For as much as a part of me would love to ditch the jacket completely, I doubt I ever will, because it does help by covering a multitude of “sins” so to speak.
And the older we get, the more of those we want to hide?
[QUOTE=Velvet;8793415]
Okay, here’s the thing I wonder. In dressage, many people are advocating for changes in show attire. They say we are athletes and should dress appropriately. I have to wonder about the definitions of appropriate based on other sports.
The leotards on female gymnasts that leave NOTHING (crotch-wise) to the imagination are supposedly appropriate for the sport. Why is it necessary to be cut that high?
Why do women beach volleyball players go almost naked? (It started to get attention for their sport, i just can’t fathom any reason a rule forcing them all to go so skimpy is necessary, but at least they are adults.)
So, what would be more appropriate for equestrian events that is different than what we now all wear in the ring?[/QUOTE]
I like what you posted about the women gymnasts. The men do their routines in shorts and long pants; why must the women literally go butt-naked?
(I always wonder the same thing watching figure skating in the winter Games.)
It’s to get people to watch, because the Olympics are athletics and TV knows that the only viewers who watch athletics are men. That doesn’t answer the question of why the female riders don’t show in typical dressage-schooling attire of sports bras and schooling tights, though. 
[QUOTE=J-Lu;8793428]
Seriously, Velvet?
I bet you have never tumbled or did gymnastics, and therefore have no idea how the cut of the uniform is useful to the performance. Try talking to a gymnast. Should athletes dress for the camera rather than for their sport? Should male swimmers not wear speedo-type or other tight suits to make you feel comfortable looking at “their package” even though these suits help them win?
It’s pretty clear why dressage riders wear what they wear. Just like people who fence, do wrestling, do basketball. There is history and functionality. Who is “we”;are you riding at the Olympic level? These riders are riding in wonderfully technical garb these days. If only I could afford their wardrobe or their carefully-fitted and beautiful tack.[/QUOTE]
The females DO dress for the camera. And haven’t you noticed that the male gymnasts and volleyballers wear more clothes than the female ones? Are you saying the women couldn’t perform as well as the men if they dressed as appropriately as the men do?
Because of course female TV viewers couldn’t care less about seeing the male bodies, we just want to see their moves. lol
If it’s to get viewers I think the archers should wear loincloths for the men and loincloths with metallic breastplates for the women. Comic-book chic.
[QUOTE=Albion;8793519]
Beyond issues of performance, there’s a practical scoring reason for the high cut legs: it helps emphasize the length of line and/or provide an optical illusion that makes gymnasts’ legs look longer than they actually are. [/QUOTE]
Where did you get that info? Because if that were the case, the men would be performing in something like Speedos. Or don’t the judges care how long their legs are?
This thread brings up another thought: equestrian is one of the sports where the men and women dress more or less alike. The women’s clothes are just as concealing as the men’s (and the women’s ties don’t come loose and fly around).
If the women swimmers can perform efficiently in their long-legged suits, and be streamlined, the women gymnasts and volleyballers should be able to do the same. The skimpy leotards have nothing to do with performance. Ever get a wedgie in the middle of your balance-bar routine?
I do love those brass buttons and scarlet collars on the British dressage coats!
[QUOTE=Rackonteur;8794713]
Where did you get that info? Because if that were the case, the men would be performing in something like Speedos. Or don’t the judges care how long their legs are? [/QUOTE]
This is a pretty well-documented phenomenon, whether you’d like to believe me or not. No, actually, judges wouldn’t care so much about what a male gymnasts line looks like. Like I said earlier, ‘artistry’ and ‘grace’ is MUCH more emphasized in women’s gymnastics (look no further than the differences in the floor routines if you don’t believe me). What kind of prancey-dancey moves do male gymnasts have to do in their events? Male gymnastics tend to be much more ‘power’ based (note: I am not saying women gymnasts are not incredible, powerful athletes), so no, WHAT kind of aesthetic your legs are creating is not as important as what they are DOING. The men are not doing penchées or switch leaps on a balance beam, among other things that really emphasize what your body looks like in motion and how long the line is, or how long you can trick people into thinking your line is. The women are - among other things (and there frankly seems to be much more body type variation among the women gymnasts - some are relatively “tall” - for a gymnast - and “long,” while others are shorter and more compact). An arabesque penchée, for instance, is going to look better and more dramatic on a woman with longer proportions. MANY of the movements women gymnasts do in various events emphasize the line.
You’re welcome to not believe me, but compare photographs of gymnasts in leotards that are straight across or very slightly curved & tell me their legs look as long in motion. They don’t. I have been watching Balanchine “leotard” ballets for many years at this point & most of those are costumed in older style leotards, c. 1950s or 1960s, and YES the women would look like they have longer legs if they had higher cut leotards - no matter how tall they are. And in many ballet companies, the women are way, WAY taller (by about a foot) than gymnasts are.
So put the gymnasts in tutus.
[QUOTE=Rackonteur;8795384]
So put the gymnasts in tutus.[/QUOTE]
I’m not sure what this is supposed to mean, since I referenced Balanchine’s leotard ballets. Where the women are in leotards (“practice clothes” - as are the men), not tutus.
Don’t take the jacket off me. I am big breasted and the jacket helps with me not being self conscious. This means non horsey men would not be watching the horse.
I don’t want my sex selling!
[QUOTE=SuzieQNutter;8795395]
I am big breasted and the jacket helps with me not being self conscious. This mean non horsey men would not be watching the horse.
I don’t want my sex selling![/QUOTE]
I am big breasted and I look like shit in tailored suit jackets and/or shadbellies, no matter how well tailored. A polo shirt or technical top doesn’t emphasize my breasts & is not ‘selling my sex.’
If you are that self-conscious not wearing wool, purchase a better sports bra.
I can wear 3 sports bras. Hold my hands over them and press to my chest as hard as I can. If I jump the whole lot goes up and down.
I don’t know what a Shadbelly is. I don’t wear tailored suit jackets. I just have a jacket that I picked up from the Salvos for $20.00. It hides everything from the shirt having a stain on it. The tie being too long, etc, etc, etc.
I just googled shadbelly. I guess I just have a normal hacking jacket.
[QUOTE=SuzieQNutter;8795400]
I can wear 3 sports bras. Hold my hands over them and press to my chest as hard as I can. If I jump the whole lot goes up and down.
I don’t know what a Shadbelly is. I don’t wear tailored suit jackets. I just have a jacket that I picked up from the Salvos for $20.00. It hides everything from the shirt having a stain on it. The tie being too long, etc, etc, etc.[/QUOTE]
The discussion is about formal dressage wear at an international level, i.e., shadbelly. I wear a 32/34 G or H in US/Euro sizes, which is not insignificant - I can’t purchase bras at normal stores. If the ‘whole lot goes up and down,’ you don’t have a well fitting sports bra. Sorry.
The idea that something other than a jacket = “selling [one’s] sex” appalls me. My bustline is LESS emphasized in a well-fitting polo shirt or similar kind of shirt than in a well-tailored jacket, since I am a classic hourglass. If I just wore a jacket fitted to my bust, I would look like I was wearing a potato sack.
If you take the jackets away from the Olympic then they will disappear at the lower levels as well.
I am happy for you to send me any bra. I will try it, but experience. I am over 40 years old tells me that I have tried everything and that is what happens to me.
[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8794688]
If it’s to get viewers I think the archers should wear loincloths for the men and loincloths with metallic breastplates for the women. Comic-book chic.[/QUOTE]
metallic breastplates would interfere with the draw of the string. The legend of the Amazons cutting off their breast had a practical side. You have not lived until you have string slapped your breast. Finding a breast friendly chest guard is challenging in this spot where, at least in my club, young women are the new force.
I would not want to see a lot of our local shooters in loincloths. Heck, for me a burqua might be wise
Actually, the topic covers more than dressage attire. If also covers other equestrian events, but started from a slightly more familiar (to me) view–which is dressage. The jumpers have less structured jackets, but still might benefit from a change in rules about attire. And eventers fit our discussion!
For jumping, I feel they for sure should do without jackets. For dressage, I would like to do away with the top hat. Perhaps a sports shirt and a vest might be compromise for that portion.
What’s wrong with these strong, incredibly fit women wearing minimal clothing? Within restrictions, they choose their clothing. Some beach volleyball players choose long pants, the U.S. team chooses bikini bottoms. Maybe it’s helpful to their activity, maybe it just makes them feel awesome. So what?
I certainly doubt it hinders their play as someone up thread insinuated. (I’m pretty sure I’ve seen nearly everyone adjust their clothing throughout the Games.)
Suzie, there are many many posts on here to help you. You can find a single bra to control the girls. I know it’s frustrating when you’ve tried so many and none have worked, but if you want to find one that works, you can. Panache (my preferred for all day wear, but not straight jacket secure) and Enell are where I would start. Title Nine has been recommended here multiple time, but they don’t carry my size.
