MADE THE RIGHT WAY

100% AMERICAN MADE, FASHION FORWARD AND BUDGET FRIENDLY SUNDIAL SHOW CLOTHING

by Robyn Duplisea

Sundial show clothing has built a brand and reputation for combining state of the art fabrics, fit and design to create stunning fashion forward performance riding fashions at an affordable price point. Sundial’s award-winning shirts start around $350.

Kaitlin Records is the boss lady behind the brand, and she is passionate about fashion that is for everyone from street to show ring and in for all shapes and sizes.

“Setting new standards of fit, function, and fashion is my creative desire. Inclusivity and diversity in the western industry is my objective. Helping inspire others to ask for more out of life is my passion” exclaimed Kaitlin.

“When I was growing up, I was always quite tall and had a lot of fit issues with clothing, which persisted into the show pen as well. I really began to see a need for a different kind of equestrian apparel while showing in the IHSA collegiate circuit.”

Kaitlin developed Sundial to fill the perfect niche of providing custom, fun and modern designs to the discerning rider who wants to wear something cut from a different cloth. “My clients tell me they are addicted to their shirts and adore their collections.”

The forward-thinking brand has caught the attention of many in the western horse world. In 2021 Kaitlin was awarded Cowgirl Magazines Top 30 Under 30. “In 2021 it was such an honor to be highlighted as an upcoming designer and a face of the western industry.”

Kaitlin continued “In 2022, I had been looking to nab an NFR qualifying rider for several years as they have a big fan vote that receives a lot of recognition after the consecutive 10 nights of rodeo. For those that aren’t familiar with the NFR; it’s the biggest stage of fashion in the rodeo industry. Millions descend upon Las Vegas to celebrate and show off their curated styles! To be able to dress a beautiful and talented top rider on the grandest stage, and then also receive a record number of votes to win the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award, it felt surreal, and it was certainly something to check off my bucket list.”

Sundial’s designs cross many disciplines from show to street and ranch to rodeo. We wanted to know how Kaitlin has been able to make her clothing so versatile. “You have to look the part of your role and you have to feel the self-confidence that comes with self-expression. Too many times I have seen women try to fit themselves into things they don’t really like because ‘that’s what everyone else is wearing’ but that’s really not what life is about. Once I started embracing my own individuality, my brand blossomed.”

Sundial is very size inclusive. From youth to 3X they have outfits for nearly every woman and with customization options they can perfect the fit. “Inclusivity is deeply rooted in our brand identity, as I mentioned I had always struggled to find the right fit for me. Our biggest fans range from super petite women who struggle to find clothes that they don’t swim in, to ladies with generous bust sizes who constantly pop buttons. I started working on my original shirt pattern in 2015 and it took me several years to finally tweak it to perfection and launch in 2017. I started with a list of things I ‘did not like’ about traditional show wear and made it my goal to alleviate all of them.”

Sundial has some amazing options that fit the Ranch Events as well. With Kaitlin herself debuting this year in the Ranch events with her gelding, she has a passion for helping riders achieve that perfect look.

“In Ranch Riding there is a huge obsession with saddle blankets, and my clients love that they can get a super unique shirt to match. How awesome is it that you can have a customized ranch riding shirt and pad set for under $750? That really makes Ranch Riding an accessible option for an amateur and at the end of the day, it’s really all about the horse so let’s have some fun with it!”

Kaitlin embraced the move to online shopping. She added Facebook lives to her marketing and grew her online business. “Now I host lives weekly showing off the latest custom creations and offering some in stock shirts ready to ship fresh off the line. I also have a very detailed sizing chart on our website and I use materials that have 4-way stretch, so finding that right fit is easier than you think. For new clients, I make sure to follow up and ensure their shirt exceeds expectations and can provide some custom alterations if needed. Some clients even have their own fit patterns on file.”

“It is important to me to keep evolving the brand and remain an industry trendsetter. In just a few short years, I have already seen my most popular designs replicated and mass produced by other companies sourcing their manufacturing overseas. Sundial creates handmade, quality garments that transition from street to stable. We care deeply about making things the right way, running our business the right way, and making sure our business is more than just our apparel. Respect for the people we work with, relationships, our company culture, the environment, and our athletes are just as important to us as the shirts we make”

“We cut and sew all of our garments in the United States. By using high-end materials, printed with vibrant ecofriendly sublimation dyes, our shirts are significantly more durable, feel better against your skin, and continue to look and feel brand new after each wear. We believe you should never sacrifice quality for style, or style for comfort. I am 100% certain our fit will be your new favorite. Our designs are made to order with a current lead time of 4-6 weeks. The made to order business model allows us to offer special customizations not often found at our price point.”

While they attend many events, truly the best way to shop with Sundial is online at https:// sundialshowclothing.com/. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest design previews!