[Liberty's Gal]

After much thought and consideration I have decided to 'up' my riding and be more professional in my dress.

See thread:
Looking 'professional' when you ride

Maybe if I dress more seriously I will be more serious about my riding

So my plan is to wear tall boots, full seats when riding dressage, a nice polo in the summer, fitted jacket in the winter, and gloves.

Here is my problem, I HATE full seats. I have yet to find a pair of full seats I don't feel confined in. Seriously it feels like I am trying to ride in a rubber wet suit. Am I alone here? Maybe full seats are only comfortable for those who have less ahem, junk in our trunk? My trainer wears them all the time but she is like a skinny, little twig person.

I am wondering if I am just not getting a large enough size. I wear a medium or 30-32 but full seats of that size feel horrible. Would it be better if I bought larges?

I have tried Kerrits sit tight (hated them), JPC Platinum full seats (probably the best so far but still hate them), On course (leather felt too stiff).

I am thinking about saving and trying these:
http://www.tackroominc.com/fits-perf...acturers_id=74
But $200 doesn't come up in the budget very often, especially for schooling breeches.

I know Pikeurs are beloved by many dressage riders but they seem pretty stiff. Is that my imagination.

Do you guys have any brand suggestions? Should I just start buying a larger size in my full seats?

BTW There are no English tack stores in my area so going to a tack store to try anything on is not really an option.

[CowGirlUp1833]

I love full seats! For schooling, try Irideon brand, they are awesome and I think they are super comfy!

[Huntseat]

I don't like full seats either, and I am "tiny". They just feel so stiff and awkward, like trying to ride in a pair of new, stiff, too-tight jeans, but worse. Are the full seats realllllyyyyy necessary? Could you get away with schooling tights and tall boots? That would still look considerably more professional than jeans and paddock boots

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

Liberty, I have a few different kinds of breeches, and honestly I have to say that my kerrits ones, although the most expensive, are the most un-comfy ever! I find the leather really crunshy! hahaha

I have started making my own full seat breeches, and the faux suede that I use is VERY soft, and moves with the body well. I also make them to fit the measurements of the rider...so if you have a size 24" waist, but a size 55" thigh (just as an example) I can accomodate that.

If you're at all interested, I could make you a pair as well......I charge $80 + shipping for my work, and I can always make them in pretty much any color/pattern you like....which makes ya wanna wear them even more! hahahaha

Here's a sample of my fav. pair:

[Liberty's Gal]

Originally Posted by huntseat

I don't like full seats either, and I am "tiny". They just feel so stiff and awkward, like trying to ride in a pair of new, stiff, too-tight jeans, but worse. Are the full seats realllllyyyyy necessary? Could you get away with schooling tights and tall boots? That would still look considerably more professional than jeans and paddock boots

It was suggested to me by the professional dressage instructor that knee patch breeches are "too slippery" and I will need the grip of full seats for more advanced dressage.

Sigh, I luf my knee patch breeches. Especially my kerrits.

Glad to hear I am not the only one who hated full seats

[Liberty's Gal]

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

I love full seats! For schooling, try Irideon brand, they are awesome and I think they are super comfy!

Do they run true to size? I thought I heard they run small so I was scared to order a pair and have them be too small.

[Huntseat]

Do you have a tack store close enough to you to try them on? I will NEVER order clothing online or from a catalogue, other than, like, show shirts and that sort of thing because I'm so picky about how things fit me.

[CowGirlUp1833]

Originally Posted by Liberty's Gal

Do they run true to size? I thought I heard they run small so I was scared to order a pair and have them be too small.

Well, they run S/M/Lg.... and they are very stretchy so you should be okay...

[Kat&Ashton]

I have the kerrits sit tight ones. Wore them ONCE and felt to tight with the saddle. Seriously I posted, and my pants stayed.

I found a pair on clearance rack and love them. They are trainers choise. Really expensive but 75% in my price range.

I do like using the full seats when working on the canter. It helps keep me in the saddle.

[AQHA Hunter]

Originally Posted by Liberty's Gal

It was suggested to me by the professional dressage instructor that knee patch breeches are "too slippery" and I will need the grip of full seats for more advanced dressage.

Sigh, I luf my knee patch breeches. Especially my kerrits.

Glad to hear I am not the only one who hated full seats

I think Erik Hebberman, for one, would disagree with your dressage instructor. He advises dressage riders to wear the old style knee-patch breeches with pleats and a looser fit.

However, I wear fullseats and love them. Mine are Harry Hall's which are made with a thin clarino that is really comfortable. In fact, I hardly notice it. The best part is I got them on Tack of the Day for $40 a pair (I'm hoping they have them on there so I can buy a couple more) I do have another pair in a different brand that is a thicker clarino, and they tend to give that "diaper butt" feeling.

I have also heard great things about the deerskin Equissential's breeches. I am going to buy a pair just as soon as I feel like spending $180 on a pair of pants!