Showmanship Shirt

Are you in the market for a new showmanship shirt or outfit? In the world of horse show fashion, showmanship outfits offer plenty of room for creativity with color and pattern choice.

The western discipline in general is known for being flashy when it comes to show clothing. In showmanship, the shirt portion of the outfit is where most of the color and sparkle is.

The pants portion of the outfit usually blends with the base color chosen for the shirt. Since a showmanship class is about precision and sharpness, the outfit has to also play the part.

Below we will be looking at the showmanship shirt and the importance for proper color and pattern selection along with fitting.

Color

Choosing the right color for your showmanship outfit is very important. Not only do you have to consider what looks good on you, you have to consider what looks good on your horse. Not that your horse will be wearing the clothing, but the colors you choose need to compliment your horse since you'll be standing next to him in the class.

Before spending the money on a showmanship shirt or outfit, take some time and figure out a color scheme that works for both of you. It may also be a good idea to look around at a horse show at other exhibitors.

Fashion rules do dictate that you never want to show up to the show with the exact same shirt someone else has. You run a higher risk of doing this if you buy your clothing off the rack at a tack shop.

Looking at what others have on can be an inspiration for your next outfit.

The most common color is black for showmanship outfits. Black is an easy color to mix with almost any color and pattern combo. It is a more traditional choice to go with, however you may end up blending in too much with the rest of the crowd.

If you are looking at other color choices for a showmanship shirt, first take a step back and get a mental shot of your horse. In this visual what color is your horse's base coat?

If you are standing and looking at a sorrel or chestnut horse you may want to avoid warm colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows. A chestnut or sorrel horse usually does not look the best placed next to these brighter shades. Instead you may want to balance your horse out a bit with a cooler shade such as a green or blue. Earth tones also work very well with this coat color.

If you are standing and looking at a bay or black horse you have a little more freedom. You can usually get away with both warm and cool colors. You may want to avoid darker colors though. You could easily blend into your horse with a too much black or navy. If you have a darker base with lots of color patterned throughout your showmanship shirt you should be fine.

If you are at all unsure about your color choice bring a few swatches of material to the barn and place near your horse.

Pattern

In the same glimpse you take at a horse show to find the right color, you may get an eye-full of the patterns on showmanship shirts these days. The designs on the shirt and jackets you see in the show ring are ever changing each year.

A select few set a trend and others follow. You don't have to follow what everyone else is doing, you may even want to stand out a little bit. How can you do this?

The best way to pick out a unique pattern and get it on a shirt is to work with someone who can custom make your clothing. This may not be the most cost effective method, but it is the best way to ensure a unique style and fit for the show ring.

Some patterns can help hide flaws or accentuate positives. Make sure the pattern that you choose does not draw attention to any area you may not want the attention.

Patterns can be made out of a variety of materials such as leather, crystals, rhinestone, and other fabrics. The possibilities for color and sparkle are endless. Here is where you can design your perfect outfit that has not yet been seen in any show ring.

Fit

When deciding on a showmanship shirt, fit is also high on the list of importance. You want something that fits well on you both while standing and while moving. Think about the various maneuvers you have to complete during a showmanship pattern.

Both the shirt and the pants should not be either too large or too small. Finding a good fit can be a little more challenging if you are buying from a tack shop, catalog, or used.

A showmanship shirt that is too large will draw unwanted attention to certain areas due to the extra movement of the fabric. A shirt that is too small will emphasize areas you may want to remain hidden.

An extra tight fit is also not very comfortable for practicing and completing a pattern. Again think of the various pieces that go into a pattern. You may also spend some time warming up your horse reviewing bits and pieces of a pattern multiple times.

A great idea to find your perfect fit is to start shopping for a showmanship outfit in the store. This will give you the opportunity to try on the different colors and patterns along with an idea of what fits.

Having a solid understanding of specific measurements will also come in handy. It will help determine if something will fit without having the chance to try it on first, such as catalog orders or buying off the internet.

Important areas of the showmanship shirt for fitting are waist, bust, and arms. You want to make sure the main piece of fabric fits around both the waist and the bust comfortably. No gapping or puckering should occur through the shirt.

The sleeves of the showmanship shirt should reach at least to your wrist. Ideally you may want your sleeves to reach the base of your hand. You should be carrying yourself with a bend in both elbows through the pattern. Your sleeves must be long enough to cover to your wrist with this bend in your arms.

Fit, color, and pattern are all important when shopping for the right showmanship outfit.

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