My calves are mooing; where can I get some custom britches?

[The_Crone_of_Cottonmouth_Count]

I have HAD it with off-the-rack breeches. They’re too thick, too hot, they never, ever fit, and most of them are actually painful. Even the expensive ones. Although I wear a size 8 in civvies, and to the casual observer my proportions read as perfectly normal, my knees and calves are apparently freakishly huge compared to the average equestrian. As in, about an inch greater in circumference than any off-the-rack breeches I have ever stuffed my legs into. And I’ve tried’em all. This morning I found myself gazing longingly at a pair of ratty old sweats, wondering if I could make’em work under a pair of half chaps. But that get-up would probably spook my horse.

So I’m looking to get some breeches made. In a stretchy, lightweight fabric. With enough room for me to bend my knees without suffering the tourniquet effect, but without a 6-inch gap at the waist. A cargo pocket for an iPhone 6 wouldn’t go entirely amiss, either, as long as I’m dreaming.

Sadly, I am in Austin, which is a sort of desert when it comes to custom tailors of the equestrian kind. So this would have to be tailor-by-internet. Any brilliant ideas? I will not hesitate to lavish riches upon the purveyor of a perfect pair.

[Korissa]

Check out Tropical Rider. They are like wearing yoga pants without being baggy. Super comfy and easy care! I throw mine in the washer and then low heat dry.

[Daisyesq]

Dear Crone,

I won’t answer any of your questions, no matter how charmingly self-effacing, until you start blogging again…

Signed,
A Fan.

[Kwill]

I remember many years ago, there was a company that sold breech patterns. I don’t remember the name now. Just get a pattern, and I think they would even help with fabric suggestions, and have a local seamstress/tailor sew some for you.

[Mosey_2003]

[QUOTE=Kwill;7783184]
I remember many years ago, there was a company that sold breech patterns. I don’t remember the name now. Just get a pattern, and I think they would even help with fabric suggestions, and have a local seamstress/tailor sew some for you.[/QUOTE]
SuitAbility

[see_u_at_x]

People on the dressage forum are always raving about the Equissentials breeches. I’ve never tried them for myself, but they can be made custom.

http://www.equissentials.net/index.php/equestrian-breeches/women-s-deerskin-riding-breeches.html

[Dewey]

http://www.total-equestrian.com/divisions/custom-riding-apparel

[alto]

[QUOTE=The Crone of Cottonmouth County;7783120]

Sadly, I am in Austin, which is a sort of desert when it comes to custom tailors of the equestrian kind. So this would have to be tailor-by-internet. Any brilliant ideas? I will not hesitate to lavish riches upon the purveyor of a perfect pair.[/QUOTE]

Chat with whoever is sewing dance/theatre/skate costumes in the area

Is Charlotte Saddlery Austin location open yet?

[emipou]

[QUOTE=The Crone of Cottonmouth County;7783120]
I have HAD it with off-the-rack breeches. They’re too thick, too hot, they never, ever fit, and most of them are actually painful. Even the expensive ones. Although I wear a size 8 in civvies, and to the casual observer my proportions read as perfectly normal, my knees and calves are apparently freakishly huge compared to the average equestrian. As in, about an inch greater in circumference than any off-the-rack breeches I have ever stuffed my legs into. And I’ve tried’em all. This morning I found myself gazing longingly at a pair of ratty old sweats, wondering if I could make’em work under a pair of half chaps. But that get-up would probably spook my horse.

So I’m looking to get some breeches made. In a stretchy, lightweight fabric. With enough room for me to bend my knees without suffering the tourniquet effect, but without a 6-inch gap at the waist. A cargo pocket for an iPhone 6 wouldn’t go entirely amiss, either, as long as I’m dreaming.

Sadly, I am in Austin, which is a sort of desert when it comes to custom tailors of the equestrian kind. So this would have to be tailor-by-internet. Any brilliant ideas? I will not hesitate to lavish riches upon the purveyor of a perfect pair.[/QUOTE]

I have a friend who goes to the fashion district here in LA, purchases her own fabrics, then takes them to a local tailor along with a pair of breeches to use as example and for $10 has her own custom pair of breeches made for her. They look good too. I think it just really matters on finding the right fabrics and the right tailor.
Me on the other hand, I’ve had to have custom half chaps made for me and although it was my only option at the time (big calves, tall leg), I probably wouldn’t recommend anyone else do the same, or at least through a non-equine route (I went to a leather shop specializing in motorcycle wear, and yes, they had an example pair but just didn’t understand the reason for fit and leather type).

[Appsolute]

Look at some cheaper breeches, seriously.

Are your calves really that freakish? Are you half chaps custom ordered XXXXXW? If not, you should be able to find breeches that fit. My calves are not small - but my (cheap!) breeches fit.

Devon-aire - check out their regular ol’ cotton breeches. They are THIN and light weight, very stretchy, wear well (I wear mine a couple days a week), and are good for hot weather (we get 100 degree days here). Oh, and they are cheap.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/devon-aire®-versailles-riding-breeches/p/X1-35247/

(notice the “bad” review says that they are too thin. And the young girl is so sure they won’t hold up for one lesson. Ummm no - I have a couple pairs that are 5+ years old, and get used a few times a week - some times for 4 hour long trail rides, they hold up great).

The other ones I like, which are also cheap, and have generous calves - Cotton Naturals breeches - especially the pull ons. Fabric is thicker than the Devon-Aires, but I still find them very very comfortable. Think fitted yoga pants. I don’t like to take them off when I get home from the barn - too comfy! (I will say that they have a horrible rubber “band” around the ankle area. I just cut it off, problem solved.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/on-course-cttn-nat-lite-pullon/p/X1-35775/

[Vesper_Sparrow]

Have you tried Irideon Cadence tights? Very stretchy material and they come in regular, petite, long (I think) and low-rise. I have big calves and they fit me well.

[Somantu]

Tropical Riders

Tropical Rider offers a wide range of styles, fabrics and seat/patch material –– and will customize to your shape. Super comfortable and they last forever.

Unfortunately you just missed a one-day 50% off sale.

http://www.tropicalrider.com/

[Kwill]

I love my cotton natural breeches, you are right, they are too comfy to take off, and I have quite fat calves (like, I don’t even want to think about getting tall boots, such a hassle). They make larger sizes, too, since I am not anywhere near a size 8, another plus!

[The_Crone_of_Cottonmouth_Count]

Thanks for all the suggestions, yall. I freaked out my old hunter this afternoon by throwing a western saddle on her so I could just wear some comfy jeans for cryin’ out loud. Didn’t want to jean up my Frenchie jumpin’ saddle, but couldn’t bear the idea of squishing the cronal physique into another pair those dadgum furnace-torture-pants. The humidity turns’em into Pampers. Crossed with vise-grips.

[cleo570]

I second Irideon for super-comfy, breathable breeches in hot/humid weather (I ride even in the summer in the Florida swampland). They even make bootcut riding pants that might just fit the bill for you…prices are not too bad, either.

[hoopoe]

Equissentials are totally wonderful They will happily tailor not only a new pair but if you have any changes along the way

If you wear out a pair ( they wear like iron, good luck) they will reuse the deerskin from your old pair for your new pair.

I loved them and they come in as many styles and variations as you can come up with

[HungarianHippo]

Rather than having brand new breeches made up from whole cloth (pun intended. Or was that even a pun, given that tailoring was the source of the original phrase? Hmmmm. Anyway…), how about getting a larger pair, like size 12 or 14, and then have them taken in as needed above the calf?

[Texarkana]

@Appsolute;7783377

Look at some cheaper breeches, seriously.

I agree with Appsolute on this one. The cheaper breeches seem to have more stretch and give and are usually made of thinner material.

If you really want comfy breeches, the On Course Pull On breeches are pretty much just like wearing sweat pants. I’ve considered wearing them as pajamas a time or too! But they are thick and are warm for the Texas summers… you know, March through November.

[Sam_Iam1]

I have a dirty secret! 90% of my britches are yoga pants I have modified some with knee patches and turning the bootcut leg in to a skinny leg. This is not difficult to do and if you are not a seamstress then just tuck the extra material from the calf/ankle in to a pair of half chaps or tall boots that have a lil extra room. I tend to be robust in the fanny and calf (along with a long leg) so head over to goodwill and buy up all of the expensive brand name yoga pants that will cover my tush without making me look like a plumber.

[TheHotSensitiveType]

I feel your pain all too well. My calves are so gigantic I apparently shouldn’t be riding a horse! There are only two brands of half chaps that I can get on, most I can’t even pretend to zip up, and there is no such thing as a field boot or dress boot that fits (close to 17" calves!!!).

For me anyway, these actually fit pretty comfortably although my instructor said that Irideons run small, i.e. if you are usually a medium get a large. I found her to be correct and I am glad I asked. These fit me well as they have room for a larger than average derriere.
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/irideon-ladies-boot-cut-tights/SLT900805/

I also liked these, but I found a massive size discrepancy between the three pairs of the same size I got. One pair fits well, one fits-ish but is smaller previous pair, and third one is smaller than the smaller pair and is too small.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/devon-aire®-x-wear-sensation-cell-phone-riding-tight/p/X1-35519/

Hope you find something that works.