Does a Natural White Hemp BJJ Gi Become Whiter With Use?

A Natural White hemp BJJ gi looks quite different from the white cotton gis most practitioners are familiar with.

When new, the ecru tone is more noticeable, and the color can also look different in person than it does in photos or on a screen. Some people like the color from the beginning, while others have told us they would prefer it to become a little lighter with use.

We also received a question asking whether repeated training and washing would eventually make Natural White look like a typical white gi.

The short answer is that Natural White does become lighter with use and washing, but it does not turn into the same white as a typical White Cotton Gi. Its natural ecru tone remains.

To make the difference easier to see, we compared a Natural White Hemp Gi that has been regularly used and washed with a typical White Cotton Gi.

 

 

What Does a Natural White BJJ Gi Look Like When New?

 

Natural White is not the bright white commonly seen in BJJ gis. It has a warmer, ecru tone.

 

This tone is most noticeable when the gi is new. The surface of the new fabric also has a slight sheen, which can make both the color and texture feel more pronounced in person than they appear in product photos.

The important thing to know is that this initial appearance does not stay exactly the same with use.

 

 

How Natural White Changes With Use

 

In a previous Test Record, we documented the same Natural White gi at three stages: new, approximately 3 months, and approximately 9 months of use.

 

With repeated training and washing, the color gradually became lighter. The surface sheen that was more noticeable when new also decreased, giving the fabric a more subdued appearance.

 

However, comparing Natural White only with Natural White makes it easy to see that the color has changed, but harder to tell how different it still is from the familiar white of a typical BJJ gi.

So this time, we added a familiar reference.

 

 

Natural White vs. a White Cotton Gi

 

On one side is a typical White Cotton Gi. On the other is a Natural White Hemp Gi that has been regularly trained in and washed.

 

The used Natural White is lighter and more subdued than when it was new. But when the two are placed side by side, the difference is still easy to see. The Natural White retains a warm ecru tone, while the cotton gi appears as the brighter white commonly associated with a White Gi.

The White Cotton Gi is included here only as a familiar visual reference for color. This is not intended as a comparison of how hemp and cotton fabrics change or retain color over time.

 

 

Before Choosing Natural White

 

People respond differently to the color of a new Natural White gi. Some like the ecru tone from the beginning, while others prefer the idea of it becoming a little lighter with use.

 

When we first received our Natural White sample, we also felt that the color was stronger than we had expected. After several months of regular use and washing, we saw both the color and the surface sheen become less pronounced.

 

If you are considering Natural White, we recommend looking at both the new and used examples to get a better idea of what to expect over time.