Breeches for the not-plus-size curvier rider

[pattnic]

[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8338296]
I think that is how many individuals define that term. Unfortunately it is often meant in the fashion industry as “big everywhere else”.[/QUOTE]

Ack! I’m so glad I’m not the only person who takes issue with this! It drives me nuts. I had no idea about the “athletic” thing - for real?!?!

Anyway, to answer the question at hand, how breeches fit those who are “curvy” (definition per SnicklefritzG, above), depends partly on whether you are an hourglass or a pear (surprising, but true), and whether you are short-waisted, average, or long-waisted.

My waist is 12" smaller than my hips (has been as much as 14" smaller), but I’m also short-waisted. Because most pants don’t actually fit at the natural waist, I don’t end up with the same gap that someone with more of a pear shape or longer waist does (just walking around, anyway). This also means that pants that are cut to be “curvy” (The Limited and Express are what I have the most experience with) are actually a bit snug for me in the waist band, because although my natural waist is smaller than their fit model, where the waistband actually hits me, I am a bit bigger than their fit model. Lightbulb moment So I don’t actually buy their “curvy” lines anymore - I get the more moderate/more average cut. But again, this is only because the waistband is not at my natural waist.

TS Trophy Hunters, which are are cut with about an 8" difference between hip and natural waist, fit me fairly well when I’m just walking around but they gap when I’m in the saddle. If I had a longer waist, I think they’d be fine (I wear low-rise and they are at my natural waist when I’m in the saddle).

Ariat used to be cut with about a 10" difference between hip and natural waist, but I think that’s changed. It now might be more like 8". I used to wear the All Circuits a lot and mostly liked the fit, except for them being weirdly tight in the knee.

JPC (Sigma, Tuff Rider, Equine Couture) varies between a 6" and 8" difference. Same applies for Dover’s Riding Sport line and SmartPak (for the Bradley, at least… I haven’t tried the Piper).

Tredstep is also about 8", I think.

So… all that to give you what I now realize amounts to basically a non-answer. Posting it anyway! :lol:

[SnicklefritzG]

@pattnic;8338575

Ack! I’m so glad I’m not the only person who takes issue with this! It drives me nuts. I had no idea about the “athletic” thing - for real?!?!

The comments about the “athletic” thing are for real!! That was almost an exact quote from one guy. I told him I couldn’t put “slender” because people would have thought I was a ballet dancer type when the reality is I looked more like a cyclist. That’s when he made the comment.

[pattnic]

[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8338682]
The comments about the “athletic” thing are for real!! That was almost an exact quote from one guy. I told him I couldn’t put “slender” because people would have thought I was a ballet dancer type when the reality is I looked more like a cyclist. That’s when he made the comment.[/QUOTE]

Damn! I have no idea how I would classify myself then! I think of athletic, curvy, and slender the same way as you, but apparently the rest of the world does not? So I wonder what “average” means… because anymore, average is actually overweight or obese…

[akhunterrider]

I have a bit of a spare tire around the middle, so often it is a problem for me that the waist is too tight. Since that is often an issue for me, I don’t mind that the Trophy Hunters are a bit looser in the waist.

[Chic_Hunter]

Tailored Sportsman mid rise side zip. Comfy and flattering.

[ohlookitslinz]

I recently bought a pair of Elation breeches from my local tack shop, which is a brand I hadn’t heard of, but I LOVE THEM. Far surpass my Tredsteps, which were the others that fit me pretty well, although they are a little low rise (and I have a short torso). Awesome material and super flattering though.

[Sarabeth]

[QUOTE=murphy28;8183833]
http://www.romfh.com/breeches/romfh-champion-euro-seat-breech-468785

I love these breeches, especially in the cranberry color. They are super comfortable and the fit is great for those with a little more junk in the trunk lol.
[/QUOTE]Agreed. These ROMFH fit me perfectly. The Horze Grand Prix second best - they are nicely fitted in the waist, with room to spare in the hips and rump

Love Pikeur Ciara, too, but $$$

[Snowdenfarm]

I know we are all different, even among us curvy riders, but the Ovation Taylored fit me perfectly. THANK YOU so much to all who recommended them! I returned the TS and Horz and didn’t even bother ordering the Pikeur after trying the Ovations. I am extremely happy with the quality. I went with a 28, which seems very small but the waist is perfect and the hips and thighs are actually a teeny bit big, but not a problem at all. One online description said that they were “roomier in the hips and thighs for the hunter riders” – haha.

[TheBrownHorse]

I’m kinda built like you, a size 30 and 5’7". Most of my weight is in my chest (which is annoying!) but I understand the breeches thing.

My FAVORITE breeches that I own, out of them all, which is a lot haha, are the Kerrits Cross Over Knee Patch. They run $99. I LOVE them, and get compliments on them all the time!

Good luck on the search!!!