Fashion
5.How do you choose your personal hat?
Torso
SouthWest Horse Trader April 2022
Continued on page 22
4. Shouldn't I wear a Straw in the hot months?
I don’t let unofficial “rules” - such as switching to a straw hat in the Summer - factor into my decision making. In my opinion, I just think a felt looks more professional in the show pen no matter how hot it is. Or, if anything, I’ll switch over in the Summer to a light colored felt to show in. I honestly don’t feel like my felt hats feel any hotter to wear than a straw hat anyway and they are definitely more comfortable.
3. What's the hottest hat trends for 2022? Uniquely colored cowboy hats are really hot right now. Traditional colors such as black and chocolate will always be classic but even a lilac-colored hat for example, if shaped properly, can really set you apart and look amazing in the show pen.
Hot Pink! Because It's Fun.
2. Will the judges mark
me lower with a non-traditional hat?
Courtesy Jody Brooks
A complementary overall picture is a given but is The Finishing achieved in the deVisit the Facebook Touches: Buttons, snaps, group High End Ranch, tails. The first step zippers are a personal Reining, Cutting, Cowis to examine your horse Resale is a great choice. Some versatility body type. Take place to try new looks ranch associations have photos or videos of on a budget or sell hats, rules governing shirt cloyourself riding from chaps, show shirts, sure. Fringe can be fun. If saddle pads. the side and from the considering remember that front. What do you it accentuates movement. If your horse’s notice? Is something pulling your eye? movement is more choppy than smooth At this step color is not a real considerthat will be emphasized. The same with ation. Really examine your fellow comlong hair. When considering a pattern petitors; what looks good on someone verses a solid remember that what looks that shares your body type. good up close may not look the same at a distance. Most judges are in the stands Shirts or the middle of the arena. Heavier body Shoulders: The shoulders should types should consider prints. The eye align along the natural shoulder without perceives the changes in colors and not draping off the sides or pulling too tight bumps or rolls. A good print can camin the underarms. The wearer should be ouflage a plethora of flaws. Solids are able to move her arms freely without ex- always classic and tend to photograph better. cessive material. Torso: The torso should be ta- Wild Rags pered to fit the body. Slightly more lose Wild for those that are concerned with bumps rags are a or rolls. Some exhibiters use shapeware, fun way to but it can be hot in Texas. If the shirt add color or pulls significantly at the bust, consider pinning or the next size larger and have it tie an outfit altered where necessary. The tail should t o g e t h e r. Many are stay tucked in. Sleeves/Cuffs: The sleeves very large should hit at the hand, wrist junction and are deA correctly with a bend in the arm. Too short rides signed to be shaped Lilacup the arm, too long is bulky from the folded and colored hat wrist to the elbow. Multiple turns when worn dourolling up the sleeve to shorten create bled around a bulky, sloppy line from the elbow to the neck. the bit. Riders that have significant hand Excessive bulk around the neck looks movements benefit from darker or same like you are wearing a cowl neck and not a tailored show shirt. Long flapping fabric cuffs. 10
With regard to my own personal style in the show pen, and obviously because we make custom cowboy hats, I plan my show wardrobe for the day around the hat I plan to wear. So, if my black felt hat looks better with what I’m showing in that day, then that’s what I’ll wear.
Sleeves/ Cuffs
Courtesy Jody Brooks, by Jen Kasper Media
Contributed by Nancy Cloud, Stormcloud Clothing
5 Questions with Jody Brooks of JW Brooks Custom Hats
Shoulders
Courtesy Stormcloud CLothing
Dress Your Body type for the best Impression
Don’t be intimated if you want to experiment with color! The judges aren’t judging you on the color of your hat. They will, however, consider a badly shaped hat, or one of poor quality, when you enter the pen. Make that very first impression a good one!
1. Does a custom hat really affect my performance?
Something cool happens when we like how we look - we get an extra boost of confidence, and we can all certainly use that when we are showing horses! I have had so many customers come back and tell me that they wore their new custom hat for the first time and won their class. While I’d like to think our hats have some magical ability, I believe it really comes down to what I said before - it’s that extra boost of confidence one gets when wearing something that they feel comfortable in and look their best! w
