posh hacking gear

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CarlBarl

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Hi, first post in this amazing forum!

If, hypothetically of course, I was invited for a weekend in the country by a posh friend, and we'll go for a hack with some others, what would they wear?

I mean posh not in the sense of Fulham/father works in the city, but the son of a titled peer and his chums.

Will they wear anything different from what the average hacking male in his thirties wears? I actually suspect they won't, but I wouldn't want to look like straight out of Downton Abbey when everybody else turns up in track suit and baseball cap, or the other way around.

Any particular brands?

Breeches, jods, jeans? Modern tight or classic bit roomy? Whatever colour? Tweed coat or just any? Velvet hat or would that be strange? Half-chaps or long boots?

I'd be thankful for any first-hand reports.
 
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I have no idea but the image of you turning up like something out of downtown amused me! I suppose they might wear tweed, I think people do for shooting etc! I'm sure you could casually ask your friend without seeming like you have no clue :-)
 
From experience... neat and reasonably good quality. Not necessarily new. But seldom designer names or bling. It is just about good manners and respect. If they have invited you it is (hopefully!) becuase they want your company not your dress sense. As long as they way you dress is respectful to your host then pretty much anything goes.

You'll find "posh" people are exactly the same as everyone else.
 
I think a good quality pair of jods/breeches in a dark beige colour; a designer polo but not ostentatious at all, like a navy Ralph Lauren with a little pony (avoid Jack Wills!), and long boots in brown. Not sure about hats, I doubt they'll be expecting you to buy a whole new wardrobe! And you're probably a little bit posh anyway if you're friends with this lot in the first place...!
 
I'd wear my usual beige jods, long black boots/jod boots and decent black chaps, a white shirt and a tweed jacket (but, only because I happened to own one), if not I expect a dark plain thin roll neck jumper would do, and I'd wear a standard dark velvet riding hat.
 
I think you will find that the men will ride out in jeans, chaps and ancient jumpers. The titled classes - who I have worked for for many years, are generally the scruffiest people about.
If you turn up in beige jodhs, a hacking jacket, or perfectly polished leather boots - you will look EXTREMELY out of place.
 
Mind you I know where the OP is coming at this from, when I went for my first hack at a new riding school the other month I agonised for some time over wether I should turn up in a hacking jacket. Luckily the weather was that hot that a short sleeved polo shirt was the order of the day.
 
Agree with auslander. Your clothes should be quality, but at least 50yrs old. If titled, you should, as a male, drive there in a landrover of prehistoric age too. And upon opening the car door, have several gundogs tumble out, accompanied by your wifes now rather muddy lapdog. Seriously though, whatever your difference in class, they have invited you for yourself, not because they think you too are titled.
 
The Earl who owns my yard hacks out in a smart shirt, smart trousers and johdpur boots, always looks like he's walked out of the office.
 
OP, can you not simply ask your posh friend?!

Other than that, you could take a selection of stuff, and wait and see what the others wear?
 
i think the dark beigh jods polo and long boots. however my friend who is posh (well to me) and male generally wears jeans/ trackies but if he is doing something social goes for the above of jods etc. good luck
 
The thought probably wouldnt have crossed my mind!!! Local estate owners round here just look like everyone else, you wouldn't pick them out when they are riding!!

I think I'd just attempt a slightly cleaner than normal version of the everyday me
 
Something old something new, if all new stuff you are trying too hard. Breeches are prefered for a man, therefore you need long boots or short with chaps. You can get away with almost any fairly smart jacket /fleece thing if that is something you already have. Skull cap with a cover will be fine, in fact any hat really [not a bowler/topper though].
Have a look on some of the counrtywear sites.
 
Dont have any friends that posh so cant comment on the style. Try looking at the casual stuff in a good hunting saddlers.

I did notice at Pony Club with my daughter that the really posh people used hand me down jackets which probably started life 50 years ago. It was people like me buying the new tweeds :D

All I wanted to say is dont turn up in jeans, I hate people riding on my good saddles in them.

Whatever you buy, wear it a bit so it doesn't look as though its all new. Break the boots in if you buy some, you will look silly limping around with blisters or trying to ride with boots with no give in them.

Dont forget the leather gloves
 
Of everyone I know, the 'posher' - the scruffier!! ;)

I think someone said, good makes/quality - but ancient!! I don't suppose they would care anyway - unless you were dressed up like Katie Price! :eek:
 
MrsHutt said:
Of everyone I know, the 'posher' - the scruffier!! ;)

I think someone said, good makes/quality - but ancient!! I don't suppose they would care anyway - unless you were dressed up like Katie Price! :eek:
Click to expand...

CarlBarl would you consider dressing like Katie Price just so you report back on what happened.
 
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