It does not compute!
The bib style shirt would look like a normal white show shirt under the coat, but you’d be less likely to see white through the mesh coat elsewhere if the body of the shirt matches the coat color.
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You can wear the bib style under a mesh coat! I would just color match her coat if possible.
It looks like on the link its “Pop The Cork” or “Happy Doodles” for the Black Option on the link.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/essex-classics-luna-performance-long-sleeve-show-shirt--25497
They also have Navy & Grey options as well. What’s nice is the Luna shirt is also perforated on the body/arms. So she gets extra breeze while still looking classic and stylish!
SmartPak also has the Hadley Bibs in slate or navy (if her coat is either of those colors). That Bib doesn’t go down the whole front of the body.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/hadley-performance-bib-front-long-sleeve-show-shirt-by-smartpak-24000
However, I’ve never had a Hadley - so I can’t speak to quality or size. I always say you can never go wrong with an Essex - bib or no bib.
She owns 10+ sets of breeches, but only 2 made the cut to go to the show. I was hoping to make it a surprise. Just not sure what breeches she needs, I have since learned that they cannot have the sticky butt part, but knee pads are ok. Trying on riding gear here in southern California is almost impossible ever since Broken Horn did what ever it did my choices are to drive to Calabasas or Marys Tack, both of which are 2+ hours away. Had pretty good luck ordering stuff online, the return policy is pretty good most places, and there is plenty of time to exchange. sorry I just hate gift cards or similar situations.
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How do you think your wife would like a shopping trip AT the show instead as a surprise, as an activity for you both to do together? Maybe gather some hints on what she likes so you can surprise her with an outfit purchase later on.
The thing is with these big shows, shopping is often a big enough reason just to go in the first place. I’ve never been to the LV show, but at least with indoor shows here (mainly thinking about the Royal Winter Fair which I grew up going to and I’m guessing LV is similar since it’s in a convention hall type of place I believe), you’ll have a whole slew of tack stores - both big and boutique - set up there with cool stuff to browse.
I’m not sure if it’s just because I didn’t have much money growing up, but I only had 1 “showing outfit” and didn’t change anything throughout the entire weekend. Might just be me though. 
I’d think I’d want to be comfortable with whatever I’m wearing (as in, not the first time I’m wearing it), especially at a big-deal type of show.
ETA: oops, just realized I’m echoing what @fivestrideline said. At any rate, as a woman who would love the “buy her an outfit” surprise myself, I think the “surprise shopping spree” / “surprise pick out an outfit” is a really wonderful gesture at a big show with lots of vendors, especially if you go with her and seem super interested/involved in the process, AND will give you some ammo for the “buy her an outfit” surprise 
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Got it–I’d peak at the two pairs of breeches she’s taking and check the brand + that brand’s sizing. Each brand can fit so differently; it’s maddening.
You’ve gotten GREAT advice on the shirts! I would absolutely do a darker shirt with a bib. Essex is clever and does the white bib, cuffs, and collar only where a coat won’t cover 
It’s such a life saver since the barn is inevitably dirty, and white shows everything.
I don’t know what her tallboot sock collection is like, but if you really want to go all out, you can look at some fun socks for her and get a color-coordinating belt from https://www.ellany.com/ (they’re personally my favorite belts. I think I have 12 of them 
).
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Petition for all full seat breeches to now be called sticky butt breeches.
Not mocking you OP, this is genuinely a perfect description of these kinds of pants and made me laugh.
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This thread has a cute “ending”
but I guess what I am asking is… how would a partner know an account password to a horse forum? Or am I just very obviously a millennial & cannot fathom my husband having access to any username and password configuration of mine without explicit permission? Nothing to hide, just sort of not in the flow of how we use technology. My husband would have made his own username and said “my partner is in xyz and this is the situation - can you oh wise forum folks help me”.
I think that is the generational cultural difference that was pushing folks to think that this was spam / bot takeover. Using the account of another identity for ANY reason, even if kind and sweet, is REALLY disconcerting for those of us, say, under early/mid 40s?
I dunno, I’m a zillennial and my husband knows my login info for everything. We swap phones and such all the time if needed. Pretty sure he has a laptop in his office right now that I “gave” to him and is probably logged into all sorts of things. 
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I’m 35 and my SO and I freely share devices. He doesn’t touch my work laptop just out of sheer fear of messing something up, but when it comes to ipads and iphones we just grab whose ever is closest. In fact, every Sunday night I work on his client schedule via his phone. The only time we say “hey don’t look at XYZ” is when we are Christmas shopping for one another. We are open books. Given, he isn’t tech savvy and wouldn’t know how to get on here, but I keep an amazon wishlist and a Dover wish list that he has links to for such occasions =)
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I am driving there with her then coming back to pick her up, so while she is looking for a new helmet there she will show 2 days before I get to go to the show and it will be a bit late.
I have no clue what breeches she is bringing, that is why I needed help, got it handled. not rocket science, just did not know.
She likes a bit more of bling belt than those… thanks for the advice.
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I am totally in that age group, but I know my wife login to her computer, and she knows mine, and we both use password managers. Mainly because I handle IT issues in the family, but I dont hide anything from her, in fact I have a print out of all my passwords/bank accounts ett in a fireproof safe just incase something happens. now I just hope she remembers the combination should I meet an untimely demise
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What you wear to ride at home, in lessons, or clinics can be much more blingy (and complete with sticky butt) than what would be suitable to wear at a show, especially a bigger show.
I would advice that you can always get her a second mesh show coat in a different color.
I actually quite like the bibfront show shirts under the mesh coats because then you can’t see white sleeves! OP, I hope your wife has an amazing show and that you update us!
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I have to admit I was pretty suspicious of the original posts, but “mesh coat” rang true. Then I was just confused. 
Dittoing what others said about the bib shirts. I have a black one and a light blueish one and a navy coat and it looks fine. Though my standards are jumper, not hunter. The black bib comes in handy when I show without a coat bc I wear an air vest and it avoids the “waiter look” with a dark vest and white sleeves. Also helpful bc we do a fair amount of our own work, and the less white the better. I fold my cuffs back over themselves to preserve the white cuffs and usually remember to unfold them before I show.
Have fun! That’s supposed to be quite a fun show for riders and spectators.
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What about DaMoors? They have a good selection of show shirts and breeches.
Never been there, but still and hour and fifty minutes away. I will have to go visit next time we are the LA Equestrian Center.
