Product Review: Goode Rider Jean Full Seat Breeches & Henley Shirt

A solid synthesis between function and fashion.

Even for those of us who are fashion-challenged. Morgane Schmidt takes ’em for a spin.

(c) Goode Rider

Hello Horse Nation! It’s time for another product review. This time I’m going to review some clothing from Goode Rider. When I was initially presented with this opportunity, I was super excited, but I was also a little bit apprehensive.

Goode Rider clothes are known for being cute and fashionable, and to put it mildly, I’m not a particularly fashionable individual. To quote the late, great Gilda Radner, “I base my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch [or creep up, or chafe, or cling to unsightly bulges…].” You get the idea.

I’m also not particularly svelte or easy to fit (the latter is mostly because I’m insanely picky about how things fit). I’m 5’7″ (if generously measured) and 155lbs (on a good day). While I’m not a beast, I’m also not waif thin and I certainly have my fair share of bulges I’d prefer to avoid highlighting. (I could post some bikini shots for those of you who are doubtful, but I’ll refrain since this is the internet and I’d prefer those not come back to haunt me at a later date.)

Given all this I tend to stick to clothes that I know are solidly functional and comfortable while forgoing any attempt at looking stylish. While this has proven pretty effective, it’s not nearly as much fun. Plus, as someone who actually came from a professional background that required dressing up and wearing makeup, I also believe in the idea that you should dress for confidence (because it actually works).

So when the package from Goode Rider arrived I was determined to give dressing more fashionably a chance even if it perhaps wasn’t as comfortable as my normal clothes.

Imagine how stoked I was when I tried on the breeches and shirt and they were not only stylish but also flattering AND comfortable. Seriously, how often do those stars align? (Hint: Less often than unicorn sightings.)

Of course making a somewhat vague statement like that tells you little to nothing useful so let me break it down for each piece.

Henley Shirt:

Will and I schooling in our Goode Rider gear.

This shirt is made of a silky, technical fabric that wicks moisture and seems to repel dirt (as much as any shirt really can). The shirt features 3/4 sleeves, a v-neck, and artsy embroidery. It comes in a fun punch color and a sophisticated navy.

Style wise this shirt is just ridiculously elegant and sophisticated, especially for a barn shirt. The weight of the fabric is quite nice; it’s got some stretch but also a bit of weight to it so it doesn’t cling to every imaginable bulge or imperfection. Additionally, the fabric seems to hold its shape well throughout the day as well as after being washed. The cut of the shirt is also flattering in that it’s cut a bit longer so that it creates a nice, long silhouette while also hitting just far enough past your hips to avoid adding any emphasis to the area. Being a 12-year-old-pretending-to-be-an-adult, I also loved the bright punch color that the shirt comes in.

This is the embroidery on the front. It’s beautifully done and really adds to the over all look.

This is the detail on the back of the shirt.

And finally, this is the embroidery on the back, bottom of the shirt.

Function wise this shirt rates with the best of them. Though the fabric feels much more luxurious than one would expect from a technical fabric, it still performed like one. The first day I tested out the shirt it was pretty warm here in the desert and surprisingly, even with the 3/4 sleeves, I wasn’t at all hot. Additionally, being queen of getting filthy within seconds of exiting my car, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this shirt didn’t seem to attract dirt, hay, hair, and all those other fun things I collect at the barn. Fit wise I feel that the shirt fits quite well, though I would note that I think the sizing generally runs a bit small. In this shirt I wear an XL and in most others I’m a L. I do like things to fit a bit more loosely though, so that should also be taken into account.

Overall I really, really like this shirt. It wears well, is functional, and actually looks good on me despite me not being a model.

This shirt normally retails for $79 but is on sale at the moment for $55.30 on Goode Rider’s website; you should definitely check it out!

Equestrian Jean Full Seat Breeches in Grey Denim

Will and I schooling before a show last weekend. It’s very rare for me to ride in different breeches when away, mostly because I like things to feel ‘normal.’ But these felt instantly broken in.

These breeches are made in a soft, stretchy denim that has quite a bit of give but also maintains its shape well (meaning these don’t feel restrictive or look like you’ve been crammed into them, but they’re also not baggy or frumpy). The full seat is made of an ultra suede and is super comfortable to wear, with no binding or awkward diaper feeling. The cut on these is a modified mid rise, so it is high enough you’re not going to risk mooning anyone but not so high that it doubles as an aid to your sports bra.

Those of you who read my Knixwear review know I have issues with underwear and pants. I spend 12+ hours a day in my breeches and since I’ve found breeches that I love, I’m not too keen on mixing it up and trying others since doing so generally means I’ll spend all day being irritated about what my pants are, or are not, doing. Noting that, I was quite pleased with these breeches because from the first time I wore them they were so comfortable that I put them on and promptly forgot about them (which is a great thing). These are honestly the only other pair of breeches I actually ride in right now.

Style wise these are solidly chic. They actually look like a nice pair of skinny jeans. The embellishment on the back pockets is a nice touch that manages to be attractive while avoiding the possibility of scuffing up your saddle. I also love the grey denim color which matches most shirts well, camouflages quite a bit of dirt, and manages to be much cooler than black breeches.

I’ve pretty much covered their functionality above, but I’ll just reiterate that these are extremely comfortable to ride in as well as walk around and teach in. Regarding fit, I feel that unlike the shirt, these breeches seemed to run pretty true to size.

The Denim Full Seat breeches are available on Goode Rider’s website for $189.00.

As noted above this was my first time trying any of Goode Rider’s breeches or shirts (though I do have a dressage coat by them that’s absolutely lovely), and I must say that I really like their stuff. While I’m still pretty lacking in the fashion department, after this experience, I feel a little more inclined to at least explore my options a bit and I’ll definitely be looking at a few other apparel items from Goode Rider.

If you’ve not already, check out their Facebook Page and for more information on their products, their upcoming product lines, and their company, visit their webpage.

Go Riding AND Avoid Looking Like a Hobo!

Morgane Schmidt Gabriel is a 31-year-old teacher/artist/dressage trainer/show announcer/ who still hasn’t quite decided what she wants to be when she grows up. A native Floridian, she now lives in Reno, NV, where she’s been able to confirm her suspicion that snow is utterly worthless. Though she has run the gamut of equestrian disciplines, her favorite is dressage. She was recently able to complete her USDF bronze and silver medals and is currently working on her gold. Generally speaking her life is largely ruled by Woody, a 14.2 hand beastly quarter horse, Willie, a now gawky 5-year-old Dutch gelding, and Stormy, her friend’s nearly all white paint gelding with a penchant for finding every mud hole and pee spot in existence. Visit her website at www.theideaoforder.com.