Favorite full seat breeches, breaking up with Pipers

[skipollo]

I have several pairs of older Pipers that I love, and my most recently purchased pair is a big disappointment. They’re very nice looking, but the fabric is thinner, the fit is smaller, and the rise is lower. IMO Pipers aren’t worth the $$ anymore unless they’re on sale for $40 or less, thus begins the search for new styles.

I’m short (5’2") with a considerable rump and average legs. I prefer mid-rise or even high rise (as long as they’re not up to my armpits.) I like a mix of neutrals and colors (just not super loud.) I also really like contrast stitching/contrast seat. Real front pockets (not the tiny zipper ones) are absolutely required. Back pockets are a bonus but if the breeches are otherwise perfect, I can live without them. To make it even more challenging, I’m not looking to spend more than the cost for a pair of Pipers. I can’t justify spending $150 for a pair of riding pants–I’m on a budget.

I added a back and side photo for reference. If anyone is built like me, what’s your favorite full seat breech?

Photo sample 1

Photo sample 2

Thanks!

[BigMama1]

Not built like you but my current favourites are the FITS Free Flex and the HKM Blink

[Hawks_Nest]

I really like ovations. Decent front pockets, they have held up really well, and the fit has been great for me (I’m taller but not with long legs and definitely thick in the thighs). I’ve got some of the slim secrets as well as the milano.

[GoForAGallop]

I’ve been quite pleased with Ovations, although I size up one from my Piper’s size.

I LOVE Horze breeches, as they are some of the only breeches I can wear without a belt. (Big bum, small waist.) However, they tend to run a little long (I’m 5’2’’ as well) and sometimes that can be frustrating.

[EventingJ]

I think you would really like the Horze breeches - i think they fit people with smaller waists and larger thighs/butts better (i cant speak for height though!)

They are made of a thicker fabric much like my pikeur breeches are made from, and they seem to wear like iron.

[lorilu]

I also have real girl thighs and a rediculously high waist. I also gave up on pipers. Seconding Horze Grand Prix. That said my current favs are Montar available from thehorseofcourse. There are a few styles
https://thehorseofcourse.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=3219&category_id=136

[msj]

While I was still smoking 2 pack/day I used to love Euro Star breeches, both full seat and knee patch. Then I quit smoking and put on about 25 lbs and have added another 10 easily in the 13 yrs that I quit. I was fortunate that I was working part time at a tack store and was able to buy them at cost though so I probably had about 8 pr from white to burgundy and most other relatively dark but not boring colors inbetween (blues, greens, cream, etc.).

[Dutchmare433]

I have a pair of the Montar breeches from Horse of Course…they’re pretty sturdy, not terribly expensive, and super cute. They’re mid-rise and I think run pretty true to size. They do run a little long, but have sock bottoms, so I would think folding them up wouldn’t be a problem.

I also like some of the Horze ones, I have a kind of blingy pair, which you might not love, but I think they’d fit your body type really well.

[plaidbreeches]

Half my breeches are Ovation full seats now. Although I found the slim secret models have different proportions than the regular versions. I don’t know how they’d fit you, I am 5’10" but I also have thighs.

[GraceLikeRain]

I’m 5’1 and similar framed but with a slightly bigger difference from hip to waist.

I have been going through the same thing with the pipers. When I’ve tried on a friend’s Horze breeches I’ve found them a bit restrictive.

Ultimately though, I do think they are the best option. I plan on picking a few up on sale and having them nipped in at the waist as needed. A nice perk of the Horze breeches is that their sizing goes smaller than the Pipers.

I also really love shopping consignment. If you can find a nice pair of white full seat breeches that are marked down for normal discoloration, they are a snap to dye. For a while I had probably a dozen pairs in total and none cost more than $40 + dye (maroon, periwinkle blue, light pink, taupe, hunter green, etc.). Tan breeches also dye well if you are okay going to a darker shade of brown.

[BeHooved]

I am similar in height to you but not body type. I do not care for Ovation breeches. The Ovation KP ones I have fit me well but they wore out quickly in the wash and also color faded within 8 washings (!). The FS Ovations I have fit me weird and feel clunky and tight at the same time, and my butt falls out of them, plus they run a size small. No more Ovations for me unless they’re on sale drastically reduced.

I like Kerrits and Irideons, tredstep seemed ok (only have 1 pair), was pleasently surprised by a wide-waisted Tuff Rider FS, but my favorite breeches are Ariats. The material is light and stretchy and the lines are crisp so it looks good. Don’t like their paddock boots but that’s another story.

[Synthesis]

Fuller Fillies Sticki Vicki model with the silicone full seat, hands down.
Grippy, flattering, mid-rise, good colors and hold up to hard wear.

Now that I have them, I can’t live without them. They are AMAZING.

[SLW]

I have some Ovations that fit well and recently purchased a pair of ROMFH Champion 3 Button Full seat. The wait is high enough and the fit through the hips and thighs is generous without looking bad. Sadly they are not available in beige or tan color.

[skipollo]

[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;8809537]
I’m 5’1 and similar framed but with a slightly bigger difference from hip to waist.

I have been going through the same thing with the pipers. When I’ve tried on a friend’s Horze breeches I’ve found them a bit restrictive.

Ultimately though, I do think they are the best option. I plan on picking a few up on sale and having them nipped in at the waist as needed. A nice perk of the Horze breeches is that their sizing goes smaller than the Pipers.

I also really love shopping consignment. If you can find a nice pair of white full seat breeches that are marked down for normal discoloration, they are a snap to dye. For a while I had probably a dozen pairs in total and none cost more than $40 + dye (maroon, periwinkle blue, light pink, taupe, hunter green, etc.). Tan breeches also dye well if you are okay going to a darker shade of brown.[/QUOTE]

So a 28 in Pipers will be a 26 in Horze? If it helps anyone with sizing/fit, I’m 5’2" and 122 lbs. The old Pipers I’m a 28 with room to spare, but in the new Pipers the 28 is just so slightly too snug in the calves/butt area (but a 30 would be too big.)

I own one pair of 30 breeches (from Dover) and they’re lovely but definitely roomy with extra material.

Example 1

Example 2

Behooved–which Ariat model do you like?

Thanks so much for all the information everyone!

[myhorsefaith]

I am curvy and cannot do Pipers. Horze breeches mostly work - one of my favorite pairs is their denim breech, I think they were called Equus Royal or something. The Grand Prix line works too, though i dont like the velcro bottoms. I’ve tried the Romfh Champion line and the cut is right but i didn’t much enjoy their full seat material - it felt a bit more slippery than others.

I’ve recently come to love the Devonaire (yes, Devonaire) Signature full seats. the breech material is nice, i like the full seat material, and they have silicone knee patches on top of the full seat - just enough stick without being overly sticky.

Now, the cut is not 100% perfect - I am a 30 in them, and a 30 in Horze, though i could squeeze into 28’s if i had to. The rise is a little lower than I’d prefer, and the cut a wee bit straighter than preferable, but I am not finding that i have to constantly adjust them - in the pipers I felt like I needed suspenders to keep them up. They do gape in the back a touch, but not bad. I do sometimes wear a thin ribbon belt and that seems to be enough to get the job done. overall, they have quickly become my favorite breech apart from super light stretchy tights like Kerrits icefil.

Here is a link to my latest blog post with pictures of me in them- I have them in tan, white, and now grey and black too!

I do also have a pair of USG Laguna’s that fit well too. They are white though and i bought them in preparation to show. i have not worn them yet other than to try on, so i can’t give a full review just yet.

[myleetlepony]

I found the Dover Riding Sport Empire for contrast and their regular breeches for plain full-seats to fit well. Midrise, roomy in the thigh and the waistband doesn’t gap like a lot of other breeches. I’ve gotten all of mine for less than $100.00 each. All are holding up well to four horses a day.

[One_Two_Three]

I haven’t tried the Pipers yet, but I can attest to the consignment store purchase of Ovation breeches I did a month ago and don’t regret that purchase one bit! Easily my new favorite pair of breeches! Check into them. So flattering and tick off all the boxes of what i need in a breech.

[Proffie]

Anyone else love the Kerrits Crossover full seats? I loved mine so much I just ordered a second pair. They’re like pajamas. And a nice mid-rise, not the baby zipper low-rise or the footlong zipper high ones.

[redalter]

Another vote for the Ovations. Comfortable, flattering, and affordable.

I have a similar build to you, SKipollo.

[cleozowner]

I’m of little help as I am built like a clunky rectangle (I think the word used to describe me today was “sturdy”)–just venting about how ridiculous it is that even a rectangle like me finds the Pipers too big in the waist. What are they designed for? Weebles?

FWIW Equine Couture hits at a nice price point, and I’ve been surprised with the quality of the few pairs I own. I have some extra room in the butt when I wear them, so they may fit well for people without noassatall syndrome.