This past weekend I went to a show for the first time in a few years (few lbs heavier than I was a few yrs ago) and in all my videos all I could see was how unflattering my breeches were. I know I shouldn’t care but I just do so I would love some recommendations, especially for beige/tan for shows but also for schooling. To make it harder I have bigger thighs so most breeches fit me tighter in the thighs or else huge in the waist if I try to size up to get a looser fit.
I did search previous topics but maybe there are some newer options out there? TIA
Struck 60 series fit roomier through the thigh and smaller at the waist. I also find the material quite flattering.
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I have thicker thighs and a small waist and I too am self conscious about breeches (we are totally allowed to feel this way!)
Breeches that I like:
- samshield - thinner, so good for hot days (but if you leave them on too long on hot days it does not feel good)
- Equiline (favorites, although I’ve noticed the rise can be slightly inconsistent and you have to size UP but once you get your size, they’re amazing)
- Struck (also slightly thicker material and I feel like they stretch out a tiny bit if I wear them all day, which I do frequently)
Dislike:
- Cavalleria Toscana. I feel the fabric is not the “hug” feeling the others give and I feel jiggly in them
For reference I’m a solid medium or 28. All brands I’m a 28 or 42 except Equiline I sized up to a 46 for the low rise and a 44 for the higher
I think the two-tone breeches are the best for a flattering look. These come in different color combinations. Only downside is there is no phone pocket. Best part is they are high waisted!! I read reviews that they are “not heavy weight,” not sure what the wearer expected, but I thought they looked great and held up fine to fox hunting. I think “Sticky Seat” has a similar style. Second photo is of me at my last (really last) Blessing of the Hounds.
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I like the ariat tri factor or free ride pro for show breeches. For schooling I find it easier to stick to tights, again ariat and free ride are my favorites.
I also want one of those mesh coats because they look so comfy but the shorter cut coats these days make me cringe. I am all thigh & bum… so I stick with my old style hunt coat.
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I like Equestrian Sport and, oddly, Correct Connection breeches. I am not thin or long legged or narrow waisted etc. It does help to be thin and leggy. Sadly nature does not provide all of us with that option!
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I wear spanx or compression garment under my breeches. Helps me feel confident and doesn’t limit brands.
Free ride breeches are ok, but the tights show every thing. Which is fine at home.
I wear Kerrits currently, they are generous in the thigh region which I need.
Correct connect breeches made me look like a stuffed flat sausage.
That’s an interesting analogy stuffed flat sausage. 
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I also have bigger thighs and a smaller waist. I really like the FreeRide Pro breeches, they fit comfortably in every area and hold up really well. They’re also very affordable. I will say I don’t recommend getting the white version because it’s a little see through, but if you don’t need show whites then any other color is great.
I also just got a pair of the Kerrits Affinity Pro breeches and those are also very very comfortable and fit each area well. They’re a little more expensive than the FreeRides but still pretty reasonable. The white show version is not see through and is very flattering.
Smartpak Hadley high rise are also great but Smartpak is moving away from apparel etc so I’m not sure if those are still available.
Maya Delorez compression breeches are FANTASTIC, I would say of all the ones I’ve listed they’re the most flattering because they’re thicker (but not hot) and have a good amount of compression so they’re smoothing and sculpting in all the right places without feeling like a sausage casing. They’re pull ons (technically they’re tights) so if you prefer very traditional styling for shows, they won’t work for that but they’re great for schooling. They have sales regularly and also have a pre owned section on their site.
What are you showing in (hunters or jumpers)
For hunters I think the Smartpak line of breeches look very nice and they come in a variety of sizes. For jumpers, I’d look at Maya Delorez, free ride, or FITS
That’s how my kid described it. Teenagers don’t hold back.
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larger hip and thigh, smaller waist (26 - 27 - 28s are now comfortably loose – losing some pandemic weight that took forever to gain and is taking its sweet time to loose). I am 5’9 though.
Struck - I have both 27s and 28s
PS Sweden (actual breeches, zipper and all) - I like the 40s a little loose but look really nice
Holy grail - Horse Pilot - I got the hunter (beige) color - size 38 but only bc the 36 was sold out as I bought them in person and I like to size up in lighter colors so the fabric doesn’t stretch as much. they are not high rise - true mid rise and rather compressive. anything heavy compression I size up bc I live somewhere that is pretty hot 2/3 of the year.
Runner up: Maya Delorez – their compression tights are in my weekly schooling outfits rotation - I take size Small
I’m short. Tiny waisted. With a bubble butt and muscular thighs. Rhompf size 26 breeches curvy style I always revert back to …forgive my spelling. Of the brand. I always get it wrong.
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I love my Free Ride Pros. The tights (Lux and Hybrid) are NOT the same. Love the tights for schooling at home as they are super comfy and light. The Pros are a thicker material that smooth and have more compression. I think they are as flattering as skin colored pants get 
They have regular sales and there are 10% off codes floating around.
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I own both of these breeches and feel like both are tighter on my legs and loose on my waist. Despite this, I bought a second pair of the Free Ride Pros because the fabric looks and feels nice. I have them in 2 different sizes and the smaller size is a bit tight in the leg, while the larger probably wouldn’t stay up without a belt. Interesting to see that a lot of people are recommending these.
I also have a pair of Fager Louie active leggings and generally like the fit, although they are quite high waisted. I’m tall and these breeches have a shorter inseam, so I used my seam ripper to get rid of the elastic cuff at the bottom so they didn’t cut off circulation at my calves.
I feel like the fabric on the Fager Louie and Free Ride Pro breeches is quite slick, so I prefer the full seat (silicone grip) versions. I do the hunters and just kind of hope that nobody knows or cares that my breeches don’t have suede knee patches.
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A friend swears by Sync breeches. They’re the ones with the black lining that are alleged to repel stains/liquid. I have not tried.
Lately I’ve been buying one of the Dover brands which fit me OK and aren’t expensive. And I don’t have to wear a belt. Frustratingly, there is no ID on them to indicate what they are, but I think it’s Wellesley—back pockets have flaps.
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I live in my Maya Delorez compression breeches. I have a million other brands and like most of them well enough (free rides, ariats, samshield, etc.), but I just finished a week long show where I wore my MD on day one, horse pilot on day 2 (I love the HPs, but I hate that they don’t have phone-friendly pockets), then back to MD. Then washed my MD pairs so that I could use them the next day rather than going to my other beige choices. I love the phone pockets, I love the stretchy material, I love not having to undo any closures when I use the restroom. I just love them!
I am thinking of ordering some of the free ride pros because I love my tights so much, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. And I have Sync breeches, but I ordered the white ones for both my daughter and I and they look very very grey in the light. So I stick to other whites. I would imagine the beige would be better, but after feeling like I wasted money on their whites (the ones lined with black), I’m not super inclined to give them more money.
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I’m also revamping my breeches collection at the moment so this is timely. I prefer a more traditional look so I avoided the pull-on breeches for a long time but I’ve actually found those fit me best. I can’t get any front-zip breeches to sit right without either pulling or sagging around the zipper. I was always a side-zip fan in traditional breeches so this shouldn’t have taken so long to figure out, but here we are.
Once you’ve landed on a few brands to try I highly recommend checking out some online consignment stores for your initial haul. I’ve had great luck finding breeches on The Tried Equestrian and Poshmark. TTE even lets you return things that doesn’t work out.
The Equestly Lux GripTeq breeches are my favorites so far at a pretty reasonable price. They have nicer show models available too which I haven’t tried. Their website is almost entirely sold out right now though, not sure if they’re planning to restock or if they’re going under.
I found a pair of the Maya Delorez Performance breeches on consignment and I like them but they’re definitely more tights than breeches. They’re well-made and I like how they fit though. I have a pair of their Compression breeches on the way now and I have a feeling they’ll overtake Equestly as my new favorites.
I really like the Free Ride Bondie breeches which I haven’t seen anyone mention yet. I used to love their Pro breeches but the Pro 2.0’s aren’t as nice IMO - they don’t have the same compression and are a thinner fabric that’s pretty similar to their tights. Plus they all have sparkly pockets which isn’t my thing. I like the Lux pull-ons for schooling, especially the tweed versions which are a little thicker fabric. They’re stretchy but you can size down for a more compressive fit.
I would not recommend the Botori Adler if you’re worried about fit through the thighs, they run a little tighter in the leg and don’t have as much stretch. I still like them but probably won’t buy another pair, there are better options available.
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I’m ordering a pair of the Sync breeches that have the suede seat, I hate silicone. Will report back.
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