Pink.

Why are women's gis pink? They can't even be a sensible pink, but rather range from pepto bismol to, as my friend Galen described it, "stupid magenta". Now, I used to vomit slightly whenever I saw one of these pink gis, but actually, they are kinda growing on me! Weird, huh? I kinda like the idea of destroying a guy on the mat while wearing all pink. What has brought about this change in opinion? Probably because Kyra Gracie is so beautiful, so good at jiu jitsu, and she wears a pink gi! I sit and think for a bit about how awesome I would be if I had a pink gi... and then I remember how much I prefer to keep my dignity and resolve that I would like one if it were free, but I'm never shelling out the $$$ to buy one :D!

Golden Tiger Marial Arts Gi by Georgette Oden

Note: For Georgette's original post, please visit her amazing blog HERE.

FYI, I'm obviously female -- 5'2" 125ish lbs, 34-27-36.

GTMA pink gi: This Golden Tiger Martial Arts gi came from this little place in Madison Wisconsin. It was only $95 including shipping and they have both pink and purple gis, also available in adult sizes (even BIG adults.) It is a heavy little sucker at about 4, maybe 4 1/2lbs. They are sized a little differently than ordinary gis, so I think maybe I wear a 3? You can email the owner, Mark Severtson, with your measurements if you want to be sure. Tell him you read about his gis here!

I like the color (a light "carnation" pink, if you remember the old Crayola 64s). The kimono top is super thick and stiff, so that might be a plus for competition.I like the pants better than the kimono top. They're smooth but very sturdy feeling, and they make a nice change to the omnipresent white. (I could get a blue, or a red, gi next-- if someone wants me to review their product, feel free to send me one!) The top is just a bit thick for me, which means I should probably train in it all the time. I did notice about 1-2" shrinkage in almost every dimension, but no color bleeding onto other items. (The color isn't perfectly even on the kimono, but you wouldn't notice if you weren't being picky.) The pants are comfy after being worn for a few months, but I would say the heavier padding around the knees/shins is a little higher up on the leg than I would expect/like, and these are a little flatter in the rear than I would prefer. Also, they only have one belt loop, right in the front.

I do think the fabric drawstring is a little stiff and hard to adjust.

Grade: B-

Keiko Raca Childrens' Gi by Georgette Oden

Note: For Georgette's original post, please visit her amazing blog HERE.

FYI, I'm obviously female -- 5'2" 125ish lbs, 34-27-36.

A note on my method: I probably should have measured each before washing and wearing them, but I didn't. I do have a good idea of how much shrinkage occurred. I have rolled in these gis for about 3 months, usually at least 3-4x a week and sometimes as much as 6-7x a week. I always wash my gi the same day I wear it. I usually machine dry them a little with a Downy dryer sheet because I love the smell; then I air dry the rest of the way. I weighed each minus the belt on my bathroom scale, so I don't have ounces, just pounds.

Keiko Raca childrens' gi: Purchased here at Budovideos.com for $130 plus shipping. I have a size M4 and it weighs just barely under 4lbs.

This is probably my favorite gi. It's very soft and fluid-feeling, comfortable in hot weather, smooth and light. The kimono fabric is almost silky to the touch. The collar is firm and surprisingly hard to get a grip on. The pants are extremely comfortable with a typical rope belt that is easy to adjust, and there are two loops, widely spaced, in the front. The pants fit well on me, with enough room for my "junk in the trunk" but without too much extra fabric at the knees and ankles. There were some loose threads but in general the stitching is tight and professional. I like the "hint" of pink it offers, and it's a nice light color, not magenta or Pepto-Bismol. The pink trim is sewn on well too. Keiko gis have a plasticky feeling to the name patches, but unlike cheap rashguards, the words haven't been flaking, peeling or otherwise damaged. My only complaint is that it shrunk a bit, so the pants are a touch on the short side, but the kimono fits perfectly. Also if I had my 'druthers, it would be available with other trim colors too (light blue? kelly green?).

Grade: A-