I wrote my favorite site, www.thecollectiononlinestore.com about plus size breeches for schooling, etc. She wrote back that I should go to www.breeches.com and then I emailed back what I wanted and she shipped them to me, again, FREE SHIPPING - I am so over S&H - I got some stretch riding jeans, love them, they came in 36. I am so impressed with the level of customer service at The Collection. Robin says she “is a big chick, too” - and understands our needs. She is looking for the right stuff, stuff she would wear.
Vesper Sparrow,
http://www.doversaddlery.com/tack-high-barn-boots/p/X1-38218/cn/1943/
Warm (almost too warm for me, even in the winter in New England), waterproof, pretty good traction (great compared to most riding-boot soles), very stretchy upper. You might need to put Spenco arch supports or something in them if you do barn work in them because they aren’t very supportive in the footbed, but for just going out to catch your horse in the mud, they are perfect.
FWIW, I had a pair of the cheap knockoffs (not the Muck Boot brand, but look almost identical) and they cracked across the top above the ball of my foot within one season, so I think it’s worth getting the more expensive ones, hard as it is to pay $90 for a pair of rubber boots.
Thanks, Criss, they look great!! I may go for the mid-high model.
I just got back from my local tack store. They had Horseware of Ireland outerwear on sale for 25% so I picked up a nice shell with a zip-out lining and back vents. Perfect for hacking now that the weather is cooler and I can use it as a raincoat in spring minus the lining. Surprise, the XL fit perfectly.
[QUOTE=criss;2739013]
Vesper Sparrow,
http://www.doversaddlery.com/tack-high-barn-boots/p/X1-38218/cn/1943/
Warm (almost too warm for me, even in the winter in New England), waterproof, pretty good traction (great compared to most riding-boot soles), very stretchy upper. You might need to put Spenco arch supports or something in them if you do barn work in them because they aren’t very supportive in the footbed, but for just going out to catch your horse in the mud, they are perfect.
FWIW, I had a pair of the cheap knockoffs (not the Muck Boot brand, but look almost identical) and they cracked across the top above the ball of my foot within one season, so I think it’s worth getting the more expensive ones, hard as it is to pay $90 for a pair of rubber boots.[/QUOTE]
I must say thanks to who ever recommended those Wal-Mart vests. I stopped in on my way to the barn this weekend, and there were still some available. Plus, they had cute colored long sleeve tees right next to them so I got a couple that coordinated with my new vest!
Also, I must give kudos to Arete saddlery’s customer service, it is wonderful. I emailed them with a problem and had a response in a couple of hours, on a Sunday! Barbara was great about helping me through my issues. Highly recommend them!
Vesper Sparrow, the mid boots are cute, but I thought they’d be kinda useless in my kind of mud. 
the beauty of the tall boots is, I can roll my jeans up a few turns and be able to walk through the kind of mud that would normally soak my feet and pull my boots off; they’re stretchy enough to come up over breeches, too.
I kind of want the mid boots, though, for days when it’s just damp and chilly, because the tall boots do eventually make my calves and shins itchy from pressure at the seam around the top. Can’t justify spending the money, though, given that you can pretty easily roll the tops of the tall boots down a bit and solve that problem.
Criss–I’m just worried about the size of my calves (17.5 in. on one side and 18 in. on the other). With wellies, I’ve always gone for the shorter el-cheapo ones because I don’t have to worry about getting them over my calves. These do sound great, though, and I could use them for birdwatching, too. Would they be OK to drive in? What I really need to do is find a store around here that has them so I can try them on…
[QUOTE=criss;2740330]
Vesper Sparrow, the mid boots are cute, but I thought they’d be kinda useless in my kind of mud. the beauty of the tall boots is, I can roll my jeans up a few turns and be able to walk through the kind of mud that would normally soak my feet and pull my boots off; they’re stretchy enough to come up over breeches, too.
I kind of want the mid boots, though, for days when it’s just damp and chilly, because the tall boots do eventually make my calves and shins itchy from pressure at the seam around the top. Can’t justify spending the money, though, given that you can pretty easily roll the tops of the tall boots down a bit and solve that problem.[/QUOTE]
No, in seriousness, those things are stretchy. My calves are slightly bigger than yours, and while I’m not very comfy tucking jeans down inside them, breeches are fine, and they’re fabric-lined so when I have on jeans i just roll the jeans to right below my knee so they cover the top of the boot, and they don’t bother me against my skin unless I have them on for hours at a time.
They’re warm enough that I wouldn’t drive very far in them since my feet often get too warm driving. Then again, I always have the heat on the floor since I can’t cope with air in my face (dries my eyes out), so the floor of my car tends to be too warm for any winter boots.
Thanks, Criss! Sold! Thanks for the information… My feet tend to get cold when driving so they will be just perfect.
[QUOTE=criss;2740454]
No, in seriousness, those things are stretchy. My calves are slightly bigger than yours, and while I’m not very comfy tucking jeans down inside them, breeches are fine, and they’re fabric-lined so when I have on jeans i just roll the jeans to right below my knee so they cover the top of the boot, and they don’t bother me against my skin unless I have them on for hours at a time.
They’re warm enough that I wouldn’t drive very far in them since my feet often get too warm driving. Then again, I always have the heat on the floor since I can’t cope with air in my face (dries my eyes out), so the floor of my car tends to be too warm for any winter boots.[/QUOTE]
Don’t forget, you can get those WalMart vests online and they have every color and size.
I did check my local Walmart after ordering mine online. They only had them in white. It sure wouldn’t stay that pretty white after a day at the barn. :eek: I did try on the size I had ordered and was very pleased how it fit. Can’t wait for mine to get here.
I wore my WalMart vest to ride today - it’s a winner!!
It did ride up a little at the hip, which probably wasn’t hugely attractive, but that’s more ME than any design flaw in the vest, I’m thinking. 
They’re a little poofy, but the warmth is good for cool foggy mornings - I’m definitely happy with them!
Outlet deal at Equestrian Collections
Equestrian Collections has a wool competition coat on clearence for $53.98 and the sizes left are 14L 20L and 22R so if anyone is interested in those sizes, it might be a good deal. And the 22R comes in a charcoal stripe, if anyone is interested…
No one can compare the Irideon tights to the cadence cords?
Anyone? Anyone?
[QUOTE=pintopiaffe;2748995]
No one can compare the Irideon tights to the cadence cords?
Anyone? Anyone?[/QUOTE]
For fit, I find the tights fit a tiny bit looser than the cords. I decided I like the 1X for both the knee patch tights and cords, but the 2X for full seat. (I’m a 36 waist in the Shapely).
IMO, the tights are quite lightweight and good for summer. At anything cooler than 25C, I prefer the cords. Both have worn very well for me.
The Cadence breeches and the Irideon Tights just about are incomparable, they are so different. Those tights are like riding naked, seriously! I have other brands of “tights” and they are all at least 2x thicker than those. That’s actually nice when it’s 95 degrees out, but they leave nothing hidden. They are so thin that they are super stretchy and I would say are a little roomier than the cadence. Below 70 degrees and the leave my legs freezing!
I find the cadence to run a bit smaller, but part of it is that that fabric is stiffer, I think. I hated my cadence breeches at first, but after making myself wear them and washing them multiple times they seem to be breaking in. I am not comfortable in the cadence breeches above 80 degrees, they get pretty warm.
I LOVE the Irideon winpro breeches. Those are definitely my favorite breeches ever and getting to wear those pants is my favorite part of winter!
Interestingly, I’ve been impressed by all the used Boinks I’ve snagged on eBay or elsewhere, but when I ordered directly from Boink earlier this year the new breeches pilled all over after just one ride and washing according to directions. I emailed the company and they said it was the new “improved” fabric they were using for the plus size breeches and they would not accept a return. Just a warning that their “improved” plus size breeches… aren’t. The show breeches I bought from them aren’t even suitable for lessons after one ride. :no:
Thanks guys. (gals 
) I have been really wishy-washy. I hate to spend $$ on breeks that will not fit in 6 months, if things continue going as they have. I can’t imagine the Cadence Cord material would be very easy to take in either.
Maybe I will just wear leggings through cold… I have winter breeks… and wait until spring. I had wanted to be all spiffy and look really ‘together’ for lessons going into winter, as I’ve worked really, really hard this summer. Guess the vanity will take a bow to practicality for now. 
I"ve got the IRideon power stretch breeches, and I don’t care for them. They feel more like long underwear to me (as a matter of fact, I wore them under my snow pants last winter on a miserable day) and I haven’t even tried riding in them (I should have returned them before using them, but didn’t). They also run very big compared to the Cadence breeches, because they have so much stretch in them.
Now, I will tell you that the Irideon supplex thermal leggings (which really are long underwear) are really soft and cozy, and also generously sized. I’ve got to get a smaller pair because I can almost pull mine up to my armpits. They are a nice soft fabric that feels good under jeans on a cold day.
Has anybody tried the Kerrits winter breeches that are in the latest Dover catalog? I need some more winter breeches, and I’m worried about ordering more Boinks after hearing what Lindsay said…
I saw them tonight when I went into Wally World. Old Navy also has some cute vests also.
I need to get a few for teaching lessons, and schooling.
FABULOUS news at Arete! She is starting to carry Equissentials, and as far as I can tell, at the best prices available. Custom or stock sizes.
I’ve decided to go for them, since they will take them in for free for me in the Spring, as I WILL need that. :yes: :lol:
fyi - elizabethgbreeches
She does custom sizing - best breeches I have ever found - I usually go through a pair in 6-8 months, I have some from her that are 4 years old! I will never buy anything else ever again.
