Review: Esprit Equestrian Wear Breeches

I finally caved. Twice. In early April, a friend turned me on to Esprit Equestrian Wear. Their breeches, tops, and belts are all over Facebook. Ordering something seen on Facebook is a bit of a crapshoot, but I was intrigued enough by their marketing strategy to give one of their belts a try. If you know me at all, you'll know I have a thing for belts. The belt arrived in a super cute shipping bag with lots of we want you back type of packaging, and I've been wearing it ever since.

Surcingle Belt - Dark Grey

Not long after, my friend Jen ordered their PRO Breeches. Esprit Equestrian Wear was clearing out the older models in preparation for an updated version, so the PRO breeches were heavily discounted. I had a navy pair in my cart, but I just couldn't justify the expenditure. Not long after, I realized that the price was too good to pass up, but when I went to order them, they were sold out. I chose every other color, but alas, I had waited too long so nothing was left in my size. Instead, I ordered a pair of the Classic Riding Tights in black.

Classic Riding Tights in black

As soon as they arrived, I knew I was going to love them. They checked off all of my boxes:

• Comfortable (so, SO comfortable) and well fitting
• Thigh pocket (two!)
• Full seat
• Priced right
• Cute

Box #1 - Comfort/Fit
I don't know how they made polyester and spandex so comfortable, but these are completely off the comfort chart. The fabric is ULTR stretchy, silky soft, but not the kind of soft that hay sticks to. It reminds me of soft shell material without the weight. I also felt they were true to size. I am a bit chunky lately so I am back in a 32. I ordered the large, and I have plenty of room left over.

Also, and this is something Jen and I comiserated over, with regular breeches, I have to constantly yank up the zipper as my chunky-monkey belly forces the zipper open. With these, I realized I get the look of a zipper with pockets and belt loops, but there is no zipper to slide down. 

Both thigh pockets have a "lid."

Box #2 - Cell Phone Pockets
​The thigh pockets on the Classic tights are something extra special. The opening to the pocket is in the middle of the pocket. I know that sounds crazy, but the way they've cut the pocket, you can slide your phone in and then pull the top half of the pocket over the top to keep your phone from getting bounced out. I won't even buy breeches now if they don't have at least some kind of a pocket. This pocket design is very clever and was clearly made with riders in mind.

Box #3 - Full Seats
Years ago, when I first started riding in English breeches, I didn't like full seats of any kind because they were hot and too sticky. Once silicone came along, I made the switch to fulls seats and never looked back. Even today I don't like my breeches too grippy. I like to do a rising trot without my pants staying stuck to the saddle. When I first sat down, I felt the stick of the silicone, but once I got riding, I never noticed it again. They're sticky, but not so tacky as to be glued to the saddle's leather.

Some thoughtful detailing.

Boxes #4 and #5 - Priced Right & Cute
The Classic Riding Tights run $64.99 plus $4.99 for the flat rate shipping. I also had a discount code that took off a few bucks. I like these breeches/tights so much that I went back and discovered either inventory had been changed on the PRO tights or else I hadn't checked carefully enough because in the Hunter Green, they do have the large in stock still. Right now, those are selling for $49.99. I ordered them.

​I like cute breeches, but comfort, fit, and price are more important. For black tights, these have a lot of extra features that make them stand out from boring black. The faux back pockets have a cute sparkle button sewn on (not glued), and one of the rear "pockets" sports Esprit Equestrian's logo. On the front, there are faux pockets and a "zipper" placket that help camouflage any tummy bulges. For the price, these are cuter than you'd expect.
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If you decide to order something from Esprit Equestrian Wear, use the discount code, BakersfiedDressage for a one time, 5% discount. Even though the PRO breeches are getting an update, I'll let you know what I think of them.

​Now I am looking at that maroon/navy color block shirt which would be perfect for showing in my maroon or navy jackets ...