Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.
Noel Asmar Equestrian badge on sleeve of the Hunter Jacket – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey
It’s a totally true statement to say that while I have a number of strengths, I also have weaknesses. And that’s ok with me. Because it just means that I’m human. I think it’s a pretty fair assertion that most people have things that they are totally rocking awesome at. And then other things….well, not so much.
Have you ever known someone who just seemed to be good at everything they do though? It can be slightly intimidating when you meet someone who appears to be That. Good. At. Everything. Kindof like they don’t even have to try – they can’t help but seem to excel in all their endeavors.
As for me, I like to see little idiosyncrasies and flaws – because I feel like it makes people more real. No matter how insanely together people appear to be, we all have little individual quirks. And I just feel like it’s those little quirks and differences that help make everybody have some awesome-ness in them.
Now usually when I’m shopping for new clothing or gear, it’s hard to find my perfect match. I seem to get a picture in my head of what I’m looking for. And then I tend to be very particular. So particular in fact, that I will hold out for years until I find exactly what I want. Which is probably why I just bought some new living room furniture after about 2 years of sporadic shopping trips, looking for just the right pieces.
And after I find the said ‘holy grail’ of whatever it is I’ve been diligently shopping for, know what I do? I latch onto said item(s) with a ninja kung-fu grip like you wouldn’t believe. I think that Chinch would have to try gnawing off my hand to get me to let go. Just saying.
The neutral color of my Hunter Jacket – the camel color with the brown plaid elbow patches Goes. With. Anything. – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey
So when I say that I’ve found my jacket to start off the season right, you can understand that it’s a statement that I don’t make lightly. Back in August when I attended the AETA trade show, I made a pit stop on Monday…aka ‘cash & carry day’. Or you could just call it a day of being tempted to buy pretty things to bring home. If it was a test, I had an Epic. Fail.
When I stopped at the Asmar Equestrian booth, there was no shortage of fabulous pieces to choose from. After spending a bit of time agonizing over what to get (because there were just too many styles and colors to pick from), I walked away with a stylish orange tote. Because I was the proud owner of not one, but two new pieces to add to my personal outerwear collection.
The first piece was the Asmar Hunter Jacket–and the second piece…well, you’ll just have to wait until later to find out. When I first pulled on the camel-colored Hunter jacket, I just got that feeling. I had already tried on several other pieces, but after zipping up and taking a look in the mirror, I knew I was taking it home. Cue ninja grip.
When I’m ready to head out for a ride in my Hunter Jacket, I usually start by unzipping the back skirt – which stays hidden until I need to let it out to spend some time in the saddle – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey
So what really drew me to the Hunter Jacket? First and foremost, I loved the cut – the lines of the jacket were quite flattering when paired with my hourglass figure, and hugged my curves in all of the right ways. The cut narrows at the waist, and flares out subtly at the bottom. The bottom hem lines also dips downwards in the front and back of the jacket, and cut up on the sides–which looks terrific, and helps to downplay my (slightly) curvy hips.
I also found that the brown plaid elbow patches look extremely sharp. They are such a simple detail, yet really just add an air of elegance to the Hunter Jacket’s appearance. The jacket zips up, and also has three pockets on the front–two on either side, and one on the chest.
The fabric of the Hunter Jacket feels like a lovely soft shell – it features two way stretch technology, as well as a Dintex membrane. This technology helps to protect from the elements (such as rain and wind), without compromising breathability. But something that makes the Hunter Jacket extra special in my mind are all of the little details that help it to easily be able to transition from being out on the town to heading out for a ride.
When I’m ready to head out for a ride in my Hunter Jacket, I usually start by unzipping the back skirt – which stays hidden until I need to let it out to spend some time in the saddle. Next, I move on to unzip the gussets on the sleeve cuffs, to allow myself extra room. Which works especially well when I go to tuck gloves under the cuffs.
I consider the Hunter Jacket to be my ultimate neutral piece, because I can get away with pairing it with pretty much everything from my closet, because it Goes. With. Anything. – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey
Once I un-zipped to prepare for a ride, I just hopped up and off I went. And the Hunter Jacket was both stretchy feeling and comfortable to wear while riding. Plus, even on cooler days, the fleece lining of the jacket helped to keep me warm – and the Dintex membrane of the fabric does a really nice job at blocking the air on windy days
Even back at the barn, I was not disappointed. Hay doesn’t stick to the soft shell fabric, and the insides of the sleeves actually have cuffs to keep hay OUT of the insides of the sleeves. Which I like. A lot. Because no one likes to be itchy.
While the Hunter Jacket does a superb job around the barn, I also find myself wearing it other places as well. As in, all of the place. Everywhere and anywhere, really. I would really consider it to be a staple of my wardrobe, for several reasons. Firstly, the neutral color – the camel with the brown plaid elbow patches and black accented zippers Goes. With. Anything. I consider it to be my ultimate neutral piece, because I can get away with pairing it with anything.
Plus, even on cooler days, the fleece lining of the jacket helped to keep me warm – and the Dintex membrane of the fabric does a really nice job at blocking the air on windy days – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey
Secondly, the Hunter Jacket is really pretty versatile – I’ve worn it in temperatures up to about 60 degrees comfortably. But can also wear it when the temperatures dip lower, thanks the fleece lining. Rain and wind are also no problem at all, because the Dintex membrane helps to keep me warm and dry even on dreary days.
Plus, while I personally think that the hood really adds to the look of the jacket, it is also very useful to pull up while I’m out and about in the rain. And it is even removable if you prefer the appearance of the jacket without it.
So I guess that I feel that while the Hunter Jacket is certainly functional in the saddle and elegant looking out on the town, it is more than just that. I identify with it as being a stylish and iconic piece that represents my own personal style. I feel like it represents my personality, and I feel confident and great while I’m wearing it, because I know that it looks fabulous. And who doesn’t like to feel great?
The Hunter Jacket from Asmar Equestrian retails for $210.00 – an investment piece? Yes. But one that will have a home in my wardrobe for many years to come.
Go Looking & Feeling Fab (because who doesn’t love elbow patches?). Go Asmar Equestrian. Go Eventing.
