New rider questions about breeches

trot122 · August 12, 2020, 7:26am

Hi Everyone,
I’m a reasonably new rider, I started about 3 months ago,
I absolutely love it. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. My trainer has advised me that it’s time to buy my own pair of decent full seat breeches.

I’ve gone to the tack store and tried the only two men’s pairs that they have, both pairs are white and $255 dollars, they also didn’t fit, they were to small. I tried some Ladies breeches on, they feel far more comfortable than the men’s, and there is a far larger range. They also fit my shape far better. I’m considering buying a pair, but I’m worried that it’s weird what I’m thinking of doing and I’ll be laughed at in the barn:

ParadoxFarm · November 20, 2020, 6:58am

it’s tough for guys to find breeches. My husband rides, and it’s a challenge. However, there usually are slight differences. Men’s almost always have back pocket flaps. Most women’s don’t. If you could try more on, it would be great. Some online tack shops, like SmartPak, allow you to buy a pair and if they don’t fit, you can send them back for another size without paying shipping back. My husband finally found some he likes from Horze. He likes the Grand Prix. Though, he was able to try them on at Rolex this past spring. http://www.horze.com/riding-breeches-for-men

RxCate · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

The only major thing separating men’s from women’s breeches are the seat pockets.

You need to look online, and get in to some FB groups for apparel re-sale. You can find much better deals. No beginner needs to pay $300 for breeches.

NoSuchPerson · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

Unless they’re side zip, I can’t imagine that I would even be able to tell whether or not you were wearing men’s or ladies’ breeches at the barn. And I certainly wouldn’t care enough to study you with the attention it would take to figure it out.

But, SmartPak sells mens breeches and they have free returns on sized items, so just order a few different styles in the size you think you need and if they don’t work, send them back and order some different sizes/styles.

Also, if you read the product reviews, sometimes they will note if the breeches run small or large or short or whatever, which helps guide your selection of the proper size.

peedin · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

I would never notice if anyone was wearing men’s vs ladies breeches. Wear what is comfy for you.

Tanyanoel · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

I agree with the poster that recommends ordering online, better selection and prices…

Here is a pair of full seats for 79 from Smartpak.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/b/12291

Now it is going to be harder to find men’s breeches at tack stores that are less expensive, it seems so many tack stores only have a few options and they are not always the best priced.

MissAriel · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

I can’t help with recommendations for men’s breeches, but I would ask your trainer for clarification on the full seat requirement. Not everyone prefers them, although they seem to be the standard in dressage. And most knee patch breeches are cheaper, and you may find more options that way.

Definitely check out the FB groups “English Tack Trader” and “English Riding Apparel” - you can even post an ISO (in search of) request.

North_Dakota · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

My boyfriend loves Horze breeches!

OldLadyYoungOTTB · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

My son is only 12 so his opinion is probably different than a man’s, but he loves the Ovation 4-pocket breeches (back pockets). They look a lot like khaki pants from the knee up. I think they are around $80 but I can’t honestly remember. Definitely not over $100 and I second whoever said a beginner doesn’t need $200+ breeches.

Red_Barn · August 28, 2020, 9:14am

A beginner also doesn’t need white! You need comfy schooling breeches.

I’m not a man, but my general feeling is that Dover has the biggest selection of men’s breeches - some of which don’t even look like they should be on a cop.

Magicboy · August 28, 2020, 9:15am

The free return from Smartpak makes trying Breeches a lot easier. So don’t get the white, expensive ones!

tangledweb · August 28, 2020, 9:16am

If you are super skinny it might work, but for most men women’s breeches will be very unflattering. The hip circumference will be significantly bigger than the waist and you’ll have a saggy butt.

Few people live near a tack store with a good men’s range. Measure your waist. Go online. Order some practical, muddy colored, moderately priced ones online somewhere that you can return them if they don’t fit. VTO sometimes has a good men’s ones in odd sizes cheaply. If you stick with riding you’ll try on, buy and wear out different ones and find a favorite.

Guilherme · August 28, 2020, 9:16am

Take a look at these:

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/714-US-Breeches-Khaki-Cotton/?bc=no

Very comfortable, very affordable, very durable. I’ve got 5 pair that I wear (four for everyday and one for dress up, like Hunting or a show). I’ve worn out 4 pair since I started wearing them in 2005.

If you use the WPG search function you’ll find all kinds of breeches in all kinds of fabrics from cotton to wool to drill to tartan. Find one you like and try them out.

G.

partita · August 28, 2020, 9:17am

I wouldn’t even notice if the breeches you were wearing were womens or not. Unless maybe they had some sparkle or bling on them. And if that’s what you like, go for it!
I agree, NO WHITE. Save those for the showring. If you can find some dark or neutral color in womens that fit, I really don’t think anyone will notice.

tangledweb · August 28, 2020, 9:17am

[QUOTE=Guilherme;8902699]
If you use the WPG search function you’ll find all kinds of breeches in all kinds of fabrics from cotton to wool to drill to tartan. Find one you like and try them out. :)[/QUOTE]

Don’t send the poor kid into the barn wearing a pair of tartan clown pants. I’m sure with the right degree of ability and confidence you can pull off elephant ear breeches in beige or khaki. I’m not convinced anybody could pull them off in tartan, but if you’ve got pictures please put them up.

A beginner rider does not need his pants to be center of attention. He needs normal, like:

https://www.vtosaddlery.com/category/MENSBREECH.htm

https://www.smartpakequine.com/mens-breeches-1533pc

http://www.doversaddlery.com/Category.aspx?c=1102&ss=&sb=&sd=&layout=&filter=&pgnum=1&pgsize=all

trot122 · August 28, 2020, 9:17am

Thanks to everyone who has suggested options. This might sound weird but I’m looking for something with a bit of a tight fit, that looks clean. I know lots of the pro’s wear those super baggy ones and in my opinion they just look yuck.

LesleyW · August 28, 2020, 9:17am

I’ve been riding over 30 years, and never owned a pair of full seat breeches. I don’t know that many people who wear them.
I have two pairs of breeches for showing. One of those pairs was purchased new for $125. The other pair were new, with tags, but I bought them in the want ads. $200 breeches for $30.
Every other pair I’ve ever owned has either been found in 2nd hand stores, or bought through want ads, for under $50. Just wear what’s comfortable.

pony_baloney · August 28, 2020, 9:17am

Why full seats? If you are a new rider, I can’t imagine you needing them for more advanced dressage riding this early in your journey.

I personally don’t like being stuck to the saddle, except maybe during a trail ride on a spooky windy day.

Guilherme · August 28, 2020, 9:18am

[QUOTE=tangledweb;8902943]
Don’t send the poor kid into the barn wearing a pair of tartan clown pants. I’m sure with the right degree of ability and confidence you can pull off elephant ear breeches in beige or khaki. I’m not convinced anybody could pull them off in tartan, but if you’ve got pictures please put them up.

A beginner rider does not need his pants to be center of attention. He needs normal, like:

https://www.vtosaddlery.com/category/MENSBREECH.htm

https://www.smartpakequine.com/mens-breeches-1533pc

http://www.doversaddlery.com/Category.aspx?c=1102&ss=&sb=&sd=&layout=&filter=&pgnum=1&pgsize=all[/QUOTE]

Your wish is my command!

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/3081-Scottish-Black-Watch-Tartan-Breeches/?bc=no

There are some styles that are less “full” for consideration:

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/6094-US-M1912-Wool-Enlisted-Breeches/?bc=no?bc=no

I have a pair of these and they are less full:

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/5935-US-1902-Pattern-Khaki-Cotton-Breeches/?bc=no?bc=no

And a pair of these, also less full:

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/5538-British-Officer-Bedford-Cord-Breeches/?bc=no?bc=no