Having a bit of Christmas money sitting in my purse itching to be spent I took myself along to my local tack shop, which has to be one of the biggest in the country, to find myself some new riding clothes. I sort of knew what I was going to be faced with but went through the doors anyway with some kind of vague hope that I would be, might be, please, please, please, met by if not a wardrobe full of 'must-haves', at least a couple of items of clothing I couldn't wait to try on. But no, I stared forlornly at rack upon rack of the same tired designs in dreary colours with the odd splash of pink rearing it's over used head in between. With a hood or without a hood? Plain rugby short or striped rugby shirt? Frisky filly or moody mare? Ugh, what a decision....
Let's just say, even my mother who was with me at the time remarked "oh dear, this is a bit boring." I know I'm not a teenager anymore but that remark still hit home and had me bolting for the door!
And I realise I'm not walking into Browns or Selfridges (if only) but surely someone can come up with some edgier designs, and I don't mean more Katie Price bling or pink thanks very much!
OK maybe you think I'm paddling in the shallow end of the pool here and should have better things to think about like does my mare need an extra inch off her tail? Or should I get a bib to stop her getting tack rubs? But now I spend so much time in horsey attire I would like to look in the mirror, or more usually my reflection in someone's window as I ride past and not want to trot on quite so quickly! Or use quite so many exclamation marks!! Vain maybe but the longer I'm away from my previous life in fashion the more I appreciate its flair and creativity and I want a bit of that back in my horsey life. So here's my attempt to find it by taking a look at the good, the bad, and the downright ugly side of equestrian fashion. If you feel the same way as I do then please come along for the ride.
If you're spending lots of cash you should be offered a choice. I don't understand why such a popular sport has such a narrow range of apparel. I bet if you looked at US websites you'd find a much wider choice. My husband is into grappling and though the sport is smaller the choice of gear is huge.
ReplyDeleteI live in the US and the equine fashion industry is fine if you are 13 year old girl that likes pink and glitter. I think it is high time we "mature" riders band together and say "ENOUGH! We don't like glitter! We want to be horsey and have STYLE too!" =O)
ReplyDeleteI used to chuckle when i described myself as 'All the gear no idea' kind of rider. Now after having a baby and then deciding to have a mid life baby crisis by giving a home to an ex race horse (horse No 2), i now see in the mirror, not the Pikeur'd stylish look i so carefully manicured, but a tossle haired (not brushed for 2 days), wearing my old paint spattered submarine grey jacket and baggy jods.
ReplyDeleteI think to myself, this can't go on, so i am now making more of an effort.
However i have noticed that the more chic and expensive the clothing,the less likely it holds up to real day to day wear. I have brought Jods at £100 a pop that lasted only 12 months. Zips fly apart on expensive gillets and £200 plus riding boots fall apart, yet again, in only 12 months. At the other end of the spectrum the cheap and cheerful horsey paraphenalia, usually found on the bargain rail, seems to last forever.
I have come to the conclusion that the very expensive brands aren't really designed for riding. They are for popping down the yard for 5 minutes or attending a horsey event as a spectator, while impressing others just how chic you look.
My question is where can i find stylish clothing that holds up to a daily battering??
Hum, someone said about me that i reminded her of Camilla Parker Bowls when i was riding. Please don't be confused that it had anything to do with my stylish riding techniques- it was more, i suspect, my slightly weathered complexion and the ( i am ashamed to admit) a crafty fag i was puffing at the time!
I do like Pikeur and the most stylish and horse resistant were my full length chaps- they were made of a very thin silky but robust material. Loads of people loved them. They are wind and waterproof and rip proof. I could feel the horse and it didnt restrict my movements. They were best purchase ever and my husband loves them!! need i say more....?! Sadly i have never seen these chaps sold again. However, in my personal opinion Anky clothing appears over rated. I had expected a stylish feminine style with clean lines. But when looking at the range they looked drab and very pricey. I now tend to go to TK Max to find jackets and gillets.
I too agree, we should all get together and start our own horse clothing line. I think we could have a lot of fun! Katey Price knows where the money is and i think we should do it too. Sam C :-)