Breeches--sizes and shrinking

[Kris]

Hello! I'm new at this, and I have sort of a breech dilemma: I bought a pair of Devon Aire Women's Cool Cotton breeches online but when I got them they felt really tight--not unbearable but pretty uncomfortable. The website said to order one size larger for a "more relaxed fit" so I exchanged the old pair for one size larger. The new pair is pretty baggy--not form-fitting at all . Can someone tell me how breeches are supposed to fit? Also, has anyone had any experience with how much they shrink? Thanks!!

[Tammy]

Hope you have better luck than I! My size 28 are pretty form fitting after shrinking (but still okay) so I ordered a 30 for a more relaxed fit. They bag, even after shrinking.

[floppy]

when washed my breeches are close fitting but after walking around in them for 10mins or something they loosen up and tend to be a bit slack....
however i have just bought a new pair of breeches that are beign sent back to the factory for a correction to the waist band because the fastenings on the waist are 1cm too tight and the next size up is TOO big...
its a pain to find riding trousers to fit me...i would never dare buy them online..everything esle i would but not riding trousers...
i went to a big store that stocks ALOT of riding trousers and tried on practically everythign until i found a pair that fits...
it depends what fabric they are made out of as to how much they will stretch and shrink when washed/worn. i was talking to a lady the other day that just spent over £100 on a pair of riding trousers but the next size up was far too big and the size she bought is too small on the waist so she rides with the waist undone....which in that case i think is a waste of money.
cotton breeches shouldnt shrink much if anything a cm or so...
if i were you i would either go to a riding store and try a few brands on to see which fit...some will fit you nicely others wont fit at all...once you find a brand that fits you you can then look on the net to see a larger selection or something...also i fyou buy them with longer legs then the shrinking upwards wont matter....
oooh sorry this is soo long....

[KarinUS]

Hi,
I have washed my breeches a couple of times, but <u>never</u> put them in the dryer.
They haven't shrunken one bit.
The are called Pytchley Aquator Extended Knee Patch and are usually pretty pricey (US$120), but I got them on close out for $75. Maybe they are made from better material (non-shrinking) since they cost a bit more than Devon Aires?
I did have them altered for $10 in the waist because I got a big "behind" compared to my waist. Everything fit but the waist band stuck out 2 inches in the back.
Now they fit perfect. Definitely worth it.
Maybe it's like with jeans were different brands fit different people/shapes better. If you have a tack shop in town you could try different brands and see what suits you!
If you wash and dry them as recommended by the manufacturer, quality breeches really shouldn't shrink permanently.
:)

[Kerry's Partner!!]

Greetings from Oxfordshire. I'm pleased someone dared post the original thread. I too would like someone to explain in great detail how they're supposed to feel and fit. I find that the one's I'm most comfortable with "on the ground" need hitching up at the thigh considerably in order that I can sit on my three seat bones at all. Could those who are "experts" on the site please advise us? For example, where exactly should the reinforced bit on the inside leg be??? And......, where should the seams and velcro bits be???

[floppy]

i think the most comfy breeches are the ones made of 96% cotton adn 4% elasticy stuff
the vlcro bits at the botton of your legs depends as to whethe ryou get a logn fit or not..my old breeches i got 2 yrs ago the velcro comes to above my ankle and my new ones it comes to below my ankle because the store now stocks extra long legged ones.
a good think to try when tryign on breeches is to crouch down...or squat even and if they feel tight or uncomfortable naywhere try the next size up..its best to go a larger store that has more of a selection of makes because every make varies...th eonyl make that fits me good is cavallo and they can be quite expensive but believe me i have tried EVERYTHING and this brand is the only one i can find a good size successfully!!
they shoudl feeel comfortbale..they should allow you too move but too big a size will be uncomfortbale to ride in. the reinforced bit should sit along the inside of your knee ...so you knee shoudl be almost central with the middle of the reinforced bit if you look in amagzine or something with someone actually wearing jodhpurs/breeches you will see how they should fit...actually in this months horse nad rider there is an article on different types of breeches tried and tested!!
the seams usually go down the outside of your leg..have i left aything out or do you need more detail?

[Kris]

Thanks for the advice everyone--lesson learned: Don't buy things like breeches online because returning them over and over will cost you about the same as going to the store!! Well, hopefully I'll find a pair that fits. The search continues...:rolleyes: