Navy dressage coat

[atr]

It’s time for a new coat, but I’m largely underwhelmed with what I can find.

I want something tailored and elegant and fairly traditional. I’ve been wearing a Pikeur Skarlett for the past few years, which I have loved. However, I could go for something a little longer.

I’m not large, but I’m a middle-aged lady, so I’d like something that covers my nether regions to some degree.

Most of the softshell ones look puckered and badly tailored and unflattering to me. There are some things that should be skimmed over… If they can’t take a good sales shot, I hate to think what it’s going to look like in reality.

I hate baggy sleeves.

I can tolerate some bling, but not too much. I don’t want to wear overt logos down my sleeves or across my chest.

I kinda like the look and concept of the Goode Rider Complete. It’s more than I planned on spending and I haven’t seen it in the flesh.

I’ve also been contemplating the RJ Classics Marley with the contrasting collar at Riding Warehouse.

Oh, I also live in the desert, so lightweight and washable is good…

Any great ideas?

[staceyk]

Hi, Like you I had a Pikeur Scarlett that I liked but felt it was too short (short-short coats do not look good on me). I looked at a lot of coats and love Pikeur (there are longer styles), but the price tags of that brand were prohibitive.

I ended up buying the Romfh bling jacket (bling is subtle), it is a modern fabric, stretchy, but I love the tailoring. It has a hidden zipper that keeps the buttons flat, and it covers the butt without being the old-style very long coat that can be annoying to ride in. And, it is $209ish retail. It comes in navy. http://www.romfh.com/romfh-bling-show-coat-468791

I’m a big fan of the Romfh brand and this coat really sold me. Good luck!

[MissAriel]

A Pikeur Diana is a longer jacket - I have a washable Navy one I love, for all the reasons you mentioned. It isn’t “fashionable” but is classic and looks great on a horse

[scruffy_the_cat]

The Cavallo jackets are really nice quality. Even though they are washable and breathable, the fabric has substance.

[outerbanks77]

@MissAriel

A Pikeur Diana is a longer jacket - I have a washable Navy one I love, for all the reasons you mentioned. It isn’t “fashionable” but is classic and looks great on a horse

I have one of those as well, and I was chuckling a little reading your post because I just ordered a Pikeur Radina this weekend because I wanted shorter. I might go back to the Diana if I ever get my WB mare to the point of showing at sitting trot. Discovered the longer tails would get stuck between my butt and silicone breeches, and seems a little overwhelming on my more petite QH mare, though the navy looks smashing with her darker chestnut coat.

[atr]

I have a Diana in black, whilst it’s a thing of beauty, it’s a bit overwhelming and I end up sitting on the tails. It’s also hotter than heck on a Utah summer day.

I’m still dithering…

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

Two friends have a coat that I think would fit the bill-both friends are in the desert. It has a zipper under the buttons and a tiny amount of bling on the pockets. Very flattering. Of course I can’t remmeber the name but will find out for you-has been around for a few years.

[vali]

Farm house tack has some gorgeous pikeurs on sale for $150. I just got a pikeur saphira for my daughter that is mildly blingy.

[atr]

Thanks for all your good ideas! I’ve ordered an RJ that was on super duper sale at Dressage Extensions. We shall see. I can always send it back if I don’t like it! I’ve had a dressage coat from them before that I’ve liked, so I’m hopeful. It’s tough being cheap and picky. And I’m off to look at Farmhouse tack now.

[Ladylexie]

I don’t like my coat short and like to cover my butt a little bit. I went fully custom and love the fabric and the fit.

[scruffy_the_cat]

@Ladylexie

I don’t like my coat short and like to cover my butt a little bit. I went fully custom and love the fabric and the fit.

Don’t tease us with this! Where did you get the coat and what ordering choices did you make?

[islgrl]

I have a Pikeur Diana, which I think is too long and I want to go shorter. It is absolutely beautiful, fits me perfectly, but I prefer shorter coats, and now that they are in style I want to switch. It pains me to buy another however, when there is nothing wrong with this one. I have made the purchase contingent on meeting a few riding goals so I can feel like I have earned it!

[Shagyas_Rock]

Ah, I can relate to the need for something lightweight and cool. I don’t live in the desert but I’m at that age where my internal thermostat doesn’t always work :eek: A hot flash is great when you’re doing chores in January but not at a show in the summer. . .
And I’m hard to fit. I have broad shoulders, a long and fairly slim waist - (I am very bitter at all the “low rise” breeches out there and the relative scarcity of decent regular rise attire for those who need it)
Anyway - I found a very nice local tailor - skilled enough to make wedding dresses - and was willing to make me a dressage coat. I bought the pattern from Dressage Extensions and the fabric from a local fabric/sewing supply store.
I found some light weight material and even lighter weight mesh for the lining. This tailor - an older lady - measured me and created what turned out to be a really nice jacket. She charged me $100 for the work and I had about $50 or so in materials. It’s hard to find a nice ready-made jacket for that. It took a few months for her to complete the project and I had to go in for a couple of fittings. . . but we started in fall and it was ready by the following spring for the first show.
This thing is so light weight I can feel the breeze through it - it’s awesome.
If you can find a local seamstress or tailor that is reasonable - you might want to consider this too. . . it will fit you perfectly and will have a lot of choices in fabrics and shades of navy and blue. Best of luck!

[Ladylexie]

@Shagyas Rock

Ah, I can relate to the need for something lightweight and cool. I don’t live in the desert but I’m at that age where my internal thermostat doesn’t always work :eek: A hot flash is great when you’re doing chores in January but not at a show in the summer. . .
And I’m hard to fit. I have broad shoulders, a long and fairly slim waist - (I am very bitter at all the “low rise” breeches out there and the relative scarcity of decent regular rise attire for those who need it)
Anyway - I found a very nice local tailor - skilled enough to make wedding dresses - and was willing to make me a dressage coat. I bought the pattern from Dressage Extensions and the fabric from a local fabric/sewing supply store.
I found some light weight material and even lighter weight mesh for the lining. This tailor - an older lady - measured me and created what turned out to be a really nice jacket. She charged me $100 for the work and I had about $50 or so in materials. It’s hard to find a nice ready-made jacket for that. It took a few months for her to complete the project and I had to go in for a couple of fittings. . . but we started in fall and it was ready by the following spring for the first show.
This thing is so light weight I can feel the breeze through it - it’s awesome.
If you can find a local seamstress or tailor that is reasonable - you might want to consider this too. . . it will fit you perfectly and will have a lot of choices in fabrics and shades of navy and blue. Best of luck!

That is perfect!

[JLR1]

I’m in the desert too and have a navy coat by Animo that is washable, lightweight and breathable. I am short waisted so coats generally always cover my hiney…finally something good about being short waisted!:lol:

[Draftmare]

Now, I am pretty cheap when it comes to my show clothes, but have you looked at the Kerrits coats? They are a really nice technical fabric and are machine washable. I found the fit to be very flattering on most body types.