Dressage Coat on a Budget?

[CativatheDiva]

Hello All!

I’m looking for recommendations on a good, basic dressage show coat. Where I live we only have 3-4 shows a year so I’m not looking to spend a ton of money (>$200) but I’m looking for a good quality, light weight (not wool!) show coat that will fit me decently well!

I will have to order from away as no big tack shops near me to try much on, so I’m very grateful for suggestions! I have tried on a few but I’m a bit square shaped, so I find they’re either to big in the shoulders/bust in order to fit in the torso, or just generally hang off me in a highly unflattering way. I’m also fairly tall so getting the right length sleeve can be tricky. Anyone else in my boat?

Right now I’m considering a Romfh jacket (which could double for the scattered hack/flat class I do, and horseloverz seems to have a great deal on them right now) or the RJ Classics dressage coat which I love the quality and cut of but haven’t been able to try on (the one in store where I saw it was size 0! haha!)

Thanks in advance!

[MysticOakRanch]

Kerrits competitor coat is a great coat for about $129. Smartpak makes a nice coat, and last time I looked, it was on sale for well under $100. Both are light, stretchy, and have multiple color choices.

[Minxitbabe]

Unless you have something coming up soon why don’t you plan a weekend trip somewhere and find a tack shop nearby? I am picky about fit so I don’t buy unless I can try on in most cases. That said I have an Annie’s Equestrian jacket I ordered on sale without trying on and it just barely fits but really I could have used a size up. Horseloverz is on my crap list after they failed to tell me an item I ordered was backordered for an undetermined amount of time.

[AZ_TD]

Agree with going to a tack shop and trying some on. Also, please buy from the tack store and not ordering on line after trying jackets on at the store! Our local tack store, Greenway Saddlery, has a great selection of clothing and I support them rather than ordering on line! Lucky that they are so close.

[csaper58]

Generally, if someone is a difficult to fit shape, it is best to find a garment that fits your largest dimension and alter the rest to fit.

I would suggest having a tailor or seamstress familiar with coat construction take your measurements. Then you can compare those dimensions to the measurements of various coats to avoid excessive shipping charges.

Are there any very good brick and mortar dressage stores [New York, or Eastern Canada] that have sales staff who can talk to you about the cut/fit of various name brand coats?

Also, men’s coats are cut more square/rectangular in shape with longer arms, that might give you a better baseline coat to have tailored to your figure.

[JenEM]

As a tall person myself, I find the RJ sleeve length to be better than some of the other intro-priced brands–I really like the Horsewear coats a few friends have, but they’re way too short through the waist and arms on me. RJ makes a basic coat that’s a washable material but cut like classic wool coats, and would be perfectly suitable for dressage or hunters: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/rj-classics-ladies-washable-hunt-coat-11126 (I know SP doesn’t ship to Canada, sorry, that was just the easiest link I found.)

[sheep_with_a_gun]

@MysticOakRanch

Kerrits competitor coat is a great coat for about $129. Smartpak makes a nice coat, and last time I looked, it was on sale for well under $100. Both are light, stretchy, and have multiple color choices.

I’ll second the Kerrits competitor! I have the black with white piping. It’s stretchy and light weight (and seems water repellent to some degree.) I really like it. I’m also picky about sleeve length, and I think they’re long enough.

[amb]

I haven’t seen them in person, but the show jackets from Shires look pretty nice and the price is right. (If anybody has feedback either way I’d also be curious to hear.)

Also FWIW Wilton Tack in Ontario has a smattering of jackets on clearance right now, and they’re quick enough about shipping to me down here in the US that hopefully they can get something to Newfoundland in reasonable time as well.

[Heinz_57]

@amb

I haven’t seen them in person, but the show jackets from Shires look pretty nice and the price is right. (If anybody has feedback either way I’d also be curious to hear.)

Not a soft shell, but I have the Shires Henley jacket and it’s quite nice, especially for the price (I got it on Amazon for ~$40…). I am thin for my height and long-waisted and the Kerrits and Horseware jackets are both way too short for my body - I look like I stole a child’s coat. I’ve been hoping someone would come out with a longer-cut soft shell, the Shires Knightsbridge looks like it might do the job. Definitely going on my wish list for next season!

[MissAriel]

I couldn’t believe it when she told me, but a good friend shows in jackets she found at Goodwill! Even with the cost of tailoring, they are much cheaper than a new coat.

[CativatheDiva]

@Minxitbabe

Unless you have something coming up soon why don’t you plan a weekend trip somewhere and find a tack shop nearby? I am picky about fit so I don’t buy unless I can try on in most cases. That said I have an Annie’s Equestrian jacket I ordered on sale without trying on and it just barely fits but really I could have used a size up. Horseloverz is on my crap list after they failed to tell me an item I ordered was backordered for an undetermined amount of time.

Thank you! A weekend trip to get me near a big enough tack shop that stocks multiple brands of show coats would literally cost me $700 just to get there (fly) - I live on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic ocean We have a small local tack shop but they have limited stock and nothing suitable at the moment. At the moment I’m crossing my fingers to pick something up at the Royal Winter Fair in November, but I didn’t have any luck there last year.

[CativatheDiva]

@amb

I haven’t seen them in person, but the show jackets from Shires look pretty nice and the price is right. (If anybody has feedback either way I’d also be curious to hear.)

Also FWIW Wilton Tack in Ontario has a smattering of jackets on clearance right now, and they’re quick enough about shipping to me down here in the US that hopefully they can get something to Newfoundland in reasonable time as well.

Thanks so much! I’m also interested in the shires - they have one in black with purple trim, but I worry about them being 100% polyester? Maybe it won’t matter for the number of times I’ll be wearing it.

I love Wilton Tack! I’ll have to go back and check their site. Thank you!

[Heinz_57]

@CativatheDiva

Thanks so much! I’m also interested in the shires - they have one in black with purple trim, but I worry about them being 100% polyester? Maybe it won’t matter for the number of times I’ll be wearing it.

I love Wilton Tack! I’ll have to go back and check their site. Thank you!

This is the one I have, I believe (it is black with purple trim). It’s not too heavy. If you’d like to see pictures or measurements or anything else, just let me know!