I am of the no stripe camp myself, especially in the realm of today's martial arts in America. My personal belief is that we should not even call them ranks. In this country, the only groups that should use ranks in martial arts are those that use them for order (police and military). Rank denotes a type of privillage at higher levels. Grade merely states that you know a certain thing at a certain level. I've heard all the arguments for and against stripes, patches, and funny titles. There are many groups that do without them (traditional Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and many other systems do not use colored sashes to denote rank). Me personally, I would much rather work out in a pair of BDU trousers and a t-shirt (modern training uniform with real pockets and a real belt...buckle and everything) instead of a pair of Japanese underware made to look like a NASCAR uniform.
I've heard people say that they were proud of their uniform or proud of their belt or proud of their stripes. In my own opinion it makes a piece of clothing into just another trophy. My ego is plenty big enough without being stroked by the number of stripes I could or couldn't wear around my waiste, collar, etc. If some one wants to know what i can or can't do, let them train with me. It will readily become apparent whether I suck or am the man. I've heard the argument that it helps the school owner know which students are at what levels. I thought that was what conversations were for.
The same goes for the school owner. Do we really need a patch, stripe, funny belt or some other form of self glorifying badge to say that, "I'm the chief!"? Imagine how funny it would be if Donnald Trump walked around the board room cheering, "You must call me Donald SOKE!" and wore a red and white pin striped jacket so that every one knew it was him.
I can see the reasons for the stripes and what not, but it is just not for me.
I would rather wear a plain keikogi either all white or all black (including belts to match the color of the uniform regardless of rank) or wear modern clothing.
But then again, this is only an opinion and it is worth as much as a cup of air.
Regards,
Walt