Showmanship Attire

When presenting yourself in a showmanship class well fitting, but not tight fitting is always a winner. Pants in the legs should have a an inch to pinch in the legs so they can fall stright down away from leg and always consider a boot cut or stright leg instead of taper. A taper leg will tend to make you look shorter and the hips larger.

Showmanship pants do not require a belt so consider having pants made without the loops to prevent a catch at the waist that will fight the natural line of the jacket to hang properly.

A lot of debate rages on about jacket length. I always tell my clients that fashion will change every season, but a flattering jacket will be like that little black dress that never goes out of style. If you have a flat tummy and lovely hips and thighs then wear a shorter jacket, waist length (still cover the belt line), but beware on the style! If you are long in the torso and short in the leg you will look off in the porportions, in an I can't put my finger on what's not quite right, but something doesn't fit kind of way. Equal length on top and bottom are a winner for this style as well as the long leggy shower.

A hip length jacket of a winner for anyone. This jacket should be square at the shoulders, come into the waist, and skim the hips and buttocks. If the jacket gives that same inch to pinch on the hips it will fall natural off the butoocks and make the rear view smaller, and a prettier line from the top neck.

Finally, the collar. The collar is always the hardest to get someone to understand. Fashion should not dictate the collar in Showmanship, but the shower should. If you are able to have your back line striaght up, chin high with shoulders relaxed. and stretch the neck up the you should go to the mandarin collar. This collar is less fabric and harder to make, but it will give you that face, neck and back support that will have more that not getting you the double and triple look when the judge is writting on their score card. The pointed collar is perfect if your still working on squaring the back, (if you round your shoulders), look down when moving. The extra fabric will support your line and hide minor flaws in posture that you're still working on. When in doubt ask your trainer what to hide and what to show, or take a video of you showing and be honest about your presence.

Boots should match the pants, if you can't get custom dyeing done then if the pants are dark black, red, dark blue, dark green, etc. go with black boots and if the pants are lighter in color, turquoise, brown, lighter orange, pinks, etc. go with brown boots. Have the boots match the hat! This will prevent shrinking the size of the shower and complete the look.

When I'm making custom outfits for my clients I always watch them move, talk to the trainer, and the client. If a happy medium can be met you are going to look and feel like a winner before even walking into the arena!