Why are fencing outfits all white?
Well, first of all, in fact not all fencing outfits are white. Traditionally, Maestros (fencing masters) wear black jackets and pants, and Provosts (would-be masters in their final stage of training) wear black pants, but white jackets. In sport fencing the dress-code is changing along with the techniques and mentalities, and they now allow jackets to have sleeves of different colors, and I believe I have also seen an assortment of different color masks. As for the origins to this tradition, to the best of my knowledge it is actually from the early 20th century (though I hear it may have ancestry in 17th century duelling custom). At that time, as fencing was becoming standardized, rather than relying purely upon the integrity of the fencers or the judges, a dot of vinegar-soluble dye was placed in the point d’arret. As a result, when a fencer was touched with any force the dye would transfer to his white outfit, helping the judges confirm the touch. Vinegar was then used to remove the
Well, first of all, in fact not all fencing outfits are white. Traditionally, Maestros (fencing masters) wear black jackets and pants, and Provosts (would-be masters in their final stage of training) wear black pants, but white jackets. In sport fencing the dress-code is changing along with the techniques and mentalities, and they now allow jackets to have sleeves of different colors, and I believe I have also seen an assortment of different color masks. As for the origins to this tradition, to the best of my knowledge it is actually from the early 20th century (though I hear it may have ancestory in 17th century duelling custom). At that time, as fencing was becoming standardized, rather than relying purely upon the integrity of the fencers or the judges, a dot of vinegar-soluble dye was placed in the point d’arret. As a result, when a fencer was touched with any force the dye would transfer to his white outfit, helping the judges confirm the touch. Vinegar was then used to remove the
