I still have a pair of white breeches from my showing days. Haven’t worn them in twenty years but they are still in good shape. I will not likely ever show again. Would it be possible to dye them another color or would the dye rub off on the saddle and me?
What is the material? Is the seat real leather?
I think you might have better luck if you could find someone to air brush a fabric compatible die/paint just on the material portion of the breeches.
I’ve dyed breeches and shirts with very good results. I do not know what would happen to leather parts, though.
A couple of years ago, I forgot to pack a pair of schooling breeches for a show. Bought a cheap pair of bright lime green ones to get me through the weekend. When I got home, I bought a pack of Rit dye in a dark green and “fixed” the awful color. Now a favorite pair of schooling pants – a nice conservative olive green.
These breeches have a synthetic seat. I have not had a problem with the color rubbing off. I did not do the dye lob in the hottest possible water (what the package suggests), as the breeches were a cotton blend. Still came out fine.
I’ve dyed polyester show shirts, too. with excellent results. Again, I use warm water, not hot, when I dye synthetics.
I just used tan Rit liquid dye on two pairs of Clarino full seats. One pair was Pikeurs that were more of a synthetic fabric, and they came out to a nice “coffee with cream” color. The other pair was cotton-based Harry Hall breeches, and they ended up being more of a flesh-toned tan color. The color isn’t bad, but I think it’s going to look like I’m riding pantsless with them. I doubt the color will rub off, but then it’s light. YMMV if you go for forest green or something. I was pleased with how evenly the fabric and seat material accepted the dye though.
Look at the material on the tag. You will need different dye for poly blend than you would for cotton blend. Then research the best dyes for that material! Worst case you could take it to a shop that does dying professionally.
Should get a good result with the base color being white.
As long as you don’t want them white, should be no problem. Go for tie dye on purpose! 
The color should be steadfast. You can wash them twice after dying if you want to make sure.
I’ve used RIT dye to dye chaps so I wouldn’t worry about the leather at all.
Timely thread. I was just going to ask about dying some white Kingsley breeches I bought at a tent sale. I think I will try the tan that outerbanks suggested. Has anyone tried using a front loader washer?
Years ago my mom found me a really cheap pair of cotton white knee patch breeches at a tack sale. I wanted hunter green so we tried to dye them green…
They came out a faded hunter green color (like they had been worn and washed many times), the clarino patches came out olive green, and the thread didn’t take any dye at all! To make things worse, they shrunk in the hot water so I couldn’t even wear them afterward. 
I’ve never tried dying a pair of breeches again.
I say just rock the whites. 
That said, I HAVE been successful in re-dying suede full chaps and half chaps in black RIT dye with no issues.
I’d recommend using a professional dye for fiber arts rather than Rit, I buy mine here. http://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/
Match the fabric to the type of dye and follow the directions exactly and you’ll be fine. For best results I suggest getting one of the little packets of prewash to remove any residual detergents or oils on the fabric (those may cause blotchy coverage otherwise) and then follow with a wash in the appropriate post-dye fixative for your specific dye type (available in the chemicals section) to prevent rub off or color bleeding in subsequent wash cycles.
you should choose whichever suits dye fabrics. after that you use warm water, not hot, when you dye synthetics. so your pants will have beautiful color
I die breeches all of the time!
To date I’ve done mauve, rose, purple, chocolate, olive, periwinkle, barbie pink, and probably another pair or two that I’ve forgotten. Cotton can be a bit finicky to get even coverage. I love the way synthetic materials dye.
[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;8336466]
I die breeches all of the time!
To date I’ve done mauve, rose, purple, chocolate, olive, periwinkle, barbie pink, and probably another pair or two that I’ve forgotten. Cotton can be a bit finicky to get even coverage. I love the way synthetic materials dye.[/QUOTE]
IMO synthetic fabrics should be one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.
