1913ca Fawn-colored Riding Habit
Origin: Likely American
Skirt / Pant Hips: 25""
$$835 (inquire about/purchase this item)Description: A real find, in fabulous condition, in a spectacular, unusual color. Usually these riding habits (of whatever era) are black, grey or some other dark color. This one's in a fantastic, rarely seen fawn color, which shows off the fine, nubby texture of the fabric. This one would photograph exceptionally well and make one stand out in your set.
It's lightweight, and the inside of the breeches (which reach to the upper calf and are buttoned so as to fit neatly and easily into tall, polished riding boots) is lightly lined in the crotch, just where one would come in contact with the saddle. For an extra-stylish touch, the leg cuffs have a cut, pointed jut on each placket.
The arm cuffs are similarly treated, with an elegant line of sand-colored buttons. It's the button detailing that helps make this piece especially sharp, as the increased number of them, placed precisely along straight lines at the arm and leg cuffs, help lengthen and slim the overall lines of the coat, enhancing its elegant and smart appearance.
There's also a multi-buttoned, deep vent in the back of the jacket skirt. Top all of this off with a modern, wearable size, and it's off to the hillside (but not the hunt, we are now of an enlightened age where we know that hunting for sport is cruel : ), and definitely no fun for those chased).
The breeches open at the front, with two, hidden-butten plackets that go down either side from the front waist, basically above the tops of each thigh (the top buttons are visible, but the rest disappear in the covered placket). It's a simple construction, and it makes it easy to don them and doff them.
Note: where the measurements say "skirt waist" read it to mean "pant waist" (it's a modern 25").
Condition: Near Mint
Other than what seem to be period-replacements of many of the buttons inside the hidden plackets (and one missing button on the left leg cuff), this piece is essentially mint. It should be relatively easy nowadays to find a matching button to replace the missing one, or one could remove one of the matching ones from inside the placketed ones and replace that with a modern one (that way all the visible buttons would be period and uniform).