In the horse industry, trends come and go just about as fast as the money we spend on showing horses. Every year, there seems to be something new popping up as far as new fashion and riding styles in the show arena.
Though fashion is not an exact science and people can represent their own unique and individual personalities by the way they dress, not every trend suits every person. With the AQHYA and NSBA World Shows over, we are sure spectators and exhibitors saw certain trends that they disliked for various reasons. With the Congress and APHA/AQHA Open and Amateur World Shows coming up, we asked several judges, exhibitors, and trainers which trends they wish would go away and why?
Mark Sheridan– Western horsemanship and showmanship are the two events that I personally feel should stay very traditional. The hats with all the decorations are fine for barrel racing, reining, and other events. However, plain and traditional solid colors, well shaped and high-quality hats should remain the normal wear in those two events. Years ago, people were even starting to put silver on their English bridles and Spurs in the Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle classes. Fortunately for the best, that trend did not last long.
Meghan Tierney– I am guilty of the infamous giant white hat trend that was popular for a hot second. Also, years ago, I used to wear pins on my hunt shirt collars and for some reason, I thought the ‘black on black’ was a good look for me (probably would have helped if I hadn’t shrunk it in the wash either). Thank goodness these trends died…even though I am young in these pictures it still makes me cringe. What was I thinking?
Larisa Affeldt– I think I am guilty of them all. Showing in my purple sequined sweater, (yes you read that right-SWEATER), might be the most embarrassing. That or the mauve, flat-brimmed, wide cowboy hat and matching pants with white gloves might be equally embarrassing. I think this is one reason I have had a hard time getting behind the colored hat trend, it feels safer to wear a black hat. And who can forget the tuxedo shirt and bow tie? Or was that just me? Or wearing your grandma’s antique pins and big huge earrings. Yikes.
Kathy Tobin– I wish the super heavy bejeweled jackets would not go away completely, but have fewer heavy crystals. I’ve had jackets that weigh over 5 pounds and they get very hard to wear because of their weight and they make you very hot when you wear them. They are beautiful though, and like I said, I don’t want them to go away, I just want them to lighten up a bit.
Debbie Kail – I wish the big bun hanging down low on the back of the neck would go away.
Candace Jussen– One trend that I wish would go away is fake tails. They do serve a purpose but in my opinion, they often cause a distraction and can also take away the care and attention that tails should receive.
Jody Quiram– I wish super blingy jackets and vests would go away. Everyone looks the same.
Beckie Peskin– I wish that more people cared about how their outfits fit than how many rhinestones were on them. And while we are on the topic of shiny, I’m really not into the super shiny, sparkly hunt coat fabrics.
Lori Augsburger– I have decided that the one trend that I don’t like is the hats that have all of the stuff on them. They are not traditional cowboy hats. The clothes with all the bling also scare people away because not everyone can afford a $5,000 jacket.
Jeff Johns– In the past 20+ years that I have shown, what guys wear really hasn’t changed at all. It’s always been pretty much the same thing. The one thing that I appreciate now though is a well-shaped cowboy hat. I know there was a time back in the ‘90s when hats tended to be flat, warped and shaped terribly. Luckily, we have moved away from that.
Shannon Gillespie– I had to think about this one for a while…one trend that got a little out of hand, but I think is already going away is spikes on show jackets. Especially in showmanship, I just don’t think it is appropriate.
Chelsea Carlson– A fashion trend that I wish would go away would be the use of “dickies” in the English equitation classes. Although useful in a pinch, I feel as if for such a traditional class they aren’t up to standard. I’m good with a plain one, but most of them have wild colors and bright patterns. I’m a big traditionalist looks-wise in that class, and it’s typically obvious to me when someone is wearing one.
Elizabeth “Spike” Brewer– Dickies. I know they are not exactly a trend, but being in the custom clothing business, it makes you cringe when someone with a quality coat asks about wearing a dickie under it. That’s the easiest and quickest way to ruin a coat along with giving it a consistent stench.
Joe Hansen– I wish that men wearing gloves in the Hunter Under Saddle rail classes would go away.
Sandy Jirkovsky– The one fashion trend I wish would go away is the glitzy hunt seat attire. I do not like the metallic threading and the non-conservative colors that you see in the show pen. I think the breeches should stay in the traditional colors and think the patent leather hunt seat boots just don’t fit the bill in the hunt seat.
Mackenzie Preston– I don’t think there’s any certain trend that I think needs to go away since I think people should wear whatever they feel like wearing but personally I’m not a huge fan of suits for the showmanship.
Jenna Tolson– I have two horse show fashion trend pet peeves I wish would go away. The first being hunt shirts with snap collars. I know they are popular in the hunter world and realize there is some level of convenience for them, but I think they look tacky, unfinished and like you forgot to put on your REAL collar before hitting the show pen. A nice tall, stiff, well-fitted collar looks so much more finished on a ladies hunt shirt, in my opinion. The second is paisley printed shirts or even worse, paisley printed piping or contrast on women’s hunt shirts and western blouses and men’s western show shirts. I can deal with contrasting cuffs and collars, but please just say no to the paisley print in any place.
Bella Rosa– There are no current trends in particular I wish would go away. I like everyone’s unique styles and I love how they set people apart.
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It seems to be obvious that most trainers and exhibitors would prefer to go back to the basics when it comes to the trends. A simple, well-fitted outfit that is not too blingy or extravagant will always be in style, no matter which class you choose to compete in. Sticking with traditional styles will always be key and lastly, always remember that classic pieces will never go out of style.
