New rider questions about breeches

[dude.does.dressage]

[QUOTE=trot122;8902960]
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.[/QUOTE]

I too like the Horze Grand Prix breeches, full seat, nice fabric, look nice and not terribly expensive either. I think I bought size based on my usual pants/jeans size and that worked out fine.

Don’t know about their return policy these days, but a couple years ago I bought a pair of boots that they replaced for a different size quite easily.

[alibi_18]

[QUOTE=trot122;8903109]
I appreciate the idea, but they’re not really my style.
I’m thinking of these: http://www.doversaddlery.com/t/men’s-devon-aire®-cool-cotton-riding-breeches/p/X1-3512/
Or these: http://www.doversaddlery.com/t/kerrits-flex-tight-ii/p/X1-35090/[/QUOTE]

The Devon Aire from Dover would be a Yes.
But the Kerrits would be a big no from me. The material is quite thin and the cut wouldn’t fit a man at all.

Women’s breeches might fit but I still recommand you go with men’s breeches because the fit isn’t the same at all. You don’t want your male parts squished weirdly.

[trot122]

[QUOTE=alibi_18;8903166]
The Devon Aire from Dover would be a Yes.
But the Kerrits would be a big no from me. The material is quite thin and the cut wouldn’t fit a man at all.

Women’s breeches might fit but I still recommand you go with men’s breeches because the fit isn’t the same at all. You don’t want your male parts squished weirdly. ;)[/QUOTE]
That is true, it sucks being a male rider. I have ordered the Devon pair, but in the meantime I’m going to the tack store tommorow to get a cheaper pair.

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=RxCate;8901825]
The only major thing separating men’s from women’s breeches are the seat pockets. [/QUOTE]

LOL… Umm… No.

Mens breeches are built completely different in the crotch. Try a pair on to see for your self.

www.equestriancollections.com/mens-riding-apparel/mens-riding-breeches/full-seat-breeches Has lots of reasonably priced options.

If you find a ladies breech that you are comfortable in, try to sit on a saddle in the store. What is comfy standing and what is comfy riding may be different.

If you don’t have to have white, try a dark brown, navy, or black. They don’t show dirt as much.

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=tangledweb;8902943]
Don’t send the poor kid into the barn wearing a pair of tartan clown pants. [/QUOTE]

Damn it you made me look

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/3081-Scottish-Black-Watch-Tartan-Breeches/

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=trot122;8903483]
That is true, it sucks being a male rider. [/QUOTE]

Now, now. You’re the lucky one.

Just curious, have you ever screamed in the shower after a riding lesson?

Ooops… TMI

[trot122]

[QUOTE=csaper58;8903510]
Now, now. You’re the lucky one.

Just curious, have you ever screamed in the shower after a riding lesson?

Ooops… TMI[/QUOTE]
Well… I suppose it depends on what you mean. But no.
Thanks for all you help everyone! I really was stuck. I previously have tried a few ladies pairs on, I just didn’t want to “risk it”. I’d hate to be laughed at in the barn.

[Goforward]

www.horze.com has really nice men’s full seats. My husband wears their “Grand Prix” style. The company is good with returns as well.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=trot122;8903109]
I appreciate the idea, but they’re not really my style.
I’m thinking of these: http://www.doversaddlery.com/t/men’s-devon-aire®-cool-cotton-riding-breeches/p/X1-3512/
Or these: http://www.doversaddlery.com/t/kerrits-flex-tight-ii/p/X1-35090/[/QUOTE]

I get it. Don’t wear what you don’t like unless, of course, that’s all that’s available!!!

Be sure to sit in a saddle with anything you try. Move around a bit, stand and sit, get a bit off balance, etc. As noted some breeches are cut different than others and women’s are cut different than men’s. You don’t want want to get cut up the middle like a chicken the first time you have some stress on your seat. That would hurt; and maybe two ways (the obvious way and when you hit the ground).

We spend a lot of time here talking about horse comfort, and that’s not bad. We don’t spend enough, often, considering rider comfort. If something is NQR (“not quite right”) it will be a distraction and prevent the rider from paying the level of attention they need to pay to the horse. Rider discomfort can lead to horse discomfort at the rider changes position or balance to address what’s bothering them.

Good luck as you go forward!

G.

[2DogsFarm]

My DH wore the Devonaire breeches - kneepatch.
I loved the front pocket option so much I ordered them for myself when I couldn’t steal his.
Honestly - aside from which side the zip goes who can tell?

Like others here I can’t understand why your trainer is insisting on full-seats - maybe ask why?
I ride dressage - have done so for over 30yrs - and never bothered with fullseats.
And yes, I have had some big-moving horses.
Also Evented & showed H/J sans fullseat.

White breeches s/b for shows only.
Unless you like doing stain-removal and frequent laundry :winkgrin:

[trot122]

[QUOTE=2DogsFarm;8903787]
My DH wore the Devonaire breeches - kneepatch.
I loved the front pocket option so much I ordered them for myself when I couldn’t steal his.
Honestly - aside from which side the zip goes who can tell?

Like others here I can’t understand why your trainer is insisting on full-seats - maybe ask why?
I ride dressage - have done so for over 30yrs - and never bothered with fullseats.
And yes, I have had some big-moving horses.
Also Evented & showed H/J sans fullseat.

White breeches s/b for shows only.
Unless you like doing stain-removal and frequent laundry :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
I’m aiming to learn Dressage, maybe that’s why?

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=trot122;8904054]
I’m aiming to learn Dressage, maybe that’s why?[/QUOTE]

Nothing wrong with that. Mike Matson can tell you a lot about it.

But for every hour you spend in a competition or formal setting like a clinic you’ll spend scores, or more, in the instructional and schooling ring. So buy something that you can easily clean and won’t show the dirt so bad. Then, when you’ve got some experience and are headed for your first show or test then get a good pair for that venue. You’ll also be a LOT more knowledgeable what what you do or don’t need.

Enjoy the experience!

G.

[rosegold]

No opinion on men’s breeches as my SO has yet to purchase a pair of his own (keeps borrowing mine :lol: ) but I will say that in the past I have indeed sported some… ahem… “rug burn” on my bony behind as a result of too many dressage rides in knee-patch breeches. I started buying full-seats for dressage shortly thereafter, and have never regretted the money spent.

[2DogsFarm]

[QUOTE=trot122;8904054]
I’m aiming to learn Dressage, maybe that’s why?[/QUOTE]
:no: IMHO fullseats are not intrinsic to learning dressage.
I have ridden my own horses to 3rd Level in kneepatch breeches.
DH schooled 2nd Level & Evented (schooled to Training level), sans fullseats.
Do yourself a favor & ask why/if fullseats are mandatory.

[HorsesinHaiti]

To each his or her own behind!

Trot, if you are anywhere near VA, both VTO and the Middleburg Tack Exchange (ESPECIALLY MTE) have great secondhand clothing sections. I got my cheap breeches at VTO new but onsale for $20, and my nice pair at MTE. Both have people who could help you figure out a size over the phone. VTO does most of their business online so they are used to shipping and return. MTE I’m less sure of, I doubt they send consignment stuff out on trial but they would certainly have men’s breeches. Look them up on the net and give them a call.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

I know that Silverbridge is a frequent male poster in the dressage forum, so he may have some thoughts!

SmartPak has a good return policy and has a section devoted to male clothing.

Knee patch:

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/b/12091

Full seat (would suggest the dark brown rather than the white for these):

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/b/11272

Might be a bit more $ than is ideal but hopefully you will be using them for many years and they can be returned if they don’t fit.

Alas, I have not seen any difference in my riding with full seat versus knee patch breeches. I would also echo all of the other posters that until you have to buy white breeches for a specific occasion, don’t. I’ve ridden in schooling dressage shows without them (obviously, it depends on the fanciness of the venue, I guess) and have enough trouble keeping even light tan breeches clean.

[amm2cd]

For what it’s worth, I had an adult male student who bought ladies breeches. None of us ever noticed, and I wouldn’t know to this day, had he not brought it up. To be honest, if you are comfortable and confident no one is going to check for back pockets or which side the zipper opens.
There are so many styles of breeches now, back pockets, front pockets, any style is availible for both genders.

[OTTB2]

[QUOTE=trot122;8901810]
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:[/QUOTE]

Coming from another guy, don’t worry about it. the only difference is the pockets but now trendy women’s breeches have pockets too. Get what is comfortable.