TRAVERSE CITY — The fashion journey from stable to street is not such a long ride.
Equestrian influences are evident in high-end luxury goods — from Ralph Lauren knives and forks whose design mimics a braided leather bridle to horse-themed Hermès scarves. On runways, pony-tailed models exude an aristocratic aesthetic in smartly tailored jackets or tall leather boots, a nod and whinny to horse culture.
In Traverse City, far from the world's great fashion capitols, both riders and those who just want to look the part can find equestrian-inspired clothing and accessories.
The upcoming Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival is the epicenter of the local horse scene and the place to brush up on equestrian style. It takes place near Traverse City at Flintfields Horse Park and begins for spectators the weekend of July 9-10 with the Dressage by the Bay Competition. The event continues on weekends in July and Sept. 10-12.
The fashionable equestrian (yes, that's redundant) sports the boots, the breeches and the jacket, and the very enthusiastic may even add the horse to the home decor, said Alex Rheinheimer, of Horse Shows by the Bay.
"It is a lifestyle. It can be literally from everything that's in your home — all of your furnishings and everything are themed to look like the equestrian lifestyle," she said.
But the style is about function as well as fashion. The pants are tight to fit under the tall boots, which keep the rider's feet in place and protect legs from chafing. Riding coats were often made in wool, but now may use synthetic fibers more akin to modern athletic wear, Rheinheimer said. Headgear such as top hats and bowlers were once mainly a fashion statement. Now, riders wear helmets for safety.
"They're trying to keep to the traditional roots of the riding. .., but they are modernizing it as well," she said.
Different disciplines determine how a rider dresses. A dressage rider might wear a more formal coat with a longer tail, like a tuxedo, while a show jumping rider might don light-colored, sportier clothing, Rheinheimer said. Sequined garments are pulled out for Western showmanship events.
Equestrian clothing's classic lines and conservative color combinations of navy, tan and white often make their way into everyday clothes. Red Hare Tack & Togs Equestrian Boutique on East Front Street in Traverse City stocks brands such as Gersemi and Joules. The brightly colored Joules polo shirts are popular choices for girls at equestrian events. The store's large stock of waterproof Wellington boots belong out on the town, not just in the barn. The staff calls a pair of tight-fitting riding pants the ultimate in skinny jeans.
Fashion designer Laurie Wildman referenced the equestrian look in her 2010 coat collection. Wildman, who splits her time between Traverse City and Chicago, named her coats after famous race tracks. The "Arlington" is a three-quarter-length red head-turner with an attached scarf. The waist-hitting "Pimlico" is a fitted dark wool. These and others, such as the "Del Mar" and the cream-colored "Chantilly," can be seen at her website: www.lauriewildman.com.
Wildman finds design inspiration in the Victorian and Renaissance eras. When she began designing this collection, the equestrian allusion developed without intention. She used to ride horses, and an avid rider modeled the coats for the collection's look book photographs.
The precise fit of equestrian clothing is one reason designers continue to be influenced by it.
"It is very elegant and tailored, and it shows a woman's figure without really showing a lot of skin," she said.
The horse, of course, is not to be overlooked when making a style statement. Kathy Ball Lattimore offers accessories for horses, dogs and humans, too, from a studio in Lake Leelanau and at www.badpony.com. Her custom saddle pads come in traditional solid colors and plaids, or more geometric and modern patterns.
"The sky is the limit," said Ball Lattimore. "It's like a crayon box in here."
She has horses of her own and thinks the love many women have for horses is partly why the equestrian flavor seeps into fashion.
"It's so classic, and it's just so traditional, and it's ultra-feminine," Ball Lattimore said.
Human Body Parts Sent Through Canadian Mail
Jessica Simpson Debuts Baby
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
An OMFG 'ABDC' LMFAO Performance
Ill. lawmaker goes on tirade over pension bill
Tori Bares Baby Bump in Monokini
Video reignites mystery around cruise ship death
Letterman on Family Life Post-Scandal
Al-Qaida Hid Messages in Porn
Scherzinger Back On X Factor?
UN negotiator: Syria has reached the tipping point
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Kim Cattrall's Mystery Man
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Meet the Crew and Good Ship 'Prometheus'
Romney set to clinch GOP presidential nomination
Couple doesn’t let tropical storm ruin their big day
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Pregnant Reese Wears LBD
Evans: Serena in shock
