specific color of gi, or there may be rules about what patches you are allowed to have on your gi.

As is the case with traditional gyms, there are also some competitions that try to have a more traditional atmosphere. Those organizers are most likely to require white gis instead of the alternative colors.

Again, rules about gi colors are less prevalent in training and competition than they once were. The more prevalent gi rules relate to the size of your gi and how it fits on your body. So, while you should not expect match officials to care about your gi color, in most cases, you can expect them to evaluate the size and fit of your gi.

At Some Seminars

Occasionally, seminars will enforce gi color rules. Those rules may be the desire of a visiting instructor, or they may be nothing more than a matter of aesthetics. After a seminar, it is common practice to take a group picture with all who attended. Having everyone dressed in the same color makes for a neater appearance.

Belt Color Matters More than Gi Color

While gi color lacks importance in most cases, belt color matters much more. You’re likely to receive far more backlash for wearing the wrong belt color than wearing an odd gi color. The belts in jiu-jitsu are a representation of your skill and rank compared to other practitioners. Wearing the incorrect belt color is a misrepresentation of your experience that some may take offense to, even if you do it by accident.

Belt Colors in Jiu-Jitsu

Many martial arts use a system of belt colors to indicate a practitioner’s knowledge and skill. Here are the belt colors present in jiu-jitsu, in order of which you’ll receive first:

• White

• Blue

• Purple

• Brown

• Black

Additional children’s belt colors exist as well. Those colors provide intermediate steps between white and blue belt for those under 18. The five belt colors in the list above are the ranks for adult practitioners.

How to Change Belt Color in Jiu-Jitsu

When you begin training jiu-jitsu, you will wear a white belt. The white belt is an indication of your novice skill level and your lack of jiu-jitsu knowledge. As you acquire more knowledge and demonstrate greater skill, your instructor will reward you with a new belt. Eventually, you’ll earn a black belt, which represents an expert level, if you remain persistent in your training.

What Are Belt Stripes in Jiu-Jitsu?

Occasionally, your instructor may wish to reward your progress without advancing you to the next belt level. To do so, they will add stripes to your belt. Typically, you can earn up to four stripes on a belt before you advance to the next color.

Conclusion

The color of your jiu-jitsu gi does not matter in most situations. However, some gyms, competitions, and seminars may make their own rules on the topic. Use the insights above to determine which gi color is best for you.