Westcott-Habit Shirt - Riding Habit

RIDING HABIT-- a very popular masculine type jacket and petticoat worn for riding, walking and traveling. Ours is patterned after a garment in the Snowshill Collection at Berrington Hall, England. Another similar one can be found in the Victoria and Albert collection, London and still another in Bath, England. The collar and cuffs can be of a contrasting color or fabric and the whole garment set off by a choice of trim, braid or "lace" accenting buttonholes (can also be used for collars, cuffs and pocket flaps). The attached "skirts" have deep pleats at the sides and center back and are embellished with buttons. If you really need a "working" pocket, one that is indeed a place to put things in, there will be an additional charge. We do need a number of measurements for this garment and possibly a need for a try-on toille.

WESTCOTT or WAISTCOAT to match or contrast with your riding habit. We've even seen one riding habit that had a waistcoat for summer and another for winter. The waistcoat is an option that can be planned with your riding habit--or added later .

A HABIT SHIRT is made of white cotton constructed in a manner described in the Handbook of English Clothing as open down the front--with a drawstring at the waist. The fronts being longer then the back (which just comes to the waist).

It has a narrow collar and ruffles at the neck and wrist. We have seen several more examples of this unique garment at the Churchill House in Hereford, England.

The fringed riding habit is taken from one in the Gallery of English Costume, Manchester, UK. The fringe is silk (in a limited supply!) It is a "princess cut" with a hidden front placket lace closure the fringe adds a hint of femininity to the usually severe cut of the jacket. We have made in linen, cotton & wool. Please contact us for availability.