vest questions

[Sares]

I read Trot all the time. couldn't find these questions in a search. I bought a plain navy suit that came with a pretty reversible vest, but i find it kind of boring, and not very noticeable from far away. i decided to go look at the fabric store and make my own vest--something that pops out a little better, because i have such a conservative suit. so my questions are: does anything go, or is there some vest law i should adhere to? i'm pretty confident in my sense of fashion, but i don't want to look like a clown! I'll just be showing at local open shows.

i'm mainly interested in it being bright and fun. Everything in catalogs and websites seems to be plaid, plain, or monochromatic. i'd like to stick with a fabric that only has one to three colors, and something textured instead of smooth or shiny, but how crazy can i get? if i go with a multi-color pattern do i need to stick with plaids? of all the fabrics that caught my attention, the plaids and plains were my least favorites, but i'd do it if the other designs weren't acceptable and i really liked the colors. how important is it to compliment the color of the horse? or is that really for suits and day coats?

Also, the patterns i bought include a regular vest as well as a halter type vest. is there any reason i shouldn't do the halter vest? would the V be too narrow? i remember showing as a kid when they allowed us to take our jackets off because of the heat. do they do that for adults? thats the only reason i can think of to hesitate using the halter vest.

Anything i'm not thinking of, as far as this venture goes, would be appreciated too! and i haven't forgotten about ties.

[ASaddleSeatLife4Me]

I am so into lavender w/ navy right now, and a purple/lavender/pink pattern type tie. Put that on a white shirt, or a very light pink pinstripe and it would be very pretty. I'd also consider silk dupioni for a vest. It is iridescent and completely posh in the ring!

[Jrchloe]

The only halter vest I know of is a formal white vest that is only worn with a tux so for an informal suit I would stick with the regular vest. I would also stick with the colors that look best on you but I love a white vest with a horse with a white face. You can get a little crazy with the colors but I would keep it classy and elegant.

[rider]

I make several different vests a year and I've found the best source for material is not always in the garment section but in the upholstery and drapery section. The silks tend to be a little weightier, there are lots of textured fabrics, and in general more interesting fabrics. Unless you're showing in equitation, I should think you can choose something other than boring solids. I've seen a brown leopard vest with a brown daycoat, cream shirt and brownish tie. The colors were all in the same family, but the leopard made it fun. I also saw a light blue silk vest embroidered with flowers worn under a bronzy tan coat and I thought it was very beautiful and different without being clownish.
The thing to remember when sewing your vest is to make sure the top button is in the right place--some patterns are cut too low, and that the points in front are close together and long enough to show under your coat.

[3kidsandahorse]

I would think anything would go as well. Remember, the vest that shows under your coat (I won't touch the subject of "coats optional"!) is not that much--maybe 4" at the most--so go for something bold and textured. The shirt and tie will either brighten it up or tone it down, so have fun! :clap:

I just got a shiny lavender vest to go with my black suit, so I'm with ya on the color, 4me! :scooter:

There's lots of threads (Thunderstruck and vlayne are 2 of our resident seamstresses) about doing the pattern right. Basically you have to cannibalize a used vest to get the pattern right, or know someone who has already altered a pattern. You would think that as many people as make their own vests, someone would make a pattern that worked. :cursing:

Let us know what you pick!

[Dixieana]

I like all of the suggestions above, but wanted to add my 2 cents as well. I bought a new shirt/vest/tie ensemble at Louisville last year. The shirt is french blue with a small white stripe. The vest is a bright salmon pink with a little texture in the fabric. The tie is pretty wild - light blue base with navy criss-crosses and small pink and red flowers inside the criss-crosses. I originally bought it to wear with black, but it looks even better with navy. I'm sure whatever you decide on will look great.

Anne

[asbmagic]

I have a navy suit and to spice it up without being drastic I have a light blue show seasons vest with a tie that is light blue and mint green, kind of irradecent (sp). The key to the vest is the material it is made of! It has a very high sheen to it and texture too. I wear a white shirt with faint light blue pinstriping too. I know light blue sounds boring but as previously stated the key is the material of which it is constructed. Your vest and tie gives the final "POP" to your suit!!!

[Daisygirl]

JMO, of course, but if you wear any kind of animal print on your horse, you're going to get noticed. And not in a good way.

[Sares]

i have a lavender shirt that goes well with the vest i have. very pretty together. last summer, (my first time back in the show ring in a long time,) i didn't wear that combo because i never found a tie that looked good. i just did a white shirt with the navy side of the vest and a maroon tie. boring! i need to at least find a tie for the lavender and reverse side of the vest, to spice me up a little. however, my horse is very orange/red and i'd prefer a more orange/gold/green get up.

rider: the first place i headed in Joanne's was the upholstery fabrics! i loved them but thought they might be too bulky. now i know its still an option, thanks! and i know how i want to do my living room too :rockon:

i had a concern that the vest patterns at the sewing store are different than what we need for a riding habit. i have a better attention to detail than my mom, who says "oh, who's going to see it, its pretty much hidden in your coat!" my moms idea was to find a vest that is right (at good will, or from an old suit,) detach the front of it, and sew a new front on with what i want. i just thought the halter vest would be easier to make than a regular vest, and i could get all different kinds of fabrics and switch it up whenever i get bored. i don't like the look of going into the show ring w/o a coat, but i have to say, if its too scorchingly hot, and everybody else is, i would. but like i said, i don't even know if they allow that for adults.

the color scheme i went looking for was a rust orange with light blue to tie it in with the navy, like on the suits page at victor layne, or a yellow, like the park avenue ladies' vest by reed hill (but with more texture,) at national bridle shop, because i think they would look good on my horse. but i suppose a navy suit is like blue jeans--you can wear anything with it? i found so many more fabrics i like, that weren't what i went in searching for.

was not planning on animals prints. i think i'd prefer one color with different hues. i'm kinda new to this so thanks for all the suggestions! how do we feel about florals? too wallpaperish? i found one thats a very neutral beige base with a blue or orange stitched flower design. i just don't know if it would make a good vest.

decisions, decisions!