I know I am hard to buy for. In many ways, I think I am easy - if it's got a horse on it, I am all in. But I understand that finding horsey gifts that are more specialized to what I do is not so easy. Unless you are in my barn every day, you wouldn't know which show pad I've been eyeballing (Steffen Peters Dressage Show Pad) or which leg boots I am currently coveting (DSB Dressage Boots, of course!).
My parents want to get me stuff that I really want though, so my step mom will often send me a gift card to the Riding Warehouse. To me, that's a pretty personalized gift because I want EVERYTHING in that store. This year, my Dad and stepmom sent a card loaded with $100. Holy cow - it's easy to do damage with that kind of moolah.
I have been drooling over several new show coats. I have two already, a black and a gray, but the black one is feeling a lot frumpy, and I get tired of wearing the gray one every time. I was wanting something a bit more high tech or with a bit of bling. Guess what? I got both, and this one is in navy!
My parents want to get me stuff that I really want though, so my step mom will often send me a gift card to the Riding Warehouse. To me, that's a pretty personalized gift because I want EVERYTHING in that store. This year, my Dad and stepmom sent a card loaded with $100. Holy cow - it's easy to do damage with that kind of moolah.
I have been drooling over several new show coats. I have two already, a black and a gray, but the black one is feeling a lot frumpy, and I get tired of wearing the gray one every time. I was wanting something a bit more high tech or with a bit of bling. Guess what? I got both, and this one is in navy!
The Riding Warehouse was having an amazing 20% off most everything after Christmas sale (ends today), and the Romfh Bling Coat was already on sale from its original price of over $200. With the sale price, the additional 20% off post-Christmas sale, and my gift card, I paid a mere $20.29.
Beyond my wildest expectations!
Had I known how wildly fantastic this coat is, I would have gladly paid full price. Even now I am considering getting it in black as well. It is seriously THAT nice.
Fit
First and foremost, a show coat needs to fit right to be fantastic. As soon as I slipped this one on, it felt like it was almost custom made for me. It's a tad bit long in the arms, but I suspect that once I am in the saddle, I am going to appreciate that extra bit of length.
Through the shoulders, it felt roomy without being boxy. And while my weight tends to go up and down every few years, I am at my heaviest again right now which means my 5'3 frame is carrying a few extra pounds. I chose a 10, and I am glad I did. If I were 15 pounds lighter, the 8 would have been fine, but I might have still wished for a bit more room.
Fit
First and foremost, a show coat needs to fit right to be fantastic. As soon as I slipped this one on, it felt like it was almost custom made for me. It's a tad bit long in the arms, but I suspect that once I am in the saddle, I am going to appreciate that extra bit of length.
Through the shoulders, it felt roomy without being boxy. And while my weight tends to go up and down every few years, I am at my heaviest again right now which means my 5'3 frame is carrying a few extra pounds. I chose a 10, and I am glad I did. If I were 15 pounds lighter, the 8 would have been fine, but I might have still wished for a bit more room.
love the blingy buttons!
Functionality
This coat has all kinds of little features that make it true athletic wear. First of all, the fabric is beyond awesome. It's 91% nylon and 9% Spandex, and it's machine washable. This is the stretchiest coat I have ever put on. It doesn't just give. It s-t-r-e-t-e-c-h-e-s. This is what athletic gear should feel like.
This coat has all kinds of little features that make it true athletic wear. First of all, the fabric is beyond awesome. It's 91% nylon and 9% Spandex, and it's machine washable. This is the stretchiest coat I have ever put on. It doesn't just give. It s-t-r-e-t-e-c-h-e-s. This is what athletic gear should feel like.
Hidden zipper ... LOVE
The second feature I love is the hidden zipper. Thank you, Romfh. There is nothing worse than having your buttons threatening to burst open as you're saluting the judge. And this zipper is thick and sturdy. I also love that it is short and hidden right behind the buttons.
This jacket doesn't stop there though. The armpits are also vented. I don't know if they will actually provide any relief on a hot day, but I appreciate the thought. And while they're easy to see in this photo, they are not obvious when the jacket is on.
This jacket doesn't stop there though. The armpits are also vented. I don't know if they will actually provide any relief on a hot day, but I appreciate the thought. And while they're easy to see in this photo, they are not obvious when the jacket is on.
Good-bye sweaty pits!
Style
This coat has all kinds of bling that brings the level of sophistication up a notch. The collar and the pockets are all lined with tiny Swarovski® crystals. All of the buttons are also embedded with little navy blue crystals.
This coat has all kinds of bling that brings the level of sophistication up a notch. The collar and the pockets are all lined with tiny Swarovski® crystals. All of the buttons are also embedded with little navy blue crystals.
 Collar bling |  True pockets with bling |
Somehow, the coat is also quite slenderizing. I think it might be because of the little flare the coat has. It's ever so slightly fitted through the waist but then it has that tiny flare which gives the rider a nice silhouette.
The Riding Warehouse no longer lists the coat on their site, which is a shame as it is a lovely show coat. It is available at a number of other online retailers though. If you're in the market for a quality coat, this might be what you're looking for. It is completely worth the $200 price tag.
The Riding Warehouse no longer lists the coat on their site, which is a shame as it is a lovely show coat. It is available at a number of other online retailers though. If you're in the market for a quality coat, this might be what you're looking for. It is completely worth the $200 price tag.
