Breeches fit guide

[touchstone]

I am finding myself in the market for some new higher end show breeches, but don’t have a local tack store with a broad array of brands. And the online descriptions aren’t giving me a good feel for which designs have a high or low rise, or a curvy or straight cut or run small or TTS, or are super thin vs structured, etc.

Do you know if anyone has put together a more recent guide like this terrific one from the blogger Hunky Hanoverian that includes some of the new, trendier brands? https://hunkyhanoverian.com/product-review/the-breeches-guide/

I know there have been some threads on favorite breeches/which ones tend to be best for certain body shapes. But I wondered if there was a blogger or tiktoker out there who had a good guide with photos and tips that would be worth learning from. Thanks!

[Scribbler]

It would be worth posting your measurements (waist, hips, crotch rise, leg length) and preferred style of waist height and seeing what other posters who match you recommend. You can measure your best fitting pair of existing breeches for that.

This is what young men’s fashion blogs recommend for buying pants on line. I notice that vintage sales sites often have exact measurements too. It’s very logical, but women don’t do it as much and go more for descriptors.

Many big breech brands have multiple “fits” that are quite different. I know Pikeur does

The Hunky Hanoverian guide looks useful if you are approximately her height and build. I haven’t had a 28 inch waist since I was 18 and she has a large waist to hip ratio so nothing she wears going to be a good match for me

My Pikeur Lugana full seats are size 88 (German 44 long) and have waist 32 inches, hips 36 inches, rise 12 or 13? And legs 28 inches. I’m 5 foot 5 and take a 32 in jeans. I’d say these are made for people with a moderate waist to hip ratio.

[Foitin]

It is tough to find breeches that fit! Kaval, a high-end boutique has good descriptions of the fit of all the breeches they sell as well as some info on the models (height and weight I think). All the models are teeny tiny, but I find the information useful nevertheless. Worth a look.

KAVAL | The Equestrian Edit

[Scribbler]

The more your body resembles a 17 year old equitation rider, the more breeches will fit you. The more you diverge from that, the more you will have to evaluate the fit.

[mika0116]

Also Hunky Hanoverian is 5’11 and 145 - thats a very tall size 2/4. The equivalent 5’3 woman would be just about 100 lbs even. She also has a long, but proportionate leg, a 34 inch inseam which is longer than most 6’1 men (my 6’1 long legged husband is a 32 inseam). Basically she is a body type that is in a 99th percentile for women globally.

As @Scribbler says also look at her waist to hip ratio - 28 waist and 35 hip. For contrast I am a 29 waist and a 39 hip (size 4/6 these days) and 5’9 with a 30/31 inseam.

Find someone with your body type (barnmate, trainer, someone at a show) - and ASK THEM. That is how I’ve found my best selections.

[Scribbler]

My actual hips measure 39 inches but my favorite breeches measure 36 across the hips… Presumably that’s on account of stretch

Hunky Hanoverian would likely look stunning wearing anything:)

[Rel6]

@Scribbler

The Hunky Hanoverian guide looks useful if you are approximately her height and build .

I don’t, and still found it useful! She’s got almost a foot of height on me, so I noted the breeches she found long enough on her in the regular length as ones I should steer clear of. Tall barn friends who have complained about a brand running short have inadvertently given me recs for ones to try.

And her assessment of material and quality for the price isn’t size dependent!

[MissusS]

I agree about understanding your measurements and preferences for fit and style (rise, materials, pockets…) to scour the web for the best match. I also agree with asking friends at the barn what they wear and why they like/dislike them. Bonus points if you have someone at the barn in a similar shape/size that would let you try some of theirs on. I had 4-5 different styles that I let a barn mate borrow for a few days to try including riding in them which she found helpful. I have so many pairs because I buy online and never return them.

This blog may be helpful. When I load it some of the pictures are gone but the descriptions are all there and the blogger (who I believe still posts here once in a while) recruited a couple of friends to show different body types and preferences.

The Ultimate White Breeches Guide

and here’s a similar post she did on schooling breeches:

Review Battle Royale: Schooling Breeches Edition

[Small_Change]

Quick question on the breech topic - rear pockets (the kind with the triangular flap and button to close) are still a no-no for women under show jackets, even if they show up on nice schooling breeches?

[nighthorse6]

In the Hunters, yes. No pockets in the back for women.

[touchstone]

@MissusS

This blog may be helpful. When I load it some of the pictures are gone but the descriptions are all there and the blogger (who I believe still posts here once in a while) recruited a couple of friends to show different body types and preferences.

Thank you! This is so helpful. I get the point about how posting measurements is helpful. But I also think seeing the comparisons across different brands on the same body does give me some idea of how things run. Having three models in the same size with different body shapes here is also great. Kudos to the blogger!

[lintesia]

Incredibly helpful! Except now I want the green Harcour Jaltika at a mere $300!!!

[Foitin]

I wear them, both Struck (with button) and Equiline (angled pockets). Most of the pockets are pretty high and can’t even be seen with a jacket on. No problem.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

I’ve shown with back pockets plenty of time in the hunters. Won champions and won classics at AA rated shows. If they’re tan, flat pockets, and not on my horse, which they’re judging specifically… no one cares. My Samshields all seem to have them.

[ParadoxFarm]

I have a hard time even imagining a judge getting ready to pin a class and then notices their favorite rider has pockets, and changes placings. Maybe it happens, but who notices those little pockets??

[trubandloki]

@touchstone

And the online descriptions aren’t giving me a good feel for which designs have a high or low rise, or a curvy or straight cut or run small or TTS, or are super thin vs structured, etc.

Help the clueless, what does TTS mean in this situation?

[touchstone]

@trubandloki

Help the clueless, what does TTS mean in this situation?

Sorry about the jargon. True to size.

[Demerara_Stables]

@nighthorse6

In the Hunters, yes. No pockets in the back for women.

#sorrynotsorry but this is silly. Buy the breeches that fit you. I can’t believe anyone would look to see if you have rear pockets and give a flying hoot

[OutsidersOpinion]

Plenty of upper level women (including myself) show with breeches that have pockets on the back. Im a professional- jump fei and show 3’6 hunters on the AA circuit and probably 80% of my show pants have pockets on the back. Never been an issue

[kmseventing]

Hi! I just wanted to jump in here and share my love for small woman-owned breeches brand KMA Equestrian (link to their shop here)! I have been a loyal KMA rider for over two years now, and I literally haven’t thought about another brand of breeches since putting on my first pair. They fit like a compression pant while being as comfortable as leggings. I go into detail about the fit, material and feel on this post on my blog, but I am happy to share more details or answer any questions you might have. New colors are always coming in, and there are nearly always incredible sales going on. Check them out!! (Also you can use code Kailyn15 for a discount at checkout)