@Heinz_57 - Plaid is allowed, but it has to be “subtle” which is a very subjective term.
Here’s the current USEF rule language:
“Any single color jacket or tailcoat is permitted and may have subtle pin striping, checks or tweeds. Striped or multi-colored jackets or coats are not permitted.”
There was some confusion about shirts and “bold” patterns. According to the text on page 35, you can wear a bold patterned shirt with a jacket. That seemed inconsistent to what was said last year. Funny, I have the bold shirt pictured on that page and would never think of wearing it at a show with or without a jacket. I did wear this shirt without a jacket before the rule change, but can’t now.
Here is the entire apparel guide:
Ah, not sure why I had it in my head that they weren’t allowed at all. I probably skimmed, and was just remembering the first bit about ‘single color jacket’ and the last sentence about not allowing stripes or multi-colors. It has been years since I’ve shown at any recognized level, but I try to keep up on the rules.
And yes, subtle is open to interpretation.
I work the gate at a Saddlebred show. I was amazed to see this year in the WP classes that the riders’ wear had gotten MORE CONSERVATIVE. In fact, so much less bling than in past years that I was wondering who broke the breed’s UberBedazzler.
(FWIW - my own breed of choice (Arabians) has been upping the ante on bling over the years. And I am NOT a bling person. I’m fine with some color and a bit of shine, but I still think that the horse should be the focus, not the rider’s duds or the amount of silver on the saddle. As always, YMMV…)
eta - Western Dressage is still very conservative, even in Arabs.
I would have zero problem judging if people wore They what wanted.
The clothes and tack used in actual fox hunting does have a practical purpose. The heavy leather boots, for example, protect riders legs from gate posts and branches and brambles in a way that modern show boots don’t. The velvet helmet was an early safety effort and modern foxhunters have quickly adopted modern helmets. Even the neckwear was theoretically supposed to help prevent neck injury or provide a bandage or tourniquet in an emergency, which it might have done when it was a threefold stock rather than a modern residual fake one. The bridle is designed to not come off over the horses head when a rider falls off. The saddle were designed for crossing country at speed rather than trotting down a road or chasing cows. The smart turnout is about showing respect to the fox and the landowner over whose land the hunt is running. Other equestrian disciplines followed along.
Also fox hunting in its major form took off in the late 18th century/ early 19th century as agricultural improvement led to more fenced land and things to jump. Fashionable men at the time wore buff deerskin breeches, tall boots, cravats, and cutaway long jackets. And large cravats and gloves. That influenced hunting attire and got enshrined as equestrian wear.
So over 200 years later, tween girls and middle aged ladies alike are cosplaying a Regency dandy, a version of Darcy from a Jane Austen movie, or Percy Byshe Shelley.
Are those breeches on backwards? Or is something going on anatomically in that image? 
LOL. I think it’s a well-fed member of the aristocracy.
What bothers me most about the dress rules is how this tweed is ok; that tweed is not. This plaid is ok; that plaid is not. This pinstripe is ok; that one is not. And so on. It’s ridiculous.
And a discreet artist, not featuring another member of that aristocrat 
Hey, this is a family site!
Breeches of this era are kind of bonkers. Zach Pinsent has several breeches of this period and even he has some … poofieness.
Yup. Leather stretches. Stitching lines do not. Those pants have stretched every direction possible. The crotch seam not so much. 
Western dressage is more based on ranch and working western so you don’t see the bling there. I do wish the huntseat arab people would join the rest of us in the modern age 
with their hunt coats and non approved velvet hats.
I have a friend who wears this anytime coats are waived at recognized shows. I don’t feel this is a “bold” pattern.
Has a judge or TD ever said anything to her? I am so confused over what is a “bold” pattern.
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