More and more Chinese style schools are adapting a colored sash rank system and uniform to compete with the commercail karate and TKD schools. Unfortunately the typical Chinese style uniform tend not to be tailored well to American sizes and not hold up very long to repeated washings and wear and tear of daily practice, especially sparring if they engage in that. Many schools adopt karate style uniforms or pay extra for custom made. Competition wushu (IWF) had always until very recently strictly required standard competition silks. FOr Northern routines were either Solid red, black, white, or royal blue, and maybe lemon yellow and orange with matching sash. Internal arts were long sleeve and no sash and Southern fist was sleeveless and no collar, females had 3/4 sleeve with no collar. Until very recently. Now the trend has swung the other way and the coolest patterns and color options are available. Rnak in competition goes by years of experience. and not by what color sash one wears. In school it pretty much the same, Its when one joined the "family" determines rank.
