15 minute read
Winter fashion
WHEN THE NorthWind
BLOWS...
HELEN TRIGGS TAKES A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT HOW TO KEEP WARM AND DRY THIS WINTER AND COMES UP WITH SOME USEFUL TIPS ON THE LATEST TRENDS. A t some time this winter you are going to be wet and cold and probably both. Much as we love our horses, it’s no fun to be riding outside in the rain or even in the indoor school which turns into a refrigerator as soon as the temperature drops.
Sometimes just chucking another Jack Russell on your lap while sitting down and teaching isn’t the answer. It might be time to evaluate your wardrobe and add a few carefully chosen items to keep you toasty when the temperature drops.
The body loses heat through conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation. So if you sit on a cold surface you will get cold. Put a cushion on your seat if you are teaching in the cold!
Wind or water strips away the microclimate of warm air that’s next to your skin so choose wind-resistant clothing. Cover your skin so that the heat which radiates from your body is trapped by your clothes. Wear an appropriate layer of clothing so that you keep warm without sweating profusely, so you don’t lose heat through evaporation.
Equestrian clothing manufacturers produce a wide range of diff erent winter items which are designed specifi cally with riding or yard work in mind. While you have riding or yard work in mind. While you have the option of popping into Primark or your local outdoor store for something cheap, their local outdoor store for something cheap, their clothes don’t have the specifi c elements which clothes don’t have the specifi c elements which make equestrian-designed garments more practical or comfortable – like extended linings on the cuff s to keep the hands warm, linings on the cuff s to keep the hands warm, fl at seams to prevent chafi ng, elasticated foot fl at seams to prevent chafi ng, elasticated foot stirrups on leggings etc.
It’s not true you lose half your body heat from your head. But this does not mean a head cover is a bad idea and noses and ears head cover is a bad idea and noses and ears can be very sensitive to cold and even prone can be very sensitive to cold and even prone to chilblains.
You could try an Equetech hat liner which You could try an Equetech hat liner which covers the ears and neck, and shoulder areas. covers the ears and neck, and shoulder areas.
LEFT: A LONG WATERPROOF COAT CAN BE A GREAT BUY IF YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT IN ALL WEATHERS. BUT CHECK THE WATERPROOFING OF A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASE. THIS LOIRE LONG RIDING COAT FROM LEMIEUX USES WATERPROOF LOIRE LONG RIDING COAT FROM LEMIEUX USES WATERPROOF MATERIAL WITH A HYDROSTATIC HEAD TEST RATING OF 8000MM AND A MOISTURE VAPOUR PERMEABILITY (MVP) RATING OF 3000MVPA, ALONG WITH THE TAPED SEAMS, DOUBLE FRONT CLOSURE AND WATERPROOF SEALED POCKET ZIPS .
Cold ears can be painful so a pair of fur-lined ear muff s, which can be worn with a riding hat, can be a good solution (though if wearing them out hacking, make sure you can still hear traffi c).
For some equestrians the ubiquitous headband makes its appearance with the fi rst frost and seems to be welded to its owner’s head until the daff odils appear. LeMieux off ers
RIGHT: THERMAL BASE LAYERS SUCH AS THIS WINTER REFLECTOR TECHNICAL BASE LAYER FROM TOGGI HAVE GROWN IN POPULARITY, ITS BRUSHED BACK STRETCH FABRIC ALLOWING RIDERS TO WEAR THINNER, MORE PRACTICAL COATS.
an ear warmer headband which you don’t even need to take off under your riding hat.
Thermal body base layers have come on leaps and bounds in recent years. “We have tried to provide the customer with lots of diff erent layering options,” says Sarah Gibbons, LeMieux product designer. “We off er a thermal underlayer and two weights off er a thermal underlayer and two weights of baselayers, Thermal baselayers and leggings are of baselayers, Thermal baselayers and leggings are great options for very cold days as they give extra great options for very cold days as they give extra warmth without having the bulk of heavy outerwear. warmth without having the bulk of heavy outerwear. Ours have body fresh anti-odour technology and are Ours have body fresh anti-odour technology and are seamless. An elasticated foot stirrup ensures they stay seamless. An elasticated foot stirrup ensures they stay in place under breeches.” in place under breeches.” Roy Male of Wychanger Barton has seen a tremendous Roy Male of Wychanger Barton has seen a tremendous growth in base layers in the last few years. “They growth in base layers in the last few years. “They are one of our top-selling lines. Base layers are one of our top-selling lines. Base layers mean you can wear a thinner outer coat,” mean you can wear a thinner outer coat,” he said. he said. While it’s tempting to pile on the While it’s tempting to pile on the layers to combat the cold, remember layers to combat the cold, remember that if you are moving about you that if you are moving about you will warm up and could quickly get will warm up and could quickly get uncomfortable. Gilets are your uncomfortable. Gilets are your friend! They are easy to slip on and friend! They are easy to slip on and off and riding gilets are shaped to off and riding gilets are shaped to keep your lower back warm. Many keep your lower back warm. Many brands off er matching gilets, fl eeces and brands off er matching gilets, fl eeces and base layers to feed any matchy-matchy base layers to feed any matchy-matchy addiction. addiction. When it comes to coats, you’ll be pleased When it comes to coats, you’ll be pleased to know that the ‘Michelin Man’ bulky coats to know that the ‘Michelin Man’ bulky coats of old are going out of fashion. Michael of old are going out of fashion. Michael Hudson of Hudson Equine says: “There’s Hudson of Hudson Equine says: “There’s defi nitely a trend for more elegant and defi nitely a trend for more elegant and shapely fi ts and our latest Cavallo long coat has an elegant curved shape at the back. There’s defi nitely a move towards longer coats which can also be worn on the horse.”
Waterproof trousers and breeches which are specially designed for riding are super lightweight, can be stretchy, made of breathable fabric and resistant to wind and rain. They can be ankle or calf length with elasticated leg bottoms to keep the weather out. length with elasticated leg bottoms to keep the weather out. Brands to look out for include LeMieux, Stierna, Equetech, Brands to look out for include LeMieux, Stierna, Equetech, Toggi and Mountain Horse. Toggi and Mountain Horse. Toggi provides the clothing for the British team. If you are looking for warmer legs, check out their If you are looking for warmer legs, check out their winter fl exi fl eece-lined full seat breeches. They’re winter fl exi fl eece-lined full seat breeches. They’re water repellant and have refl ective markings. water repellant and have refl ective markings. For something a little diff erent you could try a riding skirt – UHIP’s quilted thermal skirt has front riding skirt – UHIP’s quilted thermal skirt has front and back zips so you can easily transition to riding and back zips so you can easily transition to riding mode and it will keep thighs toasty warm. The Eqco mode and it will keep thighs toasty warm. The Eqco made-to-measure waterproof skirt goes one further and made-to-measure waterproof skirt goes one further and completely covers your saddle and is available in a hi-viz version.
The latest in luxury is a battery-heated jacket or gilet – dressage legend Pammy Hutton swears by hers. Surprisingly the cost for a heated jacket compares favourably with unheated products; brands such as Blaze Wear and WHIS are popular with riders.
LEFT: THERMALS NEVER GO OUT OF FASHION! THESE THERMAL LEGGINGS FROM LEMIEUX ARE DESIGNED TO BE WORN UNDER BREECHES AND FEATURE ELASTICATED FOOT STRAPS TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE. ABOVE: COLD EARS? EQUETECH’S HAT LINER COULD BE THE ANSWER.
There is no excuse for cold feet, given the plethora of wet weather footwearavailable. Wet feet make you colder and available. Wet feet make you colder and aren’t healthy. So while sticking your foot in a plastic bag aren’t healthy. So while sticking your foot in a plastic bag inside a leaky boot is a short-term solution, long term it’s not inside a leaky boot is a short-term solution, long term it’s not a great idea. or everyday riding and yard work, a riding fi eld or everyday riding and yard work, a riding fi eld oot is the est option and the etter rands off er a oot is the est option and the etter rands off er a high degree of comfort for walking and resistance high degree of comfort for walking and resistance to water. Today’s designs are also as elegant as to water. Today’s designs are also as elegant as traditional dressage boots. For competitions, you could treat yourself to a lined pair of Ariat you could treat yourself to a lined pair of Ariat insulated boots or the modestly priced Shires insulated boots or the modestly priced Shires oretta fl eece lined oots
Finally, remember that in winter visibility can be poor. So jackets and breeches with some can be poor. So jackets and breeches with some refl ective stripes will help keep you safe
RIDERS’ TOP TIPS
Top riders probably spend as much time teaching as they do riding so their clothing needs to accommodate they do riding so their clothing needs to accommodate the diff ering ody temperatures they face during the the diff ering ody temperatures they face during the day.
Rider and trainer Jennifer Johnston-Harman has Rider and trainer Jennifer Johnston-Harman has to brave the Scottish winter so is full of praise for to brave the Scottish winter so is full of praise for her UHIP riding skirt. “It keeps my bum and knees her UHIP riding skirt. “It keeps my bum and knees warm and looks like it’s part of a jacket. I live in my warm and looks like it’s part of a jacket. I live in my insulated Ariat boots and buy knee warmers from insulated Ariat boots and buy knee warmers from Amazon. I have a suite of hats to choose from and Amazon. I have a suite of hats to choose from and always have a silk scarf round my neck. When I’m always have a silk scarf round my neck. When I’m teaching in the indoor school, I have a heater by my teaching in the indoor school, I have a heater by my feet.”
“As we say in Scotland, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just incorrect clothing.”
Irish Paralympian Tamsin Addison makes sure that she buys long tee shirts and base layers which properly tuck in to keep the lower back warm.
Liz Diegutis and Alice Oppenheimer are both based in the warmer climes of Hampshire but that doesn’t stop a chilly wind blowing round the stable blocks. Alice uses the air-activated hand warmers in her gloves while Liz puts them in her boots to keep her toes warm. Liz also takes a tip from skiers and wears a pair of salopettes to stop her from freezing when teaching.
BELOW: WATERPROOF LEGGINGS SUCH AS THESE FROM MOUNTAIN HORSE NOW COME WITH ‘STICKY SEAT’ MATERIAL FOR MORE GRIP WHEN RIDING. ABOVE: ARIAT’S CONTOUR II INSULATED RIDING BOOTS ARE SMART ENOUGH FOR COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS EVERYDAY WEAR.
“As we say in Scotland, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just incorrect clothing.”
Irish Paralympian Tamsin Addison makes sure that she buys long tee shirts and base layers which properly tuck in to keep the lower back warm.
Liz Diegutis and Alice Oppenheimer are both based in the warmer climes of Hampshire but that doesn’t stop a chilly wind blowing round the stable blocks. Alice uses the air-activated hand warmers in her gloves while Liz puts them in her boots to keep her toes warm. Liz also takes a tip from skiers and wears a pair of salopettes to stop her from freezing when teaching.
LEFT: BULKY COATS ARE GOING OUT OF FASHION, WITH BRANDS SUCH AS CAVALLO USING LIGHTER, WARM MATERIALS THAT ARE COMFORTABLE ON AND OFF THE HORSE.
WILL I STAY DRY?
How waterproof a jacket is will depend on its resistance rating. This is guidance provided by LeMieux: Waterproof ratings are determined using a hydrostatic head test and are used to ensure the product meets the British Standard (which must be more than 1,500mm). The higher a jacket’s waterproof rating, the longer the fabric will remain waterproof. PSI (pounds per square inch) is another way of rating waterproofness. To be classed as fully waterproof, the product has to have a minimum of 3 PSI by British Standard.
RATINGS RESISTANCE WEATHER
0-1500mm Water resistant Very light rain = 1500-5000mm Waterproof Light to average rain == 500mm Very waterproof Moderate to heavy rain === 10000mm Highly waterproof Heavy rain ====
Active Shirt
The Active Shirt is an attractive, warming long-sleeved shirt in a melange look, made from an elastic material with a close cut (skin fi t) and the thumb loops help the sleeves to sit brilliantly. The fl eecy, soft inner is breathable and lightweight perfect for layering up. RRP £39 • Available in cappuccino, dark navy, khaki, aubergine and graphite
This hybrid jacket is made from softshell and quilted material that has an ultra-sporty and super-light feel. The jacket features a feminine waisted cut along with a striking two-way metallic look zip fastener and two handwarmer pockets, a great jacket for on and off the yard. RRP £65 • Available in cappuccino, dark navy, black and khaki
Quilted Jacket
Riding Socks
Covallerio Covallerio
Riding Socks Riding Socks
Thermopro feature Thermopro feature an elasticated an elasticated comfort cuff, comfort cuff, wide mesh size wide mesh size for improved air for improved air circulation, a reinforced circulation, a reinforced sole with ventilation sole with ventilation channels, padded, wearchannels, padded, wearresistant toe and heel resistant toe and heel area and heat regulating area and heat regulating thanks to special fi bres thanks to special fi bres and natural wool. and natural wool. RRP £16
Winter Riding Leggings
Combi Vest
These winter riding leggings for women are extremely elastic and made of microfi ber material with softshell-like quality. For even more feel-good factor, the waistband is cut extra high and has no zipper and the full seat made of anti-slip silicone ensures a fi rm grip in the saddle. It also keeps its shape and is made of soft and lightweight material. On the side there is a pocket in which you can easily store your smartphone. RRP £73 • Available in sizes 34-46
The combination of quilted fabric and softshell quilted fabric and softshell makes this hybrid vest particularly makes this hybrid vest particularly sporty and very lightweight. The front sporty and very lightweight. The front zipper has a two-way system, making it zipper has a two-way system, making it easy to take it on and off with a fi gure-hugging easy to take it on and off with a fi gure-hugging cut and two slide-in pockets with zippers. The
Covalliero logo is sewn on the chest, which gives the combi vest a stylish look. It is washable at 30°C in the washing machine. RRP £53 • Available in sizes xs-xl
Covalliero is distributed in the UK by
Zebra Products Ltd
PRODUCT WATCH
WINTER FASHION
LEMIEUX LOIRE SHORT COAT Designed with the rider in mind, this short coat brings together function and style. Tailored through the body with distinctive Loire quilted side fillets that give a subtle stretch, offering total freedom of movement whilst keeping the wearer comfortable. It is generously filled with eco-friendly DuPont synthetic filling, with the warmth of down and the bounce-back durability of cotton, retaining its fullness even after washing.
It is styled with a versatile double collar that can be worn up to protect against the wind or rolled down to suit. Finished with a durable easy-run wide tooth zip and signature LeMieux detailing, the Loire short coat is the ideal winter companion. Available in black and oak in sizes 6 to 16.
RRP: FROM £129.95 | lemieuxproducts.com
LEMIEUX THERMAL BASE LAYER is made from an ultra-
soft, seamless fabric to ensure comfort is the top priority under clothing. The innovative fabric is infused with Bio-Fresh which controls odour, while the microfibre yarn effectively wicks sweat away, making it perfect for the active rider. Available in grey, oak and rioja in sizes XS to XL.
RRP: £29.95 | lemieuxproducts.com
LIN GRIP LEGGINGS
from Cavallo are extremely comfortable riding tights, with many lovingly designed details. The seam is extremely flat due to the flatlock stitching to help with comfort, along with a wide waistband to create a perfect fit. There are two lateral mobile phone pockets and a high graded shiny Cavallo badge. An elaborate zip pocket on the waistband is made for important items. The Lin Grip leggings are available in graphite, rubin, black and dark blue.
RRP: £111
zebraproducts.co.uk
