Brands of breeches & questions

[FLeventer]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
They fit. They must be flattering. I’m 5’11 with a short torso and very long legs. Many breeches that are “low rise” come up to my belly button. So fit, is very important so I don’t have a 8" crotch or waistband to my breasts. I ride in Tailored Sportsman or Equine Couture breeches for events and daily wear. I also have Tuff Riders for everyday rides but not for showing.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
The fit, price, and/or different styles fitting very different. Also how the materials holdup.

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
The price, also the longs are never long enough.

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
I love the velcro. I hate the sock bottoms. I usually cut them off.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide. Though I have some narrow ones.

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Price, material, and colors. I love colors.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
I pay attention, but I would not pay much more for breeches made in USA or canada.

[gbrownnn]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
Wide wasteland, comfort, being able to move

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
Velcro bottoms

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
Nothing, but get the trophy hunters with the wide waste and

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
Stretchy - Velcro causes uncomfort and bulk under your boots

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Color

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
I only ride in mainly pikeurs and le fash. I have trophy hunters. I don’t care where their made. I will say spending $310 on le fash is worth it because they are made better and have better quality then pikeur. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself. I am sponsored by lefash, and their products are awesome.

[PNWjumper]

1. What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite? TS Trophy Hunters are the most comfortable and flattering on me. Most other brands have a rise that’s somewhere between too high and way too high. I do also love my Animos, which are the most comfortable by far. Slightly less flattering than the TS, but the only breeches I reach for when I need to wear whites.

2. What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general? The high quality breeches are too expensive. At least companies like Animo add a lot of little extras to the breeches to make them seem worth the money. But TS and Ariat are harder to justify as they seem like less of a “splurge” and more of a general necessity.

3. What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any? Price. Not worth the money, especially in light of the fact that they wear out faster than many other brands. $179 for a pair of schooling breeches? No thank you. I now own many cheaper brands of schooling breeches, and I like the Equine Couture breeches just as much - slightly lower rise and same quality (or maybe even slightly higher quality) than the TS, and I would rate them higher if I wasn’t in between the 28 and 30s size-wise (so I either have to buy a hair too big or a hair too small).

4. Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy? I don’t care either way. Though I have a pair of Tuffrider winter breeches where the stretchy sock bottom seam hits me at the top of my calf. I would prefer Velcro on that one pair of breeches, though generally I like the sock bottoms quite a bit.

5. Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one? Definitely wide.

6. If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches? Quality (and by that I mostly mean the fabric used) and attractive colors.

7. When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China? I don’t particularly care where they’re made.

[MIKES_MCS]

I am trying to compile a list of all the different brands of breeches that are popular in the hunter and jumper rings. So far I have the following:

Animo
Ariat
Custom Riding Apparel
Equine Couture
FITS
Grand Prix
Pessoa
Pikeur
Tailored Sportsman

If I am missing anything, please respond with what I am missing.
ADDING: HORZE BRAND Grand Prix Breeches

I also have a few questions:

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
Quality workmanship, quality fabric… Proper fit … ( AT the waist not 10 inches below it) comfort and durability also machine washable Customn Riding Apparel is the Favorite.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
The trend towards extreme Low rise… it is very messy to see riders having their shirts billowing out from beneath thier Shads with a huge gap between points and belt.

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
the trend towards fashion vs function

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
which ever fits and doesn’t bunch up

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
wide

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
durability

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
Yes, Custom Riding Apparel Breeches are made in USA and last forever they are the best quality and a very reputable company . for very little more then the Price of a pair of TS you can have breeches made YOU WAY

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
Fit. And stain release fabric. I love, love, love my Treadstep Symphony breeches. Most flattering breeches I have ever owned and don’t seem to have a problem with the waist to thigh ratio like other brands.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
Price/durability for the $

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
Don’t fit me well and $$

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
Either. Once breeches/socks/boots are on I couldn’t care less.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide, because I hate thin belts.

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Price for schooling breeches, color for show breeches (love light tan and mushroom/grey, can’t stand the brownish tan because it makes me look ill)

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
I prefer items not made in sweatshops, so I tend to stay away from China/SE Asia manufactured products anyway. Maybe $5-$10 extra, but the price of breeches is already overinflated given what goes into them.

[poltroon]

Interesting to see that the complaint is so uniformly price.

I am curious as to why breeches are so much more expensive than ordinary pants. This is especially noticeable, by the way, when you are buying breeches/pants for a child.

I would be surprised if many breeches are produced in China. There are other countries that are bigger for textile/garment production.

This was a pretty cool series, by the way, about how a T-shirt is made, and what high-tech items they actually are: http://apps.npr.org/tshirt/

[Denzel]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
Fit. How they feel and look. Second is the availability of fun colours that aren’t gaudy.
What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
Price. Definitely price.
What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
Price. I am lucky that I can fit into children’s size Trophy Hunters, but even then, $169 for a pair of schooling breeches?? If they were even $100 I would have more fun colours.
Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
Doesn’t really make a difference. However, the stretchy bottoms that are on the Baker breeches is AWFUL. Way too thick and tight and not stretchy. The bottoms of the FITS is way better.
Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide. Fits belts better and doesn’t quite have the muffin top effect the thin waistbands do.
If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Price and if they come in fun colours.
When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
Don’t really notice where they are made, but in general, the ones made in China get ruled out because the fabric just feels cheap and weak and generally the fit is pretty crappy.

[snaffle635]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?

Fit and material. Thick enough to smooth out lumps and bumps, but thin enough not to be constricting or too hot in the summer. I like the TS Professional material.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?

Too expensive!

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?

Too expensive, especially the Professionals.

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?

Velcro

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?

Wide

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?

Material. Not too thin, not too thick. Just enough stretch, but not too much.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?

Honestly, I do really like that TS’s are made in the USA. Getting tired of everything being made in China. But if the breeches were awesome, I would buy some made in China.

[ybiaw]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
Fit, comfort

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
Too expensive!

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
TOO EXPENSIVE!!!

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
No preference.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide. It is more flattering.

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Cost.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
No.

[skipollo]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite? Comfort. They can be the most “in” expensive brand in the world, but if they aren’t comfortable to ride in I don’t want them.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general? I wish everything came in a low rise, mid rise, high rise option instead of just one.

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any? I’ve never owned TS breeches. They’re out of my budget.

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy? Well I have some of each, and I don’t mind either but I prefer the stretchy bottom ones.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one? Yes! Thin ones are unflattering.

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches? Color. If they fit/are flattering on me, they have to be a nice color as well.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China? No. I don’t know or care where my breeches are made.

I like Tuffrider breeches, and the Dover brand Rider Sport is okay. My absolute favorite is the new Piper line from SmartPak–I just wish they had more colors!! The full seat Pipers are fantastic.

[adcurtiss]

I would add ROMFH and Tredstep to that list!

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
They fit me very well, look nice, and they feel great.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
They’re really expensive and sometimes are too thin.

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
None. Mine are the loves of my life.

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
Velcro! It helps it fit better.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide. I think it’s more flattering and I like wide belts better.

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
The material.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
I don’t really care where the breeches are made if I like them!

[Pally]

I am trying to compile a list of all the different brands of breeches that are popular in the hunter and jumper rings. So far I have the following:

Animo - Love! My Animos. So comfortable, cool in hot weather. I actually wish I had a plainer model (mine are the uber fancy with crystals, because that’s what I got a deal on) and I am almost afraid to wear them
Ariat Eh. Yeah I ended up wearing them rather than sticking them in a drawer…but they never could reach favorite status. And I wore them out pretty quick. I would buy them again for a steal, but not at or near retail again
Custom Riding Apparel
Equine Couture
FITS
Grand Prix. My original favorites (and incidentally, first Euroseat, wide waistband breeches)…I did eventually kill them *sniff, but I got way more than my (eBay prices) money’s worth in the process
Pessoa
Pikeur
Tailored Sportsman. I have the thinner schoolers in the wonderful stormcloud color. Super go to breech, I will likely collect more eventually

[I]Others I have worth noting.

Horze grand Prix. Similar to the TS, a great all around go to breech. Very comfortable waistband.

?? Some cheapies that I can’t find a name brand on anywhere, but are super comfy and I get tons of compliments on. Like an imitation of Animos in design (sock bottoms, cut of seat and waist) with a fabric similar to the Horze…for like $40. They get a little saggy in the bottom if I try to repeat wearings, but at that price, I don’t mind washing them a little more.[/I]

If I am missing anything, please respond with what I am missing.

I also have a few questions:

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
Comfort, which I suppose is in large part fit

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
Durability. I know I am hard on my breeches, so I don’t mind them dying eventually, but for the prices (like I would imagine paying that for jeans!) some have seen their end far too soon

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
I have the thinner material ones and I feel like they can get a little saggy. And the Velcro…

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
Without a doubt, stretchy. Though I will still wear Velcro, love the stretchy. I usually wear my socks under, not over my breeches anyway, and the socks bottoms make zipping up easier…and more comfortable.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide…again, comfort (doesn’t cut in)

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Color. I don’t really show, and get dirty easily, so I have a very strong preference for colors that hide dirt well.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
I will pay more for quality, which I think will come our of these countries, but I don’t go looking at the tags before I look.

TIA for your response!

Haha…love breeches. How could I resist staying up late to answer.

[Belmont]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
They fit well, wide waste band, and have lasted. They were also inexpensive.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
Cost. Cost. Cost.

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
Never had any, but I want some!

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
I like the stretchy bottom, like the Equine Couture’s.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide. I get less pouch.

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Cost then color.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
Don’t care.

[eidyn]

What is the number one thing that makes your favorite breeches, your favorite?
My favourites are custom made by my gran! They’re perfectly fitted, flattering, the RIGHT shade of tan, full leather seat. I’ve had them 6 years, wear them 2-3x a week for 4ish hours, wash them every time, and they are good as gold. She’s even made some alterations as my body morphed. I also have TS and like them well enough too.

What is your biggest complaint about breeches in general?
For the price, the quality is rubbish. I wear my breeches hard, but I just don’t have the money for yearly replacements when I don’t see the value.

What is your biggest complaint about TS breeches, if any?
The white ones need some sort of skin-tone slim leggings underneath or I just don’t feel all too covered. They also aren’t great quality for the price, especially when you factor in shipping costs as most stores here don’t sell them.

Do you prefer the velcro opening at the bottom? Or stretchy?
I don’t care as long as it is smooth and fits my leg, which is rare because I have teensy ankles. But I have had breeches that did fit, some velcro some stretch.

Do you prefer a wide waistband versus a thinner one?
Wide. Flattering on everyone and belts that last are always wider ones anyways.

If you are shopping for breeches, second to fit, what is the next deciding factor in purchasing a pair of breeches?
Durability - quality of fabric, stitching, metal fastenings, that they turn out from the wash in the same fit, stains are easily removed, etc etc etc. I’d be willing to pay a lot of money for breeches that actually worked for me.

When purchasing breeches do you pay attention to where they are made? Would you rather pay a bit more for breeches made in Italy, USA or Canada versus made in China?
No. I’d never bother to look at the tag.