Burgundy Hunt Coat. to buy or to not buy?

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Devonlad

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Well iv been hunting for a little while, 22 years'ish... and have been lucky to hunt with a number of packs; Cotswold, Stevenstone, Torrington Farmers,Tetcott and a couple of crazy days with the Heythrop when it was lucky enough to have Julian there. Iv decided that I'm entering a mid life crisis at the age of 31 on Saturday and I'm going to break the rules and trade my black hunt coat for a Burgundy Hunt coat with four buttons!
Yes that's right, I'm not a master, or hunt staff? Apart from the odd day as a whip?! I'm going to buy and wear Burgundy... really its not pink, red or scarlet so should there be any real reason why I shouldn't?
 
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Equi

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Id be more linclined to ask the hunts you plan to hunt with. Some may be strict in that they only want black/tweed behind the master. Some might not care.

Personally i can't image the coat you mean but im a traditionalist, i like to see just black and red lol
 
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Devonlad

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I am a traditionalist as well but I'm starting to think that hunting needs to move slightly with the times, do we really need to be ringing hunt sec's on a Friday night to see what colour hunt coat one should wear behind the master on a Saturday lawn meet? some of the black 'jackets' people wear these days are horrific in one persons eye (like me) compared to a well fitted practical Mears hunt coat in another colour?
 
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Shay

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Its difficult because so much of it is bound up with the concept of respect for the landowner - especially at a lawn meet. Some hunts are fairly relaxed about it and would be happy to see you pretty much regardless. But some are more traditional. For me the question would be this - would my choice of coat upset someone else? If so then I would not wear it (unless there was some other compelling reason.)

Yes sometimes hunting does need to move with the times. But sometimes the traditions actually have a purpose. The colour of your coat - and collar if you have one - makes you easy to identify in the rain, mist and haze. It it is in tweed it is probably a child (unless before opening meet) and might need space and / or help. (Or is good for a lead over something huge). If it is in pink its a huntsman and if close you are in the wrong place. If it has a collar it knows what it is doing and will help you. If it is in blue it is female; if it is in black it is male (not that the distinction is terribly relevant these days.) But there is a purpose behind those choices.
 
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spacefaer

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You definitely shouldn't have four buttons on your coat if you are not an MFH. Members of the field should have three. If you are going to whip in occasionally, then you should still have 3 and not 5 as employed hunt staff do. But you know this, surely?

Do you mean burgundy or Padua red (as in the Pytchley hunt coat colour)?

It's going to look very odd in the field to be honest.

If you want to look different, then why not get a really good tweed and have a hunt coat made up in it instead? It looks very smart, is very practical, and you'll look like you know what you are doing.

I think you'll look like a lost showjumper......
 
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Devonlad

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Yes it is Pauda red (Burgundy as described in the advert)

Why will it look odd? can't be any worse than some of the bridles / tack people put on there horses, I actually think it looks rather smart?

Yes I have thought about going down the tweed route?

I defiantly won't look like a lost show jumper......
 
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popsdosh

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I think you are running the risk of getting sent home as it is the colour for masters and hunt staff of a recognised hunt . Still I guess it is all part of the wind up .
 
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spacefaer

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Devonlad said:
Yes it is Pauda red (Burgundy as described in the advert)

Why will it look odd? can't be any worse than some of the bridles / tack people put on there horses, I actually think it looks rather smart?

Yes I have thought about going down the tweed route?

I defiantly won't look like a lost show jumper......
Click to expand...

Well if it's Padua red, then does it have the white Pytchley collar on it as well?

Just because some people hunt in competition kit, wear plastic hats and showjumping jackets that finish at their hips, doesn't mean that the rest of us have to

My OH has a tweed coat that he inherited from his grandfather - it's slightly longer than conventional, almost French cut, with the most beautifully tailored back and shoulders - it looks like it was made for him. He looks incredibly smart when he wears it (particularly with his tweed Patey) and it's commented on, and remembered ... but in a good way!

Can't add pic - sorry!
 
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Devonlad

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No its plain 'Pudua" red with no collar, but iv decided against it (mid life crisis point over) and going for the tweed with three buttons. its an extra £170 investment but hey ho this is my coat for life?! or until I get to fat to wear it... hopefully not for a while yet?

Yes poshdosh just a bit of fun LOL.
 
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Devonlad

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Yes but I have a pair of custom military cavalry twill breeches from Oliver Brown to go with the coat! one more item of the bucket list! Small wins!
 
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spacefaer

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Devonlad said:
Yes but I have a pair of custom military cavalry twill breeches from Oliver Brown to go with the coat! one more item of the bucket list! Small wins!
Click to expand...

So do I! (except they're not Oliver Brown, they're vintage lol!)

I'd put a pic up, except the last time I did, TFC slapped my wrist as it had the photographer's graphic on it!
 
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