Shipping Boots: You’re doing it wrong.
Dear Leslie,
Getting dressed for dressage always bums me out. Everyone looks alike, which is lame, and I’ve got way too much junk in my trunk to look svelte in white britches. What to do?
Sincerely,
I-Don’t-Know-What-To-Wear
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Dear I-Don’t-Know-What-To-Wear,
We’ll get to the white breeches issue in a minute, but first let’s talk about style homogeny. Most people, glancing toward the dressage warmup at an event, might see something akin to a scene from March of the Penguins: a swirling mass of black-and-white intently focused on one unspoken collective goal, which is to not get eaten by a leopard seal (dressage judge).
But there’s a little budge room in there for individual personalities to shine through. Fashion-conscious riders know how to stand out without, you know, standing out.
If you’re looking to take your show-ring image from milquetoast to magnificent this season, we here at EN highly recommend consulting one of our fabulous advertising partners to help outfit yourself and your horse in style. You can visit their websites directly by clicking on their links at the right side of the page. In the meantime, we’ll set you up with a few fashion tips:
DON’T purchase a white dressage saddle in an attempt to camouflage your curves. (Photo: www.teknasaddlery.com)
DO snag a pair of of Kerrits Sit Tight Supreme Breeches from SmartPak. Not only do these breeches glue your bum into the tack, the black full-seat is visually slimming.
DON’T let your hair-do steal the show. (Photo: www.foxnews.com)
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DO dress up your look with this pretty Verona Crystal Show Bow from SmartPak.
DON’T paint your horse’s hooves with glitter polish if you’re over the age of 10. (Photo: www.equilink.com)
DO catch the judge’s eye with a Nunn Finer Biko Bridle, featuring a flash cavesson and padded silver clincher browband.
DON’T make your horse wear animal print anything, ever. (Photo: www.etsy.com)
DO invest in a swanky new pad from EcoGold, like this one from their WEG Patriotic Collection. They’re no-slip and made from 100% breathable materials, with high-density foam in the seat area to trick your horse into thinking he’s being ridden by a cloud.
DON’T… just don’t. (Photo: www.yourhorse.co.uk)
DO check out this totally chic, adorable shirt from Dubarry (ooh! ruffles!), perhaps paired with a ShowQuest Chique Stock Tie with Crystals from SmartPak.
Well, I-Don’t-Know-What-To-Wear, hopefully that gives you some good ideas. Be sure to also follow Tack of the Day on Facebook and Twitter for great discounts on tack, apparel and more. It doesn’t take much to make a tasteful statement in the dressage ring–you don’t want anything distracting the judge’s from your horse. Unless, you know, that’s your strategy.
Good luck!
Leslie
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