Breeches that won’t give me plumber’s crack. Mid-rise or high-rise that are cut for hourglass figures (means more coverage in the back).
Also larger sizes than 32-34. And do the manufacturers understand that a 34 full seat does not fit like a 34 knee patch because of the lack of stretch in the seat?
While I’m at it… I really do not want to ride in pull on breeches that feel like I’m wearing thin tights. No, not flattering… the opposite of flattering.
Mature womanly riders unite!!
[QUOTE=mswillie;8696316]
Paddock boots for women that go beyond size 10 medium. I wear a 10.5 Men’s paddock boot and there is no variety at all. I can get any color I want, as long as I want black.[/QUOTE]
Add width to that! Men’s 4E or H width here, and not improving with age. They get wider all the time. My mother had big feet like mine and I know several other women who do too.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8699567]
I would love it if riding apparel manufacturers finally recognized that a large percentage of the pleasure-riding market is women with PLENTY of money to spend who are over the age of 35. This means we no longer have boy-like teenybopper bodies with no boobs, hips or thighs. We need breeches that are cut generously, of fabrics and cuts that flatter a more mature figure. Shirts that skim and drape rather than cling like shrink-wrap, with COVERAGE suitable for mature women and in colors and fabrics realistic to keep clean around the barn. Screaming white and pale pastels just aren’t practical, and who comes up with these hideously garish prints and colors like a bad acid trip? The idea used to be that rider attire should both be dignified and flatter the HORSE!
It was a sorry day someone decided “riding” and “gym” clothes should merge.[/QUOTE]
I totally agree. As we age, even though our weight doesn’t change, our figures do. I am now wider through my middle ---- Breeches sized solely by waist size are not designed for the (ahem) middle aged rider.
Please, manufacturers, do not treat the middle aged woman as overweight. Just because our waists (and yes, we do prefer waist high breeches – low rise is for 30 and under) may be a 36 does not mean that the rest of us is a “size 36”.
I have always wondered why men get to choose clothes that are measured in 2 dimensions: neck and sleeve length, waist and inseam. Where as women get size 10, 12, 14.
Oh, and “long” in breeches should not mean that the crotch comes 1/2 way down to our knees, it just means our legs are longer than “regular”.
It is no more expensive to make well fitted clothes, than it does to make clothes which do not suit the target market.
Echoing all the comments about breeches for those of us with larger mature figures. I wore Cotton Naturals for years - they worked really well for me - but they have been discontinued, and I am getting a bit discouraged trying to find a suitable replacement. I have tried Kerrits, Piper, Ovation - the Kerrits are cut two sizes too small, the Pipers are too low cut, don’t have enough fabric in seat to pull them up high enough in the back, and gap badly in the waist band. The Ovations come closest, but could also use more fabric in the seat and are also cut a bit too low in back - I have to make sure I am wearing a shirt with a long tail, and have to be careful about bending over or squatting down.
I am also not a fan of bling or brightly colored trim or back pockets on breeches - those embellishments are not attractive on anyone not built like a teenaged boy.
[QUOTE=vxf111;8699462]
I love DA a lot. They really should invest in some new stock images. It couldn’t cost that much and it really would catch people’s eyes when they look in the Dover catalog or on the website. It would be a worthwhile investment IMHO.[/QUOTE]
It really would. And for that matter, redo the photography on the signature breeches to reflect how people actually will wear them. The group of people standing around in a tack room wearing the breeches with tucked in polos, a belt, and…paddock boots? doesn’t make the company look like they know how to represent the product to the market they’re trying to get (those polished kids buying the $350 breeches…)
I haven’t even considered the versailles because the catalog photo makes it look like I’ll look like I woke up this morning and decided to do 1998 over again. In 1998 I had the body for thin cotton breeches with a narrow waistband. Now, not so much.
I’m sure if I saw them in a store, I might at least pick them up, but my choices here are Dover, and two local stores that carry more high end than low-end.
As far as the devonaire boots go, every pair I’ve seen hasn’t been a flattering fit. Too large in the ankle, thicker soles, counters that are high, spanish tops that are too low. I think it sort of says “dated” especially when the catalog images aren’t flattering.
[QUOTE=FEIwannabe;8700377]
Mature womanly riders unite!![/QUOTE]
Yes! Breeches made out of a material/print that won’t show all of my many imperfections would be really nice. And sizing so they can be ordered by separate waist/hip/thigh measurement, please. :yes:
I received a catalog in the mail last week (don’t remember the company) but one of the photos had the model wearing breeches and boots and standing alongside holding the handlebars of a bicycle…
Must be the thing to wear if you have to ride your bike to the barn?
I loved Cotton Naturals too. Try these…
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/piper-knit-breech-with-silicone-grip-knee-patch-by-smartpak--13074
Are they exactly the same? No. But the FABRIC is great. And there are some things I like better about the Pipers (i.e. sock bottoms are better than the elastic, updated euroseat style, etc.)
[QUOTE=Garythesquirrel;8701341]
I received a catalog in the mail last week (don’t remember the company) but one of the photos had the model wearing breeches and boots and standing alongside holding the handlebars of a bicycle…
Must be the thing to wear if you have to ride your bike to the barn?[/QUOTE]
The photos are not only outdated but SUPER GOOFY. They were goofy in the 90s when they were taken 
[QUOTE=DownYonder;8700597]
I am also not a fan of bling or brightly colored trim or back pockets on breeches - those embellishments are not attractive on anyone not built like a teenaged boy.[/QUOTE]
I absolutely detest the blingy backsides. Really, I’m well past my mid 50’s and fat. I do not need to draw any attention to my butt.
[QUOTE=Dramapony_misty;8698203]
For the larger-calfed riders, how about the Flex Plus field boot:
http://www.ovationriding.com/footwear/ovation-flex-plus-field-boot-468752
Goes up to a 20" calf.[/QUOTE]
I was excited there for a minute. The calf would be just right but the foot, on the other hand, doesn’t come big enough. I’d need a 12 wide, 11 just won’t do it.
I have had big feet since my parents brought me home from the hospital. I had to go home barefoot because the baby shoes that were so popular in the 50s & 60s that they bought to take me home in were too small. 
Boys’ breeches in more colors and at a price comparable to the girls’ stuff. Dover has two choices: Tailored Sportsman and Ovation. Both in tan. Only tan. TS is out of my price range, and the ovations are higher than their girls’ breeches.
My son wore unisex kids’ jods and breeches for years (and still does) but now that he’s a teenager, he really looks better in boys’ breeches, with front pockets and a roomier fit up front to de-emphasize the “package”. I’ve heard men complain about a similar lack of options in the mens’ sizes.
[QUOTE=MissAriel;8695963]
I know a number of reps for big and small tack and clothing manufacturers are on this site. Maybe we can give them some market research into what we would like to see at the tack shops.
I would love to get some sun shirts (long-sleeved, moisture-wicking, UPF50) in colors other than pastels. I look best (and so does horsey) in deep, saturated jewel tones. I know summer lends itself to lighter colors, but I would love a deep green or dark red shirt to ride in.
Anyone have something on their horsey wish list?[/QUOTE]
I was on Amazon scouting around the other day, and I saw these. The price is good, and they come in a range of pretty colors:
I am tempted to order one.
As for what I would like: I’d like the Ariat Pro Circuit to come back! I am hoarding my pairs and haunting ebay. Seriously, I like breeches in regular rise with no euroseat but with European leg seams. They also have to fit a curvy figure. I have a terrible time finding what I like.
OK, I just read the rest of the replies, and I see the trend. I and others have complained about this before; maybe we should all sign a petition and send it to the big apparel manufacturers. A line of equestrian clothing designed for mature women would be a big seller.
Pull on field boots in an x-wide calf. I hate zippers with a passion!
Breeches that have pockets that fit more my pocket knife.
[QUOTE=Mango20;8701717]
Boys’ breeches in more colors and at a price comparable to the girls’ stuff. Dover has two choices: Tailored Sportsman and Ovation. Both in tan. Only tan. TS is out of my price range, and the ovations are higher than their girls’ breeches.
My son wore unisex kids’ jods and breeches for years (and still does) but now that he’s a teenager, he really looks better in boys’ breeches, with front pockets and a roomier fit up front to de-emphasize the “package”. I’ve heard men complain about a similar lack of options in the mens’ sizes.[/QUOTE]
We just came back from a show and my son was complaining that all the vendors just had girl stuff.
[QUOTE=scruffy the cat;8698026]
Hastilow makes a lunge cavesson that would fit a WB or Oversize head. My RIDSH has an enormous head and the Hastilow cavesson fits him very well. Pricey, but it’s beautifully made and lightweight. http://www.hastilowusa.com/lungeing-equipment/lungeing-cavesson.html[/QUOTE]
$310 for a cavesson, sorry out of my price range! :eek:
[QUOTE=Xanthoria;8699661]
Things I wish would change:
Velcro bottom breeches - sock bottoms please!
Euro seat breeches - all the feeling like your undies are falling off, none of the stick? A bit like decaf to me…
Breeches with implausibly tiny pockets. Pointless.
Garish and ugly prints on tops. Kerrits I’m looking at you.[/QUOTE]
Have you tried the Ovation Celebrity euro-seat? I have a couple of pairs of them for hunting and they are the only brand I have found that does not have the undies falling off sensation (looking at you, Piper and Pessoa).
And I will second the ban on garish prints! I love Kerrits tops, but those prints…wouldn’t be caught dead in them. As a larger lady of a certain age, I feel like they look more like circus tents and mumus than anything else.
If you like something that is really UNUSUAL or truly a non-common size or out of style-- you might have to go custom. It’s all well and good to lament manufacturers not meeting the market’s needs for things with broad appeal, but people who love unicorns (and I am one of them) can’t be too surprised/upset when they don’t find them for sale easily.
For those looking for extra tall wide boots, they ARE out there. I need super tall boots with extra wide calves and a super wide foot. I’ve always been able to order Mountain Horse from the catalog and they work.
Also try Ovation. They have some of my favorite low cost boots they discontinued–a front zip dress boot. I ended up getting about five pairs on sale about $100. I have a HARD to fit leg.
Colorful full seat breeches–Horze. When they had the 50% sale, I got a bunch. I love my all purple ones, and I wear the blue and black checked ones every day.
http://www.horze.com/full-seat-breeches/horze-supreme-grand-prix-womens-full-seat-breeches-with-special-stitches/36378.html?color=CSG%2FPDB bright orange
http://www.horze.com/full-seat-breeches/horze-leann-womens-breeches-full-seat/36321.html?color=DBR brown with stripe
http://www.horze.com/full-seat-breeches/b-vertigo-rachel-womens-full-seat-high-waist-breeches/36584.html?color=PPU pale purple
http://www.horze.com/full-seat-breeches/b-vertigo-bvx-alexia-womens-full-seat-winter-breeches/36558.html?color=SSLB blue (too expensive for me)
http://www.horze.com/full-seat-breeches/b-vertigo-lauren-womens-full-seat-breeches/36328.html?color=BWH pale blue and green
http://www.horze.com/full-seat-breeches/horze-crescendo-celine-womens-full-seat-breeches/36544.html?color=DBR wine
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