Fact or Fiction? The Karate Gi

I think that depends on what you mean by short.  If you mean specifically the tail of the jacket, I would completely agree.  If, however, you refer to the length of the sleeves and pant-legs, I agree and disagree.  I base this on the fact that Okinawa has a tropical climate.  Some time ago, a large portion of training, for many all of it, was done outside in cool, loose-fitting attire, usually without a top at all (which was also done for a different reason than your question, so I'll pass over that).  Extra material was obviously hotter, so the ends were clipped off.  Here you can see Higaonna-sensei and Terauchi-sensei still rocking the style

and here are a number of karateka wearing it before it was cool

http://youtu.be/RU3SX2ZfTUA (Enbedding has been disabled for this video - Iain).

Nowadays, air-conditioning has certainly had an effect on the preference, and I believe in judo and competitive jujutsu the norm is longer sleeves for easier grabbing.  Hope that helps!

I would suggest the fashion in the UK was driven by the cut of the Gi's worn by the Japanese Sensei (certainly in the case of Shotokan).

Personally I find the  long leg and arm very restrictive and often sticks.., especially when all sweaty...urgh.

I say half way down your shin and half way down your forearm is about right for general training, but we rarely wear Gi Tops anyhow.

Agreed.

Although we still wear Gi's. A good hardwearing item of clothing... I would get through soo many t-shirts otherwise.