Womanly-sized riders, unite!

[DeeThbd]

[QUOTE=Suzanne Wild;5766309]
I know you did Dee- you contacted me about it and I sorted it for you? This isn’t really about Retailers stocking our product though is it? THIS was about Couriers between the USA and Canada as I recall?
Unfortunately, all we can do is sell the product to reputable Retailers and then anything beyond that is up to them; this was one of our better Retailers who carries a lot of stock… we just couldn’t keep up tot he demand for the boots she was trying to replace for you after the Courier lost two pairs. She is well out of pocket on this but did all she could to try to reimburse you. I think this was the problem - you wanted to hang on for a product that we couldn’t supply her with in a timely fashion…
SmartPak carry loads Dee but I know they don’t sell n Canada as we asked them to do this for us when they were our Wholesale Distributor. Seems Canada is a nightmare in many ways when dealing with it from the USA. Have you tried Bahr Saddlery in Ontario?[/QUOTE]

The whole issue was, I was being told that they were sent, and I never got a tracking number even when I specifically asked for it - on six different occasions. I spoke to the couriers, and they had no record of any shipment (beyond the too-short pair) from the retailer or to me in their systems.
I don’t understand why someone would claim to send something, but when asked each time for a number, not provide it. EVERY transaction I’ve ever done with anyone else, including Smartpak, provides a tracking number as a matter of course. Also, it is VERY common for Canadians to buy (Ebay, internet purchasing) from the US without a hassle. SmartPak is dealing with vitamins and so on, which are much more complicated than tack or garments.I’m not going to belabour it here, but you can PM me if you want to discuss it further.
When I enquired as to the price Bahr will be selling them at, they quoted $399, which comes to over $450 including taxes; that is approaching custom boot cost. As I live close to the border, I have a few options about ordering from SmartPak instead.

[HydroPHILE]

[QUOTE=DeeThbd;5766285]
Suz, I tried for EIGHT MONTHS to get one of your retailers to get me the boots I ordered - I received one pair (which I had to return as the height wasn’t what I needed) - and never once got a tracking number - just excuses - for the other pairs that were supposedly sent. [/QUOTE]

I had spectacular luck with 16 Plus Rider out of the U.K.

[DeeThbd]

[QUOTE=HydroPHILE;5766773]
I had spectacular luck with 16 Plus Rider out of the U.K. :)[/QUOTE]

Thanks! HOw were their shipping charges?
Also, unrelated question for everybody - which Spanx do you like the best? There are a lot of models, but the ones that go right up the ribcage look kind of restrictive and hot - what about the ones that go from waist to midthigh?
Thanks!
Dee

[Lengara]

Suz,

Can I just say that I LOVE the Sophistikat breeches. They fit well and are great to ride in. But honestly, the pockets are FUGLY. I think they would have gone over better without the pocket. I liked the pocket on everything else the Fuller Fillies makes but that pocket is really off-putting. Just my 2 cents!! What feedback are you getting on them? That would be the only thing I can think of as to why they are not selling.

[KrazyTBMare]

See, me personally, even being “plus size” (though Im a 34/36 now and dropping), I PERFER a “low rise” breech only because I have a VERY short torso and I hate breeches or jeans or anything else that comes up to or above my belly button. Plus, everything just slides down to my “hips” anyways.

I have the FF Jeanies and those jodphur puppies ones and while they both fit, I do not find them espesially flattering as my “bad” area is that little pudge under your belly button but above the bikini line. The lower rise jeans and breeches fit so that it conseals that instead of going up so high it just hangs out like a sore thumb. Now I dont mean ultra low rise where they barely come above your true hips, but a moederate rise? One where it buckles right at or just barely below my belly button is perfect. Also, I find that if I am able to visually break up that BIG area of butt and hips and lower back and vise versa on the front, it makes the whole thing not look so big.

To show what I mean - in this pic (http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/188658_1853334460302_1449009522_32044029_1548752_n.jpg) the waist/top of my jeans is where my hand is on my hip. Thats where I prefer my pants to sit. I did try to find a pic of me standing with breeches but apparently I dont take many pics out of the saddle! lol

I do have the sparkle huggy half chaps and I love them. They are really nice quality, I love how they fit, and the sparkle, though I wasnt sure I was going to like it but they were on sale for $33, I actually really like. I get lots of compliments on them. The only real negative thing I can say about the two pair of riding pants I have from FF is that I find the sizing to be a little off. I wear a 34 in Tuff Rider and the similar style breeches. I have a good amount of 36 and they are a tad big in the waist. So I ordered the size 30 puppie jodphurs and while they fit, they are a BIT snug in the waist. Like I can buckle them but its not super comfy. So when I ordered the Jeanies, I went ahead and got a 32, which would mean it is like a 38. Well it fits ok - better than the puppies, but more like I would expect the 30s to fit. I have read too on other plus side rider forums that they have found the sizing to be a bit off as well.

[HenryisBlaisin]

I really like the FF boots, except the darn zipper does NOT stay up! I’m forever having to reach down and fix it during a ride, what a hassle! If the boots had pull tabs, it wouldn’t be an issue, as I could just glue them up and pull them on, but alas, they don’t. My other complaint is the lack of spur rest on the dress boot.

I haven’t ordered a FF coat because they are very expensive and look boxy to me, not as fitted as I would like a show coat to look. Now whether that’s the actual cut of the coats or just the way they’re photographed on the model, I don’t know, but not willing to take the chance. I’d also like to see a true, well fitted dressage coat available.

I agree that the FF waist size chart is way off-I wear a 34 in regular breeches, so a 30 should easily fit, but the Genie jods I got are WAY tight in the waist! As in can barely zip them tight-not cool.

I’ve found ratcatcher shirts from a variety of companies that fit well; got a couple of BEAUTIFUL CO show shirts from Tack of the Day for about $11 each.

[magnolia73]

KrazyTBMare-
I agree with your rise suggestion- it’s kind of what many places call modern rise vs. mom jean rise… It basically makes your butt look smaller without showing off crack.

[PaintPony]

Me too. I am very short waisted and regular rise pants sometimes are halfway up to my boobs. And that makes me look pregnant :eek: which I am not a fan of.

Right now the ones that fit me best are a pair of mid-rise that I roll the waist down “only” one time. I just bought a pair of Tuff Rider breeches online and they are (of course) too long and too high in the rise.

[moonriverfarm]

I am way late to this discussion, but how about side zip breeches with some sort of control-top panel in the belly area? you know, to smooth out the jelly roll???

[HydroPHILE]

[QUOTE=DeeThbd;5767239]
Thanks! HOw were their shipping charges?[/QUOTE]

Well…I saved nearly $100 ordering them from overseas (shipping included) than I would have by buying them through the U.S. retailer (without shipping included) WHEN the U.S. retailer had the breeches and half-chaps in stock, that is. It took me about a week to get them, but it was worth the wait, and it’s not like it was a dire emergency to get them sooner. Communication was also GREAT.

[Coreene]

Suz, my guess is the reason your coats sell in the US is because of the limited choice in plus sizes, not because they are what people want.

Have a look at Grand Prix and RJ Classic coats as a guideline. FF show coats are too long and too shiny. A plain darker navy wool coat similar to GP and RJC would be a godsend.

There is a reason that English made coats are not a huge hit here. Pikeur and all the Continental brands are cut the same as coats we wear, but the English coats are a totally different cut.

[00pisces]

[QUOTE=Coreene;5768511]
Suz, my guess is the reason your coats sell in the US is because of the limited choice in plus sizes, not because they are what people want.

Have a look at Grand Prix and RJ Classic coats as a guideline. FF show coats are too long and too shiny. A plain darker navy wool coat similar to GP and RJC would be a godsend.

There is a reason that English made coats are not a huge hit here. Pikeur and all the Continental brands are cut the same as coats we wear, but the English coats are a totally different cut.[/QUOTE]

I personally like a long coat, but I think the colors and materials are all wrong. The last time I checked (a month or so ago) I wouldn’t have felt comfortable hilltopping in any of the FF coats. Make us clothes that fit these requirements: http://www.old-dominion-hounds.org/attire.htm

[Coreene]

But if your primary market in the US for show coats is the show ring, then make something that is appropriate for the US show ring. The coat is way overpriced for the fabric it is made from, too bright and too shiny. That blue is just not a traditional show coat.

[KrazyTBMare]

I love the tailored look of the Pikeurs and love RJs too. Just because we are plus size doesnt mean we dont want to “show off” our curves. Meaning, if you are big and you wear a shirt or pants or coat that is TOO big, you look BIGGER. Something that is fit to you properly and tailored will make you look way smaller.

[mtngirl]

So far all the FF items I’ve gotten have been spot on. Haven’t tried any of their breeches yet. Just can’t imagine putting checks on my ummm plump side. The mere idea of that makes me shudder :no:

Of course off the rack clothing is not going to fit everyone. Personally, I’m just the opposite of KrazyTB…I have a long rise and absolutely despise breeches that ride down in back, and have had a heck of a time finding some that don’t that didn’t cost an arm and both legs.

I got some nice schooling breeches from VTO a couple of years ago, fit me great, and they had several lovely colors to choose from at that time. The French Blue was my favorite. Sadly, the last time I looked, beige and black were about the only colors left in the larger sizes. Blah.

[Coreene]

Yeah, the colors. A tan and a puke green that are US show ring tan and puke. And I agree on the comments about pockets on breeches, they really ruin the line.

Sadly the link on the prior page to puke side-zips at Adam’s are only in stock to a 30L.

[laskiblue]

Breeches manufacturers simply need to change the green beige color description to puke green to make it easier to find that peculiar shade on the internet.

[p3rfection]

I completely agree with the thought that many of us are “settling” for FF. None of it is American style. I have 4 pair of the breeches and I won’t be buying any more. The fabric is that of cheap Devon-Aire pants at twice the price. I would LOVE a micro-fiber plus size breech. And the rise? Oh my, I agree, not flattering AT ALL. Luckily I can wear the TS Trophy Hunter in a 36… They are a bit tighter than I would like, but I’m working on that

As for the coats, I never purchased one because of the fabric. There was not a color choice that I would wear in the ring. Again, luckily, there are the RJ coats in larger sizes… Oh, and their ratcatchers.

FF is a lovely idea, especially for the UK market, it’s just not practical for the US. As was said before, we (US ladies) just want a tailored look like everyone else. Quality fabrics, production, and choice. We are willing to pay the same price as a size 4. I’d buy Santio breeches, Ariat Monaco’s, and Kingsland show shirts if they fit.

[magnolia73]

Making items that can be altered well is probably another key- can you alter the FF jackets for a better fit? I think most people, both plus and normal need to get altered.

As a 34/36,I don’t look at the Fuller Fillies line as it looks frumpy. I look at the normal lines for riding clothes. They would need to be much less boxy for me to buy them and also reflect hunter color and fabric choices.

I’d be interested to know what are the best selling sizes in that line- the sizes that go beyond what many manufactureres offer or the smaller end of the line.

I do think it is probably harder to tailor plus sizes for a wide range of people into a line! My boobs are big, waist small, then you have an apple shape… so which cut do you tailor to?

[PaintPony]

[QUOTE=Coreene;5769535]

Sadly the link on the prior page to puke side-zips at Adam’s are only in stock to a 30L.[/QUOTE]

Correen, here you go: http://www.amazon.com/COURSE-Cotton-Natural-Side-Zip-Breech/dp/B0018R8JMA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&m=A1FP4O0YRN3UF&s=generic&qid=1313068420&sr=1-5

They have size 38 in those same breeches here. Adam’s must have sold out - they were there when I posted the link.