Vintage Riding & Equestrian Apparel

[alden405]

Thanks, Evan!

The boots are Dehner Fieldboots, in Tan Calfskin. I have one other pair. Three-buckle Dehner's, in black calfskin.

The jacket actually is tapered in the waist. To the point where Bookster says most people opt for the "comfort sized" waist, which can be +1 or 2". I don't think I'll be tapering it anymore, until I get around to loosing the extra 10-15 pounds I'm packing around. I do agree that, fitted breeches make the coat look bigger than it really is. It's not as obvious when you are actually on the horse. I'd like to find a decent pair of flared breeches. (Alden405's look great) Horse Country has a few decent ones, but are out of my price range. Well, considering. I'm not going to pay that much for something that is going to be subjected to mud, and horse spit. lol

I was torn, on the sleeve length. I have a really cool pair of silver chess knight cufflinks, and it would be nice to have the sleeve shortened, to show some shirt cuff. But it gets COLD here! I actually asked for +1", in the sleeve. You loose a lot of heat in that wrist area. Let's call that functional sprezzatura

I have to admit, most of the time I don't actually wear a hacking jacket. More like Patagonia fleece, in the colder months, and a polo shirt when it's warm.

I'm wearing a waist coat. You can't see it in the pictures. It's the same Glen Tweed as the coat. Tradition calls for tattersall. But, I can't stand tattersall, for some reason. I can't bring myself to wear it. A canary wool waistcoat is traditional too, but more so with a formal black, or scarlet coat (depending on your club status). I'd almost have to go south of the Mason-Dixon to find a hunt club. Or way to the east.

The saddle is a Stübben Siegfried VSD, in Havana. It also has their new Biomex seat. Very nice to ride with. The horse is Trinity, she's a Trakehner.

The gloves are a problem. It's hard for me to find a pair, that doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing clown feet. I tried a pair of Heritage riding gloves out of one of the on-line tack shops. The largest size they stocked was a 9. I need a 9.5 or 10, so it didn't work very well. (I just found out that Heritage does make them up to a size 12. I guess the tack shops just stock sizes for women? Stocking for their demographics. You go back to the Golden Age, and all the little boys grew up wanting to be cowboys, now most of them haven't seen a horse. It's hard to find men that ride, and if they do ride, most of them ride Western)

In the picture I'm actually wearing Hatch "Handler"police gloves. The model is for K-9 officers. They are neoprene, and reinforced for handling a leash, in the same places that riding gloves are reinforced for the reigns. It was Plan-B, when the tack shops didn't stock my size, in an actual riding glove.

Thanks for the tips. I need a new pair of gloves. I'll check out the ones you suggested.


PS- alden405, Everything looks great! Hat to boots. Are they repro officer breeches? The location looks fantastic, too! The little one is going to be a heart breaker.

breeches are period,they belonged to arthur k whitehead,us cavalry officer 26th cavalry regiment
the coat was granndfathers,it is rm williams,brand new in 1949,im fattish at the moment but it fits ok

 

[Lone_Ranger]

breeches are period,they belonged to arthur k whitehead,us cavalry officer 26th cavalry regiment the coat was granndfathers, it is rm williams, brand new in 1949, im fattish at the moment but it fits ok

Sounds great! I had contemplated getting breeches, from What Price Glory, but don't have any experience with them. They have three different versions.

Cotton Khaki, for summer. Wool Elastique, officer "Pinks," and a wool enlisted version, that looks more like an OD green.

 

[draws]

Sounds great! I had contemplated getting breeches, from What Price Glory, but don't have any experience with them. They have three different versions.

Cotton Khaki, for summer. Wool Elastique, officer "Pinks," and a wool enlisted version, that looks more like an OD green.

I have done business with both What Price Glory, WWII Impressions and Schipperfabrik and here are a few thoughts.

The Khaki breeches are ok but the fit is problematic. They tend to be cut such that the flair starts immediately at the knee rather than 3-4 inches above the knee as they should. This causes them to look "baggy" rather than as you see below. They are also mfg in SE Asia and that is a problem since they take the one-size-fits-all approach. I just picked up a pair of MINT size 36" waist US Army khaki 1930s vintage breeches on ebay for $60. These occasionally show up and sell for a more reasonable price than WPG or WWII Impressions get. I will post a photo of these later today.

The wool Elastique material "officer's pinks" breeches are not available from WPG or WWII Impressions (last I looked). Another alternative is to keep a lookout on ebay for Officer's pinks in your size (quite rare) and you can expect to pay anywhere from $150-$200 if you can find them. They usually show up in the smaller sizes (i.e. 28"-32" waist). I recently found a pair of size 36" (large) on ebay and pair $135 for them. I'll follow up with a photo of them later today.

The EM wool elastique breeches from WPG, WWII Impressions and Schipperfabrik do have the vintage flair and fit that is more appropriate. Unfortunately, they have a self-patch material at the knees. I do have a pair of these from WPG and am somewhat satisfied with the fit. I will follow up this post with a photo to follow. I'd suggest getting a pair of these for about $130 or just wait for a pair to show up on ebay. Originals are often available and usually priced quite high in the larger size for obvious reasons and often come with some moth tracking. If you find a pair of originals, expect to pay anywhere from $100-$150 pr.

More to follow.

 

[draws]

I have done business with What Price Glory, WWII Impressions and Schipperfabrik and here are a few thoughts.

The Khaki breeches are ok but the fit is problematic. They tend to be cut such that the flair starts immediately at the knee rather than 3-4 inches above the knee as they should. This causes them to look "baggy" rather than as you see below. They are also mfg in SE Asia and that is a problem since they take the one-size-fits-all approach. I just picked up a pair of MINT size 36" waist US Army khaki 1930s vintage breeches on ebay for $60. These occasionally show up and sell for a more reasonable price than WPG or WWII Impressions get. I will post a photo of these later today.

The wool Elastique material "officer's pinks" breeches are not available from WPG or WWII Impressions (last I looked). Another alternative is to keep a lookout on ebay for Officer's pinks in your size (quite rare) and you can expect to pay anywhere from $150-$200 if you can find them. They usually show up in the smaller sizes (i.e. 28"-32" waist). I recently found a pair of size 36" (large) on ebay and pair $135 for them. I'll follow up with a photo of them later today.

The EM wool elastique breeches from WPG, WWII Impressions and Schipperfabrik do have the vintage flair and fit that is more appropriate. Unfortunately, they have a self-patch material at the knees. I do have a pair of these from WPG and am somewhat satisfied with the fit. I will follow up this post with a photo to follow. I'd suggest getting a pair of these for about $130 or just wait for a pair to show up on ebay. Originals are often available and usually priced quite high in the larger size for obvious reasons and often come with some moth tracking. If you find a pair of originals, expect to pay anywhere from $100-$150 pr.

More to follow.

Here is my pair of WWII Impressions khaki breeches. Notice the baggy look to them. I recommend against these. Price is approx $130. NOTE: I do not have a pr of WPG khaki breeches so I can't speak for their brand.

Photos of the US Army Breeches (as they should fit) and found on ebay recently. This is the look you are seeking out.

Photo of original pre-WWII elastique US Army Officer's Pinks Breeches recently purchased on ebay.

 

[alden405]

A while back I caught up on the history and derivation of tattersall vests. Fascinating. There was a horse trader near London, called tattarsall's. They used to use a simple yellow plaid cloth as a blanket for the horses. That cloth would get cut up to be used as waistcoats, and voila! a fashion icon.
My neice rides (she's in her last year at vet school, and will quite possibly become a horse doctor.) Just curiouis as to which of the more iconic garments and styles (hacking jacket, breeches, hats and helmets, etc.) are really the most practical and useful as well.

here is a check saddle cloth

 

[alden405]

my Great Grandfather 1898ish

 

[Evan Everhart]

my Great Grandfather 1898ish

Your Great-Grandfather looks mightily sharp there sir! I love what he's wearing! It rather reminds me of my riding clothes actually! Light coloured DB waist-coat, small, neat check coat with high lapels, detachable collar! Spot on and he's so sharply dressed all around! I particularly like his single cuffs worn with his riding apparel here! I LOVE single cuffs! I'm waiting to have my tailor make me a shirt with single cuffs soon enough. One other thing, I must say that I admire his mustachios! I very nearly covet them! (I have mustachios myself, but they have not fulled out to that extent yet, I figure in another two to three weeks or so, I hope!) Wonderful photograph sir! Spot on!

 

[Evan Everhart]

thank

its chirnside mansion in victoria,sorry no capitals one hand holding sleeping daughter other hand typing

it used to belong to my grandmother but sadly no longer

Agh! I know how that is....My foolish parents, aunts, and uncles on both sides of my family sold off my great-grandparents' home-steads after they died. The only one still in family hands, is my grandfather's home which I bought off of my father and uncle (I actually bought them out, I owned a ninth of the value of the place through the will) I lucked out! My father and uncle just wanted to sell everything and run with the money!

 

[Evan Everhart]

Some of my riding apparel as seen in my room

I said I'd do it! Below are a few of my favourite riding outfits. I have others still, like my Western riding clothes which I've yet to have pictures taken of, and my riding outfits that incorporate my green fall-front breeches (my Favourite breeches), and my E. German breeches (which are alright I suppose). I have images of myself in my casual training breeches, but those aren't as interesting as the ones with my winged breeches! (my trainers are just powder gray slim smooth finish denim ones with a slightly low rise....Boring. though my fiance likes them a lot, hehe!)

Here goes! (Oh, I'm wearing my Imperial Collar in a lot of these as I really enjoy wearing this collar while riding)

Neck Tie

Hindu Scarf Cravat

Brown Foulard Cravat

Black Silk Button-On Bow Cravat (kind of like the one that Lord Ribblesdale wears in his famous equestrian portrait - I've a top-coat for riding, like the one in the portrait as well!)

Black Silk Button-On Bow Cravat with the bow's tails tucked into my waist-coat

Same ensemble but with my Royal Blue Polka-Dot Cravat

Full View with one of my Favourite Cravats; Ivory silk with dark lavender and yellow foulard pattern

Breeches, Boots, and Custom Detachable Collar Tunic Shirt (Shirt made by Mr. Daswani)

Favourite Casual Riding Shirt with Yellow V-Neck

Full view, Burgundy V-Neck, Orange Don Loper tie, Orange and Burgundy striped pocket scarf, Tweed Hacking Jacket, Charcoal Gray Breeches, Harris Tweed cap, White Nordstrom shirt, Gray E. German Officer's leather gauntlets, my riding crop!

I'll be posting up some more images soon enough both English and Western. Hope you all enjoy!

 

[draws]

I said I'd do it! Below are a few of my favourite riding outfits. I have others still, like my Western riding clothes which I've yet to have pictures taken of, and my riding outfits that incorporate my green fall-front breeches (my Favourite breeches), and my E. German breeches (which are alright I suppose). I have images of myself in my casual training breeches, but those aren't as interesting as the ones with my winged breeches! (my trainers are just powder gray slim smooth finish denim ones with a slightly low rise....Boring. though my fiance likes them a lot, hehe!)

I'll be posting up some more images soon enough both English and Western. Hope you all enjoy!

Nicely done, Evan. I'll be posting some photos as well. Only thing is I got kicked by a horse this evening and will be laid up for a few days. Took two hoofs direct center on both mid-thighs and a very nicely defined horseshoe mark on each thigh. Ouchy!!!!, as my daughter used to say.

 

[Highlander]

Alden, your grandfather looks (and I am sure was) every part the Gentleman. Great photo.

Evan your look is also very much the gentleman. Good Job!

 

[Lone_Ranger]

Nice, Evan.

The black silk cravat, and DB waistcoat, almost has a western look to it. Sort of a Doc Holliday, flair. If you ever consider Cowboy Mounted Shooting, or CASS, I think you've found your persona.

 

[Highlander]

A few more photos, of me and good Old Jake (he was struck by lightning and killed about a year ago and is missed). My riding attire isn't quite as fancy as many here The first somewhere in the Tucson Mountains in NM:

This one somewhere East of Capitan, NM:

 

[bburtner@moran]

Riding Gear

Nice"English" riding gear shots,the English gear always seems a little snooty for me.American riding gear( actually of Spanish origin) seems a bit more down to earth,jeans,canvas vest,large neckerchief,floppy Stetson,wool mack,and a good pair of boots....

 

[Evan Everhart]

Nicely done, Evan. I'll be posting some photos as well. Only thing is I got kicked by a horse this evening and will be laid up for a few days. Took two hoofs direct center on both mid-thighs and a very nicely defined horseshoe mark on each thigh. Ouchy!!!!, as my daughter used to say.

Sounds painful, but also sort of fun having bizarre temporary body art! But seriously, horse injuries seem to hurt all the more so, because you can't go out riding in the mean-time! It's Bloody Torture! One time I was riding my uncle Floyd's horse for him with a few other people who were riding up towards Central California way and one of these guys insisted upon riding the most restive horse that I have ever seen....I think it went beyond being restive to just having a foul temperament....Anyhow, he insisted upon it and sure enough, the horse was nipping and shoving with its head and shoulders and kicking besides whenever we'd slacken pace....I couldn't figure it, the rider was supposed to be watching his horse with extra carefulness; he did not, his horse very nearly nipped first my horses ear when I wasn't looking and then tried to nip my hand! My horse got so freaked out by the other horse that I very nearly got thrown and wrenched my hip when my foot caught in the stirrup. I'm glad it did though, falling would have hurt worse. This was when I was maybe sixteen or seventeen....My hip wasn't right for at least two weeks after that though.

 

[Evan Everhart]

Nice, Evan.

The black silk cravat, and DB waistcoat, almost has a western look to it. Sort of a Doc Holliday, flair. If you ever consider Cowboy Mounted Shooting, or CASS, I think you've found your persona.

What are these? I've not heard of them prior to this. I do some Western riding actually, I've just not posted the images of my Western riding apparel as of yet, probably within the next two to three days if my lovely fiance will do me the favor of taking more photographs for me, hehe. Plus, I've got to dig up my favourite jeans for Western riding (a pair of khaki Levi's 514s which I REALLY HATE that they don't make anymore! STUPID LEVI STRAUSS & COMPANY AND THEIR SEASONAL STYLES! ! ! ! ! ! !) As to Doc Holliday, he is my Absolute Favourite character from period Western mythology and stories and I have a certain affinity for him as I have always appreciated him as rather one of the better dressed cow-boy era chaps and, because I once played a wonderful prank on some friends to convince them that I was vomiting blood back in college the first time around! Ha! Good Times! I am most intrigued sir, illuminate me as to the details if you would be so kind! Thanks!

-Sincerely Yrs,

E.

P.S. Fun-fact; my great-grandmother knew and was friends with Billy the Kid down in N.M.

 

[Evan Everhart]

A few more photos, of me and good Old Jake (he was struck by lightning and killed about a year ago and is missed). My riding attire isn't quite as fancy as many here The first somewhere in the Tucson Mountains in NM:

This one somewhere East of Capitan, NM:

I'm really sorry that your Old Jake is gone sir....It's always sad when you lose a friend like that....It can really be awfully hard. I know I was stricken when my uncle lost his. At least it was fast and he didn't drag on in pain with arthritis or cancer, right?

As to your riding attire, it's Great sir! You needn't be "fancied up to put your stuff up here! You still look good, and that's what's important! I feel just as fine and dandy in some of my Western riding attire as in some of my English riding attire! Both look good and both have their own peculiarities. It's a matter of personal preference and appropriateness. Western is appropriate at times where English would not be and English is appropriate at times where Western would not be. It's a toss of the dice really. Anyhow, Great shots and he looks like he was a fine horse.

 

[Evan Everhart]

Nice"English" riding gear shots,the English gear always seems a little snooty for me.American riding gear( actually of Spanish origin) seems a bit more down to earth,jeans,canvas vest,large neckerchief,floppy Stetson,wool mack,and a good pair of boots....

It's really all a matter of personal taste and application as to what's snooty and what's not....I've seen some folks wearing some Western equestrian gear that was down-right snooty; like this one fellow with a red and white saddle that I saw a few years back, he was wearing fringed chaps, ostrich boots, a blue hat with giant conchos on it and a ridiculously large bolo stud on his bolo tie (the stud was gold and copper with a turquoise...turquoise should NEVER be worn with gold! UGH!) This fellow basically looked like some foppish cow-boy type caricature from an old Western movie from the 20s through 50s. It was BAD. The worst part was, when I asked him (reasonably so, I thought from what he was wearing and how it coordinated in colours and all and with the flashiness of it) if he was a performer, he acted offended! Now I ask you, if you see someone wearing red, white and blue Western gear with giant chaps and a gold bolo tie, wouldn't you figure they were from a show? I would, and I did. I'm a bit off of my main point here, but that point is, that even Western wear can be taken to that snooty place. It relies not so much upon the actual style of riding or the clothes which correspond to that style of saddle and riding, but more to the attitude with which the clothes and style are carried out and worn by the individual rider.

That said, Western wear is really fun at times and is enjoyable. Both styles share an equally old equestrian heritage and lineage and both may and are taken to both a quiet and discrete place as well as a loud and "snooty" place of vulgarity at times. Still all fun though!

 

[Highlander]

Evan, thanks for the kind words. Yes, he was a great horse, he knew more than me about working cows I just let him do the work, he seemed to know just what to do. And surefooted, I never felt uncomfortable in any terrain.

I lost my Labrador Retreiver about the same time, she was 11 yrs old, and had had cancer, I had to put her down. I spent so many days in a duck blind with her, and just on our nightly walks etc. Miss both of them.

 

[Evan Everhart]

Quick Question!

Who else here thinks that Spanish tops to English Hunt boots look and are ridiculous! Now, keep in mind what those contrasting tops originally were and how the upward arcing side of the boots might affect their original purpose!

I personally don't like them and think that they look silly (I don't care for Spanish tops in general but of late, they are unavoidable....Alas)!