Breeches and Sunshirts

I am not wealthy, but I am lucky enough to have a little disposable cash each month to spend how I want. Lately, I am into riding clothes like I can't believe. I never used to care what I rode in. It was usually a raggedy pair of pull on tights and a t-shirt won at an endurance ride.

Git-R-Done 55 miler - April 2010

Any more, I find myself pulling out carefully selected breeches that will coordinate with my riding shirt du jour. My socks often match as does my pony tail holder. I always wear a vibrant belt (lately from C4 - I now have four of them), something I would have scoffed at just a year ago.

​Looking good in the saddle seems to give more credence to the work that I am doing. While I always ride for fun, I am serious about the work that I am doing, and I want my appearance to be an outward confirmation of my dedication.

Never mind that I am usually completely alone at the barn. So if I look good while I ride, there is no one but the muck cart and manure fork to appreciate my efforts as I dutifully clean my stalls. I don't wear those stylish breeches and trendy sun shirts to impress anyone. I wear them because they make me feel good.

So when I got home the other day and this was sitting on my doorstep, I had all kinds of happy feelings.

Two on the same day?!?!?!

Riding Warehouse had some kind of special sale going on, I don't remember what it was, but I think it had something to do with tax season. They were offering 15% off everything store-wide. I couldn't resist.

I am currently in love with the Ovation DX Celebrity Slim Secret Full Seat Breeches. I love how they fit, and they look really nice. I have already blogged about the gray pair which I liked so much so that I was persuaded to order the white ones for showing. When Riding Warehouse finally added the Monaco Blue to their line up, I caved. I couldn't help it; I bought them in blue.

What a lovely combination.

While the breeches were back ordered and safely out of mind, a friend sent me a link to a Kastel shop on Ebay. Given how low the prices were, I am assuming they were either discontinued or last year's colors. I didn't care. At $30 out-the-door (which included free shipping), I felt like it would be wrong to not order one. And in my defense, I kept myself to one only as I already have four other sun shirts from last summer.

With my C4 belts in either tan or navy plaid, this is a really striking look. Add in my chocolate or navy dressage pad with my navy DSB boots, and I am one well turned out dressage rider.

Of course, If I had the DSB boots in brown ...