That’s the frustration for us plus size riders. 36 is size 16 which is not a “plus” size. Sigh.
I second the Ovation breeches. The Melange fit a more curvy figure, are very comfortable, look nice and are affordable. I don’t show anymore but remember how frustrating it was to find a jacket, sizing always seemed to be way smaller then what the size said. It’s frustrating just finding tops, many equestrian brands don’t go past XL which fits like a 12 at best.
Ditto on the boots! I’ve gotten lucky off eBay with gently used boots. I have a pair of Cavallos that I have completely worn out and a pair of Petries that are super stiff so if I’m not showing in a particular year they stay in the closet.
When I was still showing, I got a good deal on Pikeur coat from some place in the UK - Amira maybe? It was worth the wait for half the price in the US. It was one of the tech fabric ones - cooler and the whole thing was stretch material. I will NEVER have a coat or shad without a hidden zipper again. It is a godsend for anyone with boobs to not have to worry that you’re going to pop a button, no matter how well you sew those suckers on, while you go around the outside 30 seconds before your ride at regionals.
I’m a Romfh devotee for breeches, but I’m the exact opposite of an ideal dressage rider. I’m incredibly long waisted, so mid-rise breeches are indecently low slung on me. If I were as tall as my torso length suggested I should be, I would be over 6’ tall.
The other option is to get a coat you like - make sure it fits the biggest part of you, and have the rest tailored to fit.
There’s a great tack store that specializes in plus sizes and their customer service is wonderful. Check out https://www.neighborlytack.com/
So, let me ask you this: The boots you ordered - were they inside front zips with the stiff outside calf? If so, did Celeris do a good job with the shape of the calf? Are there any weird gaps or awkward angles? I ask this because I always felt like my DeNiros were cut awkwardly, and I’m not sure how much of that was how they were measured or quite simply the fact that the stiff leather may be more difficult to work with. For example, my Ariat V-Sports (soft leather) fit me well and I have no problems with the calf shape. They also zip up the back and are elastic-y, so that of course helps. Even my off-the-rack Mountain Horse dressage boots fit more like a glove than the DeNiros did. So now, I’m super leery about ordering new custom boots, because I’m afraid they won’t look good because of my larger calves.
There’s a plus size rider on YouTube (channel Raythegoth) she’s based in the UK and reviews a decent amount of brands that carry plus size friendly equestrian wear. Some brands are better than others. For boots, she seems really enthusiastic about The Wide Boot Company. They do ship to the US.
Bumping this with a note that the PS of Sweden curvy breech in grey is on sale through their outlet sale page. Shipping to NA is expensive so maybe with adding on a saddle pad or two or three…
https://thehorselet.com/outlet/shop-by/discount/30-40/breeches-jewel-grey
Oooh, nice!
Most operations assume that “large” ladies don’t ride, so they won’t stock items in larger sizes because they don’t think they will sell. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the manufacturer doesn’t make other sizes. If you find an item you like in a tack store, ask (nicely) to speak to the manager. And ask her (again nicely) if she can order the item in the size you need. Some store owners/managers are quite accommodating about this, esp. if you are a regular in their store. They will probably make you pay for it ahead of time and be aware that if it doesn’t fit or you don’t want it, they may not refund the full purchase amount (so they can cover their shipping costs). Also be aware that it can take some time to receive the item, esp. these days.
Adding to my post above.
If you speak to a floor rep in a chain like Dover, she may just call their warehouse - who of course won’t have the other sizes. So you have to be sure to speak to someone with executive decision making authority and who knows to call a buyer rep for the manufacturer.
Or you can shop online from the manufacturer or distributor
Not show clothes but…I have struggled to find boot socks to fit me, then I found Sock it to me
https://www.sockittome.com/shop/all-socks/stretch-it-wide-calf-socks
I now have several pairs of knee length socks that fit, and make me smile, just a couple of examples. Oh, and they back it up with great customer service, definitely worth a look
I’m a fan of the Smartpak Hadley breeches - they come in white, tan and colors, and go up to a 46. I find them more comfortable and better-fitting than the Pipers. I like the Ovation slim secret ones too but they just didn’t fit me right, the Hadleys fit better.
The plus-sized coat situation also is very frustrating, the selection is so limited, and I feel like to get something that really looks extra-polished, or to get a shadbelly, it forces you to go custom and spend more money than you would otherwise want to.
exactly. I just bought a pair of beautiful sized 34 breeches. only to have them arrive to be an EU 34/US XXS. AND the seller does not accept returns. sigh FML
Agreed! The Hadley’s seem to be more universal too - a teenager who probably wears a 24 loves them, I wear 28-32 and love them, and a friend who wears a 38-40 loves them!
If anyone is looking for show season this year, my go to is Romfh breeches. They have the same sizing as TS but go up to 40 and stretch really well. Light enough for the summer but super flattering. I live in the Sarafinas. The champions are good too if you like a more woven fabric. Finding them in the full ranges of sizes is way more difficult than it should be. My recommendation is check Dapper Horse, SmartPak, Farm House tack shop (they’ll custom order them too), and eBay once you know your size.
For coats, if you’re an XL than the AA Motionlite coat goes up to XXL and is really stretchy (fits like a street size XL). The Kerrits competitor coat is great - but it is sized generously with street sizes. I’ve found you have to size down a whole size to get the more modern slim fit. Pikeur coats go up to an 18 or so and if you have the budget I’ve found that they are the most flattering coat for curves.
For show shirts - Ariat show shirts run street sized. Kerrits shirts go up to a 3x I think.
Neighbourly Tack is THE best place to buy Romfh in larger sizes, as well as a great selection of Kerrits shirts, vests, etc. in plus sizes.
What kind of fabric are the Hadleys? Is it more cotton or more of a wicking tech fabric?
Mine are very much a tech fabric
They’re technical, the exterior almost feels like a stable woven knit as opposed to a leggings-type knit. I sweat like … a lot and I stay pretty comfy in them.