Clothing for parkour, and other adventurey athletic pursuits

[Captain Lex]

This summer I'm hoping to take up a few athletic hobbies.

However, renewing my childhood interest in golf is not difficult from a sartorial perspective; that clothing is well-established. I would even be hard-pressed to think of a way to dress down playing golf. Many people dress better for golf than for their jobs.

But I am also interested in an outdoorsy, quick-moving jumping-rolling-running sport known as Parkour.

I am further interested in learning a martial art (either Wing Chun or Krav Maga). Provided they don't have any robes or combat suits they want me to wear, I'd like to wear the same I'd be wearing for parkour.

I imagine I'd want some loose-fitting, breathable clothing, resistant to wear and tear, but held to standards that we at Lounge are familiar with. I'm imaging something similar to the tennis outfits the Crane boys of Frasier are known to be seen in (but of which I can find no images), but I'd like to hear from you more experienced chappies what my options are. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Not of course that I'm against wearing t-shirts for sports; just wondering how far it can be taken.

 

[bunnyb.gal]

I've no idea really how one would dress for Parkour, but regarding the martial arts, most clubs (especially with the more traditional arts) will probably require a uniform (dobok, gi, mawashi...), often with club insignia, after a certain period. On the upside, you couldn't get any more vintage with these traditional clothes!

Let us know how you get on!

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

There is a youtube video called "parcour 1930s" but I think the footage is actually from the 50s. You can do a google search for other sports with a date as a keyword. For example Fred Perry and Rene Lacoste were Tennis players in the 20s/30s. This requires a lot of movement too. I imagine it would be possible to do some parcour in the same clothes (maybe different shoes)

Also google for Baritsu

 

[Captain Lex]

There is a youtube video called "parcour 1930s" but I think the footage is actually from the 50s. You can do a google search for other sports with a date as a keyword. For example Fred Perry and Rene Lacoste were Tennis players in the 20s/30s. This requires a lot of movement too. I imagine it would be possible to do some parcour in the same clothes (maybe different shoes)

Also google for Baritsu

Thanks for the tip! I'll look into that.

And I need not Google bartitsu; but I doubt umbrellas and capes are a part of the standard wing chun ensemble.

(Link for uninitiated: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartitsu)

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Just don't forget the moustache. Most important part!

 

[Twill]

I would do cotton Khaki chinos with a gusseted crotch for ease of movement (something like this: http://www.backcountry.com/mountain-khakis-original-mountain-pant-mens-mkh0001 or http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-pants/work-pants-for-men/45519.aspx). I would think pleats would give you more movement, and have that classic vintage look as well, but I haven't been able to find this with the gusset. Perhaps you could get something made, I can't imagine that it would be too hard for a tailor to do. For a shirt, you can't go wrong with a thin-weight classic polo.

 

[Twill]

On a second look at the second link I posted, they seem to be polyester. They have 100% cotton ones that are similar: http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-pants/work-pants-for-men/20208.aspx