western dressage show shirt help

[Draftmare]

Last year I showed my mare in a purple button down shirt and a purple saddle pad. It was mentioned by a couple of the other ladies that show western dressage to my instructor that because my horse is so loudly colored that maybe I should show her in a white shirt and white saddle pad. I was thinking about doing a white base shirt and a black vest over it, but I haven’t found anything for under $200. While browsing eBay last night I found a seller that makes rail shirts, and I found a couple of black and white shirts that I really like, and are much easier on the budget. However, I am wondering if they are maybe too wild? Would love some input on which one to pick.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

I am resisting the urge to get this one or this one!

I was so excited to go all bright and colorful with western dressage… :lol:

[beaujolais]

Option 3 is just gorgeous and elegant. I’d prefer the extra silver stuff on the collar not to be there, though.

What color is your filly?

[Draftmare]

She’s chestnut. Here’s a picture: https://40.media.tumblr.com/bd09dc9bd019caf344e1b09e82f50366/tumblr_o28wn4GC0i1s9n2k7o1_540.jpg

[Palm_Beach]

Wear exactly what you want! I’m not a big fan of plain old black and white, I like color. Don’t let other people’s opinions sway you. I like the shirt with the color better than the first 3, and I think it will look fab with your horse. If you are worried about too much color, maybe stick with a solid black saddle blanket and let the color stay in your shirt. I think you’ll look great!

[js]

https://hobbyhorseinc.com/winning-colors/

Maybe something in the brown tones or Rust color would be more complimentary. Seems the black would be too much contract. I do like #3 option but don’t think it’s the right color for your horse.

What about: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3X-LARGE-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/311544032560?hash=item488978ad30

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-SMALL-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/351400503545?hash=item51d11a28f9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LARGE-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/351634974986?hash=item51df13e90a

Have some subtle hints of colors that compliment your horse along with the black and white.

[Draftmare]

I am not a huge fan of plain old black and white either. I think they were just trying to say that maybe my purple shirt and pad were too colorful. I really like turquoise on her too. I need to invest in something either way as I have lost another 10 pounds and the shirt I wore last year is now too big, and the saddle pad that I used on her last year barely covered my base pad. Since I am getting a bit more serious about doing WD this year, I would like to get some nicer show clothes. Last year it was kind of a thrown together idea half way through the season.

Here is what we looked like in purple.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=js;8521779]
https://hobbyhorseinc.com/winning-colors/

Maybe something in the brown tones or Rust color would be more complimentary. Seems the black would be too much contract. I do like #3 option but don’t think it’s the right color for your horse.

What about: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3X-LARGE-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/311544032560?hash=item488978ad30

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-SMALL-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/351400503545?hash=item51d11a28f9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LARGE-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/351634974986?hash=item51df13e90a

Have some subtle hints of colors that compliment your horse along with the black and white.[/QUOTE]

Hm, I do like that first one. I was going to get black chaps. I don’t really want to go custom with those for now at least. So, I am not sure if with a rust or cream colored top if I could black chaps?

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=js;8521779]
https://hobbyhorseinc.com/winning-colors/

Maybe something in the brown tones or Rust color would be more complimentary. Seems the black would be too much contract. I do like #3 option but don’t think it’s the right color for your horse.

What about: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3X-LARGE-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/311544032560?hash=item488978ad30

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-SMALL-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/351400503545?hash=item51d11a28f9 Dang it, no longer for sale.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LARGE-Showmanship-Pleasure-Horsemanship-Show-Jacket-Shirt-Rodeo-Queen-Western-/351634974986?hash=item51df13e90a

Have some subtle hints of colors that compliment your horse along with the black and white.[/QUOTE]

The last shirt on this link is the one I was thinking of too!!! The colors blend really well with your (Chestnut?) horse’s coat.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=csaper58;8522608]
The last shirt on this link is the one I was thinking of too!!! The colors blend really well with your (Chestnut?) horse’s coat.

Or…www.showseason.com/wp-content/uploads/sample-shirt-Regal-blk-sil-zebra-with-red-2012-front.jpg[/QUOTE]

I really like the collar line on the one you linked, but would you wear something under that, or leave your skin exposed?

[Palm_Beach]

My mare is sorrel and looks great in turquoise/teal/blue colors, not as good in purple. Most of my stuff is a mix of neutrals with a pop of color thrown in.

[cayuse]

I have always liked a solid colored top with a paint/pinto, so their own coloring stands out, but that’s just a personal liking. I really like the idea of a white shirt and a vest (a colored vest, maybe copper? or blue?) Are you creative enough to make one? I’d probably wear the purple again just to annoy those “other ladies” :-).
I may have said this before but I like your horse.

[jvanrens]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8522337]
I am not a huge fan of plain old black and white either. I think they were just trying to say that maybe my purple shirt and pad were too colorful. I really like turquoise on her too. I need to invest in something either way as I have lost another 10 pounds and the shirt I wore last year is now too big, and the saddle pad that I used on her last year barely covered my base pad. Since I am getting a bit more serious about doing WD this year, I would like to get some nicer show clothes. Last year it was kind of a thrown together idea half way through the season.

Here is what we looked like in purple. [/QUOTE]

Well I like that shade of purple, it definitely doesn’t look too bright to me with your horse.

On a side note, teal, turquoise, green or even olive would look great with your horse.

I wonder if any of the people telling you to wear black or white would tell Lynne Palm she shouldn’t wear red? LOL

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=cayuse;8522932]
I have always liked a solid colored top with a paint/pinto, so their own coloring stands out, but that’s just a personal liking. I really like the idea of a white shirt and a vest (a colored vest, maybe copper? or blue?) Are you creative enough to make one? I’d probably wear the purple again just to annoy those “other ladies” :-).
I may have said this before but I like your horse.[/QUOTE]

I was thinking about going with this set from Hobby Horse, but a friend of mine pointed out that as a big chested girl, that cut might not be all that flattering. I am not at all talented with a sewing machine. I am thinking about going with purple again though… Or the bright teal. I think the ladies were trying to say something along the same lines, that with her loud coloring I should tone down my look.

And thanks! She is the best.

@Palm Beach;8522877

My mare is sorrel and looks great in turquoise/teal/blue colors, not as good in purple. Most of my stuff is a mix of neutrals with a pop of color thrown in.

I really like turquoise on my mare, and I also think that she looks pretty good in navy blue as well.

[QUOTE=jvanrens;8523099]Well I like that shade of purple, it definitely doesn’t look too bright to me with your horse.

On a side note, teal, turquoise, green or even olive would look great with your horse.

I wonder if any of the people telling you to wear black or white would tell Lynne Palm she shouldn’t wear red? LOL[/QUOTE]

It was kind of weird. They approached my instructor while I was riding one of my tests, and not me directly about my color choices. I know that they likely meant it with the best of intentions, but yeah, it was odd.

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8522617]
I really like the collar line on the one you linked, but would you wear something under that, or leave your skin exposed?[/QUOTE]

I looked for the price and it looks like it is discontinued, so I removed it from my post. It is a cool shirt though, and if you can find it in stock I would wear something under it just like the picture.

[beaujolais]

Your mare is gorgeous. I love how she is moving in that photo and the connection.

The purple is pretty. Olive sounds great, too

I thought the shirt I originally picked was black & silver; I didn’t realize it was black & white. After seeing the photo of her, I agree that that shirt is too busy for her coloring and would distract from her lovely color.

[Highflyer]

I would go with a lighter colored shirt and dark vest, since you’re wearing dark jeans-- I think turquoise or light purple would be pretty.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Highflyer;8523814]
I would go with a lighter colored shirt and dark vest, since you’re wearing dark jeans-- I think turquoise or light purple would be pretty.[/QUOTE]

I am going to be getting black chaps, I hope. Looking at these: http://www.windsongwesternshowapparel.com/champ-pants

[QUOTE=sonomacounty;8523471]Your mare is gorgeous. I love how she is moving in that photo and the connection.

The purple is pretty. Olive sounds great, too

I thought the shirt I originally picked was black & silver; I didn’t realize it was black & white. After seeing the photo of her, I agree that that shirt is too busy for her coloring and would distract from her lovely color.[/QUOTE]

Aw, thank you. We have worked very hard to get to where we are. I am excited to be showing Basic level this year.

So maybe a more solid colored shirt would be better. Eyeballing this purple shirt now. Paired with black chaps and a black and purple blanket.

[js]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8523922]
I am going to be getting black chaps, I hope. Looking at these: http://www.windsongwesternshowapparel.com/champ-pants
…[/QUOTE]

Those are really neat! Love the bling at the bottom.

Going to disagree with the purple, just don’t think it’s the right color for your horse’s color. Get some color swatches and put against her coat to see what compliments best. From the Hobby Horse color wheel, for red horses including read roans; rust, buckskin (tan), teal, olive go well.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=js;8524057]
Those are really neat! Love the bling at the bottom.

Going to disagree with the purple, just don’t think it’s the right color for your horse’s color. Get some color swatches and put against her coat to see what compliments best. From the Hobby Horse color wheel, for red horses including read roans; rust, buckskin (tan), teal, olive go well.[/QUOTE]

I do really like teal/turquoise, but haven’t been able to find a pattern that isn’t super busy. I really like this shirt, but wasn’t sure if it would be too busy.

[js]

That’s pretty. I dint think you can have a too busy shirt as long as the colors are complimenting your horse’s color.