This article has appeared previously with Equestrian Life. To see what is in our latest issue, please click here.

BY SARAH WALKERDEN

BREECHES HAVE THE tendency to leave nothing to the imagination and can show off all the bits we'd rather not be reminded of. Unless you have a supermodel figure (yeah, right!), it is common to feel self-conscious gearing up for riding and competing. However, it IS possible to find breeches to fit any size, shape or body type. There are plenty of great options to make the most of what you have and hide what you wish you didn’t. Here are the basics to help you look great and feel confident on and off the horse.

Decision 1: Knee-patch or full-seat

Most breeches tend to fall into either the basic knee-patch category or full-seat category. What’s the difference? Knee-patch breeches are a simple pair of breeches with knee patches and nothing more. Full-seat breeches, otherwise known as ‘'sticky bums’', contain leather or suede-type seat inserts which run across your bum and down the insides of your legs. The full seat can provide more grip to help you stick to the saddle.

Which type you choose often comes down to personal preference. Full-seats tend to be popular with riders who feel they need extra stability in the saddle. Full-seat breeches can either have a leather seat (often deerskin, which can be lovely but expensive and harder to care for). These days, popular choices include synthetic suede-type seats such as microfibre or a material called Clarino, which many riders find more stretchy and comfortable. However, full-seat breeches can fit slightly differently so you may need to go up or down a size depending on brand and style. You can also find breeches with variations in how the full seat is shaped and contoured. The traditional rounded style can sometimes make a more plentiful backside appear even larger, so if this is of concern, try the newer styles that have a more straight-cut full seat which helps lengthen and slim down your behind!

If you find you aren’t comfortable in full-seat breeches at all, or can’t find a pair that fits nicely, don’t despair. It may be better to go for the knee-patch style. As these breeches only contain a single material composition, it can be easier to get them to fit more snugly and comfortably.

Decision 2: High-rise v low-rise

Breeches come in low-rise, medium-rise or high-rise. The rise describes the length of your torso and how far breeches come up around your middle. Low-rise, or hipster, breeches have become popular, and despite common perception they aren't just for the young and skinny! If you are rather petite with a shorter torso, then a high-waisted breech is going to come up far too high up your middle, so a moderate to low-rise might be best for a more balanced appearance. If you are taller, a high-rise breech will provide more coverage. A slightly higher rise can also be beneficial if you have a tummy that needs smoothing or a bottom that needs a bit more room.

Decision 3: Waistbands

The thickness of the waistband may seem a minor aspect and can be overlooked, however, it can make a difference depending on your shape. Often a wider or thicker waistband prevents the dreaded muffin-top appearance as it helps hold the belly in. A thinner waistband can be helpful for the more petite who want to avoid bulk around their middle. Waistbands can also be shaped differently. Many are simply cut straight across your middle, while some breeches are cleverly designed to be slightly higher across the back then curve and dip slightly at the front. This may assist in creating a more flattering picture for some women and provide more comfort.

Decision 4: Material

Breeches come in a variety of materials or fabrics such cotton, spandex, nylon, Lycra, microfibre and many others, plus various combinations thereof. The material you ride in might differ from season to season to ensure you stay cool or warm at the time. The material can also have a huge effect on how flattering it is to your body shape. Generally, a thicker and firmer fabric is more suited to larger women, as it tends to smooth out bumps and helps minimise the figure. Another handy option is a ribbed material (particularly when hunting for flattering white breeches!). Ribbed materials offer stretch and comfort whilst helping minimise a larger figure.

Denim or denim lookalike materials are popular for casual riding and training, and have the wonderful advantage of looking like jeans when you stop by the shops or for petrol on the way home. These materials can be super-comfortable and complimentary to a range of body shapes or sizes.

Decision 5: Colours and patterns

For general riding and training, there are plenty of options. Darker colours such as black, brown or navy not only help hide dirt and mud, they tend to be more slimming and forgiving of a less than perfect body shape. They can, however, make a small or slim figure look tinier, so if you fall into that category you might be wise to choose a lighter and brighter colour.

These days you can also get interesting patterned breeches – including the wild and wacky – that can accentuate the positive and hide the negative. Houndstooth or plaid patterns can assist in helping skinny legs or a petite frame seem slightly more substantial, and provide more shape to those of us who are built straight up and down. These patterns, however, are often best avoided by bigger or curvier ladies as they can accentuate too much. If you are rather curvy, then a plain-coloured breech is your best bet. You can also find breeches with stripes down the leg, which is great for shorter legs as it creates the illusion of more length.

For competing in English disciplines, such as dressage and showjumping, you will ultimately need white breeches. White is clearly unforgiving and can be daunting and unflattering to wear. The trick is to find the right shape and material that looks as good as possible on you. Some full-seat breeches even come with a black or grey seat that can break up the starkness of the white and create a slimmer picture.

For the men

Male riders clearly have very different body shapes to women. Men tend to have a straighter cut from the waist, hips and legs as they lack the curves that women have. This helps make breeches for men simpler to fit, but many men struggle to be comfortable in breeches due to their skintight nature, which men are not used to. Luckily, many men’s breeches offer a slightly looser fit with pleats in front for more freedom and comfort – particularly useful for larger men.

The final result

Try on as many pairs of breeches as possible to find what style, colour, material and brand works best for you. Remember that sizing can vary between brands and styles, so going a size up or down can make a huge difference to how a pair of breeches looks and feels. Also, it is wise to allow for the fact that your shape and size can change over time. What works now might not be suitable next season. Stay flexible and open to new styles as you just never know how good you might look in something you never considered previously.
 
 

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