2.1  Clothing

     Fencing clothing includes the jacket, pants, plastron (underarm
     protector), and socks.  Some companies manufacture unitards

     (combined jacket and pants).  Inexpensive practice gear is
     fashioned of synthetics or heavy cotton, but competition clothing
     is required to pass an 800 N puncture test.

     Casual and beginner fencers can rely on cotton or synthetic
     jackets, but should consider using a plastron for extra
     protection.  Track pants or baseball knickers are also thrifty 
     alternatives to genuine fencing clothing.

     Most jackets are left- or right-handed.  Women's jackets are not
     only cut differently, but have pockets for breast protectors.
     Ambidextrous (back-zip) jackets are available, but generally not
     with homologated fabrics.  Ambidextrous (double-sided) plastrons
     are available from some manufacturers.

     Knee-high sport socks (such as for soccer/football or baseball)
     can be purchased from most sporting goods stores.  Skin should
     not show between the socks and pant legs nor the cuff and glove
     of the weapon hand.  The trailing hand and back of the head
     should be the only areas of exposed skin on the fencer's body.