The aim is to get an equestrian look and what you can do is
get the trousers and a suitable shirt and for one thing, high
boots may not be necessary. You are aiming to be inspired by the
equestrian look and a suitable bodice and trousers/pants may be
sufficient as well as the boots. The fabric/design of the bodice
is important. A classic pattern ie patterns like argyle and
plaid may not of course be necessary for the top. This is
obvious but an argyle or plaid pattern certainly could aid in
creating an equestrian look.
The equestrian look could be directly inspired from the riding
coat look ie the riding coat worn with white jodhpurs. Thus
instead of jodhpurs, white shaped pants/trousers could be used
and since we are taking inspiration from the equestrian look,
white shaped trousers are not the only choice. Perhaps black or
grey too, maybe a specific charcoal grey are suitable colors.
Maybe a red hue too is a choice too for shaped trousers,. What
is meant by shaped relates to the way jodhpurs are structured
with proper fabric and shape. Here the equestrian inspired look
is only being influenced by the shape of the jodhpurs/breeches
and one doesn't have to have jodhpurs.
In describing an equestrian look, it is worthwhile to look at
coats/jackets to create the look, and remember the pea jacket,
the navy jacket look too, as well as the actual riding coat look
with a conservative lapel and collar going to hip length. In
being inspired by the equestrian look, the black riding jacket
can perhaps go to waist length but if one has chosen to wear a
skirt/long skirt and one wants to get the equestrian look, then
a jacket like the established hip-length riding coat is
welcome.
In some way, to create the equestrian look, one can focus on
that hip-length riding coat, or a coat that is styled like the
riding coat as well as tight shaped pants. The fabric is
important for the pants/trousers, perhaps a twill. The main
thing re: pants is the shaping to look like jodhpurs and to get
this perhaps cuffs are suitable as well as the full shaping
around the waist to crotch to hip.
Remember those white tight jodhpurs. Does that mean white is a
good color for the equestrian look ? Yes probably. Then there is
the jacket, maybe a hip length white jacket with black shaped
pants. One can choose a bolero type jacket and the shirt inside
whether sleeveless or not can be hip-length. And perhaps one can
create an equestrian look with leather ! One can have a leather
glam jacket with cropped twill pants, i.e. cropped pants
inspired from jodhpurs. One needs a suitable fabric ie. Twill.
Corduroy is perhaps suitable but certainly a cavalry twill.
Cavalry twill is a good fabric for a formal trousers and if one
has a cropped cavalry twill pants, this might help to create an
equestrian look. One can have a waist length cropped leather
jacket or hip-length. Maybe a glam designer jacket could
complement the cropped cavalry twill pants. Instead of leather,
choose a waist length 'smart and chic
jacket inspired from the
actual riding coat but obviously shortened. These are
suggestions for an equestrian look.
Inside the jacket a white shirt/blouse with black tie or a black
choker can create a look Accessories are important. Think of
other details like a lacy cuff area for the shirt and the jacket
may just reach to elbow length to allow the lacy cuff to be
seen. Thus one has a jacket with elbow-length sleeve or at least
a sleeve that is
tied or folded back to the elbow.
Remember too for a certain equestrian look red cropped pants are
an idea. This can create an exotic type of equestrian look. Thus
one has red cropped pants and a black short jacket i.e. waist
length with an inside shirt. Maybe a black t-shirt is suitable.
Thus black t-shirt, jacket and red cropped pants. If one wants
to use plaid or tartan, one can perhaps create an equestrian
look too. Maybe a plaid skirt with the black hip length jacket
or a red hip length jacket with plaid skirt.
by Kim Kirby