AQHA March April 2016 Magazine | Page 28

starched cotton, or a full tilt showgirl who wants all the jewels and fancy trims you can encrust your show top within the pen. Don’t overlook the accessories and details that pair with your top: pretty necklaces, earrings and scarves all add personal touches to your presentation and give you a chance to set yourself apart from the crowd. Don’t be afraid to use large accessories remember they’ll appear small from a distance so ‘dress for the stage’ for a successful look. Showmanship and Halter classes will have most showgirls in a suit presentation, or at least a shapely shirt. Again, video your look to make sure it shows off your smooth moves and colourfully harmonises with your horse. Have your suit pants hemmed offset, longer at the heels, to fall nicely over boots, and take extra care with makeup since you’ll be closer to the judge than in riding classes. Western Dressage is spreading like wildfire, and many people are unsure what to wear in these exciting new individual performance classes. Expect to see both Western Pleasure inspired outfits and those with a hint of history borrowed from bolero jackets and working western looks. Vests are also great in this event, as they present a trim figure but allow freedom of movement riding two handed. Stylish looks for 2016 feature fancy fabrics, reflective trims, and careful tailoring to create a slenderising look i