When designing this year’s outfit, why not go for one of the leading trends of 2013? Available in all shapes, scales and colors, fashionistas everywhere have been trading in their boring basics for something fiercer – animal prints. More popular than ever, animal prints have been seen all over this year’s catwalks as designers – including DvF, Burbury, and Roberto Cavalli – have put a new modern spin on this timeless trend.

In fact, according to the Chinese Zodiac, this year is the Year of the Snake, so it’s definitely not just coincidence that serpent-inspired fashion has slithered its way onto runways everywhere. From classic leopard to snakeskin – in both traditional and non-traditional colors – explore your own wild side and try wearing this trend in the show ring by incorporating printed or sequin animal print fabrics into your western outfit! Or, Show Season also offers stunning imprinted or laser created leathers that are simulated to look like snake, crocodile, lizard, etc.. Play with these beautiful fabrics and leathers – perhaps creating a bold animal print western shirt, or taking a more subtle approach by using an animal print as decoration on the trim of your chaps or saddle pad, or even wearing animal print boots. The potential for chic-ness is endless!

As fab as this trend is though, to avoid any fashion faux pas, only wear one piece of animal print clothing at a time, and never mix more than one of these prints. While animal print is chic when worn in moderation, one piece is enough to make a statement, and more than one will make a bad one. Likewise, do not mix too many colors while wearing these fierce prints. Instead, the key is to go with one animal print item and build around it.

Another posh fashion trend to embrace this year is emerald! Chosen as Pantone’s color of the year, emerald is “a lively, radiant, lush green… [that] enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight, as well as promoting balance and harmony.” What better way to show off your stylish fashion sense this show season than by wearing this sophisticated and luxurious jewel tone.

Also for those western fashionistas, don’t forget the bling! Show attire is very masculine, and so for women it can really be transformed when feminine qualities are added to it. And, as emerald is most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, emerald and crystals are a match made in western heaven.

Try combining all these trends by wearing an emerald animal print fabric as Show Season has done! Using a green, snake themed fabric, Show Season fashioned this trendy slithering western shirt. And to make it sparkle, they embellished the shirt with hand sewn large Swarovski crystals and emerald stones, in addition gold chain outlining; topping the look off with a crystal chocker.

I asked fashionable rider Leah Marie Miller – who also recently combined both these trends when designing her own green snake skin western shirt – her take on these 2013 styles:

As an embracer of the snakeskin trend, did you know 2013 was the Year of the Snake when you decided on this print for your western shirt, or did you have some other inspiration?

Leah: I had no clue about that when I ordered the shirt! When pulling the fabric my main goal was to find a print I liked that revolved around emerald green… The fact that it was an animal print was just a bonus!

What will you be pairing your snakeskin shirt with?

Leah: I will pair it with black custom Show Season chaps that are trimmed in green and champagne gold with all kinds of crystals.

Would you consider investing in any other animal prints?

Leah: Absolutely. One of my very favorite show shirts is another animal print that’s cream, black, and brown, with TONS of crystals. I have been National Champion twice in that shirt! 

Do you have any tips for how one should wear a trend like snakeskin in the show arena?

Leah: I think pulling off any trend whether you are in or out of the show ring is a combination of confidence and loving what you wear, combined with quality and craftsmanship in the clothing. For me, the more bling the better, and I tend to love feeling like a living disco ball!! I feel the most confident when I jog in the ring with a drape in my rein, and I am sparkling under the arena lights! But that is not the way all people love to dress. I think you just have to love what you are wearing and that is what enables people to pull off a look, whether it’s trendy or classic. I wear what “speaks” to me, as silly as that may sound, whether that’s something with animal print or crystals, or simply a crazy color choice. Wear what makes you feel like the best version of “you,” and pulling off a look like animal print is a breeze.

In your opinion, what does a piece of show clothing need to have design wise to really pop?

Leah: For me it’s about 2 things… Craftsmanship and crystals! A really well made piece of show clothing always stands out in the ring. I have been wearing only Show Season in the arena for over 20 years because of that. You can see the difference in quality as soon as someone enters the gate. And of course a lot of sparkle never hurts…

Fun and stylish, animal print and emerald are fashion trends that never go out of style, and, by wearing one (or both) in the show ring, you can make a bold and polished statement, as well as breathe life into dull outfits. Fashionable apparel that performs well, is comfortable, and fits great is what Show Season is all about; and with show stopping trends like these, which will continue to make a statement beyond spring and summer into fall and winter, they are worth investing in.

Over these years, going to Show Season has become an annual routine for my mom and me, as we always find time at Nationals to go hang out with Melissa and Patti, and pick out our new suits for next years show season. They are our “go to” place for everything that is chic, stylish, and embellished in show suit attire, and I am convinced that their special attention to detail has been a part of my success. Not only do their fabulous suits help me to pull off a complete presentation on my horses, but they make me feel more confident when I hit the show ring.

Moreover, as someone who not only has a deep love for horses, but for fashion as well, the entire event of picking out a new suit – getting fitted, choosing fabrics, trims, colors, designs, etc. – is almost too much fun, and Melissa and Patti go above and beyond to help and give their opinions. My absolute favorite part of the experience, however, comes a few weeks later when a package with a “Show Season” return address arrives in the mail that holds within it my dazzling new suit!

The whole process almost feels like magic! You decide on a few swatches, and then – POOF! – your custom-tailored suit appears on your doorstep. Never once, in my many years of going through this routine, did I get up from the Show Season table and actually think about all of the labor or other people that were involved in making one of my suits. Behind the scenes, nevertheless, is where the magic really happens. Here, there is a large number of people who are engaged in the development of bringing these materials to life in a garment, and, in this way, although when you get up from that table the work might seem over, it has just begun.

For 32 years now, Show Season has brought together the very best team from all over the county to deliver your garments in a timely fashion, and, outside of Melissa and Patti, they have continued to work with many of the same skilled tailors they started with all those years ago. This distinction has given Show Season the stability of quality and consistency that is a standard in all their garments. From a client’s perspective, it is easy to overlook all that goes into the process of creating our garments, as Show Season has mastered it’s art, and makes it appear effortless to the customer. Nonetheless, for this team – from sales reps, to suppliers, to tailors, to pressers – each handcrafted piece involves extensive labor and attention to detail.

The process begins after the materials have been meticulously chosen, when the dozens of measurements that are taken from the client (which ensure a uniquely exceptional fit every time) have to be converted into measurements for riding attire. Needless to say, these measurements are quite different from street wear, as the arms, legs and shoulders of a rider are in atypical positions other than just standing. After this has been completed, the creation of patterns, cutting, and sewing are then fulfilled for each garment; a process that involves HUNDERDS of hours. This is the ultimate in wardrobe investment, and, although it is no small task, the labor involved does make your suit look and feel that much more special, and gives it that WOW factor that Show Season is known for.

The end result is a suit that fits like a glove, is impeccably tailored, and is customized to your own unique fashionista style. Although, in truth, being perfectly outfitted won’t win you red roses, it is important for riders to be well turned out for the ring in order to make a good impression. As such, being beautifully dressed could make all the difference in the world, and, in a Show Season suit, you will at least feel like a champion before you ever even hit the show ring.

☆P.S. Be sure to check back for my new bi-monthly Blog posts, offering a client/amateurs perspective, as well as tips on showing and fashion!!

Tom Redmond with his four daughters at SHOW SEASON picking up their new western attire.  Proud Dad with Anna, Jong, Mei and Ping. This will be Anna’s first year in 14-17 and the triplets in walk/trot.  Good luck to everyone!

 GETTING HER WESTERN ON!

Beautiful photo of  outstanding Western attire.  Come see Show Season at the Region 7 Show, Scottsdale AZ, April 24-28.

WE HAVE SOMETHING OUTSTANDING FOR YOU TOO!

Regionals begin with Region 7, April 24-28, Scottsdale AZ  See you there.

Can You Name these two Riders?

Show Season opens in our “new” location at east end of the South hall. Our spectacular new fabrics and designs await you!