Riding habit
Category
Costume
Date
1880
Materials
Cotton, Elastic, Metal, Wool flannel
Measurements
620 mm (Length)640 mm (W)540 mm (Length)840 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Killerton, Devon
NT 1362951.1
Caption
Although riding had long been established as an acceptable form of exercise, until the early 20th century most women did not ride astride. Fashionable riders in London’s Hyde Park demanded a smart, neat habit, cut to fit the wearer like a glove. In the country they might adopt a more serviceable outfit, except when ‘riding to hounds’. Elegantly cut side-saddle habits were made by men’s tailors specialising in sporting clothing. London tailors competed to devise ways of preserving the rider’s modesty and safety. Full-length cloth trousers were worn beneath the skirt, the only difference between a woman’s and a man’s trousers being the tightly cut waist. Sometimes cloth was combined with a leather seat. The lower legs are all that are left of the well-worn trousers made to match this habit. Flowing skirts, skilfully tailored, with a pocket for the knee, were cut long enough to drape over the foot when mounted. An elastic stirrup for the foot stopped the skirt from riding up, with buttons to prevent flapping and an irritated mount. Shelley Tobin
Summary
Dress consisting of riding habit, bodice, skirt and leggings - Dark green wool flannel. Bodice; close fitting with two darts each side to pointed fronts, back with short basque, with two button trim, stand-up collar with two hooks and eyes, fifteen black moulded buttons to front opening, plain long sleeves with two buttons to slit cuff; lined in fawn cotton, short bones to side fronts, side backs and centre back; herringbone waistband tape; three tabs to back for fastening skirt.
References
Antrobus and Slocombe 2025: Helen Antrobus and Emma Slocombe, 100 Things to Wear: Fashion from the collections of the National Trust, National Trust 2025, pp. 130-131.