Out of curiosity, how clingy are these shirts? Are they going to cling awkwardly to my tummy? Do they feel as though they stick to you when you sweat? This is the issue I have with most of the “sun” shirts - I really don’t find them to be cooler and in fact, usually, find them to be hotter than a simple cotton polo shirt. They’re so pretty and I want to love them, but I’m so hesitant to part with the money (even on sale.)
I don’t know about clinginess. Mine is large enough it doesn’t, but it probably depends on your shape. I’m very hourglass (not in a good way, unfortunately). I haven’t sweat in it yet, but the fabric is so much nicer than the other sun shirts I have felt (I ordered a Tuff Rider Equi-Cool, too, because it was crazy inexpensive…totally different feel, more like the Kerrits IceFil, which I find to be hot). The Kastel feels like silk. I even looked at the label thinking “Is this silk?” It is very lightweight, too. I think it’s going to be cooling. I just ordered two more because I like it so much.
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I got one on sale. I generally fit in a size S in shirts (XS in the Ariat sun stoppers.) My Kastel S fits nicely, but it’s very fitted and the material is CLINGY. For as much as the shirts cost and as much as people rave about them, I don’t really think they’re that nice or worth the cost unless they’re on mega sale. They feel cheap. It’s a sun shirt, but it’s nowhere near as cooling as my sun stoppers from Ariat.
I personally will not be buying another Kastel, even on sale.
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I love my Kastels. I think they run small. In most other brands both my trainer and I wear a Medium but we both wear a Large in the Kastel. I think they are cooler than my Kerrits. I hated the TuffRider I had. The materiel is very soft and clingy. I only buy them when they are on sale as they are a bit pricy.
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Thank you, ladies…I appreciate the feedback! I think I’ll probably just stick with my polo shirts. 
I avoided the Kastels because I had heard they run small, too. However, these Kastel Charlottes are quite roomy. I was surprised and almost sent back the one I have received to size down.
If anyone is looking for plus size field boots, I highly recommend the Ovation Flex Plus. The leather quality is great and they’re lined! I have a 17.5" calf and bought the regular. They have a wider version available as well that goes up to 20".
They have dropped quite a bit and the foot runs a bit large. If you’re a half size I’d recommend sizing down. You’ll most likely want to replace the insole as well - it’s not very cushy.
For $300 off the rack boots I’m very impressed!
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I’ve had a hard time finding protective vests that fit. Short, plus-size hourglass, so everything is too long in the back, and, to fit my bust, most tend to be boxy around my sides and lower back. Also, shoulder area tends to ride up. The Tipperary Ride Light fits me well as the back is shorter and doesn’t offer tailbone protection (isn’t safety rated). Everything else I’ve tried doesn’t work.
I decided to bite the bullet and try an Aerowear Outlyne. Didn’t have much hope, but it fits beautifully! The back is slightly longer, but it doesn’t get in the way and cause the vest to ride up because the bottom of the back part is so flexible. I’m positively delighted to have found a rated vest that fits my plus-sized curves.
Just thought I’d share in case anyone else is searching for a vest.
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seabreeze, that’s a timely post! I found an old vest in my closet, maybe an old Tipperary that is leaving with the dump guy on his next visit. I have horse who spooks from time to time, noises being the primary cause. I’m 70, and the last time he dumped me was in 8/2017 in front of the BO’s house, caused by my riding buddy. Worst one ever - i couldn’t sleep in my bed for 3 weeks. I enjoy joining the BO and friends on trail rides, but I still have some lingering fear that iit could happen again. I found the women’s model on eBay from a company in England for $150 less than Dover. Where did you get yours?
I love my Airowear Outlyne vests, I now have two of them, because I found the second one dirt cheap used on EBay. It’s the only vest that fits my over ample curves. Fallen off once wearing it, no damage, heartily glad because I bought it after managing to get 10 breaks to my ribs in the fall before that…
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I got mine from Riding Warehouse. I used my USRider discount for 15% off. They recently had a sale for 20% off everything (that I missed), as they do a few times a year. With my 15% discount, it comes in about $75 less expensive than Dover’s price.
I wouldn’t mind having two, either…one for the trailer and one for home…'cause I hate loading and unloading the trailer…
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Lol, I have one for training and one for showing.
Got a new Dover catalog today and I was pleasantly surprised to see that “extended sizes” (as they call them) are available in more items than I recollect in the past. To wit: Kerrits shirts, Noble Outfitters shirts, Riding Sport shirts, to name a few.
Of course there are still shirts listed as XL which have a given size of 10-12, so buyer beware.
Dare I make an online order without trying something on? Maybe…
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Another vote for Airowear vests! I have the Airmesh and I’ve worn it for about 15 hrs so far and it’s amazing. Never rides up and I forget I’m wearing it. Super comfortable.
I’m very busty and have a long torso and the Airowear fits like it’s custom. I didn’t even need the largest size, which is mind boggling. It’s BETA 3 certified, so it is thicker than some other vests but I’d rather have the protection than not.
Cannot recommend it enough, I love it.
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my current rant-tucking in shirts. I know its neater etc etc but I only do it for shows, until recently when I got a sunshirt that in order to fit in the arms is long in the torso so I’m going to have to tuck it in. Man those rolls. I look like a sack of oats. 
I feel like I’m doing ok weight wise, until I see pictures of myself on a horse :lol:
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@pinkpikeurs You are the only one that notices it, I promise. Not many of us like pictures of ourselves, and I think we are even more self-conscious in this sport. Enjoy your horse and don’t worry about what you think you look like (easier said than done, I know).
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Who makes “extended size” riding clothes these days? Sadly, I am tall, wide-shouldered, and have a tummy. I’ve also been out of the saddle due to various injuries requiring multiple surgeries, and am now just able to ride a bit. Time has flown by and styles and companies seem to have changed drastically. What happened to the 12/24 Shop run by Robin Petit? In the past, I’ve had luck at Dover for Ovation breeches, and RJ Classics jackets, but the larger (largest, to be precise) sizes are few and far between. What brands and shops (online and brick and mortar) have you all discovered? I would really appreciate any info you can offer. Thanks!
Try Smartpak. Their Piper breeches come in a wide range of sizes.
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I’ve been getting Irideon for years. Their sizes are closer to “real world” sizes than anything else I’ve tried. The waistband on the breeches is stretchy, which I need for a tummy also. I get the Cadence Classic breeches, which have regular fabric to the ankle, not the sock bottom for tall boots. I’m not into tights. I use the Wind Pros because it gets pretty cold in Maine, and I ride year-round. I also like their summer shirts because they are roomy and comfortable. Irideon used to have more colors available in the plus sizes. They are part of Toklat, so you can check out what they have available in extended sizes. Noble Outfitters also makes some nice things, but they run smaller than Irideon. I’ve never tried SmartPak Pipers, but the thinner teenage crowd at the barn seems to like them. Kerrits is another brand to look at.
I have some really terrific Mountain Horse jackets for moderately cold and truly frigid winter weather. They were bargains on Tack of the Day, but TOTD has changed a lot lately, so I’m not holding out much hope for the future. You can usually Google and find some good bargains elsewhere. (15 is more or less the low for me and the horse in an indoor arena. I don’t need a lot of layers, which makes for more comfortable riding.)
Websites I keep an eye on are Adams Horse Supplies here in Maine. They have terrific customer service. Get on the email list for discounts, sales and close-outs. She is a smart business person. She doesn’t tie up a lot of money keeping all available sizes in inventory. She gets them straight from the company and has them drop shipped. That saves her bigtime by not tying up money on inventory she may or may not sell. She generally has a booth at the back end of Better Living at Equine Affaire in November. Apparel, boots, gloves, etc. no tack.
Equestrian Collections is one to keep an eye on also. They have a pretty good collection of larger sizes because they absorbed the 18-24 (sizes) Collection years ago. That’s another one with an email list.
I’m suspicious these days when i see someone advertising “plus sizes.” You click on something you like, then look at the size chart- the XL is more like a 10-12. They probably start at 0 or 00. I avoid looking.
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