Concern over aesthetics has no place in arts that are actually martial. Healing either, come to think of it. Beauty standards always – always – pervert function. Function begets its own beauty. Simply, don’t worry how you look.
As for ease of movement, I firmly believe that to be a health and self defense consideration. If your clothes bind you, don’t wear them. You should be able to walk, run, squat, fall and climb in whatever you wear.

Shifu is Mandarain and Sifu is Cantonese. I use Sifu simply because that’s what most of my teachers used.

Whether or not to use the title is an ongoing debate. A few years ago I considered tossing it entirely, but I started a debate among my students. They were split evenly, with half wanting me to toss it, and half wanting me to keep it.

These days, some people call me Anthony, so call me Sifu, and a few brave souls call me Big Tony.

The funny thing is that kung fu students in Asia rarely wore kung fu suits for training. Pictures of my grand-teacher typically show him in a white t-shirt. The same for his students.

Andrew Agassi is my doppleganger!

Your story reminds me of religions. Look at how Popes are dressed and how Jesus was portrayed in paintings. Once formality sets in, there goes the essence and pristine nature of
the original teachings. Dee