Riding Aside - In Costume

Pirates Side Saddle

One of the things I wanted to do when riding side saddle was to compete in the classes dedicated to historical costume. After all, I love riding and I love dressing up! 

Searching through e-bay in early 2010 I found a costume which immediately caught my attention. It was green velvet and made in the military style of the King's Rifles - fans of the TV series Sharpe (and Bernard Cornwell's books) will instantly know what I mean.

The King's Rifles became well known during the Napoleonic wars. Muskets were the usual firearm, but the rifle had just been invented - it was, to put it mildly, in the right hands a lethal, accurate weapon (unlike the musket which was highly inaccurate)

 Les Topham-Brown Photography

Later, the Kings Rifles became the King's Royal Rifles Corps - The KRRC.  My grandad was in this regiment, so being a Sharpe fan, falling for that rich green velvet colour and my family connection - I had to get the costume.

It fitted well, although I had the jacket altered a bit snugger around the shoulders, to stop it bunching up.

When I compete I also wear my Grandad's regimental badge - I think he would have been proud of me.

The costume is not historically accurate - but the classes I compete in are all about elegance, not accuracy. I describe it as "Imagine the wife of a King's Rifles' Officer tagging along with the army through Portugal. She would, perhaps, adopt the unique "Green Jackets" style, but adapt it for something more feminine and elegant."

see my diary below to find out how I got on in actual competition!

I also have a new costume - a Colonial mid 1700's gown. 

I saw it while competing at the Annual Side Saddle Association Show in Buckinghamshire. It was displayed on a costume stall and Mum and I thought it looked beautiful. There was no price tag or size on it though - and no one manning the stall, so we had to wait to ask about it until the next day.

The price was reasonable (£200) the fit.... ? The woman who made it said she'd found the material and pattern a while back and just had to make the gown; but she had absolutely no idea why she made it in the size she did because, "No one is that size"

A size 10.

I'm a size 10.

 As you can see, I think it was definitely made for me!

It is a Blue and White Vintage fabric, Conran V & A gown, drop front, laced and boned cut to a pattern of circa 1760/80.

The pattern is of stylized tulips and other flowers - perfect for the period of the American Colonies which were heavily influenced by Dutch design.

The hat is of genuine Colonial style - and actually comes from Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia USA.
The Kerchief is a simple lawn style, with blue ribbon for lacing the "stomacher" (the front part of the gown)

The lace on the sleeves and for the hat is called needle or tatted lace and is of an open type lacework which gives a delicacy to compliment the gown, and is in character with the period. Lace, in the 1700's was a highly prized commodity and was one of the items often smuggled as contraband.

 Les Topham-Brown Photography

The gloves are genuine Victorian hand crotched lace. Although of a later period, the style did not change all that much, so they are perfectly in keeping.

I find it exhilarating to actually be wearing something that was hand made well over 100 years ago!

The hat is a flat straw type, dressed in blue ribbon. It comes direct from a haberdashery store in Colonial Williamsburg! All I have to find now are some old hatpins to keep it on with.

Underneath I wear Victorian style ankle-length bloomers and a Victorian style white cotton petticoat.

My boots are black leather lace-up riding boots.





 photo Les Topham-Brown Photography

Side saddle can also be fun 

- especially the Fancy Dress Class!

Scroll down for my diary on learning to ride side saddle!