What did you wear to ride "back then"?

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feesh

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For competing, but also for hacking and schooling. What was "correct," but also what did you actually wear? What was trendy and de rigeur? What was embarrassing? What was your era's equivalent of matchy-matchy or rust breeches? What did your mum wear? Other than basic black, what boots did people wear?

For my part, in rural Ontario in the 90s, I had one (1) pair of beige cotton jodhpurs that I tucked into one (1) pair of black rubber tall boots, black leather gloves, and my mum's old harnessless black velvet helmet with a nylon harness that slid over top. I eventually upgraded to a helmet with an integrated harness (and rubber chin cup!). Plus my one (1) pair of black leather gloves, and my own plastic-and-nylon crop. And a tshirt or tshirt and sweatshirt for schooling and hacking. For competing (at tiny local schooling shows), I had a hand-me-down white button-up shirt and whatever was the cheapest jacket that fit me from the local tack shop's used section.

(For context, I am hoping to enter some virtual low-level dressage this summer, and the turnout rules are essentially "full show wear, or just tidy, up to you." I absolutely cannot justify the budget to buy actual show clothes for this, but as I was scrounging at the local thrift store for a good-enough blazer, I realized there's no reason I can't entertain myself by putting together a few Vintage-Inspired-But-Mostly-Correct outfits for cheap. Plus I find historical clothing fascinating, and I've been enjoying Tamarack Farm's guess-the-era posts on Facebook.)
 
I wore the same as you in that era.

In the 1980’s, when I was a child/teenager and didn’t have a pony and rarely rode, I did have a pair of jods (putty colour), then the next year I had a pair of long black plastic/rubber boots. I also had a velvet hat with an extra harness over the top.
 
Early 70s, beige jodhs, brown jodh boots, polo t shirt for hacking.

For comps, pale yellow or blue shirt, smart tie, yellow gloves, tweed jacket, hairnet and navy or brown velvet hat.

Late 70s, as a late teen, the same as above for comps except black long leather boots and brown leather gloves. Jacket was then twin vent, not single.
All sparkling as per PC regs....
 
Spotherisk said:
I wore the same as you in that era.

In the 1980’s, when I was a child/teenager and didn’t have a pony and rarely rode, I did have a pair of jods (putty colour), then the next year I had a pair of long black plastic/rubber boots. I also had a velvet hat with an extra harness over the top.
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Go back a little - Bedford cord jodhpurs, velvet hunt cap without any chinstrap and the ribbons sewn up! (Or the DC would cut them off….) always tweed jacket, yellow gloves, shirt and tie for rallies / gymkhanas / meets etc, even the tinies.
Jodhpur boots or wellies if wet, children didn’t wear long riding boots. Jumper and anorak for hacking about, or the most impractical cream riding macs imaginable - it’s a wonder we weren’t all put off for life.
 
Adidas trackies and trainers in the 90s. Not sure if the trend spread further than the North West!
And no I’m not lying 😂 I have photographic evidence somewhere. We were COOL, ok? 😅

Showjumping was navy jacket, white shirt, beige jods and brown joddy boots for me.

80s was corduroy jods and a jumper.
 
Exasperated said:
Go back a little - Bedford cord jodhpurs, velvet hunt cap without any chinstrap and the ribbons sewn up! (Or the DC would cut them off….) always tweed jacket, yellow gloves, shirt and tie for rallies / gymkhanas / meets etc, even the tinies.
Jodhpur boots or wellies if wet, children didn’t wear long riding boots. Jumper and anorak for hacking about, or the most impractical cream riding macs imaginable - it’s a wonder we weren’t all put off for life.
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With a husky jacket for hacking. I still have my slumberdown waistcoat I got for Christmas in 1979 when I was 16, wear it every winter.

Pony club strictly beige jods, no colourallowed, brown jodphur boots, no half chaps, hacking jacket, pony club tie, velvet cap, no chinstrap. Cross country a jumper to match your bandages, no body protector, used to put elastic down to stop your hat blowing off, show jacket for SJ.

Mrs Burbury, the DC, would be turning in her grave with all the colours and bling!
 
In the 70's and 80's
For hacking - Quilted jacket (fashionable again) cord jods or breeches, skull cap with chin cup and blue or black silk.

For eventing - tweed jacket with coloured stock. Beige jods or breeches. Very plain xc gear.

And jackets that actually looked ok on a non skinny women. Beautifully cut and covered your bum when on the horse.
 
I had a break from riding. When I stopped in the late 90’s skull caps had chin cups and drawstrings.
When I restarted riding around 2010 ish I got some odd looks when I asked the hat fitter in the tack shop ‘why no chin cups and drawstrings in the hats now?’
I had a pair of burgundy chord jodhs that lasted forever.
I also remember getting a pair of HacTac denim jodhs that were impossible to get on, let along ride in (before the days of stretch denim)
Most of my riding kit came from jumble sales.
I remember my mum bought me a pack of 3 tee shirts to take to pony camp, they were way too big for me, I never did grow into them. In fact I still have 2 of them now (30 years later) that I use as nighties….although they are rather battered.
 
60's and 70's
Beige jods, long sleeved white shirt, smart tie, hair net, velvet cap with elastic under chin, tweed hacking jacket, long rubber boots that linings always peeled out of, and yes the dreaded riding mac if raining.
80's
Up graded to navy everything, jods, hard hat, jacket with scarlet lining, navy ribbon round hair net - and first pair of long leather boots.
90's
Got first decent skull cap with silk, but first body protector looked more like the cork life jackets in old RNLI photos.
 
I’m glad things have moved on from wearing woolly jumpers on the yard- the worse material possible near hay/straw/ horsehair…makes me itch just thinking about it.

Had to explain jockey skull chin cups and hooks to my (much) younger yard mate recently, and body protectors made from strips of foam sewn into what can only best be imagined as a swimming costume- safety first! 🥴
 
In the 60s we were very ‘up market’ either Moss Bros or Harry Hall were the main suppliers of riding wear. There was also a firm called Jacatex that advertised in ‘Pony’ magazine. Most of my riding things came from Moss Bros. Bedford cord jods with ‘wings’ were becoming less popular and we usually had beige jods which weren’t very stretchy, made out of a cotton/ nylon material, usually with elastic sewn on the bottom to go under your brown jodhpur boots, or if older the trendy black rubber boots. Proper leather long boots were for 21st birthdays. Short boots had elastic inserts or leather straps which wrapped round the boots. Always a shirt and tie, either a PC one or a yellow cotton type with horses heads on or crossed riding whips. Hats - which were velvet covered and usually came in navy, black or brown had elastic chin straps, sometimes sewn on - later on they came with a harness type fitting which had a very uncomfortable plastic chin cup. Hairnets were mandatory and the hat ribbons had to be sewn up at the back. Gloves were usually string type, frequently given as Christmas presents in yellow - which usually washed out becoming lighter after each wash, or sometimes beige. It was common practice to wear a tweed riding jacket when hacking out unless it was raining when the cream coloured macs came out. Modern macs were sometimes a bit shorter than the traditional double breasted ones which usually had a belt. Nearing the 70s riding clothes started to become a little more user friendly and nylon jods appeared in navy.
 
Stylo boots, husky and leg warmers showing above boots?!! Pref burgundy. Cream jods later replaced by Gorringe green cord jods🤣 Early adopter of short chaps as I exercised endurance Arabs so their style was quite different to others, including riding tights with fleecy padding 🤣
 
This thread is reminding me of when I rode out last year with a lady who was old guard hunting type. It was hot and I was in a very light weight pair of riding leggings. She was in beige cord straight out of the 70s.

When we got talking I said my favourite modern stuff was actually the shower proof leggings after years of getting soaked through. She pointed at her beige cords and told me they were thick enough for a day's hunting in February rain. I think it was nearly 30 degrees that day and I had a little giggle to myself at how some people insist on not embracing anything new 😅
 
Anyone else have one of those thick beige ‘waterproof’ riding coats? Leg straps to stop it flapping seemed so on point but it was so thick and heavy not much flapping happening! Also remember the stylo matchmaker rubber boots that were ‘the thing’. So hard to get off especially once the linings got loose and came out with your foot!
 
pistolpete said:
Anyone else have one of those thick beige ‘waterproof’ riding coats? Leg straps to stop it flapping seemed so on point but it was so thick and heavy not much flapping happening! Also remember the stylo matchmaker rubber boots that were ‘the thing’. So hard to get off especially once the linings got loose and came out with your foot!
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I assume you mean the old rubber riding macs. Vile things which were heavy, but did keep you dry. Needed to wear them over a jacket if you wanted to stay warm(er). Had to wear them when I was working at the RS back in the late 60's. So very glad to have modern materials now.
 
The riding school I started at, aged 3 insisted on riding hats and good shoes or jodhpur boots. I was kitted out in boots, jodhpurs, shirt and tie, tweed jacket and hunt cap, even at that age. We had our own ponies on working livery.

Tack was London tan and it was naff having new tack, old tack had a lovely deep brown colour and softness to it. I remember my first purchase that was havana and how it was frowned upon, it was also the first spring tree saddle in our pony club.

As a young teen I started wearing stylo long boots, as an older teen when competing in BSJA classes I wore a navy blue jacket and matching hat. I also had a Harry Hall riding mac. I also used to wear a pair of jeans over my jodhpurs for everyday riding, as stains were a pain in the butt to get out of the jodhpurs.
 
Spotherisk said:
I wore the same as you in that era.

In the 1980’s, when I was a child/teenager and didn’t have a pony and rarely rode, I did have a pair of jods (putty colour), then the next year I had a pair of long black plastic/rubber boots. I also had a velvet hat with an extra harness over the top.
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I remember the long black rubber riding boots. At the riding school, we’d often have to do trotting without stirrups and so many people’s boots would fall off because mums bought them a few sizes to big so they would last
 
What I do remember is my jods and boots were kept for best - shows and rallies. Outside of that I wore trousers with wellies in winter and plimsolls in summer. Wore a hat most of the time but it was held on by a piece of elastic. I had my own pony and was at the stables every day weekends and school holidays and had one pair of jods for best. I was lucky and got some Aigle long boots which while not being leather, were much softer and nicer that the rubber ones.
 
We wore hacking jackets with pale yellow roll neck jumpers for everyday riding. Beige jods of course. Shirt and pony club tie for gymkhanas. Hat as thin as cardboard, with an elastic band under the chin - no protection whatsoever! And string gloves with leather palms in winter, no gloves in summer. The blisters in Spring when you first rode without gloves......
 
1970s, jeans, anorak, hard hat with one chin strap that fastened with a popper and wellies

1980s, beige jods that cut off the circulation behind my knees, stylo boots with the inner liner cut out after it started following my feet out of the boots, jockey cap with chin cup, polo shirts and wax jacket.

1990s, pretty much as the eighties but with better boots and a leather chin cup on the jockey cap, coloured jodhs.

2000s and beyond a safer jockey skull, back protector at times (until it got stolen), better boots etc, in short upgrades all round! Now loving riding tights and the freedom of stretch fabrics😉
 
When I was little (1980s) I had 2 pairs of stretchy red nylon trousers. I outgrew them in length and when I started going to the RS mum stitched the legs from one onto the other to lengthen them, added a pair of knee patches, and tried to dye them brown. The dye job resulted in a strange colour 😂
Teamed with a pair of rubber long boots and a hacking jacket passed down from someone.
 
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Melody Grey said:
I’m glad things have moved on from wearing woolly jumpers on the yard- the worse material possible near hay/straw/ horsehair…makes me itch just thinking about it.

Had to explain jockey skull chin cups and hooks to my (much) younger yard mate recently, and body protectors made from strips of foam sewn into what can only best be imagined as a swimming costume- safety first! 🥴
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I wear wool jumpers all the time - but then I love to knit and also love wool, and have Icelandics and love Icelandic jumpers. Wool is a biodegradable, breathable and natural material and I think more people should consider using it! Sadly it’s not windproof.
 

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This is all amazing, thank you everyone! I think my next trip to the thrift store is going to result in a yellow sweater... and I'm learning that my yearning for corduroy breeches is entirely justified!

Funnily enough, I'm remembering that I actually already tend towards a bunch of old-fashioned gear. My giant oilskin is better than any modern rain gear I've tried (and keeps my saddle dry, too), and my very favourite gloves are string with leather palm. And I've got an early 2000s foam body protector, lent to me by my childhood horsey friend, from her eventing days. Not competition legal, but I have still been grateful for it the few times I've fallen in it!

And I've started riding in an old too-big men's tweed jacket that I usually keep around for gardening. It too is much better than my modern stuff for keeping me comfortable in this weather - which I think is more or less your winter weather? Just above freezing, damp, and windy. Warmer in the wind AND more breathable than my usual jacket (although to be fair, if I wore my running jacket to ride in, that would probably be quite nice too!). Sadly it's almost impossible to find women's tweed jackets used here (real ones, anyway), but I live in hope that one will turn up at one of the online used tack stores one day.
 
70s jodphur boots , beige or cream jodhs with elastic on the bottom to go under your boot to stop them sliding up your leg. Black velvet hats with elastic chinstraps. Husky coats, hunter wellies. Aertex shirts

80s moved up to Stylo rubber riding boots at home, long black leather boots for competition I hated the rubber ones- they were so cold! Barbour coats - also cold in the rain and heavy! My mother held out from buying me navy breeches as she said they were common .... I longed for the practicality! (I was a perpetually mud stained child 🤣) and I loved the Gorringe cord breeches. I had pairs in navy and green
Stripey rugby shirts for XC

90s loved my Rodney Powell back protector - made me look like a Gladiator. Pale gloves for dressage on pain of elimination. No jewelery and compulsory hairnets. For BE, tweed hacking jackets for Novice, navy jackets Int and above. Pateys for the dressage.
 
I rode in the early nineties in Norway and had two breeches - one brown with leather and a beige pair, both hand me downs. Plastic black riding boots - still have them in the cupboard. A black helmet with straps, and cotton gloves. I never did any shows.
 
feesh said:
This is all amazing, thank you everyone! I think my next trip to the thrift store is going to result in a yellow sweater... and I'm learning that my yearning for corduroy breeches is entirely justified!

Funnily enough, I'm remembering that I actually already tend towards a bunch of old-fashioned gear. My giant oilskin is better than any modern rain gear I've tried (and keeps my saddle dry, too), and my very favourite gloves are string with leather palm. And I've got an early 2000s foam body protector, lent to me by my childhood horsey friend, from her eventing days. Not competition legal, but I have still been grateful for it the few times I've fallen in it!

And I've started riding in an old too-big men's tweed jacket that I usually keep around for gardening. It too is much better than my modern stuff for keeping me comfortable in this weather - which I think is more or less your winter weather? Just above freezing, damp, and windy. Warmer in the wind AND more breathable than my usual jacket (although to be fair, if I wore my running jacket to ride in, that would probably be quite nice too!). Sadly it's almost impossible to find women's tweed jackets used here (real ones, anyway), but I live in hope that one will turn up at one of the online used tack stores one day.
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If you want an ‘old’ body protector, probably a Kan Teq - female fit, motorbiking spec, fairly indestructible whatever the BBF date.
A genuine vintage hacking jacket will be longer in style, considerably more flare /skirt, too - and the Hunting Shop used to sell these for people, but probably vintage sites generally. Or maybe a tweed hunt coat, which would certainly be lengthier and more flattering than modern bum-freezers.
Hard to understand why designers now think horsewomen might enjoy pale, skintight lycra with zero bottom coverage as they fly over the fences…..elephant ears Bedford cord and a decent coat at least covered a multitude of sins.
 
asmp said:
I remember my body protector- a bit of slightly moulded blue foam (back only). I think it attached around the waist with an elasticated strap 😂
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I remember getting my first body protector . It was a substantial and solid contraption made up of what appeared to be thick rectangles of polystyrene boards , sandwiched between a covering of heavy duty navy blue cotton twill. , velcro fastenings at the sides and a tape which went from the base of the back , between your legs and velcroed to the front ( referred to as ' The Tapeworm ' because of how you looked if you left it dangling ) .
It was hot , uncomfortable, bulky and severely restricted movement to the point of being downright dangerous . Nonetheless I felt like a real pro when I donned mine for the first time at a cross country event . I clambered aboard my pony ( not without some difficulty I may say due to the rigid bulk of my upper body ) and then settled down in the saddle which caused the protector to be pushed firmly upwards until it settled firmly under my ears and chin .
My sister gazed at me thoughtfully , resplendent in my Princess Anne inspired Royal Purple cross country colours , encased in my navy blue body armour , my purple silk covered helmet peeping out the top ,and announced
" You look like an Easter egg . That's still in its box " .
 
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1980s we had jodhpur boots, caldene jodhpurs, we didn't compete so didn't have any show gear.
My sister had a padded waistcoat which I got when she outgrew it, I loved it but hardly ever wore it.
General outdoor coat, nothing horse specific
 
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