Boys' Uniforms: Sports and Atletics--Wrestling Singlet


Figure 1.--The principal uniform item worn in competitive wrestling is the singlet. These destinctively styled singlets are indicidual or champsionship styles.

Boys wore destinctive garments for wrestling called singlets. The styling of the singlets have varied over time. Boys on school wrestling teams wear matching plain-colored uniform singlets. The wrestling singlet is similar to ones used for gymnastics, or any sport that requires an outfit that is totally free of any article of clothing that might be grabbed by an opponant to their advantage, or snagged by the wearer. Most boys especially interested to wrestling don't give it a second thought, but some boys didn't liked the idea of wearing one. The color of the singlet of course reflects the boy's team or school. Boys involved in individual competition might wear more destinctive individually styled or custom singlets. These colorful singlets are a fairly reason development. I'm not sure when the brightly colored, patterned singlets first appeared. They seem to be a 1990s developments. Boys in eralier eras would have been quite startled by these singlets. The modern singlet is commonly made of nylon and lycra. Most wear only their singlet for competions, even while waiting to compete (especially when the environment is warm). A few boys add tights.

Chronology

Boys wore destinctive garments for wrestling called singlets. The styling of the singlets have varied over time. HBC has little information on the chronology of the singlet. We do not know when kit first appeared or who developed it. It has been worn by American boys participating in the sport at leasr from the 1930s, but it probably has an earlier origin. Major changes havecoccurred in the styling of the singlet in the 1990s. The top of the singlet has dropped and longer legs have been added. In addition, brightly colored and patterned singlets have become popular.

Utility

The wrestling singlet is similar to ones used for gymnastics, or any sport that requires an outfit that is totally free of any article of clothing that might be grabbed by an opponant to their advantage, or snagged by the wearer.

Types

Boys on school wrestling teams wear matching plain-colored uniform singlets. Boys involved in individual competition might wear more destinctive individually styled or custom singlets. These colorful singlets are a fairly reason development. I'm not sure when the brightly colored, patterned singlets first appeared. They seem to be a 1990s developments.

Design

The singlet is a one-piece garment. They can vary in a number ways. The two principal variations is the cut of the top part. Some are cit rather like basketball jerseys. More resvently singkets cut lower have become more popuar. The other variation is the bottom part. Singets used to be cut short like the boxer shorts used in gym classes. More recently, singlets with legs to knee length have become more common.

Colors and Patterns

The color of the team singlet of course reflects the boy's team or school. They are plainly styled, usually in the schools main color. There may be contrasting color trim on the shouder straps or leg openings. Modern individual or championship singlets now come in a wide variety of colors. Many have multiple colors or bold patterns. Boys in eralier eras would have been quite startled by these singlets.

Material

The modern singlet is commonly made of nylon and lycra.

Matches

Most wear only their singlet for competions, even while waiting to compete (especially when the environment is warm). Some wear warm-up gear befor and after. A few boys wera tights.

Boys' Attitudes

Most boys especially interested to wrestling don't give it a second thought, but some boys didn't liked the idea of wearing one. I'm not sure what is the najor objection. Perhaps it is theidea of wearing a one-piece garment which they are not used to. Unklike amg other uniform items, boys only wear their singlets for matches.

Other Garments

A few boys add tights, usually black tights.






Christopher Wagner





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Created: April 9, 1999
Last updated: Nay 27, 2001