Hi Guys!
I am looking for a nice rail shirt to show in at the end of this year. Here is my issue. I am a big girl. I know I am a big girl. I am also built a little funky.
Small bust, large stomach, slightly smaller waist (then my stomach) and small legs.
I want something that is a bit longer in length to cover my stomach. Any ideas???
Here is what I wore at the last show. Help me out!!!
This family has been showing and making show clothes and helping dress competitors for decades.
Scroll down to their clothes services and look at their other pages for ideas:
http://www.sturgeonfamilyfarms.com/salebarn.htm
You may want to ask them, I bet they can give you some pointers, even if you are far away from them, or maybe tell you who in your area they may know could help you.
They also show APHA and paint.
Search facebook for plus size show clothes. There are two Great groups that have some fabulous clothes for sale.
I was going to suggest the FB groups as well. There have been some drop dead gorgeous shirts listed. 
Well, being among the ‘non-Twiggies’ - even when I weighed a LOT less than I do now - I will tell you what I think looks most attractive.
First: horse has pattern - you do not need or want to compete
Second: darker colors (not necessarily black); solid colors (perhaps a tone-on-tone vertical stripe if you absolutely cannot stand not having SOMETHING; NO BLING
You have a black felt hat and black boots. What color chaps? Black, I hope. So build your outfit around those expensive items. Assuming black chaps, any color other than black for pants is going to be an attention-getter, since that color will be framed by your chaps - front & back. You don’t really want a loose top (or pants for that matter). Fitted enough so it (pants or top) doesn’t wrinkle - it’s a fine point, but baggy accentuates weight as much as skin-tight does. You don’t want sloppy or sausage.
If you’re in a warm-weather area, for the top, I might try something like a black sleeveless stretchy top (more than tank top, more like a scoop neck ladies’ t-shirt sort of thing - I’ve seen what I mean in WalMart/Target) with an attractive, ‘softer’ look long-sleeved shirt almost tunic-length top with ‘give’ - and perhaps either tone-on-tone stripes as I suggested before (I’ve seen sort of matte & glossy, about 1/2" wide) or even very thin lines of one contrasting color. Silver/pale gray/pale blue.
Oh - and a tastefully sized buckle on a black - no bling - belt.
Whatever, make sure you try it on ON the horse to make sure it allows for all necessary movement - including climbing on and off! Move your arms forward - you don’t want it to pull across your back.
And SUPPORT!!! All-important.
Carol
May I also suggest for a rail shirt, have a top that is NOT tucked in. Have it be slightly longer, maybe upper to mid hip when in the saddle. That will be more slimming than cutting your body in half with a belt and buckle.
Also some shirts have princess seams such that the body side and lower 2/3 of the arm is stretch black, and the centers and top of shoulder/arm is decorated. Very slimming.
Now we all just need those disposable dollars to buy exactly what we want!!
You’ve gotten some great info here already, but I wanted to add that the plain cotton “Oxford” shirts are becoming quite popular again. I think they are more flattering on more body-types then the skin tight spandex type shirts. I’m saving my pennies to get one, I’m really loving the Cowgirl Rocz shirts! I think if you google the name, the website/ Facebook page will both pop up.
you guys are amazing! Thank you so much!
I want to keep everything very simple with my mare. She is, in my opinion, extremely flashy. I really dont need to do anything to draw attention to her at this point.
I will not be showing in any riding classes yet. She is still to green and the noises and sights seem to make her a little loopy. Its just in hand, halter, classes for us right now.
For halter classes you can get by with a nice blazer and jeans. I have a blazer I picked up at Value Village and paired with a mock turtleneck for a show a few weeks ago and it looked great. Not flashy, not understated, just nice to show off a nice horse.
think body shapers…they are us big girls best friend <g>…and bargain shop. there are those of us who have some stuff we’re getting rid of <g>.
For halter I second the blazer. Classic.
[QUOTE=BoomerButt;7112533]
I want to keep everything very simple with my mare. She is, in my opinion, extremely flashy. I really dont need to do anything to draw attention to her at this point.[/QUOTE]
Absolutely! And flash on YOU would draw attention away from her and TO you, which you don’t want.
I will not be showing in any riding classes yet. She is still to green and the noises and sights seem to make her a little loopy. Its just in hand, halter, classes for us right now.
Aaah - new vocabulary. I assumed a “rail shirt” was something one wore showing in ‘rail classes’. Learn something new every day.
In THAT case, I would wear something similar to what you are wearing in the picture, but trim it up a bit. Not Your Daughter’s Jeans make some in black and they are amazing!!! Expensive, but amazing - and findable sometimes on e-Bay. (always a good thing) I find the Boot Cut fits me best. Check these out http://www.nydj.com/barbara-modern-bootcut/d/2024 - then go try to find them for less (Amazon/e-Bay). And then try to find a jacket that’s a little bit more tailored (or see if someone can trim up the one you have. If you wanted to dress it up just a bit, you could try trimming the collar and cuffs - or add mock cuffs in a subtle pattern and overlay the collar with the same. (refer to my previous ‘tone on tone’)
You DID ask about shirt - I’d go with something solid or very subtle pattern, and more pastel/medium that dark or bold.
And don’t be afraid of adding showmanship to your roster! It’s TOUGH, but great training for you & mare. And a lot more fun than just ‘posing’ in my opinion - which is rarely ‘humble’, so I don’t use IMHO
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
