English
More than 1,000 years ago during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, it was customary for those who passed the imperial examinations and were awarded with official positions to gather at the Moonlight Pavilion in Chang'an to attend a gathering. However, this gathering was not for drinking and merriment - it was for a game of horse polo, with the officials wearing bespoke rounded-collared blue silk ball gowns and knee-length boots as they showcased their skills on the polo field.
Where should we look for timeless and classic high fashion? From the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere, different fashion magazines and luxury brands have different interpretations of fashion, but all inevitably point to the same attire - custom equestrian clothing.
With the popularization of equestrian sports, the essence of riding attire - confidence, neutrality, nobility, and simplicity - has been adopted by more and more modern designers. Almost everyone owns a small suit vest and cowboy boots, which are the epitome of the equestrian style entering the mainstream. Some bold designers have incorporated hippie style design elements, such as tassel accessories, bright and vivid colors, and leather textures, into equestrian wear to create a neutral and noble or playful and lively modern street aristocracy image. This style mixes confidence, humor, and innocent sensuality with sports, making it stylish but not ostentatious, and casual but not restrictive.
Equestrianism, which was first popular in the royal court, requires participants and viewers to be very particular about their attire, as it reflects their status, position, and artistic taste. From the beginning, equestrian show clothes were tailor-made by artisans. Modern equestrianism is still a sport that combines athletics and art, and it is also the most elegant and sophisticated sport at the Olympics. Every rider who participates in an equestrian competition must carefully design their competition attire.
Modern equestrian competitions include obstacle courses, three-day events, and dressage, each of which requires different attire. The horse equestrian clothing for obstacle courses is similar to a fitted casual suit and is evolved from hunting attire, with gentlemen wearing light-colored custom horse show shirts and white ties and ladies wearing high-collared shirts without ties. Dark-colored horse equestrian clothing is the most common, and in some countries, it is mandated that only those who have won individual national championships may wear red rider attire.
Riders in three-day events (cross-country) must wear horse riding base layer tops and protective vests with buckles on the shoulders and waist, as well as a back plate to protect the spine. The horse equestrian clothing for dressage is the most palace-inspired and the most formal. Both the rider and horse are dressed beautifully, with the horse's fur washed until it shines like satin and its mane styled in cute braids, while the rider wears a black wide-brimmed top hat, tailcoat, white tight-fitting pants, and high-top riding boots. Military and police athletes may wear their own uniforms. Along with soothing melodies, riders control their horses to complete a variety of coordinated movements, varying in colorful, lively dances. Although their movements are complex and varied, riders and horses appear serenely composed and elegant, exhibiting the highest level of equestrian art. Dressed in formalities, horses move to the rhythm, expressing grace and power.
The sport of kings in ancient times, while now a popular sport, still uses the strict requirements of apparel to demonstrate strength and beauty, tension and rhythm, coordination and freedom, as well as the noble demeanor of gentlemen and ladies.
