Womanly-sized riders, unite!

[pintopiaffe]

Y’know … maybe if we all wrote to Kerrits … think they might listen to a whole group of horsewomen?

I keep thinking this not just about Kerrits, but other mfg like Cotton Naturals (ONE style of Shapleys, and poor colour selection) and retailers like Dover.

So how do we get someone who COUNTS to read this thread, see the NUMBERS on it, and do something about it?

Letters to editors of the big mags? (rebuttal to that HORRIBLE Practical Horseman LTE?)

Seems like there has to be SOME way to get the word out there.

[ThreeHorseNight]

@pintopiaffe;2618367

I keep thinking this not just about Kerrits, but other mfg like Cotton Naturals (ONE style of Shapleys, and poor colour selection) and retailers like Dover.

So how do we get someone who COUNTS to read this thread, see the NUMBERS on it, and do something about it?

Letters to editors of the big mags? (rebuttal to that HORRIBLE Practical Horseman LTE?)

Seems like there has to be SOME way to get the word out there.

I think the first thing we all need to do is write letters to Kerrits, Irideon, Boink, and the other manufacturers who now have plus-sized riding apparel, and thank them profusely for making stuff in our size. I know we still don’t have as many choices as the size 10 rider, but we’ve got a lot more than we used to. Then we can suggest to them that they make additional styles in our sizes, and tell them how much we spend every year on riding clothing! I can’t tell you how many Ariat long-sleeved winter riding tops I bought last winter, just because they finally started making them in size XXL…I bought two of the Kerrits shirts this spring because they now come in larger sizes, and just tried to buy more buy Dover is out of them.

Tell the manufacturers that we like to wear nice riding clothing too, and that we like things that fit us properly, instead of having to buy men’s clothes or come up with clever solutions. The manufacturers need to hear from us, and we need to vote with our credit cards too!

It looks to me like Equestrian Collections now sells fewer plus-sized items than they used, and that makes me wonder if it wasn’t a big enough market or it’s just easier to concentrate on “average-size” riding clothing.

[Wellspotted]

Originally posted by ThreeHorseNight:

It looks to me like Equestrian Collections now sells fewer plus-sized items than they used, and that makes me wonder if it wasn’t a big enough market or it’s just easier to concentrate on “average-size” riding clothing.

Well, a few months ago I got a horsey magazine (can’t remember which one) that had an ad on the back cover for a line of women’s jeans (I think a line made by Wrangler). The ad very plainly said that these jeans would fit any body.

They wouldn’t fit mine. They didn’t go up to the larger sizes.

I called Wrangler to complain (after having a horrible time trying to navigate their Web site). The rep I talked with said they HAD made the larger sizes but hadn’t had enough customers for them to continue the sizes.

I think in the end it’s all down to what sells–like you said, ThreeHorseNight, if the market isn’t big enough the manufacturers aren’t gonna keep manufacturing.

Maybe we should take a lesson from some historical minorities (not saying we’re one; I haven’t researched womanly sized women in the horsey world; in my local experience there are maybe 1/3 of “us” out there compared to around 2/3 of “them”;))–and start our own businesses to serve each other. We do a really good job of that right now, on this thread, alerting each other to finds, so we’re doing market research for each other already.

Now, I’ve got a pair of worn-out Devonaire tights sitting on my sewing machine this minute, and I want to rip out the seams and go look for some similar fabric and make myself a pair of tights using them as a pattern. I know this can be done–I just don’t know if I’m a good enough seamstress to do it. (I inherited the sewing machine; my mother was the best seamstress I or a lot of our friends have ever known.)

Just saying … any budding tailors out there? Entrepreneurs? (I should add: with a lot of capital to invest in whatever “womanly sized” products you might want to sell)

[system]

Hello fellow womanly-sized riders! I own Arete Equestrian Equipment. One of our customers told me about this thread. I am happy to see you all coming together to find solutions!

I wanted to solicit your help. We are working on developing a line of apparel just for plus sized and fuller figured women. I know what I like, but we need to know what everyone else likes and wants too! We are a small company without investors or business loans, so we cannot offer a full line right away. We plan on starting with one model of tights and one or two models of breeches. We hope to have them on our web site by next Spring.

So, if you could email me with specifics about what you like about certain pants, colors, designs, and anything else you would love to see more of (or brought back in the case of discontinued styles), we would be greatful! Links to products or photos would be helpful, even if those certain products don’t come in larger sizes. We really want to introduce a line that can make everyone happy! info@aretesaddlery.com

Also, if you have any of our current products and have any complaints or suggestions for better fit, we’d appreciate hearing about that too!

[Wellspotted]

Errrr … it’s not my thread, but … errrr :eek:

[system]

Now, I’ve got a pair of worn-out Devonaire tights sitting on my sewing machine this minute, and I want to rip out the seams and go look for some similar fabric and make myself a pair of tights using them as a pattern. I know this can be done–I just don’t know if I’m a good enough seamstress to do it. (I inherited the sewing machine; my mother was the best seamstress I or a lot of our friends have ever known.)

I haved used old riding tights as a pattern before, just remember to cut an additional 5/8 in seam allowance around the old tights in your new fabric. It’s really easy to do.

[jnel]

I encourage all to take advantage of Arete’s offer for input on what you want. I just sent an email to them because I purchased a great pair of full seated jods from them on sale for $49! They are great trail pants and I want more and in different colors. :yes: However the site doesn’t seem to have them anymore or else I’d post a link.

I love this thread, thank you so much!

[qhgirl1]

Has anyone tried Platinum Performance breeches? http://www.bigdweb.com/BREECHES_LADIES_COTTON_P11069.cfm
I’ve never worn breeches before and would like to get a pair but I don’t want to spend a bunch of money on something if I’m not sure I’ll like them or not. Thanks!

[Wellspotted]

Whinnie’s Blend–

Thanks for the tip!

I personally can’t afford the Arete prices. I can get some of those same brands at Dover et al. (they have Irideons, at any rate). What I would like to find is a good supply of plain old affordable schooling tights. I checked out Fuller Fillies too but can’t remember everything they have.

Guess I will have to save some money and then go buy a HUGE supply of tights in my size and keep them.

[BybeeGirl]

[QUOTE=pintopiaffe;2594927]
:lol: Guilty. :yes:

Does anyone know how Tailored Sportsmans REALLY fit? They go up to 36. And they have all those YUMMY colours in the new Dover catalogue.

I don’t mind paying a lot once, if they will hold up for four or five years of almost daily abuse. I do it for boots now because I realize it’s cheaper in the long run–I was buying $50-60 boots every year, sometimes twice a year, now I drop closer to a buck on them, but they last two or three or more years.

At any rate, I know Ariat is a huge fake tease breeches-wise. They run so small a 36 doesn’t even make it up my leg, not to mention over the hips. :dead: Wondering if TS is the same?[/QUOTE]

I can only give my impression on the ts 4 way breeches. I’m currently a 16-18 street size and wear a 34 long in the ts breech. They are quite comfy. I love the stretch when you need it, but doesn’t gather around your knees and crotch after you dismount effect. I bought a “new” pair from someone on this board a few years ago to replace my current show pair, but I haven’t even brought them out of the closet yet because the originals are still going strong. Well, the knee patches are starting to fray after 5 years, but I think that’s because I machine wash them each time.

I won’t wear the cotton ones at all because I refuse to pay $100 for a cotton pair of anything. It just doesn’t hold up for me.

I had the same experience as you with the Ariats. I don’t understand how I can get a 34 in the TS, even in the 2 way stretch, and not be able to comfortably breathe in, much less wear the ariat 36! That hurts! It has to do with the cut-I know. I have a rider at my barn who is built quite the opposite of me who went shopping for her first real pair of breeches recently. She was wearing a 28 in the TS low rise, and a 26 in the Ariat. Go figure.

[criss]

Well, and the really odd thing about Ariat is, those cute cropped/shaped jackets they’ve had out for the last year or two actually run normal, size wise–as in, normal-normal, not riding-clothes-normal. That little puffy down jacket that comes in black and lilac? That fit me! In the largest size, yes (and I’m a total pear, so I’m only a size 18-ish on top despite being a 22-ish on the bottom), but it fits! And is cute! And was on sale at Smartpak a few months ago when I got it!

So I thought maybe Ariat clothing was reasonably sized, which seemed weird given that their tall boots come up to, like, a 15" calf (seriously, if 15" is “wide”, WHO is wearing the slim?!?). But I guess only the fun clothes, not the serious riding clothes. Because, heavens, fat people only want to play anyway, not seriously ride, right? Grrrr…

Oh, and unrelatedly, I owe Hispar a major apology! It turns out they were trying to contact me all along. My bad. The boots still had a crappy zipper in the mens, and still didn’t (I thought) run true to the size chart in the women’s, but customer-service-wise, huge, huge apology to them! And they were still nice about it when I finally found the messages from them, even though I’d sent them snippy notes and left them negative feedback (yes, I’m withdrawing it).

[see_u_at_x]

I know of a fantastic seamstress in the Chicago area (she made me a stunning velvet Renaissance gown for the MD Ren Fest), and I’m going to have her make me some dressage coats, too (when I have more money). I’m going to forward her this thread and see what she thinks about this as a business venture…

[ThreeHorseNight]

@criss;2624410

Well, and the really odd thing about Ariat is, those cute cropped/shaped jackets they’ve had out for the last year or two actually run normal, size wise–as in, normal-normal, not riding-clothes-normal. That little puffy down jacket that comes in black and lilac? That fit me! In the largest size, yes (and I’m a total pear, so I’m only a size 18-ish on top despite being a 22-ish on the bottom), but it fits! And is cute! And was on sale at Smartpak a few months ago when I got it!

Yes, I bought a lot of Ariat clothing for the top half of my body last winter, because it fit! I have the down jacket and down vest and the quilted jacket and vest, and the long-sleeved quarter zip stretchy shirt with fleece inside. They all fit fine, and I am big on top. I looked at the winter breeches and the regular breeches in size XL, and didn’t even bother trying them on. I think for the jackets and such, they are using standard clothing templates, but for the true riding clothes, they are making them in riding clothing sizes.

[Highflyer1]

If you can find them, I got some Harry Hall britches at the Rick’s Heritage PA sale last fall that are gorgeous. They come in at least 34, 36 and 38, and I think they might have come in 40 as well. I got rust for schooling, and then these really pretty light cream ones for events, but they also had plaid and navy as well.

[Coreene]

Whomever it was that recommended the Iberian half chaps from Arete, thank you because I just ordered some. Wanted something that wasn’t always totally casual suede ones but for days I didn’t remember tall boots.

BTW, I also ordered the Enell Sports Bra from SmartPak. I should be able to ride again this weekend or next (yes, this long time out of the saddle is a result of the Unplanned Dismount With Pirouette in early June), and when I saw the thread re sports bras, I wanted to try one of these. Will report when it arrives!

Arete, one of my biggest complaints is that most lines of plus sized breeches only come in black and white, especially in full seats. I know it is costly to carry a lot of stock in various colors, but it sure would be nice to have some in other colors. That’s why I bought the Irideon cord ones, so that I could get indigo.

[see_u_at_x]

I would love to see some plus sizes of those fun, two-tone breeches in the full seat or extended patch. Though I will admit that I’d have to see if I can find a pair in a size that fits me to see whether or not they’d even be remotely flattering. :eek:

[PalominoMorgan]

Great coats up to a very generous size 24 in LOTS of patterns. Great prices too. Just got fitted for a jacket today and got it with shipping for $100! TONS of coats IN STOCK!

http://www.thecollectiononlinestore.com/index.html

[ThreeHorseNight]

Arete, I"d like to see some breeches with a little pocket on the side, like the Kerritts cargo tights. The cargo tights actually come in plus sizes and I bought them, but hated the fabric they use for the full-seat (I was so stuck to the saddle I thought I’d been super-glued) and wasn’t crazy about the fabric for the tights (too nylon-y and they showed every bump of my body). But I LOVE the pocket on the side – I can put my cell phone in while I ride, or some treats, or keys, or whatever. I like to ride with my cell phone (so I can call for help if needed when I’m alone), but those little tiny inside pockets in the waist of breeches doesn’t hold my cell phone very well and the zippered side pockets aren’t much better. I also wouldn’t mind a shirt with a little pocket on the sleeve or something, again for my phone.

I can find plus-sized breeches in black, white, tan, and now navy. The choices are getting better, but yes, it would be nice to have fun colors (plum, spruce, chocolate…) or maybe one color fabric on the breech with a different color full seat. I’d also like to see nice fleece breeches for winter, lighterweight stuff for summer (I get really hot). AND I’d like to see some coordinating tops and vests with the breeches. I never used to really care about that, but I do like to have a couple of shirts to ride in (especially for clinics or very casual schooling shows) that aren’t the t-shirts I use to wash the car. There are so many nice casual riding shirts now (polo shirts, turtlenecks, etc); I’d like to see them in plus sizes.

I’d also like to see the clothing realistically sized, so I don’t have to buy a size 3X pair of breeches when I normally wear a size 1X.

Thanks for listening, and good luck with your venture.

[honeydoozy]

As long as we’re voicing our deepest, darkest fashion wishes…

I’d LOVE a stylish riding vest that will accomdate “the girls” - most go up to XL - but XL doesn’t begin to come close to securing these babies. A little breathing room, please?!? :winkgrin:

[Paragon]

I’d like more show-quality breeches that come with ample hippage. The On-Course Shapelys (and their extra fabric around the caboose) work like a charm, but they obviously don’t compare when I’m in the ring.