What colors look best on a well endowed mature western pleasure rider on a bay horse? I want something that minimizes without boring basic black but fits a gal with a 44" bust but size 10 pants. Yeah, I know it stinks but any suggestions or places to search for clothing?
Are you talking about clothes to show in?
Many trainers know several people that will make clothes just like you want or will alter some you like that don’t quite fit you.
Doesn’t hardly cost more than off the shelf good show clothes.
Look to a shirt with vertical stripes or a sold colour, and no showy flowers and no bling on the yoke as those just emphasise that size.
Agree with others up to a point. First, if you are doing showmanship, accent your right arm, upper right side of your chest, and face by putting lighter contrasting applique or accents in that area. With bay horses, we usually go with jewel tones for young riders, more classic colors for adults. You could go with a Navy and buff --Navy being the pants and most of the shirt or tunic. If you are tall, consider the longer showmanship jacket to add balance. Make sure boots match pants. Use buff or off white applique for the right arm, upper chest and collar. A buff hat would continue to bring the judge’s eye up and the focus on you and your presentation. For riding classes like horsemanship, plain and simple is best --since you prefer to avoid black, I’d go with Navy chaps, or dark grey, or a brown that complements your horse. Use a rail shirt that is a solid color ideally that matches the chaps, with minimal distraction of collar and cuffs --I use same color collar for horsemanship shirts to make the rider as “quiet” as possible. I also use a longer fringe on chaps for horsemanship (6" v. 4") as longer fringe will lie more quietly giving the appearance of a quiet leg. Short fringe sometimes bounces. Again, make sure the boot matches the chaps to keep the line long. For pleasure, again, look to accent the face and hands with contrasting collars and cuffs. Small applique on the shoulder and upper chest might serve to minimize the bust, pulling the eye up. Of course what you are wearing under the show clothes is important --spend $$$ on the best riding bra you can find to minimize bounce. Look for show shirts (especially for riding) in heavier fabrics. Thin knits might not be the best choice. Personally, I like Navy with bays, browns would be my second choice, and jewel tones a third for the adult rider. If we’re talking younger riders, jewel tones would be my first choice. Make sure your hat is well shaped, light colored, and fits your face shape. You want the judge’s eyes up on your face. Light attracts the eye.
Foxglove
