Hi: I’m a hunter/jumper rider and I am starting to notice some riders wearing brown field boots. Are they (brown tall boots) coming back into style? I live in Michigan.
I would LOVE to have a pair of brown tall boots. I have a thing for brown boots anyway, so this would be really nice to know!
I’ve noticed this in VA as well-- thinking it’s a yes! And I want some. And helmet and gloves.
Yes, but I don’t think they’ll ever have the same foothold as they did “back in the day,” and I don’t think they’re something everyone would want. If you like rust breeches, or are old-skool in some other way, you will probably like them and want them. I like (and have and wear) rust breeches.
When it came time this past summer to replace my schooling boots, I got a pair of brown field boots. I frequently get compliments on them. Another barnmate also has a pair (she actually had them before me). I currently live in NY and ride in NJ.
If you do get some, also get brown spur straps! (I have brown gloves, also, but my helmet is still black… just doesn’t make sense to buy a new helmet just because of the color at this point).
I think brown field boots are lovely. But, IMO, you should know the rules (that come from fox hunting) so that you know when to wear 'em.
There were rules for dress- and field boots, too, for fox hunting and for showing. Those have been lost. But I think the difference between black- and brown field boots would be a bigger leap. And, really, now that zippers are everywhere, the dress boot conventions could be reinstated by the purists.
ETA: I wonder how long it’s going to be before someone tells me that they can bloody well wear their brown field boots with their shadbelly in the Classic held on Saturday night or Sunday because they wanna.
[QUOTE=mvp;8940127]
I think brown field boots are lovely. But, IMO, you should know the rules (that come from fox hunting) so that you know when to wear 'em.
There were rules for dress- and field boots, too, for fox hunting and for showing. Those have been lost. But I think the difference between black- and brown field boots would be a bigger leap. And, really, now that zippers are everywhere, the dress boot conventions could be reinstated by the purists.
ETA: I wonder how long it’s going to be before someone tells me that they can bloody well wear their brown field boots with their shadbelly in the Classic held on Saturday night or Sunday because they wanna.[/QUOTE]
I have black (field) boots to wear showing… getting black dress boots is on the list. 
I am currently yearning for a pair of brown field boots for schooling, but now showing. Finding said pair has proven to be challenging given my budget.
I am planning to purchase a pair of brown field boots to show in next year. I will not use them for eq or classics but will use them for regular hunter divisions and pleasure. They look awesome on my chestnut. I can’t quite get on board with the rust breeches tho.
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;8940198]
I am currently yearning for a pair of brown field boots for schooling, but now showing. Finding said pair has proven to be challenging given my budget.[/QUOTE]
Do you not fit in Ariats? They have brown versions of both the Heritage Contour and Challenge Contour lines. The Heritage line is a darker brown.
http://www.ariat.com/HRTG_CONTOUR_W_FOO.html?dwvar_HRTG__CONTOUR__W__FOO_color=SIENNA
http://www.ariat.com/CHALLENGE_CONTOUR_W_FOO.html?dwvar_CHALLENGE__CONTOUR__W__FOO_color=COGNAC_CALF
I have the Challenges. I find with narrow feet/ankles they fit better than the Heritage line. 
They can’t be in style. I have some.
I have the Challenges. I find with narrow feet/ankles they fit better than the Heritage line.
This. I wear a 9 Slim, medium height and they fit my skinny ankle and big foot wonderfully. I only use mine for schooling but if I was a jumper I’d probably show in them some too. They broke in really easily and I can actually walk around in them :lol: I’ve had them for about 3 1/2 years now.
^ this correlates with my findings. I do NOT have narrow anything, and the Heritage line fits me LOL. I don’t have very wide feet, but do have long toes. The 11 fits well.
I recently bought a pair of brown boots - they are not field boots, but instead, they are similar to the old Newmarket boots that used to be in fashion. These boots are brown and have green canvas on the calf like Newmarket boots would have. The boots are called Serengetti…When I placed the order, I was told it would take a while since they were on back order. It took about a month but I love them. Very comfy and I get a lot of great comments about them.
I school in brown field boots and LOVE them. I have wanted brown boots for ages and finally bit the bullet in the spring. I love pairing them with a crisp white shirt and rust breeches :D. My trainer is a traditionalist though and said I can’t show in them, which I don’t mind. They still make my heart happy!
[QUOTE=mvp;8940127]
I think brown field boots are lovely. But, IMO, you should know the rules (that come from fox hunting) so that you know when to wear 'em.
There were rules for dress- and field boots, too, for fox hunting and for showing. Those have been lost. But I think the difference between black- and brown field boots would be a bigger leap. And, really, now that zippers are everywhere, the dress boot conventions could be reinstated by the purists.
ETA: I wonder how long it’s going to be before someone tells me that they can bloody well wear their brown field boots with their shadbelly in the Classic held on Saturday night or Sunday because they wanna.[/QUOTE]
The rules for dress for fox hunting are not lost.
For hunting, brown boots (and also field boots in general, whether black or brown) are only appropriate for cub hunting season, which is the more informal period of time at the start of hunting every year. During formal season, boots should be black and DRESS, not field.
And, while we’re at it, in hunting only the following people get to wear boots with different color tops:
- Masters of the hunt (sometimes only male masters at that, depending on the individual hunt) can wear black boots with brown tops
- Gentlemen with colors* can wear black boots with brown tops
- Professional hunt staff can wear black boots with brown tops
- Ladies with their colors can wear black boots with patent leather black tops
It’s never okay to wear boots with tops that are crocodile, blingy, or colors other than black or brown in the hunt field.
*Colors are similar to a varsity letter for athletes. They are awarded when a member has distinguished himself or herself in the field and shown dedication to the hunt and are the source material for all those fancy and blingy colored collars we are now seeing in hunter and jumper rings. Members with colors may wear them in the show ring and should dress formally when doing so. So, black coat, tan breeches, and BLACK boots.
Helmets in the hunt field are traditionally black during both parts of the season. That said, it is considered a mark of distinction if your old black velvet helmet has seen so many seasons as to have faded to brown with time. I have a theory–though nothing to back it–that this is where the new brown helmets are coming from with regard to inspiration.
I had brown field boots “the first time around” and would polish them with cordovan polish–made them yummy!
I also love rust breeches. I have a dark pair with white knee patches–also yummy!
I have dark brown yes, for schooling. I show in black. I like a real dark brown though, so it looks rich. I personally don’t like light browns for tack or boots.
[QUOTE=mvp;8940127]
ETA: I wonder how long it’s going to be before someone tells me that they can bloody well wear their brown field boots with their shadbelly in the Classic held on Saturday night or Sunday because they wanna.[/QUOTE]
One of Archie Cox’s ladies rode in a National derby at Hunter Creek a few years ago in brown boots – along with a brown helmet, brown gloves, and a BROWN SHAD! She looked SMASHING. The impression was helped, of course, by her beautiful horse and lovely riding. She told me on her way in that it was her first ever derby and she was gonna wear what she wanted. I very much admired that attitude!
Brown boots are definitely popular for schooling in my area (west coast), but other than that fab lady I haven’t seen them in the hunter ring. I probably wouldn’t show in a pair personally but I have no problem with those who choose to.
MVP- TOO funny! Of course, no one would wear a black shad with brown boots. Duh, they would wear a brown shad with those boots… No, did you think I was kidding? Did you think you would on a constant basis see riders with shads and 6" of shirt showing between breeches and vest points? No? Me either, and still… This fits into the “stranger things have happened” category.
Honestly, I love all the combinations of boots that you see now. Field, zip, black and brown, colored tops and tops of other leathers. Nope, not tradional. Still, pretty and expressive.
