Clotheshorse: Into the Breech!

By Renee Spurge June 4, 2011

As summer comes to Southern California and most people are heading to the beach, we’ll all be heading to the barn. Getting into our breeches, however, can sometimes be as frustrating as finding that perfect bikini. Luckily, with so many brands and styles available, it’s easier than ever to shop for your body type. Here are a few suggestions that we’ve found to be flattering:

Petite: Unfortunately, not many breeches come in a short length, so for those of us who are vertically challenged, we are continually plagued by the bunch of material that settles at our ankles. If you’re short and thin, it can be even more difficult to find riding apparel, but there are some key features to look out for on your next trip to the tack store. A low-rise waist is usually a good start, as are clingy fabrics and breeches that feature stretch bottoms, as opposed to the traditional Velcro closure. The Kerrits riding tights are a great match for small figures, along with the Equine Couture Sportif and the Ariat Pro Circuit Slim Fit. On the high-end spectrum we love Animo for the petite rider; in a full seat, the Kentucky New York City is an excellent choice as well.

Curvy: Most of us fall into this category, and whether you’re short or tall, if you’re blessed with curves, you know that they can either work for you or against you. It all depends on the cut of the breech. The key shape is a modified low rise with a thick waistband and a microfiber

blend fabric that nicely holds everything together. If you like a knee patch, we recommend the Euro-seat design for a nice contoured fit; for a full-seat breech, the contrast seat gives the illusion of a smaller bottom. Styles to try: Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter, Irideon Cadence Tights, Pikeur Cindy and the Romph International Breech.

Long and Lean: To be perfectly honest, most breeches look pretty damn good on these riders! However, many tall women have a problem when it comes to the rise of a breech, and they also suffer from bulky knee syndrome. Our first suggestion is to opt for a long cut, when available. Also, try breeches that feature a mid- or regular-rise waist and ribbed fabrics that tend to hug your body. The Tuff Rider ribbed knee patch breech is a popular choice among the tall and leggy ladies. We also suggest the EcoGreen riding tights by TuffRider, the Kerrits Channel Rib tight and the Goode Rider Jean breech. If you want to indulge yourself, then check out the Alessandro Albanese or the Cavallo Championesse.

F.I.T.S. flatter all figures.

All Types: And here are a few winners that seem to look great on almost everyone: On Course Cotton Natural Breech, Ovation Celebrity Breech, Grand Prix Hampton or Vegas, Pikeur Lugana, and the F.I.T.S breeches. When shopping for breeches, just remember not to judge them on the hanger, when in doubt go for a darker color and trust your sales associate!

Tabitha Knaub and Renee Spurge are the owners of LA Saddlery at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

 

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