Evening Wear for Showing - Top Hats & Jacket

[Squeak]

I've qualified for a show where we've been told we can wear evening wear for my class. I've never worn evening wear before and so am trying to work out what is the correct thing to wear and was hoping that there might be some people on here that could help.

In the guidance they say that black or navy jackets can be worn however I was sure I'd been told previously that women should never wear black showing? That then led on to the colour of the top hat, should it always be black or if you're wearing a navy jacket should it be navy or would navy or black be ok?

I also have no idea what kind of top hat I'm looking for (hoping that I can get one second hand ). Is there a guide of how tall they should be? Are wool acceptable?

Any other advice for evening wear would be massively appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Most femal riders I have seen wear a navy jacket with a Black hat I think because the classes are indoors at night under the lights you really can't notice.

I don't even know if you can get navy top hats.

 

[humblepie]

Yes navy jacket with black top hat. That said I hvaen't worn a top hat in an evening performance for a number of years, I keep my normal velvet strapped hat on. A showing top hat is taller than a dressage one. I think mine is felt/wool not silk as think the silk ones expensive. I can measure mine tonight and let you know.

 

[Squeak]

Yes navy jacket with black top hat. That said I hvaen't worn a top hat in an evening performance for a number of years, I keep my normal velvet strapped hat on. A showing top hat is taller than a dressage one. I think mine is felt/wool not silk as think the silk ones expensive. I can measure mine tonight and let you know.

Thank you that would be really helpful if you don't mind measuring it and that's a relief if the felt/ wool would be ok as I really don't want to spend a fortune. Is the normal velvet hat acceptable to be used instead of a top hat? It would make my life easier, I was just worried it was something that I wouldn't get away with doing and would mark me out as not knowing what I was doing!

 

[Squeak]

Most femal riders I have seen wear a navy jacket with a Black hat I think because the classes are indoors at night under the lights you really can't notice.

I don't even know if you can get navy top hats.

Thanks, that's really helpful. It's sounding like navy jacket with a black hat would be the way to go!

 

[humblepie]

Thank you that would be really helpful if you don't mind measuring it and that's a relief if the felt/ wool would be ok as I really don't want to spend a fortune. Is the normal velvet hat acceptable to be used instead of a top hat? It would make my life easier, I was just worried it was something that I wouldn't get away with doing and would mark me out as not knowing what I was doing!

I think a top hat looks very elegant but it shouldn't sway the judge. Mine has won at championship shows/had high placings with me in my velvet hat - I just prefer it these days from the safety option. Will measure it and post up later.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thanks, that's really helpful. It's sounding like navy jacket with a black hat would be the way to go!

If you Google for some of the big shows evening performances pictures you can get an idea but they all look the same really.

 

[humblepie]

Home and measured. It’s 5 inches and I’m sure I’d have been told if it wasn’t correct . Or at least correct enough.

 

[Clodagh]

Good luck Squeak. I’m very excited as my hunt coat is going to LIHS. Same thing, evening wear in the daytime. Borrower has a navy top hat from her dressage days.
Idk what’s happening about the hunt buttons and the collar colour.

 

[Squeak]

Home and measured. It’s 5 inches and I’m sure I’d have been told if it wasn’t correct . Or at least correct enough.

Thank you so much. I'll see what I can find. You've given me food for thought about whether I'd just be better to stick to my velvet hat, it seems a bit counterintuitive to not wear a proper hat when you're in an electric atmosphere. I just really don't want to get it wrong!

 

[Squeak]

If you Google for some of the big shows evening performances pictures you can get an idea but they all look the same really.

I tried to have a look at some of the photos from HOYs but it was impossible to see navy/ black and in a way unhelpful to see the crème de la crème as they all have silk top hats which as a mere showing mortal I just can't justify I'll go and have another look though and see if I can find the photographer from the show rather than the published photos on H & H etc as I think that might give me a more balanced view.

 

[Squeak]

Good luck Squeak. I’m very excited as my hunt coat is going to LIHS. Same thing, evening wear in the daytime. Borrower has a navy top hat from her dressage days.
Idk what’s happening about the hunt buttons and the collar colour.

It's LIHS I'm off to! Unbelievably excited but well aware that horses are horses and don't want to get too excited until we're there with a sound and happy horse

 

[humblepie]

It's LIHS I'm off to! Unbelievably excited but well aware that horses are horses and don't want to get too excited until we're there with a sound and happy horse

Which class are you doing ? Very exciting. I can send you a picture of my turn out which was HOYS with navy jacket and felt top hat if you like.

 

[Squeak]

Which class are you doing ? Very exciting. I can send you a picture of my turn out which was HOYS with navy jacket and felt top hat if you like.

I'll PM you