Hi, I'm thinking of getting a Lucky Gi, maybe even two of them. If I grab one I think I am going to get the White/Green one, if I grab another it would be either the Lovato or the Garcia, haven't decided yet. Anyway I have a bunch of questions you might be able to help answer:
1) What size would be good for me in the white/green? the lovato? the garcia? I am 5'5" and usually hover between 170-180. My upper body is bigger than my lower body.. I wear a size 38 pants, XL or L shirt, 16 - 16 1/2 neck, and in a suit I am a 44 short. I have been told to go by weight because I could always shrink it in the wash if the pants are too long, but I'd rather ask someone who has owned these types of gis.
2) How do I color-fast it? If I use Retayne and color-fast it the first wash, do I only wash it on cold? am I not supposed to dry in a hot drying machine? Do I remove the rope-string for the pants and do that separately?
3) How do I shrink it? Do I wash Cold then dry hot? Or do I wash Cold/Hot and dry hot, or air dry? etc. How much will it shrink? I know these are a lot of questions, but I don't want to end up dropping $250 on a gi just to have it end up not fitting me.
4) What's the difference between the Lovato and the Garcia in terms of feel, weight, construction, etc.? I have heard the inside of the Lovato is super soft.. is the Garcia as soft?
I'm planning on ordering at least one either this Friday or next week.. any help/info is greatly appreciated.. thanks in advance!