In the market for show breeches and unsurprisingly, I’m coming up against my life long struggle. I have very thick legs relative to the rest of my body. In normal pants I wear an 8/10. If I can find a pair of breeches I like I have to buy a 31 to accommodate my legs and I’m left with a sizable gap at the waist but even those are usually more snug through the leg than their manufacturer probably intended. because of this I usually I buy black or a print to avoid resembling a stuffed sausage from the waist down.
As you can imaging, the thought of squeezing these girls into unforgiving white is less than appealing. But, such is life in the dressage arena.
Do any of you know of a brand that tends to have a roomier cut through the lower and upper leg? I’m hoping to save myself a few order and return sequences.
Thanks!
Avoid Tredstep and Riding Sport, as well as Tailored Sportsmen. I actually love RS in terms of the leg but they run so short and slim sometimes - I had to go up to a size 32 for one of their breeches and I am a tried and true size 28 or 30 in most.
I had good luck with Tuff Rider, Kerrits, Devon-Aire, and Ovation for riders with thicker calves.
I’m a size 28/30 w/ 16.5" calves - gained some fluff this winter, fit in perfectly into these - they are super stretchy.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/ladies-tuff-rider-riding-breeches/p/SB-3509/
I also have thick legs. I’ve also had good luck with Ovation. Their Celebrity Slim Secret line fits me well, and I have been impressed with the quality/price point. They come in show colours, and more ‘fun’ colours. http://www.ovationriding.com/ovation-ladies-celebrity-slim-secret-euroweave-dx-front-zip-full-seat-breech-467847
I have some Kerrits that have held up well - they are pull-ons rather than proper breeches, however.
I don’t agree about Tailored Sportsman. I have big thighs and butt and a small waist and the Trophy Hunters fit me perfectly. At least try some on. I have the Ovation Celebrity Slim Secrets but they have a big waist and the fabric has looked like hell after only a year of owning them. I got the TS’s on sale so they were actually less expensive than the Ovations at 3x the quality.
[QUOTE=scruffy the cat;8621034]
I don’t agree about Tailored Sportsman. I have big thighs and butt and a small waist and the Trophy Hunters fit me perfectly. At least try some on. I have the Ovation Celebrity Slim Secrets but they have a big waist and the fabric has looked like hell after only a year of owning them. I got the TS’s on sale so they were actually less expensive than the Ovations at 3x the quality.[/QUOTE]
which model did you get? i love TS but haven’t ever had good luck with them and they were always tight around the ankle… but i haven’t shopped TS in quite a few years so maybe something has changed!
I have, ahem, thick legs, and a sizeable rear, but normal waist. Romfh Champion breeches (dont know if they come in show whites) fit well - though i find their full seat fabric to not be all that grippy so they are my last choice when I am reaching for my breeches.
Horze Grand Prix works for me - however they aren’t very opaque. BUT comfortable. i really like the horze full seats. I have a pair of jeans breeches and they are my favorites.
I have a pair of tropical rider deerskin pull on show breeches- those are super comfortable but the leather full seat feels like a diaper.
Kerrits also work well for me in terms of fit. I personally hate the feeling of the seams of the patches of full seat, so my favorite is their newer micro-cord w/ the gripstretch full seat, which is a full panel…but they do not come in white anymore. I have a pair of their cross overs which is like a real seat, but the seams around the patches on the backs of my thighs drives me nuts. Also beware, some people have CT issues in kerrits…Tropical Riders too :eek:
I have just recently tried Smart Pak Pipers - not the best fit. However, they have a few more options now I was just made aware of: a modified rise (no whites) and full seats w/ silicone, but also not in whites. FWIW, the silicone full seats on the knit breech are amazingly comfortable. I just got them and am riding in them tonight, so we shall see how i feel about the silicone tonight… But again, no whites…
So no perfect breech just yet, but some ideas for ya. Might be worth trying the horze and using appropriate under-garments… I’ll be keeping an eye on this thread!
[QUOTE=beowulf;8621089]
which model did you get? i love TS but haven’t ever had good luck with them and they were always tight around the ankle… but i haven’t shopped TS in quite a few years so maybe something has changed![/QUOTE]
I actually agree with you. The old style TSes never fit me so I never bothered trying them but one day I found some Trophy Hunters on the sale floor at SmartPak and they fit beautifully. Lots of stretch, but that magical material that smooths everything out and makes you look 15 lbs thinner. I adore them. I have also tried the Pikeur Ciaras and they are also very good for big thighs, butt, and calves. I’m a knee-patch girl despite riding dressage though so that helps. I have not tried the full seat Trophy Hunters.
These:
Do not let the photo fool you, these are absolutely lovely but most riders complain they are loose in the thigh. My more muscular riders respond “whoopie” lol. Also look for breeches with a 8% or 9% elastane content these are likely (if well made) to give you the stretch you need. I envy your muscular thighs…I have pencil legs ha ha.
I will also vote for Horze grand prix(I have colored ones so don’t know about opacity)
Also try FITS if they are in your budget. I wear a medium - fit my thighs and calf well!!
I just bought my third pair of Montar breeches from Horse of Course (they are on clearance!!) and they do come in white. Very good thigh and calf fit:
https://www.thehorseofcourse.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=178
Thanks for this thread. I have the one size bigger hip/thighs than waist. The discontinued Ariat Pro circuit breeches are perfect for me. Also Romph fits well.
I really like my Animo breeches and find them super comfortable/flattering. I wish I could afford to get some (other colors) for everyday, but they were a splurge, sigh.
Horze grand prix, TS trophy hunters, love the ovation taylored (my personal favorite and ovation celebrity.
UPDATE - ended up purchasing a pair of Ovation celebrity slim secret and they were great! Ended up purchasing a 32R. They were pretty roomy at the waist but nothing my belt could take care of (a little puckering at the waist band, but not terrible). Fit great through legs and thighs and the fabric was very flattering. Sadly I snagged then on a nail the first day a wore them and put a small hole in the leg. :mad:
My legs are big and my waist is small… I love the FITS full seats. I also just discovered USG by KL Select and they are AWESOME too!
FITS!!!
