Women’s equestrian style has come a long way since the traditional riding habits of the mid-17th Century.
Rather than tailored jackets and chemises on top of restricted corsets with long, heavy petticoats, contemporary equestrian clothing for women no longer differs much from men’s.
Typically, professional horseriders will don stretchy, stylish riding breeches with special riding boots and a perfectly tailored jacket – the length of which differs depending on the competition and style of riding. Tailoring is ergonomically cut to allow for effortless jumps while looking competition-ready.
While equestrian clothing represents a highly specific form of sporting attire, traditional riding habits have long been the influence behind contemporary preppy styles hot off the catwalk. Ralph Lauren is famed for its All-American ranch aesthetics, while British luxury labels like Burberry have mastered the art of Member’s Club-esque outerwear.
Whether traditional or avant-garde, the tailored riding jacket has become synonymous with society’s upper echelons while representing a rugged and outdoorsy aesthetic.
Barbour, which was otherwise a utilitarian outwear brand reserved for countryside folk, has become a high-fashion staple and a permanent resident in department stores like Harrods and Selfridges. Collaborations with the likes of Scandinavian designer Ganni have additionally made those traditional waxed jackets more coveted than ever.
With autumn on the approach, there’s no better time to invest in a classic fitted riding jacket. We’ve curated the best equestrian-style outwear options for the coming seasons below.
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Barbour Annandale Quilted Jacket
Master of English outerwear, Barbour has become synonymous with countryside fashion. Utilitarian and wonderfully stylish, the brand may be best known for its weatherproof waxed jacket offering, but it’s also home to a selection of contemporary quilted options which embrace casual riding-style silhouettes.
The Annandale Quilted Jacket combines an ever-so-slightly feminine cut with a boxy finish for supreme comfort. It’s available in navy and olive and has a lovely corduroy collar.
Buy now £119.00, ASOS
Barbour Women's Beauly Waxed Jacket
The Beauly jacket has a more relaxed A-line fit and a weatherproof 6oz waxed cotton finish. Though more oversized than traditional riding jackets, it offers a wonderfully warming and casual silhouette complete with two handwarmer pockets and an inner storm skirt.
Buy now £289.00, Very
Patchwork Herringbone Tweed Blazer
Ralph Lauren has always taken a high-octane, luxury approach to quotidian preppy fashion. With a slightly equestrian-style slim fit, this tweed patchwork blazer offers effortless elegance. It’s designed to hit at the lower hip and features notch lapels, shoulder pads, a Blackwatch plaid undercollar and a two-button silhouette.
Buy now £1199.00, Ralph Lauren
Ariat Sausalito Coat
Are American riding jackets more your style? If so, Ariat is set to be your brand of choice from now on. The Sausalito Coat is a versatile dual-material riding jacket which is half ethical woollen blend, half recycled and insulated nylon. We love the Western-style hand-cut fringe on the lapels.
Buy now £220.00, Ariat
Mint Velvet Brown Distressed Wax Cotton Blend Jacket
A slightly more affordable Barbour-inspired wax jacket, this distressed option from Mint Velvet features a classic corduroy collar and matching roll-up sleeves. It’s also equipped with double flap pockets, as well as a dual-fastening system of pop-buttons and a secure zip.
Buy now £185.00, Mint Velvet
Joules Fieldcoat Luxe
Perfect for winter walks and riding lessons, the Fieldcoat Luxe by Joules features warming tweed hues inspired by the British countryside. The hardwearing and durable tweed is complemented by a removable inner gilet which can be worn alone during warmer weather, which means you get two pieces of outerwear for the price of one. The faux fur collar is also detachable.
Buy now £299.00, Joules
Lacoste Water-Repellent Quilted Golf Jacket
Though technically referred to as a golf jacket, this versatile piece of athleisure by Lacoste makes a brilliant riding-style jacket. It’s made with opulent quilted taffeta and can be worn no matter the weather thanks to the water-repellent finish.
Buy now £210.00, Lacoste
Finisterre Women's Firecrest Hooded Jacket
A slightly sportier riding-style jacket which can be worn from work to the mountains and beyond, the Firecrest Hooded jacket has been designed with active, on-the-go adventurers in mind. Named after the UK’s lightest bird, it’s an essential and packable layering piece which is suitable for all seasons.
Buy now £165.00, Finisterre
Holland CooperTweed Riding Jacket Glen Green
For a competition-ready riding jacket, look no further than Holland Cooper. Crafted from the finest Scottish tweed and ergonomically cut in a fitted style, this stylish show jacket is complete with subtle horn buttons and a lovely blue suede collar detail.
Buy now £399.00, Holland Cooper
Fairfax & Favor Madeline Jacket
Experts in preppy girl chic, Fairfax & Favor is the go-to destination for St Andrews alums and Sloane Square dwellers. Crafted from Melton wool, the uber-stylish and sophisticated Madeline jacket features a flattering tailored fit with a twill stretch lining and military-style buttons.
Buy now £365.00, Fairfax & Favor
