I’ve heard a few conflicting opinions, but…What is the proper style Melton for women? Is it the frock style? (Some have said even in black this style is acceptable only with colors) or a hunt style (no seam around waist)? Any and all advice is most welcome!
Either is acceptable. In black or navy. Many hunts will have a preference though. The hunt I used to belong to, and had my colors with, preferred ladies to wear black hunt coats if you did not have your colors, and navy frocks with your colors on the collar after you earned your colors.
It depends.
There are two “traditions” in the USA regarding this:
- The most common belief was that only women with colors and/or buttons wear frock coats (3 buttons). Whether it is in black or navy doesn’t matter, as both are formal colors. Some hunts prefer one over the other (ex: Piedmont prefers navy). Women without their colors wear hunt coats (no waist seam, 3 buttons).
- Women do not wear frock coats period, they are only for men.
I personally have always followed the first one–No frock coat until I got my colors. Some hunts will specify in their attire guidelines when they consider it acceptable to wear the frock. Most hunts don’t care. So I would ask your secretary to see what rule your hunt follows.
