Friday Fashion Tip Number 6. Dressing for dressage.

What to wear in the dressage ring?  I am going to do a mini-series with my Friday Fashion Tips over the next few weeks about what to wear when competing in various equine disciplines.  This is one of the most expensive parts of owning a horse.  (Besides feeding the bottomless pits.) Of course, it can be avoided if you choose not to show.

The most expensive and important part of your show outfit is your tall black show boots.

The second most expensive and important part of your outfit is your show coat.  This can be a hunt coat or dressage coat.  (Modified tailcoat)  Must be black or navy blue.  Choose this carefully and make sure it is feminine and slimming.

Next is the helmet.  They come in velvet or with other designs that are currently in fashion.

White or tan breeches.  White is better because your show shirt will be white.  White and tan together is almost as bad as pink and red.  :)  Tan breeches are mostly seen on children competing.

Show shirt.  These come short or long sleeved and often have ruffles or other feminine details on them.

Gloves.  

Stock tie.  These can be real stock ties or pre-tied faux stock ties.

Spurs are allowed for all levels and required for Intermediate and Advanced.

All together it looks something like this.  The lower levels of dressage aren't as picky.  As levels go up you will end up wearing a top hat instead of a helmet and a tailcoat instead of breeches.

Next weeks FFT will be on outfitting your horse for dressage.  Then we will explore some more disciplines and how to outfit your horse and yourself for them.