Womanly-sized riders, unite!

[stuge]

Wow, this is an awesome thread for me and I just found it. I am easily a size 18 and almost six feet tall so I have a very hard time finding clothes. I hate it when I find something that fits me then realize it won’t be long enough. Like I wear a size 9 and for some reason the leg height in boots is less for an XW calf, size 9 boot than it is for a size 9 regular calf! What is up with that?

I have checked out some of these links. I really need a pair of boots and some more breeches. I don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on boots right now because I am trying hard to lose weight. So I am hoping to buy a cheaper pair now and then when I reach my goal or close to it I am going to treat myself to apair of koenigs! I don’t go to many shows if any (maybe 1-3 shows a year at most) and I have two horses that I ride 3-5 days/week.

Those of you that have used nittany tall boots: do they break down at the ankle alot? They do seem like a good boot but I ride dressage and the breakdown is not something that we like! Are they holding up well.

Does anyone know if the Tropical Rider breeches (besides the enduracools) stretch well? I like the enduracools but would like a breech with more substance to them for the fall/winter/spring.

I personally don’t like the Cotton Natural full seats. They seem to be OK but after the first couple of washes I think they lose their stretch and I feel restricted. As I am getting better with dressage I really want to feel loose.

I have an Equine Athletics dressage coat and it fits me really well. I originally ordered the beaufort dressage coat but the shoulders and upper body were so huge! I am not necessarily well endowed but I didn’t think I had small shoulders either. The EA coats fit me well. I did notice that Equestrian Collections has them but I ordered mine through my local tack store. It was also very reasonably priced, I think around $200.

Here are my picks on some things:

1. Love the equissentials. I have even found some at Dressage at Devon half price because they were irregulars (never did figure out what was wrong with them). I even sold a pair on ebay recently because they were half seats and I prefer the full seats. I am getting ready to send my first pair back to them because the material is wearing and has holes but the leather is still perfect.

2. I have one pair of the tropical rider enduracools and really like them although the fabric is really, really thin. I have XL long and they are definately long enough and they are very comfortable. I don’t worry about my cottage cheese with them but my stomach does stick out a bit more with these. It is a sacrafic though because they work the best in the SC heat! They also come in a fake suede material and are half the price of the deerskin. They don’t stick as well as the deerskin though.

3. The XL half chaps from Ariat are pretty large 17 1/2 inch calf I think. They are actually what I use and they are a little big but the Larges are just barely too small. I can get them on but my calfs cramp up. Does anyone know if it is possible to stretch them a tad?

4. I did find a Romf shirt somewhere. It is a size 1x I think.

Can’t wait to hear some replies!!

[citydog]

@stuge;1843593

2. I have one pair of the tropical rider enduracools and really like them although the fabric is really, really thin. I have XL long and they are definately long enough and they are very comfortable. I don’t worry about my cottage cheese with them but my stomach does stick out a bit more with these.

Try the low rise! They aren’t super low, just low wnough. Quite flattering height for many, I think.

3. The XL half chaps from Ariat are pretty large 17 1/2 inch calf I think. They are actually what I use and they are a little big but the Larges are just barely too small. I can get them on but my calfs cramp up. Does anyone know if it is possible to stretch them a tad?

I had a pair of the old style all arounds (lined with pigskin, not the synthetic lined ones). Washed them in the washing machine with Leather Therapy laundry wash and then the conditioning rinse, and then wore them wet over bulky sweatpants. They stretched quite a bit.

I’m waiting for my Nittany boots, but you could always have a bootmaker put stiffeners (“whalebone” dressage bows) up the back before you started really wearing them.

[Weatherford]

I wear short merino wool socks under my boots, then cut the toes out of a pair of those knee high stockings, and just pull them up over the breeches - so the tight boots can go up easily (at 5 am before I get out of bed, that is - they are very tight… :lol:)

I love the merino wool - my feet never get too hot nor too cold!!! And the ones I get (from the Brooks Brothers outlet) are VERY fine - some people might just get the men’s knee high version, and forgo the stockings… But, be sure to read the label - BB also has nylon and cotton - neither of which work as well as the merino…

I would LOVE to get a pair of LOOSE in the thigh full, or even half seat, breeches. I hate tight breeches, and I have thunderous thighs to boot! <sigh> many years ago, I bought some used (slightly) Shumachers - Oh, how glorious!! However, the dog ate one pair, and I’ve nearly worn out the beige ones… They don’t make that cut anymore…

Of course, if I thinnned down, I could probably get into all my OLD clothes… :lol:

[Bailarina]

Anyone know where I could find a decent size 22 coat - I’m also not big on 1824. Right now I have a Devon Aire Concour (?), something Devon Aire, and the coat isn’t exactly holding up (the ends are coming apart and I take care of it (?)). I’m just really looking for a coat that will fit someone with a large chest who is skinny and will not make them look too big ((me)).

Also for the extra wide boots (now I realize that all that track and cross-country was not such a great idea - it certainly makes boot fitting a nightmare!). I can’t even fit into a woman’s XXW, I require a men’s boot. I have no idea where to start looking for a pull on boot with a size 9 in womans in men’s sizes. Oh the joys of show clothing shopping for the oddly shaped.

[stuge]

[QUOTE=Bailarina;1843910]
Anyone know where I could find a decent size 22 coat - I’m also not big on 1824. Right now I have a Devon Aire Concour (?), something Devon Aire, and the coat isn’t exactly holding up (the ends are coming apart and I take care of it (?)). I’m just really looking for a coat that will fit someone with a large chest who is skinny and will not make them look too big ((me)).

Also for the extra wide boots (now I realize that all that track and cross-country was not such a great idea - it certainly makes boot fitting a nightmare!). I can’t even fit into a woman’s XXW, I require a men’s boot. I have no idea where to start looking for a pull on boot with a size 9 in womans in men’s sizes. Oh the joys of show clothing shopping for the oddly shaped.[/QUOTE]

Try the brand Equine Athletics. I really like their coats and they definately come in those sizes.

Also, I think a women’s nine is equivelant to a men’s 7 or 7 1/2 but in all the ones I have seen, the calf is actually SMALLER than the woman’s. Go figure, I guess because a man in a size 7 shoe is probably going to be a skinny teenager or a very small man.

[BybeeGirl]

@stuge;1843593

Those of you that have used nittany tall boots: do they break down at the ankle alot? They do seem like a good boot but I ride dressage and the breakdown is not something that we like! Are they holding up well.

My Nittany field boots are comfortably broken in, and still “stand up” when they’re off. (Don’t know anything about the dress boots though)
I would send you a photo with me in them, but I’d have to photoshop myself out of it.

I’m the one that ordered a 2nd pair to have “on hand” so to speak when my first pair bites the dust. (They’re still sitting in the box under my bed!)

The only issue I’ve had with the original pair is scuffing on the toes. You have to realize though, that I wear them to the barn on show day, and take them off when I get home that night. I don’t use Tingley’s either, so I’m sure that would be a non-issue if I actually took better care of them. And we’ve been showing quite a bit over the last 5 years. It’s safe to say they’ve outlasted my Ariats by far.

[twnkltoz]

They fit!!! THEY FIT!!! I got my brown Olympian half chaps from Arete Saddlery, and they FIT!!! In fact, they’re a tad on the big side…in my street pants they were just right over the calf but a little baggy below that. I think someone posted how to shrink them a little to fit, I’ll have to go find that.

THANK YOU Barbara!!! I just wish your breeches started at 36 instead of 38…many manufacturers stop at 34.

[Coreene]

Gayla, on Monday the half chaps arrived and I could have kissed you. I am going to buy a few more pair so that I always have 'em. You are DIVINE for sharing the info.

[Murphy_s_Mom]

Another happy camper with half chaps from Arete. Since they were on sale for $25, I bought two pair (different styles). They are almost too big. Amazing!!! Fast shipping also.

[twnkltoz]

Wow, so THAT’s why people ride in half chaps…now I know!

[Hoofprince_in_Mud]

I also received a pair of the brown Olympian Half Chaps. They fit so well. Thanks to Gayle for tip, and Barbara for the chaps.

[monstrpony]

For those looking for tall socks–don’t overlook men’s over-the-calf dress socks. That’s what I’ve used for years and they work pretty well. I would be lucky if Zox fit over my big toe …

I’ve never actually tried the Irideon breeches (I’ve been riding in jeans more than anything recently, since I’m mostly riding western) but I do appreciate that the company makes plus-sized clothing, and actually advertises it with realistically-sized models. I WILL buy something of theirs someday, just because of this. Maybe some of those winter breeches. Many of the riders that I do horsemanship clinics with wear breeches & half chaps even when riding in their western saddles, sometimes full-seats for grip, or else just for mobility and comfort. Since I find it difficult to buy jeans that both fit my “womanly” figure and are really long enough for riding western, I often just wear paddock boots and half-chaps to keep my jeans from riding up my lower leg.

In my last cow-working clinic, one of the riders told me I was getting good enough that I’d need to get a real pair of chaps to fit the image. I told him my cow-working fashion statement was going to be half-chaps and chinks. This was a cowboy who was himself wearing a pair of Mountain Horse tall boots, with his Wranglers tucked inside the tops, and swore he would never go back to cowboy boots!

[Xerintha]

Any ideas where to find a larger show coat? I’m a big girl and most of it is in my belly and chest (44DD). My legs are not large and I am not wide in the hip so finding boots isn’t generally an issue. I am definately apple shaped! I’ve looked at some of the coats for plus riders and am very dubious about the fit in the belly.

[twnkltoz]

Ok, I thought someone explained how to shrink the half chaps a bit to fit better, but darned if I can find it! Mind posting it again? These are the ones from aretesaddlery.com. I guess they’re ultrasuede?

[stuge]

Please let us know when you find out! I have a pair of ariat half chaps (leather outside, suede on the inner leg) that are really too big and they slide down.

[stuge]

[QUOTE=Xerintha;1853030]
Any ideas where to find a larger show coat? I’m a big girl and most of it is in my belly and chest (44DD). My legs are not large and I am not wide in the hip so finding boots isn’t generally an issue. I am definately apple shaped! I’ve looked at some of the coats for plus riders and am very dubious about the fit in the belly.[/QUOTE]

The old beuford coats were large in the chest although you would probably have to have the jacket fitted for your waist. I really like the Equine Athletics coats and they have a bit of stretch to them. I have the opposite problem thick around the tummy and waist but smaller up top.

[honeydoozy]

[QUOTE=twnkltoz;1853308]
Ok, I thought someone explained how to shrink the half chaps a bit to fit better, but darned if I can find it! Mind posting it again? These are the ones from aretesaddlery.com. I guess they’re ultrasuede?[/QUOTE]

Ditto!!!

I bought some of those legendary brown half chaps form Arete… and they fit GREAT throughout the calf, but are a little…baggy? around the ankle. I’m thinking of taking a needle and thread to it, but if there’s a way to sort of shrink them…that would be worth a shot!

[NCSue]

[QUOTE=seamusdarcy;1834753]
Does anyone have any suggestions for where to buy a larger sized dressage coat? I am not crazy about 1824 and can’t seem to find anyone else who carries a size 22 or 24 jacket. Or does anyone know any custom jacket makers?? Thanks[/QUOTE]

Ovations makes a larger size dressage coat and it’s very reasonably priced. Check out classicsaddlery.com. I have the 1824 dressage coat, and it fits very weird. I should have sent it back. :no:

[17hTBmare]

[QUOTE=NCSue;1858673]
Ovations makes a larger size dressage coat and it’s very reasonably priced. Check out classicsaddlery.com. I have the 1824 dressage coat, and it fits very weird. I should have sent it back. :no:[/QUOTE]

Grand Prix makes jackets in 22, and I think 24, in long and regular. They also have a cut called “endowed,” which has more room in the bust. Call Tara at http://www.arcolafeed.com/ and she can see what is available, or order you a custom coat. Expensive ($400+) but worth it. Grand Prix will also make you a totally custom coat, I believe.

[twnkltoz]

Has anyone tried the Hispar or Tallyho boots yet?