TRENDS IN U.S. DRESSAGE DRESS

While black is still the number-one color, tack shop retailers like Mike Akers, owner of Olson-Mills Tack Shop in Bellevue, Washington, have been selling large numbers of custom jackets in grey, navy and chocolate brown—many with velvet collars. Custom shadbellies are also popular with custom vest points and/or piping on the collar. Akers says the European look in breeches is popular, with either a dark grey or black full seat.

Robin Vogel, English apparel buyer for Mary’s Tack & Feed in Del Mar, California, concurs that black remains their best selling color in jackets, with navy coming in second. White breeches are still the mainstay, but she’s seeing more cream paired with navy. For people wanting to try dressage for the first time, she reminds them that they can compete in the lower levels with beige or light grey breeches and a navy hunt coat until they decide if they want to continue in the sport.

Nicola Stauder, designer for Euro-Fit, says that European breeches often have piping on the side seaming, leg embroidery or belt loop embroidery. She thinks that Europe really sets the trend for dressage attire and is usually about a year ahead of U.S. fashions. She says jackets are also featuring embroidery, velvet collars, piping and more color. Colors for fall 2008 are in earth tones ranging from dark green to chocolate and various shades of grey, along with navy accented with light blue piping.