I had been meaning to get this written sooner but due to personal circumstances it got delayed…but better late than never hey? It’s been nearly two years since I’ve been to a proper show (Burghley 2019 I think?!) and I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to making up for lost time…whether spectating or working on a stand, I bloody love the shows…agricultural, horse trials, game fairs, you name it, I want to be there! And with Blair horse trials just around the corner and me already planning what to pack, I thought I might as well make it into a post. It can be a nightmare trying to decide what to wear as the Scottish weather always likes to be unpredictable and keep us on our toes (my last Blair visit ended in a mud bath after constant torrential rain). But it isn’t just the outfits and eventing that makes up the fun, the shopping is just as big a part of the weekend and I am definitely planning to splash the cash (well, what little I have left until payday).
The two main things I think are most important when dressing for Blair is to;
- Dress for the weather
- Dress for the occasion
As mentioned previously, dressing for the weather is easier said than done in Scotland but options and layering are key! If there’s a chance of rain I always make sure I either have a hood, hat or a brolly on hand just in case of any downpours…but if 2019 is anything to go by, you may just get a drenching whatever you do! The forecast for this year is looking better thankfully, with a bit of sun and hopefully some warmth so I will definitely be packing a couple of fedoras, sunglasses and SPF. However, the weather is not the only determining factor when it comes to my outfits and you should always take into consideration, your agenda for the day…X-country day is not the day for heels!
Comfort is key at the horse trials as, if you’re like me, you’ll be on the go all day. My go to outfit is pretty much always a shirt and skinny jeans and then I work everything else around that. I find it very difficult to find skinnies that fit as I have a small waist and larger thighs so always end up with them gaping at the top, or unable to get them up over my legs! However, my favourite jeans are actually the high waisted skinnies by F&F Tesco…I’ve got 3 pairs and they fit perfectly! They are also all black and the colour takes ages to start fading. I will admit though, my most recent pair aren’t as fitted and feel loose around my waist and legs (never thought I’d say that) so I don’t know if I got a dud pair or if they have changed the style…definitely worth a try though as they are amazing value for money. If you’re after a more high end option, get yourselves to Holland Cooper for a pair of their Jodhpur Jeans. At £99 they are pricey but are proper skinnies and are seriously flattering! Oliami will be stocking Holland Cooper at Blair this year as well as many other fabulous brands (including Fairfax and Favor).
As well as my staple jeans, I also need a staple shirt…or five. I have so many shirts in my wardrobe but I genuinely get wear out of all of them as they are just so versatile! You’ll most likely find me in stripes and at the moment my go to haunts are the likes of M&S and Next as they have a great variety of options and fit well. The latest addition to my wardrobe is this M&S Cotton Striped Shirt in Coral…it is oversized so I sized down and it looks great, I love the colour and it’s also super lightweight so perfect for the warmer weather. I also love this white and blue striped shirt from Next as it’s slightly heavier but still a loose, relaxed fit which is what I go for. It also comes in tan and white and I am seriously tempted add this to my collection as well…can you ever have too many shirts? Asking for a friend. Although…as well as striped shirts, I am also very partial to a classic white offering. This Oversized Cotton Shirt from Holland Cooper is seriously stylish and will bring a touch of understated elegance to any outfit (as long you keep it clean that is). I’ve also been lusting after the shirts from Beaufort & Blake and have recently placed an order for the Whitcombe Aqua Linen Shirt which I managed to find it the sale (Squeal)! I’m really hoping it arrives before I leave for Blair as it will be perfect…as long as it fits!
I’m hoping this year I might even be able to pull out a dress, something I haven’t done since summer 2019! Personally I prefer a shorter dress with some sort of jacket on top…this way it doesn’t get in the way and I don’t have to worry about the bottom getting wet or muddy…and maybe in a darker colour or pattern so any mud that does make it’s way on doesn’t show up as much! I am loving shirt dresses and tiered styles at the moment, something that can be cinched in with a belt…casual but can be dressed up with the right accessories. I have a blue tiered dress from last summer (still unworn) that I’ll be packing in the hope I get to wear it at some point over the weekend but I also love this Lace Trim Dress from Zara and this Khaki Mini Smock Dress from New Look. Both are stylish but casual and will be super comfortable for a full day out. For something a bit more colourful I’d be choosing this Blue Vanilla Pink Tiered Smock Dress…but only if I was confident I could last the day without making a mess of myself! If you feel you need something a bit more heavy duty, denim is the way to go and you need look no further than this Asos Fitted Denim Shirt Dress as it looks smart, comfortable and most importantly, you won’t have to worry about flashing anyone due to rogue gusts of wind.
At the summer shows I don’t tend to wear a jumper…I usually try and get away with just a jacket, gotta make some sacrifices for the fashun! I will always bring one of my trusted Barbour jacket, whether it be the classic Beadnell Wax Jacket, or, for a bit of extra warmth my ancient Polarquilt which is so old they don’t even sell it anymore. However you can find the updated Cavalry Polarquilt Jacket here. If you don’t have the budget for Barbour, you can find similar styles from Rydale which are a fraction of the price and still great quality…not to mention the fabulous linings in their waxed jackets. If you don’t fancy a full on jacket, a gilet is always an option for an extra layer, either for warmth or just to add to the fashion stakes. My favourite at the moment is my Fairfax and Favor Elizabeth Gilet…it adds a touch of glamour to any outfit and is so soft and snuggly! It may be too warm to wear at Blair, I’ll have to wait and see but I will definitely be packing it just in case! For something a little lighter, you can’t go wrong with a classic Schoffel…classic, hardwearing and comfortable…need I say more? There is one other waistcoat that I have been lusting after for some time now and that is the Harris Rae Stanton Longline Waistcoat…This comes in three colourways but I love the brown Prince of Wales Tweed! It is spenny at £279 (hence why I haven’t managed to buy it yet) but it’s good quality and will look incredible with white or black jeans…I also have the matching skirt already so I think it’s only right to add this to my wardrobe.
Although I am not planning on wearing a jumper at Blair this year, I’ll still pack one or two just in case it does end up being chilly or just for relaxing later on. My go to’s over the past few years have been the lightweight high neck tops from Primark, I have the same top in about 5 different colours as they are so versatile. Obviously I can’t link them due to no online presence but you can find similar styles from H&M by clicking here and here. If you’re looking for something a little more high end, I’ll turn your attention back to Holland Cooper and their Buttoned Knit Crew Neck jumpers. These are super soft and close fitting with gold button detail adding a bit of extra oomph…they will also go perfectly with their skinny jeans which I have linked above. If I had the budget, I would have one of these in every colour! If x-country day ends up being a bit chilly, or just for relaxing in the evenings, I’ll be taking my Beaumont & Bear Cliff Road Quarter Zip jumper – literally SO soft and cosy! I’m clearly not the only one who loves these as they have regularly sold out after their numerous releases but they are still in stock at the moment so if you’re considering buying…go for it, quickly!
One of the most important outfit decisions for the horse trials? Footwear! No matter how stylish that pair of shoes looks, if they aren’t comfortable you’re going to regret it! For me, on X-country day especially, style goes out the window for comfort all day long…you will be on your feet all day and there is a hella lot of walking (unless you are one of those people who park themselves at one jump all day, in which case go ahead). Hot or cold, I am often found in a pair of boots…I’m a cold wee tattie so it doesn’t bother me but if you do tend to get hot then maybe give these a miss on a nice day. I’ll be packing my trusty Fairfax & Favor Heeled Reginas for dressage/ show jumping days…the heel is comfortable enough for me to wear all day, they look super smart and will go with all my outfit choices. If the weather takes a turn and there’s wet and/or muddy ground I’d switch to a pair of Dubarry Sligo Boots which are more sturdy and mud friendly but still ridiculously comfortable and I can wear them all day without getting rubbed feet or blisters. Another reliable but lightweight option are deck shoes…I have multiple pairs of deck shoes and they are all comfy enough for all day wear, sturdy enough to walk over uneven ground and stylish all at the same time. The vast majority of my decks are from Chatham…they are the hardest wearing ones I’ve worn and there are loads of styles/ colourways to choose from. I’ll be taking my Bermuda Lady II G2 in Navy/ Seahorse (tan and navy) and my Pippa II G2 in Tan/ Pink. These shoes look great and will be perfect for anything from sitting watching the dressage/sj, traipsing round the stalls, to walking the x-country course. Of course x-country day is the day where you need to focus on comfort so I may well just chuck on a pair of trainers for the ultimate comfort factor! I’ll be packing my Nikes just in case and while they don’t sell my exact pair anymore, the Nike City Rep TR look very similar and won’t break the bank.
So that’s the clothing sorted but what about accessories? Accessories can add so much to an outfit, not just in terms of style but also personality…you can really add your own spin on an outfit to make it stand out from the crowd.
Bags are an absolute essential in my eyes, I feel naked without a bag by my side, even if I don’t have anything to carry. For the non shopping days, I’d recommend a small cross body bag for carrying the essentials but won’t weigh you down throughout the day. My top picks are the Salthouse England Adira and the Fairfax & Favor Highcliffe as they are super stylish, small and light (but with enough space for a purse/ phone and other little bits and bobs) and very comfortable to wear. I honestly don’t know if I will be able to choose between them and have no doubt I’ll probably end up bringing both. Unfortunately the Adira is currently out of stock online, however you can nab their new release which is the Adira Grande, a larger version of the original with the option to choose a variety of interchangeable straps. For something slightly larger but still comfortable enough to wear all day (other than the Adira Grande), may I draw your attention to the Fairfax & Favor Fitzwilliam. This is fairly large for a cross by bag so perfect for any extra essentials or items you pick up during the day (snacks in both cases obvs). Made from tan leather and suede with gold snaffle detail, this bag is understated, classic with a subtle equestrian nod. For those days where you need some extra space (ahem, shopping) then only a larger bag will do. I know I keep going back to Fairfax & Favor but I genuinely love their items and their bags are all such great quality! There are so many F&F bags on my wishlist but those sitting at the top are the Gatcombe and the Burford…both of these are made from suede with leather detailing so they are super soft and roomy…all the better for packing more in! They also both come in tan and chocolate although for those who know me will know that I pretty much always go for tan (sorry not sorry). These totes are perfect for the Sunday shopping and will still be comfortable to wear with the added weight thanks to the soft leather straps! Moving away from Fairfax, how about this Alice Wheeler Tote Bag?…I came across these recently and love the simple design of plain leather with a teeny little bee motif! They are soft and very roomy inside with a magnetic fastening and zipped inner pocket to keep your pennies and phone safe! It also comes in four colours which are all gorgeous but I’m hankering after the cream version! For something a little bit different, the Joules Foxton Large Round Leather Bag is perfect! The shape alone makes this bag stand out as well as featuring a little metal stirrup and the signature Joules hare, perfect for Blair! There is also an added removable pouch inside so essentially you’re getting two bags in one and if that’s not a reason to buy one I don’t know what is!
Another accessory that I am rarely without is a belt…I love belts and I am constantly told I don’t need any more (Blatant lies)! If you follow me then you will already know that Mackenzie & George is where the majority of my collection is from…I can’t express enough how fantastic their products are! Each and every belt I have from M&G are amazing quality and have lasted so well, plus the designs are gorgeous and perfect for any country bumpkin. As I literally won’t be able to wear them all throughout the weekend I’ll have to make do with my top picks! My absolute favourite belt and the one I wear the most is The Badminton and it is perfect for the horse trials as it is decorated with miniature brass snaffles…I honestly love it so much! Perfect for wearing with jeans and with the option of monogramming, I literally cannot recommend this enough. I’ll also be bringing my Clifton Cinch as it is designed to be worn round the waist and so perfect to wear with dresses, however, thanks to the design, can also easily be worn around the hips as well. The cinch section is also interchangeable if you fancy a colour contrast. Another brand I have a lot of love for is Ox & Snake and their animal print belts…I have the Lorcan and Soren belts, the patterns are gorgeous and the leather is super soft! Unfortunately both belts are currently sold out but you can still get your hands on the Kova Silver belt in the sale for a bargain price!
Hats have been big news for a while but show no signs of disappearing any time soon and I’m very glad…perfect for protection from the sun, covering untamed manes or making a feathery style statement, there will be a hat out there for you. I have managed to build quite the collection in the past couple of years but personally I find that Mackenzie & George fedoras tend to provide the best fit for my conk. The first fedora I bought was their felt fedora in Camel and it will definitely be getting packed in my case for Blair…this is a snug, secure fitting hat which doesn’t leave lines on my head and looks perfectly stylish with any outfit. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly) it is currently sold out online but there are still a variety of other shades to choose from and of course there will be a stand at Blair which I will most definitely be visiting. I’ll also be bringing a fedora from My Fancy Feathers…the Navy Fedora with Partridge Band is STUNNING! I knew it was going to be nice but honestly I can’t describe how beautiful it is in real life! I don’t tend to wear huge feathers on my hats but the narrow band of partridge feathers has such an impact! The navy blue is really rich in colour as well…if you haven’t had a look at this brand yet I strongly suggest you do…and if hats aren’t your thing, they also sell feathered headbands which are equally lovely. Last but definitely not least is an offering from Hicks and Brown…the Oxley collection. A statement making, wide brimmed hat which oozes glamour and is just a little bit different to the fedoras, I just need to decide whether to take my black or pebble option (or both)? I did find that the H&B fedoras didn’t fit me quite as well as M&G but the Oxley’s fit my head perfectly and although simple in design, definitely add the wow factor to an outfit.
I can’t talk about accessories without mentioning jewellery and the three top brands that I am rarely without nowadays is Hiho Silver, Pegasus Jewellery and Reeves & Reeves. If you are an equestrian then Hiho Silver and Pegasus both offer stunning designs and I think I own too many pieces to mention without boring you (unless you’re bored already which is entirely possible), so I’ll just mention my top pieces. I’m a big fan of snaffle jewellery and Hiho Silver is the crème de la crème in my opinion. I have the Silver Detailed Snaffle Ring, the Two Tone Silver Snaffle Bracelet and the Silver Double Chained Snaffle Necklace, the detail on which is incredible…right down to the stitching around the ring. I also have to mention the Silver Riding Whip Bangle and the Two Tone Rope Circle Ring as I wear them both regularly and they always get noticed…Hiho is definitely one of my favourite places to shop not just for myself but for gifts for others as well. Another equestrian brand that I am particularly fond of is Pegasus Jewellery. Pegasus is a Scottish brand (mon the Scots) which offers jewellery with an equine twist and I have managed to aquire a number of beautiful pieces over the years. My absolute favourite piece, and my first Pegasus purchase is the Triple Stirrup Necklace (which is surprise surprise, currently sold out). Not only is it ridiculously pretty to look at, each stirrup represents the past, present and future which I thought was really lovely. I am also lucky enough to own the Rose Gold & Navy Snaffle Friendship Bracelet and the Rose Gold & Silver Snaffle Earrings courtesy of some lovely friends and can confirm they are also beautiful pieces, easy to wear and go with anything and everything. The last brand I want to mention is Reeves & Reeves which I only discovered last year but have been pretty obsessed with ever since. I was gifted a pair of the Fox Mask earrings for Christmas and they did not disappoint one bit! They are so damn cute! I can’t tell you how long my wishlist is, for the earrings in particular…there are literally so many amazing options and if you like cute little animal style studs then you absolutely need to pay a visit. At the top of the list however, are these Highland Cow Studs…HOW FREAKIN’ CUTE ARE THEY?! Okay so I know I said I wasn’t going to go on too much about the jewellery and I think I definitely did but hey, they were all definitely worth a mention right? Every piece of jewellery mentioned will be making it’s way to Blair with me and I can almost guarantee that I’ll be leaving with at least one more.
Actually I also need to mention a piece that I’m not sure comes under jewellery or not and that’s a watch…I only wear one watch anymore and that is the Morris Richardson Belvoir. I love the colour pink, I love tweed and I love rose gold, and this has all three rolled into one! Does it go with everything? No. Do I still wear it with everything? Absobloodylutely! You can also change the straps so there is something for everyone.
Okay, we are onto the home straight now as I think the last thing I want to mention accessory wise is scarves…no I’m not talking about wooly winter scarves (although knowing me I’ll probably end up taking one of those as well), I’m talking brightly coloured, silk scarves. I love a silk scarf, they are lightweight, easy to wear and can cover up a multitude of sins (ahem patchy fake tan). Most of my silk scarves are vintage but of those I have purchased recently, all have been from Clare Haggas…I am obsessed with her designs and the colours are so eye catching, I just wish I had the bank balance for them all. I always go for the large square scarves and wear with a scarf ring (just FYI), and the one I turn to most of all is my deep green pheasant print scarf…I think it was Turf War but can’t remember and the design is no longer in production. It is huge so can be worn in loads of different ways, although I’m pretty boring and stick to the same style time and time again and the colour is so rich and vibrant so it really makes a statement. I am also currently loving (and lusting after) the blue Pluming Marvellous and Hold Your Horses in Toffee…both of these would look fabulous doing the rounds at Blair.
To finish on a high, I have a couple of discount codes for some of the brands mentioned, so I’m just going to list them here.
For £5 off Mackenzie & George – http://i.refs.cc/s59qfJZZ?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSIsInNtaWxlX2N1c3RvbWVyX2lkIjo1MzgxNTE5MDl9
For £20 off £100 spend at Beaufort & Blake – https://beaufortandblake.mention-me.com/m/ol/ey9pf-kirsty-arnott
For 10% off Beaumont & Bear – KIRSTYJ10
For 10% off Fairfax & Favor – https://fairfaxandfavor.mention-me.com/m/ol/qb5nz-cf2c95165f
For £10 off Reeves & Reeves – http://i.refs.cc/XWGqIU4S?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSIsInNtaWxlX2N1c3RvbWVyX2lkIjo2MjY3Mzc1NTh9
And that’s it for my what to wear at Blair post…I hope it has provided some inspiration or at least allowed you to procrastinate productively. I know a lot of the items listed are things that I already own but I prefer recommending things that I have tried and tested or at least want for myself as I wouldn’t want to recommend anything that turns out to be garbage. I’m currently writing this on the day of hearing about the horrific crash on route to Blair which resulted in the loss of four horses which is absolutely heartbreaking! So please remember to keep your eyes on the road and drive safely and I hope to see some you there!
Until next time,
Kirsty x
lifewithkirstyjane.com 