Polos and Sweaters for Clinics

[SadieRidingHorses]

Attending a clinic in the DC area in February. Will be held outside at a local stable where I ride (I will be using a school horse).

The clinician is not a Big Name/Olympian, but I want to show respect for their time and teaching.

I plan to wear light colored breeches, a polo and a sweater. Can anyone recommend a good polo/sweater combo for riding? I’d like something comfortable and not restrictive, and that looks tidy (dare I say, sleek). But, I’m a grown lady with bossoms, so that’s a consideration too.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

[OnDeck]

I would personally bundle up so much the sweater would never be seen. But if you think you’ll be warm enough in a sweater, I love Ariat for simple sweaters.

[mmeqcenter]

I think more common would be a long sleeved shirt with a vest. Turtle neck and vest - I think that’s the most comfortable warm riding gear personally.

[Foitin]

I second the long sleeve and the vest. I love the Smartwool base layer with collar as an “undershirt.” Looks super nice tucked in with a belt and tan breeches and polished boots. You can always remove the vest if you get too hot (if there are any spectators).

[SadieRidingHorses]

I’m very relieved that the COTH consensus is trending in favor of a vest (that’s what I normally ride in, with merino wool base layer and running shirt underneath). I might pick up one that is less puffy. And I love the SmartWool recommendation, thank you!

FWIW, have also asked the host if there is suggested attire.

[Foitin]

Sure, you can search this on Amazon, they are kind of pricey, but they can be worn for all sorts of stuff, working in the yard and outdoor fire pit gatherings, watching kid sports events, etc:

Smartwool Women’s Base Layer Top - Merino 250 Wool Active 1/4 Zip Outerwear

[luvmyhackney]

I love riding in my Lands End turtleneck and a Columbia Omni heat vest. I stayed quite toasty yesterday and it was barely above freezing. I looked good enough to go to a clinic.

Might need to go buy the smart wool zip up, love their products.

[Scribbler]

February in DC can be very chilly.

There are lots of equestrian brand vests out there that are warm plus sleek. Arista makes some nice vests. They give you a nice line to your body as well as they are cut to follow the waist and cover up the muffin top area

I would also bring a giant puffy parka that fits over everything to take off and put on before and after your ride.

[billiebob]

My cold weather clinic attire is a tech-style shirt and a black cashmere sweater that I found at TJ Maxx like 15 years ago. It’s warm, wicking, and looks nice. Yes, hand washing barn clothing is a pain. But I can sweat in it and not get chilled afterwards.

[Renn_aissance]

@SadieRidingHorses

I’m very relieved that the COTH consensus is trending in favor of a vest (that’s what I normally ride in, with merino wool base layer and running shirt underneath). I might pick up one that is less puffy. And I love the SmartWool recommendation, thank you!

I think your normal attire sounds perfectly reasonable. You won’t be able to ride well if you’re freezing. I think the clinic organizer will likely reassure you about your puffy vest.

[asterix]

I still remember a clinic I went to years ago (actually with a Big Name Olympian, albeit an eventer) where I dressed to look good rather than dressed for the very cold weather. I remember it because I was so cold I could barely concentrate, and there is a lot of sitting around in a clinic. I don’t remember the clinic itself at all. I can promise you the clinician himself didn’t remember what I was wearing 5 minutes after I left, but I sure do.
Dress to be warm and functional first, tidy and respectful second.
I also would wear a warm wicking underlayer (or even two, a very thin one and a thicker one) and a slim toasty vest. Warm socks and/or foot warmers, cover your ears.

[JenEM]

If you’re shopping new, for the price of some of the riding-designed vests, you’re much better off looking somewhere like REI for good outdoor gear maker down vests. Most of those are pretty slim now, and a lot are on sale at the moment. That’s pretty much all I ride in during the winter, with a sweater underneath. A lot of them are cut slimmer now, because people are wearing them as a layer under a softshell jacket, which may be something you want to consider, too, for when you’re off the horse to keep warm.

[AllTheCarrots]

February in the DC area is cold, grey and damp. I agree with all the others to dress for function first, form second. Maybe you don’t have to go full Bernie, but on the other hand he does look comfortable…

[Foitin]

Amazon, if you are into it, has some really reasonable vests (many under or around $30). I have found the quality to be decent of the Amazon Basics line and the vest I have is slim cut. If it is not totally frigid that weekend or the clinic is in an indoor, you might be able to get away with the Smartwool base layer and a fleece vest, or a long underwear top, the smartwool and the fleece vest. I love the fleece vests whenever possible since they allow for optimal movement and I cannot stand being overheated in a clinic where you are usually working pretty hard, though it is true that they can involve a decent amount of standing around. Having ridden a lot in the winter outdoors, I am always interested in how to keep warm and not get too hot.

[GraceLikeRain]

I would do a mock neck thermal top and a vest with the biggest puffer I own on top. Before the lesson I’d do some vigorous handwalking or some discrete high knees and lunges back at my trailer to really warm up and then pop off the jacket at the last moment.

I think a polo and fine knit sweater is also a beautiful combination if you don’t think you’ll get too hot. A vest is a lot easier to pull off than a sweater.

[Renn_aissance]

@JenEM

If you’re shopping new, for the price of some of the riding-designed vests, you’re much better off looking somewhere like REI for good outdoor gear maker down vests. Most of those are pretty slim now, and a lot are on sale at the moment. That’s pretty much all I ride in during the winter, with a sweater underneath. A lot of them are cut slimmer now, because people are wearing them as a layer under a softshell jacket, which may be something you want to consider, too, for when you’re off the horse to keep warm.

I totally agree with this. Any good outdoor brand will have a slim-fitting layering vest. I’m a fan of the North Face Thermoball line, personally. (The Patagonia NanoPuff and MicroPuff fit the same niche but, sadly for my enthusiasm for Patagonia as a company, their pieces don’t always fit me as well.) If you like down, I’ve been admiring some of my barnmates’ Lululemon Down For It vests- I really like the design, which has down batting in the front and back, but a stretch panel on the side, which makes them a little more breathable and very easy to layer. But, I don’t think that a traditional puffy vest is distracting or obscures your position- I ride in a North Face 550 down vest. By the way, if you know your size, all of this stuff is also readily available secondhand on eBay and Poshmark at prices that may better suit your “this is destined to be slobbered on” budget.

@AllTheCarrots You made my day!

[Jo]

@SadieRidingHorses

I’m very relieved that the COTH consensus is trending in favor of a vest (that’s what I normally ride in, with merino wool base layer and running shirt underneath). I might pick up one that is less puffy. And I love the SmartWool recommendation, thank you!

FWIW, have also asked the host if there is suggested attire.

My favorite non-puffy vest is the Columbia one with the silver heat reflecting stuff inside of it. I don’t remember the technical “name” of it but they also are sold at their outlet store. Mine has lasted forever and still looks new once washed.

[AllTheCarrots]

@Renn_aissance

@AllTheCarrots You made my day

Sorry to derail, but credit should really go to Eventing Nation’s social media person, who was on fire this week. My favorite was “I am once again asking you to trot up for the ground jury.”

And now back to our discussion of fashion that accommodates scratch-and-sniff stains, already in progress.

[SadieRidingHorses]

Thank you all for your fabulous suggestions! I’m very relieved that my work call was on mute when I peaked at @AllTheCarrots’s post since I snorted. Also, I love @GraceLikeRain’s suggestion of the secret trailer workout before getting on. Really practical for a lot of reasons!

I will definitely check out REI (we’re loyal coop members) for vest alternatives. My current one is from Patagonia. It feels puffy to me - but only once has an instructor said it interfered with her ability to see my position. @Renn_aissance, the Lululemon vest looks beautiful!

I will plug my favorite running store, which makes my favorite merino wool base layers for riding - Oiselle, woman-owned and based in the PNW. I’ve worn their raincoat in lessons too, and it allows a good range of motion and is not noisy at all.

Thank you all for your suggestions! I really appreciate having this community as a resource. Happy winter riding!

[Renn_aissance]

@SadieRidingHorses

I will plug my favorite running store, which makes my favorite merino wool base layers for riding - Oiselle, woman-owned and based in the PNW.

Thanks for the recommendation!