It is going to take more than a decent turnout and an all-right ride to win the deep classes this year. Every aspect of your performance and presentation has to be perfect to create a winning impact in the show arena. But when dressing for success, you have to start at the basics: selecting show outfit colors that jibe well with your horse’s coat color.

Elementary as it may seem, your color choice plays an integral role in the impression you make in the show ring. A color scheme that is both unique, and compliments both you and your horse’s coloring, helps you two to look like a harmonized team. And by picking a color that is also on trend, you will look smart AND fashionable when you hit the arena.

But what are the “in-trend” colors? This season, designers color choices have tremendously addressed consumers’ longing for personal expression, balance, and necessity to re-energize. According to PANTONE (the global authority on color) the 10 “in trend” colors that have been constructed around these powerful needs are Emerald, Dusk Blue, Tender Shoots, Grayed Jade, Lemon Zest, African Violet, Linen, Monaco Blue, Poppy Red and Nectarine.

I personally love the mix of bright colors and neutrals found in this color palette. In choosing your show outfit they allow for practical yet fresh combinations, as well as self-expression, while at the same time, commanding attention and appreciation.

Use this guide to help you determine what (in-trend) colors look best with your horse:

Horses with red in their coats –

Earth tone colors such as rust, sand, cream, peach and chocolate are all flattering base colors on these horses. This color palate spans to include the in-trend color Linen. As a warm neutral, the airy color is subtle, sweet and stunning when worn with Grayed Jade or Dusk Blue. A fabric in copper nude – another HOT color – is also a perfect color choice for horses with reds in their coats.

Bay, Black, Grey or White Horses –

For riders with bay, black, gray or white horses, embrace a spectrum of bright, bold jewel tones. Such as this seasons bold and rich Monaco Blue. Pair Monaco Blue with other in-trend colors such as Poppy Red and Linen, or Emerald for a crisp and sophisticated look. Or, for a more subtle blue, go for a cool navy fabric (also in this season). I really like the contrast of a darker (albeit totally cool) color of blue paired with brighter warm-weather colors.

African Violet on these horses is also a great statement color choice, and can be incorporated into many surprising yet stunning looks. For example, by coupling this intriguing color with the celebratory and lively shade Poppy Red.

Pale icy tones that sprung up this season would also look super chic on gray and white horses – such as muted grays and silver fabrics mixed with barely there accents or vests – creating a stylish coordination of color with your horse in the show arena.

If You Ride Horses In Both Color Groups –

If you want a suit that can be worn on any color horse, go for shades of blue/green. Teal, deep greens, sage and Turquoise are flattering on almost any horse, and the popularity of green this year is indisputable. My favorite shades of green that have emerged this season? Kelly green, forest green, seafoam green, spearmint green, and a gorgeous warm-toned olive green.

Pintos –

If you are showing a pinto, choosing a suit color will take a little more effort. You should base it on your horses predominate coat color. If your horse is primarily white, you should go for the brighter jewel tone colors. But if your horse’s coat has less white than color, you should use the predominate coat color to establish what your options have.

Neutral Based Horses –

Neutral based horses – such as a palomino – look great with any of the shades above (i.e., earth tones, jewel tones, blue/greens), depending on the horse’s markings and (of course) the rider’s preference.

And one can never go wrong with a black suit, as this go-with-everything shade looks good on any color horse. But count on a majority of your competition wearing black, so make sure yours is distinctive and special.

And don’t forget, a little bit of shine can go a long way – proven over and over on the Spring 2013 runways. So embrace this trend, for instance, with a metallic saddle seat vest, or chaps with metallic trim!
Don’t overlook the importance of the color you choose suiting you, as well! In the world of fashion in general, one has to be very careful how they select color. It is a basic rule of fashion that dark colors minimize and light colors emphasize, and horse show fashion is no different. To look taller or thinner, go for lighter colors, smaller patterns or vertical stripes. And to look shorter or broader, choose darker colors, larger patterns, and horizontal stripes.

But by and large, fashion is a means to express oneself. It’s about individuality, self-expression and choice. It’s something that you should have fun and play with. So whatever color you choose, it should be one that gives you the most confidence (while still complimenting your horse). It’s extremely important for you to own your look. And in order to own it, you have to be comfortable in not only how it looks, but also how it makes you feel.

The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” rings true for me when it comes to my horse show experiences. Thanks to the incredible support and shared love for horses of everyone who has had a hand in my journey, my passion for horses and riding was realized as a young child, and continues to endure to this day. From my horse-addicted family, to the guidance of my trainers and mentors, and of course, from the wonderful people at Show Season – who have been styling me in one-of-a-kind suits since I was eight-years-old – I have been able to “keep my fire burning.”

Over these years, going to Show Season has become an annual routine for my mom and me, as we always find time at Nationals to go hang out with Melissa and Patti, and pick out our new suits for next years show season. They are our “go to” place for everything that is chic, stylish, and embellished in show suit attire, and I am convinced that their special attention to detail has been a part of my success. Not only do their fabulous suits help me to pull off a complete presentation on my horses, but they make me feel more confident when I hit the show ring.

Moreover, as someone who not only has a deep love for horses, but for fashion as well, the entire event of picking out a new suit – getting fitted, choosing fabrics, trims, colors, designs, etc. – is almost too much fun, and Melissa and Patti go above and beyond to help and give their opinions. My absolute favorite part of the experience, however, comes a few weeks later when a package with a “Show Season” return address arrives in the mail that holds within it my dazzling new suit!

The whole process almost feels like magic! You decide on a few swatches, and then – POOF! – your custom-tailored suit appears on your doorstep. Never once, in my many years of going through this routine, did I get up from the Show Season table and actually think about all of the labor or other people that were involved in making one of my suits. Behind the scenes, nevertheless, is where the magic really happens. Here, there is a large number of people who are engaged in the development of bringing these materials to life in a garment, and, in this way, although when you get up from that table the work might seem over, it has just begun.

For 32 years now, Show Season has brought together the very best team from all over the county to deliver your garments in a timely fashion, and, outside of Melissa and Patti, they have continued to work with many of the same skilled tailors they started with all those years ago. This distinction has given Show Season the stability of quality and consistency that is a standard in all their garments. From a client’s perspective, it is easy to overlook all that goes into the process of creating our garments, as Show Season has mastered it’s art, and makes it appear effortless to the customer. Nonetheless, for this team – from sales reps, to suppliers, to tailors, to pressers – each handcrafted piece involves extensive labor and attention to detail.

The process begins after the materials have been meticulously chosen, when the dozens of measurements that are taken from the client (which ensure a uniquely exceptional fit every time) have to be converted into measurements for riding attire. Needless to say, these measurements are quite different from street wear, as the arms, legs and shoulders of a rider are in atypical positions other than just standing. After this has been completed, the creation of patterns, cutting, and sewing are then fulfilled for each garment; a process that involves HUNDERDS of hours. This is the ultimate in wardrobe investment, and, although it is no small task, the labor involved does make your suit look and feel that much more special, and gives it that WOW factor that Show Season is known for.

The end result is a suit that fits like a glove, is impeccably tailored, and is customized to your own unique fashionista style. Although, in truth, being perfectly outfitted won’t win you red roses, it is important for riders to be well turned out for the ring in order to make a good impression. As such, being beautifully dressed could make all the difference in the world, and, in a Show Season suit, you will at least feel like a champion before you ever even hit the show ring.

☆P.S. Be sure to check back for my new bi-monthly Blog posts, offering a client/amateurs perspective, as well as tips on showing and fashion!!