Resources for Outfits

[starrunner]

Hello all!

Where are good resources to find used outfits for carriage driving? I have a Meadowbrook with black trim and I am looking to go to a show or two next year. Or perhaps even photographers that have covered a lot of events so I can peruse what others have worn.

Many of of groups I’m in on fb have some harness or carts/carriages for sale but not as much as far as aprons or hats. I’d love if there’s great resources for even used outfits so I can see what’s typical or what may match…I can barely match my own socks day to day so the idea of a new discipline is a little overwhelming to me.

[DMK]

Aldercroft always has a nice selection of used aprons, hats and jackets on their website but if putting together an outfit makes your brain hurt and you don’t mind spending what is still less than the hj ensemble these days, call up Sherry Lower at hats off boutique and talk to her about putting together an outfit. She does an amazing job. You can also follow her on FB and check out her website for some ideas.

One thing to remember that the outfit is supposed to tie the carriage and the horse together. That’s easier when the carriage is black or wood but maybe requires more thought of you have another color

[2DogsFarm]

2nd Sherry Lower/Hats Off
She has a great eye for putting together jacket, apron & hat.
My Hats Off apron:
To go with a sage green jacket

& the hat I was married in - redone by Sherry (only the satin rose is original)

To save money I’ve had great luck finding jackets at Goodwill.
Hats are often on sale after Easter at Dept stores.
I’ve pimped mine with feathers & ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, etc
This hat was $20 on sale, added stuff maybe another $15

[Willesdon]

Such a pretty apron!

[greenviewfarms_md]

I’ve used the Poshmark App and Ebay for secondhand jackets. Goodwill can also be a good option as another poster said. Happy shopping!

[MunchingonHay]

I always felt that as long as you dressed as business smart, old wasp money, you can get away with picking up an outfit off the rack at any major store: Norstroms Rack, Ann Taylor, etc.

Dress like you are going to a funeral, but with color (sometimes) and a nice scarf. My mom used to hit thrift stores and come out with great outfits for pleasure shows. And sensible shoes, although Micky B wears high heels and she tells people as long as she can get to the box her shoes should not matter.

Then get a smashing hat from Sherry (more one stop shop with aprons etc) or Hats by Katie (just hats). Of course making your own apron is an option too.

[horsegal301]

There’s a group on facebook called Carriage Driving Hats & Aprons Group that is useful. There’s also a Carriage Driving Turnout group that can help gauge ideas and point you to resources.

Photographers I can recommend to look at past shows: Blue Moon Images by Dana Goedewaagen, Shoot that Horse by Lisa Cenis, and Bruce Jones Photography whose photos are at the High Hopes Farms website.

I get most of my jackets from Goodwill or on ebay when I find a brand that fits me. I make most of my aprons now, but Sherri Lower at Hats Off Boutique also makes them, as well as Chrysalis Acres. I also make most of my hats at this point, but in my mind, no one makes them better than Sherri here in the US. Hats by Katie does hats as well, but at a much higher price point. I’ve also gotten quite a few Hats Off hats second hand.

Here’s my thrifted jacket, handmade apron, and second hand Hats Off hat!

[red_mares]

The great thing about driving is that almost any of my work clothes will work. Goodwill is a good resource too.

Most of what I show Saddlebreds in comes from Chico’s. Their Traveller’s stuff is great. It’s packable and light weight, which I really appreciate when it’s 90+ out.

I got a very serviceable black satin hat from Amazon for ~$20, maybe less. I think the blob of light blue feathers I got Etsy to match my powder blue coat cost more than the hat.

Antique malls can be a good place for hats too.

[starrunner]

Thank you!

I am a member of the hats and aprons group so have been watching the lovely hats being posted.

I have a Meadowbrook and it seems to be my observation so far that many of those hats and outfits are a little more reserved. Lots of greens and light blues. I’m just trying to check to see if this is the expectation

[DMK]

I am not an expert on the non cde stuff, BUT the one thing I was told when I started out in combined driving and still used my marathon carriage for dressage, was that I needed to table my plans for a “big lid”.

That made me very sad since I’m one of those rare people that can carry off the big brim (and so many of the shorter brim styles look hideous on me). However once I got the presentation carriage, I got the big lid. Then another. I love them, and they even have names.
The coppery one is Princess Grace of Alpharetta and the black one is The First Lady of Fulton co. The green hat is my FEI jog hat, and that one was a tacky hat table decoration at the southern drive. I redid the band and stuff on it to make it a summer casual driving hat. I work it once or twice to low level/unrated stuff iirc and then hit on this jog combination, which ended up looking pretty sharp.

[2DogsFarm]

Love your Big Lids!
I was cautioned that driving a VSE means I shouldn’t wear a wide-brimmed hat
I got this one for $10 at a Ntl Drive Tack Swap & road tested it for the Mimosa Drive
Then pimped it with added flowers/feathers & ribbon
image002|690x461

I love the Topper style, but I don’t gave a Face for a small brim