As per the $900 Facebook Pony started and then suggested, I’m contributing to her series of breeches: the ultimate fit guide! With any luck, we’ll be able to make a useful series for equestrians of all shapes and sizes to be able to find and fit the best breeches for them!
The Ultimate Fit Guide, Elsewhere
The $900 Facebook Pony – Tailored Sportsman, Kerrits Sit Tight Supreme, Annie’s Equestrienne, Aztec Diamond, Animo
Bay With Chrome – GhoDo Pamelas
This was a very interesting experiment. First, I found out I have way more breeches/tights than I thought I do. But almost none of them are the same brand, excepting two pairs of Kerrits and two different models of Equine Couture, one of which has now been discontinued (sad face).
Now, let me preface this by stating that I have a strange body for a short girl. I’m 5’1″ and 3’6″ of that is my legs. Observe (also, my bad posture):
Because of this, all breeches are a little higher rise on me than they would be on a more normally-proportioned human being, because there’s just not much space between my pelvis and my bellybutton. I’m also seriously lacking in the junk trunk department and, evidently, have kindof a weird posture when posing for pictures from the side. Without further ado, though, BREECHES!
1 pair Ladies Bella Full Seat Breeches, dove, size 28. This particular model is apparently made of bamboo and is EcoFriendly and no longer exists on their website, but there are Bella knee patch breeches that I imagine fit similarly.
43% Nylon, 26% cotton, 24% bamboo, 7% elastic (I think, faded label)
Measurements
waist: 14″ 1/2
hips: 18″
rise: 5″ 1/2
inseam to bottom: 28″
Features
sock bottoms
four pockets: two front (zippered), two back
belt loops size 1 1/2″
front zip, double hook closure
Stain resistant (on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being least resistant and 5 being most resistant): 2 (stain fairly easily but also wash out well)
Do they stretch out with wear? Yes, but they return to their shape after washing.
Are they stiff or soft out of the wash? Stiff-ish, but soften within one wear.
Do they dry quickly? Fairly, they do so overnight.
Are they thick or thin? Medium thickness. I wear them most in Winter.
# of wears, approx: Probably close to 100
Is there any fading? Not noticeably
Is there any pilling? Yes, between the thighs on the full seat suede
How well do they hide thigh cheese? Probably just fine
Any fit issues: These have always been really comfy to me, but they have stretched and sagged a bit over time.
1 pair Pro Rider Full Seats, white ribbed breeches, size 28R.
56% cotton, 38% polyester, 6% spandex
Measurements
waist: 15″
hips: 19″
rise: 7″ 1/2
inseam to bottom: 27″
Features
velcro bottoms
wide belt loops
single front zip pocket
front zip with double hook closure
Stain resistant (on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being least resistant and 5 being most resistant): 1. I wash them after every wear (do wash well)
Do they stretch out with wear? Yes, terribly.
Are they stiff or soft out of the wash? Fairly soft.
Do they dry quickly? Yes, overnight,
Are they thick or thin? Thinner side.
# of wears, approx: 5-10 tops (shows only)
Is there any fading? No
Is there any pilling? No
How well do they hide thigh cheese? I imagine just fine.
Any fit issues: These breeches fit on the large side of a 28. When I was about 15 lbs heavier they fit me perfectly as my show breeches, but definitely didn’t look good for a second ride. They wash very well with oxyclean and there is minimal boot staining. Always need a belt.
(Incidentally, these breeches are for sale for $25 shipped in case anybody wants them. They were a good and faithful pair of show breeches for hot California summers! Just too big now.)
One pair of Regatta Knee Patch breeches (size 28, pictured), in beige, one pair of Baker Soft Shell breeches (size 26), in steely gray, which are now sadly discontinued.
66% cotton, 26% nylon, 8% lycra
Measurements
waist: 14″ 3/4
hips: 16″ 1/2
rise: 7″
inseam to bottom: 27″
Features
sock bottom
front pockets
wide belt loops
Regatta breech features a blue and red belt loop at back, Baker breech features a Baker plaid waistband
Stain resistant (on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being least resistant and 5 being most resistant): 1, but wash really well.
Do they stretch out with wear? Not much.
Are they stiff or soft out of the wash? Fairly soft.
Do they dry quickly? Yes, very.
Are they thick or thin? Thin.
# of wears, approx: 20-25 (mostly shows, some schooling)
Is there any fading? No
Is there any pilling? No
How well do they hide thigh cheese? Probably not the greatest, quite thin.
Any fit issues: These are my favourite breeches, but I almost always wear the Regattas with a belt (the soft shells don’t need one becuase they’re so freaking tight they squeeze themselves onto me — that’s what I get for buying a size too small). However, if you don’t wear a belt with them (and sometimes even when you do), you will find that you need to pull them up a fair bit. My friends who have the white fullseat version of these are constantly pulling them up and annoyed about it, but I personally don’t find that to be a problem.
2 pairs Kerrits flow rise tights size small.
91% micropoly, 9% spandex
Measurements
waist: 13″
hips: stretchy
rise: 7″
inseam to bottom: 26″
Features
basically none — very basic
Stain resistant (on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being least resistant and 5 being most resistant): 4 — they’re black.
Do they stretch out with wear? Hardly.
Are they stiff or soft out of the wash? Soft.
Do they dry quickly? Yes, very.
Are they thick or thin? Thin.
# of wears, approx: 100+ each.
Is there any fading? No
Is there any pilling? Yes — mild pilling on thighs of both pairs.
How well do they hide thigh cheese? Guessing no.
Any fit issues: I included these schooling tights because they’re my bread and butter in the summer. I’ve worn each pair probably over a hundred times — 4 days/week riding in 2012, and 5 days/week riding in 2013-14 and they are seriously holding up. Literally the only downside is that I sometimes leave a sweaty ass print on my dressage saddle.
Zen and the Art of Baby Horse Management 