Aprons, scarves, and gloves...

[butlerfamilyzoo]

Driving aprons. Can they be worn under a short jacket for women, or should they always be tied over the jacket? I’ve seen some show pics of them worn both ways, with over the jacket what i see the most, but i’ve tried on my show outfit with my apron and i swear it makes me look so short and dumpy because the darn apron is practically to my boobs… <----very short waist… It makes me look much better and more polished to have the jacket over the top of the apron, i just dont know if that would be considered appropriate. I havent found any rules about HOW to wear the apron, only that it’s required…

I know most women wear scarves. Well i got a solid navy one to match my outfit and it kinda looks dumb with the total picture (since i’m wearing my navy helmet, not a fancy hat). Would it be better to ditch it, or stick with it? It looks better tied more like a stock tie, and maybe it looks so weird to me because it’s navy and i’m used to a white stock tie for ridden dressage… But i’m not in love with it.

I ordered a pair of brown driving gloves, but they are a bit lighter than i was hoping they would be. Should i try to darken them to match my reins better, or is this just not an issue that anyone would concern themselves with? :lol: I told my husband it’s an excuse to buy myself some new reins instead… I was then given this look… :rolleyes: He’ll be so happy when this show is over…

Thanks in advance!

[Drive_NJ]

http://www.texeresilk.com/cms-kelly_wrap.html

this is a pretty good descriptive site for different ways to tie scarves
You might find a way you like better???

Gloves do not have to be an exact match to reins
The most important thing is that they are comfortable for YOU and let you drive the same as always - dont want something new to mess up your style AT the show.

Best of luck

[MunchingonHay]

wear your apron over your jacket. The apron’s job is to protect your clothing from mud and dirt, and it should sit a little high. (under your boobs).

I think a scarf tied like a stock, or loose ascot it pretty. Then you can wear a light think tank top/cami under your jacket, have the scarf covering your skin and that would look flattering. what color is your apron and jacket? we know the hat and scarf is navy.

I will let other talk about the gloves, I think they will be OK.

Remember, have FUN !!

[MunchingonHay]

there are some NICE knots on that site…I bookmarked it ! thanks NJ!

[JoanR]

The driving apron needs to go over your jacket, no matter how stupid it looks. personally, I despise the aprons, but you need to wear it. I never wear a scarf, but I know a lot of women wear them. The important thing is to look “put together” and NOT show any skin! Lines and gloves should both be brown but do not have to be the same shade.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

Jacket right now is a pistachio green color with a very tiny navy pattern on it that you really cant see except close up, apron is navy trimmed in the same green. However, the jacket is a little tight and i’m not sure i’m sticking with it. The last thing i want to be is uncomfortable.

I have a brown velvet jacket that fits super, but if i go with it, i’ve got to come up with a helmet cover because a navy helmet with brown jacket just might be retarded… I could steal my husband’s helmet, but it’s black with gray, which probably isnt any better than the navy… I was thinking i could sew a cover like the lady that makes the hat covers and put a nice trim on it to hide the helmet altogether, as much as a helmet can be hid anyway… If i did that i would cover it with brown or tan and make a tan apron. Actually i remember seeing a gorgeous very subtle tan/brown/baby blue plaid suiting fabric that might make a really pretty apron, trimmed with brown and piped with blue… Use the same fabric for a scarf…

Or i might just have to go shopping again and buy a completely different jacket or blouse, and maybe two because stupid me didnt think about this being a two day show and with my luck it will be 90 some degrees, and one outfit may just not survive, or i’ll clear the arena on day two…

Pony is a bay roan and can pull off just about any color, cart is black. Trying to steer clear of funeral attire and think brighter spring colors without sticking out in a bad way. Which the brown would be a bit dull, that’s a rather hot jacket too, but then again it could be 60 and windy next weekend and i could be happier i took it.

Maybe i’ll have to bring 4 or 5 outfits and decide the morning of… lol Whatever i go with, the apron is going to make me look terrible over the jacket, so maybe i should be focusing on the perfect apron, not the perfect top… The navy apron trimmed with the green looks really sharp, just not on me… lol Oh to have that long torso and willowy figure…

Or maybe it will be raining that weekend and it’s all a moot point and will be hidden in rain gear…

I’ll play with some of the scarf tying options, great website.

My gloves are actually a little big, but i dont have time to send them back or re-order now. I’m going to flip them inside out and see if i can resew the thumb a little shorter and trim off the extra, i think the rest of them will fit ok. I’ll drive with them from here on up to the show and hope they dont interfere. Maybe i’ll get them wet and sit them in the sun, see if they’ll shrink up just a tad, that might darken them some too for that matter. They just look more like a bright brown compared to a mostly navy outfit and reins that are more of a havana. (brown bio) I know they’ll look even lighter out in the sunlight.

Trust me, i’ll have fun! Well, as much fun as one can have when they have to take a 2yr old son (aka, loves dirt, eats bugs, and runs off any chance given with any stranger that will take him) to a horse show… But we’re taking the camper and staying there for the weekend, so my husband can run him off to watch cartoons if need be, course then that leaves me on my own. Hopefully the kid will behave so hubby can take lots of photos. I’ve got the pony working 6-7 miles a day with arena work and the 5 mile loop out in the woods with some little hills. So he’s getting quite buff and hopefully wont get too tired and poop out on me by day 2.

Just because it’s too cute not to share. Here is my pony before our drive today, getting some love from his little passenger…
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150165034107659&set=a.477728817658.256800.593242658&type=1

[gothedistance]

Now if you want to look a bit more chic, don’t use the apron. Use a lap robe. More appropriate (historically) for a woman anyway. It tucks in just at the bend of the hips, and no higher. I do think those boob-high tie-on aprons look <ahem> “dumpy” on a lot of people. The lap robe? Never. Also, it stays in the carriage when you get out, so that your outfit fully makes you look oh-so city-chic, and not looking like you’re heading somewhere in your cart to go butcher a side of beef.

(Sorry. Just my observations on the matter. :lol:)

Yes, do go buy a bunch of outfits and have fun trying them out. Whatever makes you both look good and feel good in the carriage, translates to making your driving look more relaxed and flowing. If you’re happy with how you look and feel, your face will show it. And that makes it all worthwhile.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

The rules say an apron or knee rug… While i think a lap robe would be perhaps prettier, i’m not sure if that’s considered the same as a knee rug? (I took that to mean an apron that comes to just below the knee) The ADS rule book doesnt specify anything about aprons except you need one or a knee rug…

I did find in the british driving society rule book that summer weight aprons should fit just below the waist, while winter weight aprons should fit above the waist for more warmth… Maybe here in the US we just got the wrong idea and stayed with the winter look year round??

I’m not sure what i’ll do with it yet, but i have a feeling if i wore the jacket OVER the apron, i wouldnt get docked brownie points for it since there is no rule as to how to actually wear the thing.

[goodhors]

Sorry, I would not pull my apron up that high. And as stated, I see nothing wrong with having a LADIES jacket over the apron top. Men, just doesn’t work to have jacket over apron in most cases. Their jackets are too long.

A rug is just that, a covering not attached to you. Same kind of cover as GTD’s lap robe, laid over your lap, tucked in the sides. This is why ADS says apron OR rug, both traditionally correct in a vehicle.

I don’t want to wear clothing that makes me look dumpy or frumpy at any time. Does nothing for your confidence in the ring.

Not sure if you collect the Driving Calendar’s from Mischka Press, but they are great as a reference tool for turnout. I save mine from year to year, they ALWAYS will show the vehicle I am looking for and how to look nice driving it. Mr. Mischka refuses to print a picture where something is wrong in horse or driver, anyone looks less than perfect. They need to look like they are BOTH having fun. Having the calendar on hand will allow you to check details because most photos are quite large and show details well. You may see hitches that will not ever be in your local shows or were only out one time.

The website will show this years Calendar, might be a reference point for you to compare to. Styles change too, so what used to be common in clothing, skirt lengths, pants, may not be what is seen now. Drivers of antiques, Pleasure shows, picnic drives, do not dress like CDE folks to compete. Lengths of aprons have changed a lot since we started, gotten very long, sometimes unsafe. Coaching lap robes, aprons, are not what you see on single horse turnouts.

Here is the Mischka site, wait for the lovely photos to load up. Check what is shown and make your choice in attire, fit, for your show.

http://www.mischka.com/shop/product.php?productid=16879&cat=248&page=&featured=Y

I love seeing the new calendar each year. Always fun to see folks you know be Mr or Ms. April.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

The calendar pictures are gorgeous!

The more i think about it, the more i think i’m sticking with an apron and it’s going under a short jacket. If i get called out for it, oh well, at least i’ll feel prettier and not frumpy.

I like the idea of a rug, BUT, my cart rides really rough, and having been out on the dressage field that this show is being held, it’s not the smoothest of surfaces… I would hate for it to get jarred and start falling out of place and have to try to fix it during a class. I didnt think about that until i looked at the calendar pics of a lap rug on a man and it was slipping out of place. At least with the apron it will stay put and i wont have to worry about it. I’ll match the apron to whatever pants/dress i use, so it wont be so obvious its a big ugly apron anyway. With the navy outfit i’ve got now, put together, the apron looks like a nice dress, i did make it a little long, but not so long to trip me up.

I’ll have to go shopping today and see what i find in the way of not so tight jackets… I didnt think the one i bought would be so bad when i tried it on in the store, but i didnt sit with it on… That made some difference. Live and learn!

[gothedistance]

I like the idea of a rug, BUT, my cart rides really rough, and having been out on the dressage field that this show is being held, it’s not the smoothest of surfaces… I would hate for it to get jarred and start falling out of place and have to try to fix it during a class.
Ah, yes. I would have to agree with you then. Nothing worse than being bumped around and having your lap robe (knee robe) slide down around your ankles! Oh, my! :lol::lol:

(Sorry. That is just such a funny mental picture.:lol:)

I think that an apron that mimics a nice dress is perfect. Definitely under the jacket, too. And no slippee-slidee out of place worries, either.

[Drive_NJ]

Agree on the slipping rug/lap robe which is why so many do aprons instead.

Make sure all the blouses and jackets are tried out driving so you can see what happens when you move about as you need to. Take pictures of each if you can. Make sure nothing slips, slides, or requires tugging. You want to put on your clothes and then forget about them.

Pictures will show you front and back when you are not posing for a mirror. They show you if something bunches or rides up or stands out too much.

Successful competitors have a confident, pleasant smile and look like they and the pony are enjoying themselves. Tense drivers tend to forget to breath which goes right down the lines to the horse. If you feel yourself tensing up - for instance when you are in the carriage and need your husband to get something for you right when the little one decides he’s had enough and plunks himself down in the dirt in the ingate. Pick a little song to sing a verse of - you have to breath to sing. Also make friends with your neighbors so you can ask them for help in a pinch.

[MunchingonHay]

[QUOTE=goodhors;5557024]
Sorry, I would not pull my apron up that high. And as stated, I see nothing wrong with having a LADIES jacket over the apron top. .[/QUOTE]

Tom Ryder is rolling over in his grave.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

I struck out shopping today, tried on so many jackets, suits, blouses it wasnt funny, hit the mall, Ross, Burlington, and Catos. TONS of cute outfits out with Eater weekend looming. But nothing that fit right while sitting and moving. Fell in love with a suit set at Dillards for $250… I had to try it on just to see… No way in heck am i spending that much for an outfit i will most likely never wear again. Especially since i’ve been dieting and working out and losing weight.

So my handy brown jacket is going to save the day i think, i know it will move with me, it’s survived many dog shows running around the ring, it’s even been dressed up with white for a winter dressage show. I picked up a nice matching brown and cream plaid for an apron and a cream fabric for a dress, would rather have pants i think, but i couldnt find any cream ones that fit me correctly and nothing in brown that didnt clash with my chocolate jacket, sewing pants is a bit hard for me to get right.

Picked up some tan felt to attempt to make a helmet cover that will hopefully look hat like and some cute brown/cream feathers and brown ribbon for a hat band… However, i dont have much faith in it working how i hope it will, my helmet is a Charles Owen, but is not very low profile, so i have a feeling it’s going to look really big and stupid. Not sure what i’ll do about that yet. I know i can order a Charles Owen in brown if i can find one in stock, it’s a special order color, but CHA CHING, not to mention expedited shipping to get here by next Friday with this weekend being a holiday. Dont know that i would ever wear it again either.

[nuts4cowboybutts]

What materials can be used for the apron/lap robe?
In this part of the country, the temperatures are already near 100 degrees and it is only Spring.

Are there modifications for extremely hot weather or do the whips have to endure the heat under those aprons?

[butlerfamilyzoo]

An apron can be made out of any fabric, but i would say for a better drape, i would use a suit fabric (which typically will have some amount of wool in it) but can be very thin, you do not have to line it with anything. You could use cotton, which would breath better, but i would probably use two layers so it would hang a little nicer, which is probably going to make it just as hot as a suiting fabric.

I believe aprons are mandatory under any weather conditions, but i did read somewhere that they may wave jackets, though i will say, even if they did, i bet most would still wear them unless they’ve got some nice airy blouses to wear instead.

I hear you on the heat, i dont think i would ever put myself or my horses through a summer show in GA. It’s just not worth it to be so miserable.

[Drive_NJ]

IF you end up with the brown/cream look, be sure to add a pop of color somewhere on your upper half. Flower in buttonhole, scarf around neck, large, but not gaudy pin. Something to draw some attention in a positive manner. At this point I wouldn’t stress too much on the helmet. If it’s basic black and isn’t too bug like it should be fine. It’s worth exploring later, but don’t cause yourself stress over something you don’t have to this close to the show. If working on the hat with a possible no go is fun for you, then go for it. If your helmet is black velvet it goes with anything.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

That’s the problem Drive NJ, i have a navy helmet, navy with solid brown jacket… eh… My husband’s helmet fits me, but it is black with gray vents… double eh… My schooling helmet is a hunter green tipperary which i call my Fly’s Eye… triple eh…

I did stop back at burlington coat factory this morning on the way to the barn, knowing they had a lot of hats. I did find a really cute cream hat that i could add a few small feathers to as it’s plain as is. It was only $10, so i bought it as a back up if i cant figure out anything. I hate to not wear a helmet, i really do, but as a last resort, i might.

I was thinking about adding a little bit of light pink, as the brown/cream plaid for the apron looks like it has a thread of pink through it, and i will use a broach or a flower, that’s a good idea.

[MunchingonHay]

navy, black, grey, and I think even brown are all neutral colors.

[pegasusmom]

@butlerfamilyzoo;5559989

hats.
I was thinking about adding a little bit of light pink, as the brown/cream plaid for the apron looks like it has a thread of pink through it, and i will use a broach or a flower, that’s a good idea.

Once you get everything together have someone take a photo of you from a distance, or put everything on a hanger and stand 15 or 20 feet back from it - it will give you an idea of what the judge will see. I have found this useful in deciding what works and what doesn’t.