Velcro stock ties where the velcro is 3+ inches long instead of the usual 1", so that those of us with pencil necks can use them. Currently, I would either have to pin it closed or use the velcro and have a 2" gap between the tie and my neck.
Full-seat breeches with NO SEAM in the crotch! FITS is about the only one who uses a gusset like workout tights - I’d like to see it in brands like Pikeur.
[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]
Dover shoots their own photos, so we have no control over what images they use. Images on DA’s website are being updated, many already have.
[QUOTE=soloudinhere;8701324]
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]
The reason they shot those images in paddock boots was to show the contrast color and sock ankle. Original photos were of models in tall boots, but sales took off after they showed them in paddocks.
Check out the new boots…again, DA has made so many changes in the past few years, they have worked hard to improve their image.
DA realizes that they can’t fit every body image, but the sales of the Signature, Versaille and All Pro line reflect that they must be doing a pretty good job!
[QUOTE=scruffy the cat;8698026]
Totally agree on Tall/Long breeches whose waist doesn’t go on forever. I have long legs but a short waist. Very hard to find things that fit. Tailored Sportsman Longs are perfect on me but I’m a dressage rider, not a hunt seat rider. I prefer a knee patch usually anyway because typical fullseats are made for folks with shorter femurs.[/QUOTE]
Once upon a time, TS made a full seat breech.
If TS fits you perfectly, you might not like Tredstep. I am also short-waisted with long-ish legs (33" inseam); even low rise breeches come up to my ribs once I’m on a horse. I have and wear both the TS Trophy Hunters (prefer side zip) and Tredstep Rosas (in front zip), but much prefer the fit of the TS. 30L in TS, 30 in Tredstep; changing size in Tredstep does not help. Part of my problem may be that I’m in-between a regular and long in Tredstep.
TS wears better than Tredstep (but it’s probably not an apples-to-apples comparison, as the Trophy Hunters are not the same price point as the Rosas); my 4yo pair of TS looks better than my 1.5yo pair of Tredsteps.
I also recently discovered that although the Tredstep has the sock calf, that actually creates more bulk than the velcro of the TS.
[QUOTE=Lori T;8702506]
Dover shoots their own photos, so we have no control over what images they use. Images on DA’s website are being updated, many already have.[/QUOTE]
I have not seen the most recent catalog but for YEARS Dover used the DA stock images. Not their own photos (which are usually very nice) but the DA images.
For certain brands (another one that comes to mind is Goode Rider) Dover always uses the stock photos. For other brands (i.e. Irideon and Kerrits) Dover does a photoshoot with their models.
I’ve never been able to figure out why except that some brands don’t send photoshoot samples and/or ask Dover to use the stock images? The DA images being used in the Dover catalog are SO outdated and SO goofy.
[QUOTE=Lori T;8699438]
Thanks for the feedback. We know that the breeches will not fit everyone the same way, but they have made changes! For example, the All Pro comes in a variety of styles, not just the narrow waistband. They have introduced a wide waist with a euro seat that is pretty popular. The reason that the images haven’t changed is because they stopped making a catalog in 2008, due to the downturn in the economy, preferring to put that money into inventory. They do have a new catalog coming out and a new website, all with new images of their updated products. The Versaille has gone through lots of updating, including changes to the waistband and sock style ankles (most of their breeches have lost the Velcro and gone to sock style or just an elastic one.) And this is where the problem lies, in that not every tack store is going to stock every product of every company out there, so depending upon where you live, it may be hard for the consumer to realize what is available to them.
I will have one store tell me that they can’t sell item A, they will insist that they don’t have the customer for it, but a store a few miles away will sell tons of item A. Many stores are reluctant to change, for whatever reason and the consumer needs to be up to date on what is out there and make requests…or else they go elsewhere, which is a whole other can of worms in this industry. I have one store that complains about how there are no more customers in her area, and the ones who do, go an hour north to Dover. Yet her merchandise is 10 years old and she won’t dump it and get new product. Meanwhile, another store opened 20 minutes away and is one of my biggest accounts in just a year, because she stocks what the customer wants!
Devon-Aire is big on customer feedback and I think Kerrits is as well. Devon-Aire actually keeps a book of customer requests. If you as the consumer want a product, I suggest contacting the company and let it be known. I for one plan on talking to several of the boot makers at the trade show in August to ask them why they think a 15 or 16 inch calf is considered wide?[/QUOTE]
Hi, Lori–I am still waiting for Devon Aire to come out with their Matrix helmet. I have had several email exchanges with them about it, and I kept hearing, “It will be out this summer…this fall…next spring.” I finally gave up. I really wanted one.
I also love the Versailles for summer schooling breeches. Here in the Deep South, I can’t stand anything else. I also like the way they fit–I don’t mind the waistband and like the regular rise. If they restyle it and the present ones go on closeout, I will buy all the 24’s! I absolutely love them. I have 6 pairs and would like a few more colors if they go on sale.
I am not a brand snob. If Devon Aire makes what I want, I will buy Devon Aire.
Thanks for mentioning the Versailles breeches. I moved from Colorado to Texas and am not adjusting to the heat well!
[QUOTE=Dewey;8702550]
Hi, Lori–I am still waiting for Devon Aire to come out with their Matrix helmet. I have had several email exchanges with them about it, and I kept hearing, “It will be out this summer…this fall…next spring.” I finally gave up. I really wanted one.
I also love the Versailles for summer schooling breeches. Here in the Deep South, I can’t stand anything else. I also like the way they fit–I don’t mind the waistband and like the regular rise. If they restyle it and the present ones go on closeout, I will buy all the 24’s! I absolutely love them. I have 6 pairs and would like a few more colors if they go on sale.
I am not a brand snob. If Devon Aire makes what I want, I will buy Devon Aire.[/QUOTE]
They did restyle the Versaille, adding sock ankles to all, adding new colors and changing some of the waistbands!
Regarding the helmet. I am sorry to bear bad news. Due to the restructuring of the helmet testing, DA has made the decision to discontinue most helmets. The cost to submit helmets for new testing was ridiculous and for now, they are putting the money into boots. I think it cost around $7500 per helmet to be retested and then to order the helmets, manufacturers require minimums, somewhere around 5000 per helmet. It has caused a few companies to drop helmet lines.
I am not surprised about the helmet, just disappointed. I wanted the conehead technology but didn’t like the look of the other helmet with that technology, the Prism. It’s too bad it costs too much for companies to provide the safest helmets available.
I am glad to hear that the Versailles will continue to be available. Does this mean that the older ones with the velcro bottoms will go on closeout?
I also want to compliment Devon Aire on their online catalog. After reading your posts, I went onto their site and looked at it. It’s very appealing, and I really like that they offer a variety of styles, some updated and others more classic with a variety of waistbands, all clearly marked. Good for Devon Aire! Those complaining about the frumpy old pics in the catalogs should check it out.
[QUOTE=Dewey;8702647]
I am not surprised about the helmet, just disappointed. I wanted the conehead technology but didn’t like the look of the other helmet with that technology, the Prism. It’s too bad it costs too much for companies to provide the safest helmets available.
I am glad to hear that the Versailles will continue to be available. Does this mean that the older ones with the velcro bottoms will go on closeout?
I also want to compliment Devon Aire on their online catalog. After reading your posts, I went onto their site and looked at it. It’s very appealing, and I really like that they offer a variety of styles, some updated and others more classic with a variety of waistbands, all clearly marked. Good for Devon Aire! Those complaining about the frumpy old pics in the catalogs should check it out.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the compliment, I will pass it on (as I did all comments.)
The Versaille were closed out last year.
So I stopped into my local Dover this afternoon.
After perusing miles of aisles of uber-bling, most of it priced higher than my truck and tractor payments combined, I went looking at the breeches. Damned if I could see a visible size difference between the 26’s and the 34’s. On the hanger they looked like pantyhose–NO hips, NO stomach, NO butt room in any of these. In short, they appear cut for gamine preteen BOYS. Somebody really needs to be speaking to Guangzhou. The fact that they probably have 500 pair in stock speaks to the fact that I’m hardly alone in not even bothering to take them to a fitting room. Does ANYBODY over the age of 12 fit into these things? Or are they supposed to stretch like 700% and I’m missing something?
Pretty vest I liked too–pity it’s only stocked in XS. Do juniors even wear those things?
I asked if they had a helmet prominently shown in their catalog. Nope–and no clue on when (whether? ever?) it’ll be in stock, either. The nice lady who waited on me was very apologetic.
I left with what I came in for–a pair of cheap pastern wraps.
Bummer . . . I’ve got nothing on my PayPal this month, could’ve had a ball. :no:
Lady Eboshi, from what I understand, the Dover retail stores are separate from the catalogue/e-tailer. They are associated, so you can go to a store and place an order for an item in a catalog, but the two entities (brick and mortar & catalog sales) are not one.
We have a local Dover and practically the only thing I get excited about is the annual tent sale, which was this past weekend. I picked up a few things, but selections were somewhat limited.
Items stocked in the store are just a portion of what is in the catalog, and seem to be heavy on the H/J gear.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8702712]
So I stopped into my local Dover this afternoon.
After perusing miles of aisles of uber-bling, most of it priced higher than my truck and tractor payments combined, I went looking at the breeches. Damned if I could see a visible size difference between the 26’s and the 34’s. On the hanger they looked like pantyhose–NO hips, NO stomach, NO butt room in any of these. In short, they appear cut for gamine preteen BOYS. Somebody really needs to be speaking to Guangzhou. The fact that they probably have 500 pair in stock speaks to the fact that I’m hardly alone in not even bothering to take them to a fitting room. Does ANYBODY over the age of 12 fit into these things? Or are they supposed to stretch like 700% and I’m missing something?[/QUOTE]
Many (not all) breeches are 4 way stretch and yes, they do stretch out when you put them on. So you might not see a huge visible difference on the hanger between the sizes. Because they’re made of stretch material, even the ones for curvy figures don’t necessarily look curvy on the hanger either.
I don’t love love love my local Dover stores but of all the products to pick on them for, at least the ones near me always have LOTS of breeches and LOTS of helmets (their clothing selection is bigger than the selection in most of the other parts of the store)-- both the higher priced and lower priced items. There are always lots of different types of breeches to try on and the size runs are decently stocked.
What Dover did you go to?
Really? I just looked at the size charts and the only Mountain Horse I could see with a calf wider than 15 3/4 is the winter ones. Ovation seemed to have one model in a 17 inch, but it’s a field boot, not a dress boot. It’s frustrating too that the calf sizes go up as the foot sizes do - so if someone did make a 17.5-18 inch calf, it’s only available in a size 9 and up. My little size 7 feet are the only small things about me LOL
Lady Eboshi & Pattnic-
When I was a size 16-18 with a big butt and small waist, Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunters size 36 fit me beautifully. I got mine on a couple of clearance racks so didn’t spend more than $80 for mine. I’m smaller now but still have a big butt and small waist and am still a fan of the brand, maybe if only because they were “nice” to me when I was fatter. Other brands were ridiculous- too small and poorly made, to boot. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for more clearance TSes. I love the brand- even more than my Pikeurs.
For those looking for extra wide boots- I had stock Petrie 3000s for a long time and they had a 17.5" calf. (XWH) Then I got even fatter and had a long gusset put in them for about $45. I’d absolutely go that route again- they looked great and were super comfortable even when I gained weight. When I lost weight, I had the elastic taken in. They looked much nicer than standard fat person boots and only cost about $399.
I’m a grown woman with no hips, no ass, and no waist. It is possible, you know. It doesn’t mean I’m “built like a teenage boy” I’m just not curvy. Most breeches sag on my non-butt, so I’m pretty sure they aren’t made for me.
What I don’t get about the Tredstep full seat breeches is why they put the extra patch of fabric inside the knee. I tried them on and it was just annoying to feel the ridges of stitching and fabric in a place that can already get bound up an irritated by excess material, let alone adding more. It turned me right off the Rosa full seats.
I want/need breeches that are true shapely fit in colors other than black and tan. I see all these cool colors and patterns for breeches but the same old boring colors for the shapely fit breeches. I want Navy, Plum, Forest Green, Grey, anything but black or tan. I want more manufacturers making shapely breeches too, they are a bit hard to find. Also, with a high waist, sorry low or mid rise just don’t work on me. I do not need plus size.
It seems weirdly defeatist to go all the way to a tack store, just LOOK at breeches on the hanger, decide without trying a single pair that none will work, and then leave and gripe that no one makes breeches that fit your figure.
