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Winning the Great White Breeches Debate
Equestrian Resources
9 minute read
If you've been within 'sneeze range' of a horse, you know it's nearly impossible to stay clean in their presence. From shedding season to grass stains, you never leave the barn in the same state you arrived.
Now imagine a show scenario, where you need to bathe, groom, braid, school your horse, then compete—without getting downright filthy.
No wonder so many equestrians have a love/hate relationship with white breeches. How could such a garment possibly survive the show gauntlet?
In this article, we'll explain this controversial piece of traditional equestrian attire, when you might want to wear white breeches, and how to keep them clean. Then we'll help you choose the best white riding breeches!
Pants in a Historical Context
Equestrian sports are steeped in tradition, and riding pants (white and otherwise) have been part of international culture for centuries. From cavalry dress and foxhunting attire to polo team uniforms and jockeys’ silks, equestrians have developed a deep-rooted tradition of wearing light-colored pants in the saddle.
No matter the source of these traditions, wearing white and light-colored riding pants in the show ring is here to stay—for better or worse. Today's white breeches are equal parts symbolic and sporty. With an iconic appearance, and modern-day technical fabrics, they effectively blend performance and elegance.
They look particularly sharp in the show ring, and proper turnout can give you a real leg up in competitive classes. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression with the judge!
Though white riding breeches are rarely the only regulated option, they're a great way to give a nod to equestrian traditions and take pride in your appearance. When you look good, you feel good and ride even better.
That said, we can all give thanks for modern stain-resistant fabrics and Tide pens!
When Do You Wear White Breeches?
Traditionally, white breeches are reserved for formal or competitive riding settings. But you can wear them whenever you feel like it for clinics or casual riding. White breeches quickly elevate any everyday riding outfit, especially paired with a fun Kerrits Ice Fil® Long Sleeve Shirt.
From dressage to show jumping to eventing, competition riders are expected to adhere to discipline-specific rules about attire.
As of March 2023, here are the main guidelines for riding breeches:
Breeches for Dressage
- USEF dressage rules: Breeches and Jodhpurs: White, light, or dark colors are permitted in competition, but bright colors and patterns are not. Contrast piping is allowed.
- FEI dressage rules: White or off-white breeches only.
Breeches for Show Jumping
- USEF Jumper Rules: Formal: White or fawn breeches; Proper: Breeches must be light color (white, fawn or canary); Standard: Breeches of any color are permitted.
- FEI Jumping rules: White or light fawn breeches only.
Breeches for Eventing
- USEF Eventing: Dressage: Light color or white breeches are permitted. Cross country: Any color is permitted. Show jumping: Light color or white only.
- FEI Eventing: Dressage: White or off-white only. Cross country: Any color is permitted. Jumping: White or light fawn only.
How Do You Keep White Breeches Clean?
Investing in white breeches can be intimidating unless you know how to keep them looking pristine.
High-level competitors like Charlotte Dujardin and Jessica Springsteen make it look easy. Their white breeches always appear radiant and spotless, whether walking a Grand Prix jump course or teaching a Dressage masterclass.
But, what about us mere mortals?
Kerrits to the white hue rescue! We've got 10 easy care tips for how to clean white breeches:
- Save Them for Showing: The best way to keep your show clothes looking sharp is to reserve them for competitions. Once they start to show their age, don't throw them out—simply transition them to everyday schooling breeches.
- Shop for Value: Choosing affordable, but quality, white breeches means you can buy a backup pair to keep on-hand at shows. If you accidentally get one pair dirty, you've got one in the wings.
- Bide Your Time: Stick to sweats or casual tights for as many show prep tasks as possible. Put your white breeches on at the last possible minute.
- Protect Your Pants: If you won't have time to change, wear protective pants over the top until it's time to go in the ring. Kerrits Waterproof All Around Rain Pant is a great choice for cooler weather, and our Triple Chill Sun Shirt is easy to layer untucked over show clothes when show season heats up.
- Wash Your Hands: Grooming and braiding can leave your hands grimey or oily, so wash them before changing clothes. If you brought helpers along, ask them (nicely!) to pitch in on dirtier tasks.
- Focus on Fabric: Choose white breeches made from a stain and water-resistant materials. Kerrits Dynamic™ Extreme fabric, found on our GripTek II™ Full Seat Breech and Crossover II™ Full Seat Breech, and the Ice Fil® woven fabric on our Affinity® Ice Fil® Full Seat Breech, are all machine washable and stain/water resistant.
- Fight Stains Fast: Keep a pre-wash, enzyme-based spot remover in your ring bag in case you accidentally stain your white breeches. It can save the day!
- Separate and Wash: Whether they're stained or not, wash your breeches as soon as you get home. Just be sure to wash whites separately to avoid any color transfer from other apparel.
- Be Gentle: Use a whitening laundry booster, like oxygen bleach, borax, or baking soda to keep your white bright. Avoid chlorine bleach, which is harsh on certain fabrics and may deepen stains.
- Finish Strong: Run an extra rinse cycle to remove traces of soap, which can leave whites looking dingy. Then dry your breeches in the sun for an extra boost of whitening power.
Best White Breeches for Women
Ready to give white breeches a try, but not sure where to start? Let's compare and contrast Kerrits options so you choose the perfect pant for your goals.
Affinity® Ice Fil® Breech
Best for Serious Competitors
- Exceptional performance meets tradition in these mid-weight, stretch-woven, stain and dirt resistant breeches.
- Ice Fil® technology delivers a confident ride by cooling you as you sweat.
- With great coverage and four-way stretch, this breech offers a tailored, figure-flattering silhouette in the show ring.
- Tailored front fly, two phone-friendly front pockets, and 2-inch waistband blend comfort and class.
- Kerrit Sticks™ silicone grip (full seat or knee patch) is flexible and breathable with unparalleled in-saddle security.
"Thick enough to 'smooth out' imperfections, but thin enough to be comfortable."
- Kerrits Customer Bobbie
Crossover II® Breech
Best for Summer Schooling Shows
- Perfect for warm weather, this lightweight breech features durable Dynamic™ Extreme fabric that keeps you cool and comfortable.
- Stretch-woven coverage fits and flatters, and a softly brushed interior pulls sweat from your skin.
- Stain and water-resistant, this white breech sheds light dirt and rain with ease.
- Contrasting GripSoft™ (full seat or knee patch) provides a secure, mid-level grip to disguise dirt and saddle marks, while balancing in-saddle security and freedom of movement.
- Phone-friendly front pockets, 2-inch waistband, belt loops, and a two-snap front fly elevate this modern style.
"Soft, comfortable, and they wash well! Spray them with a stain guard to keep them nice and bright!"
- Kerrits Customer Rebecca
GripTek II™ Breech
Best for Boosting Confidence
- With an unparalleled "tight in the tack" feeling, these are the stickiest full seat white breeches on the market. No wonder these are our most popular white breeches for eventing.
- GripTek™ sticky seat breeches keep you secure and connected whether you're galloping toward that spooky table on cross-country or trotting down centerline for your dressage test.
- Contrasting black seat delivers coverage you can be confident about in the show ring or out on course.
- Stain-resistant Dynamic™ Extreme stretch-woven fabric is durable and beautiful, while the Coolmax lining is perforated for breathability.
- White breeches with pockets are far more useful, so this pant features roomy front pockets for your phone and other small essentials.
- One of the only white side zip full seat breeches on the market, this breech features a hidden side zipper that meshes function and fashion.
"These are my new lucky show whites—I jumped double clear in them!"
GripTek™ II Full Seat Riding Breech
$129.00
Full seat breeches with the stickiest seat that adheres you into the saddle. The GripTek™ full seat delivers maximum, confidence-boosting grip that frees riders to soar. This grippy breech is beloved by eventers on cross-country as an aid for sticking… read more
Still Balking at White Breeches?
We understand many equestrians may still be weary of light colored breeches. While we continue pushing for more show ring color inclusivity, Kerrits helps you make white breeches as manageable and enjoyable as possible.
Here are few ways to boost your confidence about new colors.
Prioritize Coverage: Choose a breech with superior coverage, like our Crossover II® or GripTek II™ styles.
Update Your Underwear: Consider investing in high-quality, nude-color equestrian undergarments that minimize pantylines.
Always Be Prepared: Add a stain fighting stick, stain guard spray, and a spare pair of breeches to your show packing list.
Select Full Seat: Opting for white full seat riding breeches adds visual contrast (in texture or color) in the areas many women are most self-conscious. White breeches with black full seat panels offer the most coverage.
Change Your Tone: If white breeches ultimately aren't for you, don't worry. Each of the Kerrits breeches featured in this post also come in Sand—a subtle alternative for your show ring outfit.
Change Your Mindset: A trained mindset coach can help you reframe negative thoughts and insecurities pertaining to all aspects of your show experience—including personal appearance.
Canter On With Confidence
Whether you're new to light-colored breeches, or upgrading your show whites, Kerrits offers silhouettes, fabrics, and grips to fit and flatter every rider. Though white breeches come with unique challenges, they also coordinate with every color horse and express the pride you take in your show turnout.
We'd love to hear what you think of our white breech collection, so please comment on this blog post or leave a review on our website to let us know what you'd like to see next!
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