Fencing

:This article is about the sport. For the structures for dividing property, and the process of erecting them, see fence; or, for other meanings, see fence (disambiguation).

Protective clothing

The clothing which is worn in modern fencing is made of tough cotton, nylon or Kevlar. It includes the following items of clothing:

Related Topics:
Cotton - Nylon - Kevlar

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• Form-fitting jacket, covering groin and with strap (croissard) which goes between the legs
• Half jacket (under-plastron) which goes underneath the jacket and provides double protection on the sword arm side and upper arm.
• Glove, which prevents swords going up the sleeve and causing injury, as well as protecting the hand and providing a good grip
• Breeches (knickers), to below the knee
• Knee-length socks
• Mask, including bib which protects the neck

This equipment serves to protect the fencer.

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Traditionally, the uniform is white in colour, to assist the judges in seeing touches scored (black being the traditional colour for masters). However, recently the FIE rules have been relaxed to allow coloured uniforms. The colour white might also be traced back to times before electronic scoring equipment, when the blades were sometimes covered in soot or coloured chalk to make a mark on the opponent's clothing.

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