? about Breech fit...

[galloping-gourmet]

Do any of you have the Piper Breeches by Smart Pak. If so, what do you think of them, how they fit, wear, etc.

I am curvy, and not so sure about the euro seat style, does it 'make my butt look big"?? Certainly don’t need any help there…

Thanks in advance…

[GotSpots]

Might do a search - there was a pretty long thread about them when they were on SmartPak’s super sale.
Based solely on my own experience with them, I think they are not made for folks with curves, but may fit boyish figures fairly decently. I tried on two pairs, in my usual size and one bigger, and they gapped enormously at the waist but were oh-my-goodness-why-did-I-ever-eat-that-cupcake-tight at the hips and quads. The stretchy fabric at the leg openings was great, and I thought the overall styling and trim was lovely, but they were Not Going to Fit Ever and promptly went back. In contrast, I’ve had much better luck with Ariat breeches, as well as the Harry Hall Excels (which I am very sadly not able to find any more).

[EventingJ]

I love the pipers. I tend to carry my extra fluff in my belly and have muscular legs. I do wear a belt with them, but find them comfortable and flattering. Comparatively, I find ariats to squeeze my middle and create a dreaded muffin top, but then be loose in the hip/theigh. My pikeurs are a bit looser in the theigh area as well. The dover sport riding breech fits OK for me, but the waist is very high. The pipers sit at my waist.

[Action42]

I’m just now sending back the two pairs I bought. They’re the “right” size, and even though my old breeches in this same size are too big, the Pipers are waaaaaay too tight.

I’ve asked to be sent 2 pairs in TWO sizes up to see if I can make them work because they’re so pretty but man was that a hit to the ego!

[jen-s]

[QUOTE=Action42;7576897]
I’m just now sending back the two pairs I bought. They’re the “right” size, and even though my old breeches in this same size are too big, the Pipers are waaaaaay too tight.

I’ve asked to be sent 2 pairs in TWO sizes up to see if I can make them work because they’re so pretty but man was that a hit to the ego![/QUOTE]

Have you already boxed them up? If not, can I come try them for giggles?

[galloping-gourmet]

Interesting, as some said they ran large and get 1 size smaller than normal?

I guess with free shipping each way, it’s worth a try…

[equiniphile]

I’m 5’9" and 130#. I ordered a size down, 26L, and am very happy with the fit. I have a more boyish figure, however.

[pheasantknoll]

I have the pipers. I bought the wine and loved them so much I bought the blue and wheat. I am curvy with sprinter thighs and they fit well. I did go down a size as some reported on smartpak’s site.

[FlightCheck]

Tried them on at Rolex. Although the salesgirl was enthusiastic in her praise, I am too old for breeches that did not cover “where the good Lord split ya” .

[SolarFlare]

I’ve got them too. I also saw reviews saying go a size down, then other people saying they fit true to size. I called SmartPak and asked the rep, and she suggested I order my regular size. I’m 5’9" and 140lbs and I wear a 30L in pretty much everything. I bought the 30L and they’re just right. I would not have wanted to go down a size, although I probably could, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable. I do need to wear a belt as I get a bit of gapping at the waist, but I have this problem with almost every breech out there. I am not very straight, but also not very curvy - I guess slightly curvy.

I didn’t have any problem with the rise on the long sizing - I have a really long waist and trust me, I can’t wear low-rise breeches without exposing myself to the world. The long size sits just under my navel.

I don’t think the euro seat draws too much attention to the behind, although there are also coloured details and stitching on the butt so you may find it too busy. However, I do get compliments on them when I wear them, so I figure they must look ok. I have the merlot and the grey, and I just picked up the blue at Rolex and really like them too.

[DarkJewelDesigns]

I’m tall and very curvy - wear medium in tops and 34L in breeches - and I LOVE them. I ordered my normal 34 (sadly they don’t have long in 34, that may have changed the fit) in the knee patch and they fit very nicely. As some reviews suggested, they were a bit tight through the leg at first, but I did what the reviews recommended and wore them around for a few minutes and they stretched enough to be comfy. I can wear them for hours and I love them.

Now, my only caveats about them are that they take some finagling to get into the right place on me. And once there, I have to belt them snugly - they like to try to ride down. I found that a 1.5" or 2" wide belt is needed otherwise the waistband in the back can fold down over the belt.

But they are comfy (I’ve worn them all day for riding, bathing, braiding, etc), hold up well and are cute and I’ve gotten many compliments on them (so they must not draw too much attention to the backside!). I have the navy, charcoal and olive in kneepatch and am counting pennies to get the rest of the colors

[hequestrian]

I am 5’4 and relatively shapely with a larger behind and a smaller waist.
Personally I would pass. I purchased a pair when they were on sale - maybe $60 and even at that price point wasn’t happy with the quality or fit. Until I got in the saddle it was fine and then they were gappy. Additionally before I even rode in them stitching started unraveling at my knee. I had to ride in them as they were the only pants I had and that’s when I noticed the for issue as well as the fact that the pants got some fabric pilling.

That said I think part of my issue was size. I normally wear a 28. These were also a 28 but I feel like a 26 might have resolved some of the for problems. I wasn’t willing to try it though and passed on the pants.
I wrote a review of these on my blog not too long ago.

Luckily with free shipping and return shipping you can always send them back if they don’t work

[islgrl]

I tried on a pair at Equine Affaire and loved them. So I ordered a pair (they were out of stock on the regular length at EA) They didn’t fit at all like the pair I tried on at EA. They were really tight in the thigh and about two sizes too big around my waist. I don’t think anyone would consider me curvy, and I wouldn’t say my thighs are extra big. I was REALLY sad, they are so pretty…

[KarenC]

Curvy girl here. Here was my experience. I am bootylicious but I have a small waist and a flat belly (thank god, that compensates a bit for the thunder thighs). My normal breech size is a 28, tried them in a 28, they were big in the waist - but ALL breeches are big in the waist. I expected that, and I normally get every single thing I wear on my lower body tailored because of it. However, the crotch was…weird. Like, really long. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I really wanted to like them, love all the colors and the design and LOVE LOVE the elastic section on the calf (I have large calves)…but the fit was just too weird. Had something been too tight/too loose I would have tried another size, but the fit was just OFF for me.

[galloping-gourmet]

Thanks everyone - I guess the only way to know is to try them, and with free shipping both ways, I ordered 2 pair of Pipers and 1 of Equine Couture. I don’t ‘show’ so want a good economical breech. Usually ride in Tuff Riders, but wanted a change, so I’ll let you know.

[onewandering]

Good breeches… with mods

[QUOTE=galloping-gourmet;7576631]
Do any of you have the Piper Breeches by Smart Pak. If so, what do you think of them, how they fit, wear, etc.

I am curvy, and not so sure about the euro seat style, does it 'make my butt look big"?? Certainly don’t need any help there…

Thanks in advance…[/QUOTE]

I have two pairs of SmartPak’s Piper breeches (full seats), and I like them for schooling. Always get compliments.

I’m 5’5" and curvy, in that I have hips/thighs but I also have a waist. FWIW, I think the Euroseat looks great. The Piper fit is good although I have to wear a belt to prevent a rear gap from exposing anything… And my mom modified all of the Pipers for the horse girls at the barn because the inside clasp pinched your belly. She took a small square of quilted fabric and sewed it over the inside metal bits.

I bought my Pipers last summer, and they’ve held up well. If they don’t get too disgusting I wear them a couple of times until they’re officially “dirty” and then I launder them in the washing machine, inside out, with cold/cool water and let them line dry. The fabric is starting to pill slightly, but not enough for them to look shabby. I bought them with SmartPak’s calendar coupon, so I consider it money well spent, overall.