When it comes to horse show fashion, it’s easy to second-guess yourself. Often, we seek opinions from those around us to weigh in on what looks best. Here, we’ve done even better. Experts in Western fashion – those specializing in everything from designing show clothes to designing tack – discuss recent trends and the dos and don’ts of show pen looks. Here, we’ve covered pretty much everything from some of the best in the industry in tack, hats, clothing design, and photography.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Western Show Clothing: Judith Fairfield, Sonder Avenue
Regarding first impressions in the show pen, perhaps nothing is as essential as the exhibitor’s turnout. A nicely tailored, clean, and professional outfit that complements the horse and showman, probably with some added attention-getting elements, is the first thing the judges notice. Custom clothing designer Judith Fairfield of Sonder Avenue weighs in below.
Do: Choose universally flattering colors and personally flattering cuts in show outfits.
“Deep neutrals with depth (like black with texture, rich navy, or charcoal) are universally flattering and photograph beautifully. Structured silhouettes with clean lines and shoulder or profile definition flatter a wide range of riders,” Judith says, but she also warns. “That said, fit always wins over color. A well-fitted garment in an unexpected shade will always look more polished than a trendy hue in a poor cut.”
Do: Pick the garment that enhances your presence, not just your appearance.
When it comes to showing horses, exuding confidence is key. “Your garments should reflect your confidence and complement your body type without complicating your overall look,” Judith says. So, choose something you feel good in.
Do: Consider your body shape.
Again, a poorly fitting turnout works against an exhibitor in many ways, so practice self-love and seek ways to enhance your body shape. “Proportion matters far more than a size label. Taller riders can carry bold patterns or asymmetry with ease. In comparison, shorter riders benefit from clean vertical seams or a lack of horizontal breaks to elongate the frame,” Judith says, while “curvier riders should focus on contour-enhancing structure – shoulders, waist shaping, and strategic hem placement. A garment should move with your body, not work against it. Another common mistake is choosing something restricting movement – if you can’t move confidently in it, it’s not the right piece.”
Don’t: Chase every trend.
Everyone wants the latest style, but Judith cautions against purchasing without care. “Choose timeless structure first, then elevate with modern elements. You should feel like your most commanding self in the ring, not like you’re wearing a costume.”
Don’t: Let your outfit shout louder than your performance.
Remember that too much of a good thing is still too much. “Over-embellishment, poor fit, or too many trends layered together can distract from your ride or pattern,” Judith says.
Finally, Judith advises against replicating someone else’s style, but instead letting your unique personality shine through your show clothes. “The most memorable riders aren’t the loudest,” Judith says. “They’re the ones who look unmistakably like themselves.”
The Do’s and Don’ts of Western Tack: Phil Harris, Harris Leatherworks
In recent years, the horse show industry has come a long way regarding tack options. Consumers are no longer limited in choices by dark, medium, or light leather and how much silver trim they prefer. Phil Harris, owner of Harris Leather & Silverworks, shares some of the latest trends in show tack.
Do: Embrace the variety offered in leatherworks.
A show saddle is a big purchase, so make the most of the available options to get the best bang for your buck. Consider your horse’s coat color and conformation, and lean toward options that will enhance the horse’s features. For example, a small-bodied horse may not do best in a saddle with a large skirt, and a cool, undertoned hair coat may do better with a dark oil option than a light one. “With the variety of saddle types, finding a saddle best suited to your horse’s style and color is easier. For years, you only had a natural leather color choice, but now there are options to complement any horse,” Phil says, adding that his company has a new saddle tree that customers have been raving about.
Do: Consider a two-tone saddle to stand out.
Trim options on saddles have exploded. While silver accents are still popular, other trends are gaining traction. “Black saddles are popular with our customers, but we can also two-tone a mostly black saddle with complementing exotic skins, which is a very popular request right now,” Phil says.
Do: Set yourself apart from the competition with your tack.
Details are essential in a show pen turnout, and tack is a great place to spend a little extra time thinking about more information. “Choosing a saddle and matching headstall is becoming more varied, and people have more options to meet their tastes. It is now easier to differentiate yourself from the crowd because of all our options,” Phil says, adding, “Headstalls and halters are becoming more personalized. We continue to do more customization of both of these items. Names, initials, and logos are extremely popular on these two items. We are doing more exotic skin highlights on the headstall buckles and the leather. People love this aspect when they are choosing a headstall or halter.”
Don’t: Assume any old saddle will flatter your horse.
“I do not think there is a universally flattering style or color of saddle,” Phil says. “Horses are like people, and no two are the same. It is best to decide what show outfit and saddle will look best with you and your particular horse.”
The Do’s and Don’ts of Cowboy Hats: Rebekah Kazakevicius, Brinks Hattery
An exhibitor’s hat tells a story. A nicely shaped hat that flatters facial shape and coordinates with a clean, professional outfit is a must in showpen style. Rebekah Kazakevicius, co-owner of Brinks Hattery, shares insights into cowboy hat fashion.
Do: Embrace color.
“Colors are coming back!” Rebekah says. “Full color outfits are a huge trend we’ve seen with exhibitors and designers for showmanship and horsemanship. Black is always a best seller, but I think people are going out of the box more recently.” What better way to make a statement and show confidence than a pop of color?
Do: Find a flattering shape.
More than anything else, ensure the shape of your hat flatters your facial features. “Going out of style is the ‘taco.’ This trend has dissipated over the last few years as people move more toward an all-around shape. I think this is more flattering for most face shapes,” Rebekah says.
Do: Consider the crown height and the brim measurement.
Many only consider the brim when considering hat shape, but recent trends show a difference in crown shape and height, particularly in men’s hats. “Men are gravitating toward less of a taco shape as well. Instead, they seem to desire a widening across the front, going with a 4 1/2” brim. We are also seeing more requests for a three-finger brick top crown, which has become increasingly popular,” Rebekah shares.
Don’t: Pass up a quality hat.
Buying a quality hat from the start will save you stress and money later. They will last longer and hold their shape better than a lower quality hat.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Western Fashion in Photo Shoots: Keagan Phillips, Keagan Phillips Photography
Photographer Keagan Phillips, owner of Keagan Phillips Photography and GoHorseShow’s Media Manager, sees horse show exhibitors in all forms of fashion, from posed photos in complete show pen garb to more natural, candid settings and dress. She shares the dos and don’ts of photo session fashion, tips that work well beyond the scope of the camera lens.
Do: Plan a photo session representative of your personality.
Personality should shine through photos, so Keagan suggests slightly elevating what you feel most comfortable wearing regarding clothing, makeup, and hair. “Do what feels natural to you. Some people choose a simple outfit, while others opt for show clothes or a statement dress because that is who they are. Consider how you want to represent your sense of fashion and then do what makes you feel comfortable,” Keagan says.
Do: Choose complementary colors or neutrals.
Keagan advises considering your photographer’s editing style before choosing colors to wear and asking the photographer for color palette suggestions. Her style leans toward a warmer tone, so Keagan may advise clients more heavily in that direction than a different photographer would. “Colors in a more neutral palette are always going to be safe, and for me, colors you find in nature will work well, like a natural blue or a natural red,” she says, noting the importance of considering the horse’s coat color, photographer’s editing style, and your wardrobe all as part of the palette. “The colors you show in are often great choices for your photo session,” she adds.
Blues and blacks are universal, matching well with all horse coat colors. Perhaps surprisingly, reds can look nice with sorrel horses. Jewel tones add interesting pops of color and can be used thoughtfully in accessories.
Do: Use a photo session as a day of pampering.
Keagan often recommends that people get their makeup and sometimes even their hair done professionally for photo shoots. “I find this makes the client feel special and makes it a pamper day for them. Makeup artists know what they’re doing when it comes to the best makeup that will show up on camera,” Keagan says. If not opting to go that route, she advises “keep it natural or what they’d wear on a typical day, but elevate it slightly more. And always add some lip color!”
Don’t: Wear loud patterns.
Just like you wouldn’t want to wear a color that clashes with your horse’s coat color, you also should be mindful of loud patterns, as they can draw too much attention away from the main focus of the photo – you and your horse. “I typically say stay away from heavy patterns. They might be trendy, but they can be very distracting when photographed,” Keagan says.
Don’t: Experiment with new styles for your photo shoot.
Whether it’s clothing, hair, or makeup, it’s best to opt for choices that are genuine for you. “I want people to show their true selves so the photos feel authentic,” Keagan said. “So, do something that makes you feel confident above all else.”
