Let me be real with you.
I’ve spent 14 years in equestrian apparel. Not just selling it—living it. Waking up at 5 a.m. to test fabrics in driving rain. Sitting across from stable owners who’ve been burned by cheap suppliers one too many times. Watching instructors hand-stitch logos onto ill-fitting jackets because their “custom” order arrived wrong—again.
And yeah, I’m tired. But I’m also pissed off—because most of what you read online about “stylish custom horse riding jackets” is fluff. It’s glossy photos and empty promises. It’s brands pretending they care about fit when they’re just pushing bulk inventory with a logo slapped on.
So let’s cut the bullshit.
If you’re reading this, you’re not just looking for a jacket. You’re looking for something that works. That lasts. That says, “I give a damn about how I show up—on the horse and off.” Maybe you’re an instructor building a brand. A rider tired of looking like a walking discount bin. Or a stable owner trying to make your team look like they belong together.
This post? It’s for you. The ones doing the real work.
And I’m not here to sell you a fairy tale. I’m here to tell you what it actually takes to get a custom riding jacket that doesn’t suck.
Custom Horse Riding Jackets Are Broken (And No One’s Fixing It)
Here’s what no one tells you: most “custom” riding jackets aren’t custom at all.
They’re off-the-rack patterns with a logo embroidered over the chest. Same fit. Same cheap polyester. Same sleeves that ride up when you reach for the reins.
I saw it happen last fall in Alberta. A client—a riding school owner—ordered 30 “custom” jackets from a big-name supplier. Paid extra for “premium stitching.” When they arrived? Identical to the stock photo, just with her barn’s name on it. Worse, the zippers failed after two months of regular use.
She called me, furious. “I thought ‘custom’ meant it was made for us,” she said. “Turns out it just meant they charged more for the same junk.”
And that’s the lie.
Custom should mean:
- Fit adjusted to your body or team’s needs.
- Fabric chosen for your climate and use.
- Design that reflects your identity—not a template.
But most brands? They don’t have the infrastructure. They outsource to factories that crank out thousands of identical shells. Then slap a patch on and call it a day.
At Fexwear, we do it differently. We start with a blank slate. No templates. No pre-set color combos. If you want a jacket with a hidden hood, magnetic wrist closures, and a back vent for airflow—we build it. Not from a catalog. From scratch.
Because real custom isn’t a checkbox. It’s a commitment. If you want to see what actual custom equestrian apparel looks like—down to the stitch, fabric, and fit—check out our full equestrian apparel collection . No templates. No compromises.
The “Custom” Label Is a Scam (Mostly)
Let’s be blunt: the term “custom horse riding jackets” has been diluted to near-meaninglessness.
Search it. You’ll see brands advertising “custom” options with three color choices and one font. That’s not custom. That’s limited personalization.
Real customization means:
- Choosing your shell fabric (waterproof, softshell, breathable).
- Picking lining materials (moisture-wicking, thermal, eco-fleece).
- Deciding sleeve length, collar height, pocket placement.
- Upgrading zippers, adding ventilation, modifying hoods.
And yes—it costs more. But it’s not a scam if it’s actually made to order.
Why Most Brands Can’t Deliver Real Custom
Factories hate small batches.
They’re built for volume. Minimum orders of 500 units. Standardized patterns. Assembly-line efficiency.
So when a brand says they offer “custom,” they’re usually just reselling a bulk order with minor tweaks.
We’ve turned down six-figure deals because the client wanted us to cut corners. One wanted us to use cheaper zippers to hit a price point. Another wanted us to skip fit testing. We said no.
Because once you start cutting corners, you’re not in the business of quality. You’re in the business of moving product.
And that’s not who we are.
The Hidden Cost of “Cheap” Custom Jackets
Let’s talk numbers.
A “custom” jacket from a mass supplier: $89–$120.
A real custom jacket from Fexwear: $165–$220.
But here’s what that $89 jacket costs you in the long run:
- Replaced every 1–2 seasons: $267 over 3 years.
- Poor fit = discomfort = less time riding.
- Unreliable zippers, peeling logos, fading colors.
- Staff embarrassed to wear them.
Meanwhile, a Fexwear jacket lasts 5+ years. Still looks sharp. Still performs.
You’re not paying more. You’re investing.
Real example: Whispering Pines Equestrian Center in Oregon. They switched from a bulk supplier to Fexwear for their instructor team. Paid 30% more upfront. But after three years, they saved $4,200 in replacement costs and reported higher staff morale.
Because when your team feels good in what they wear, they show up differently.
Equestrian Lifestyle Wear Isn’t Just Fashion—It’s Identity
Here’s the thing they don’t tell you: you don’t stop being a rider when you dismount.
You’re still that person—the one who smells like leather and hay, who checks the weather before planning anything, who flinches at loud noises because your horse might spook.
And your clothes? They should reflect that whole identity—not just the 90 minutes you’re in the saddle.
But most equestrian brands treat riding wear like sportswear. Baggy, utilitarian, ugly off the horse.
We built Fexwear because I was tired of changing clothes after every ride. I wanted a jacket that could handle a downpour at the stable and look good at brunch.
So we did.
The Myth of “Performance vs. Style”
There’s this fake divide: “performance” jackets (ugly, functional) vs. “lifestyle” jackets (pretty, useless).
Bullshit.
You can have both.
At Fexwear, we use the same waterproof, breathable membranes as high-end outdoor brands. But we cut them like fashion pieces—slim sleeves, waist shaping, clean lines.
Because a jacket shouldn’t make you choose between staying dry and looking like yourself.
Your Jacket Should Tell a Story
I met a rider in Vermont last summer. She had this olive-green jacket with a tiny embroidered compass on the sleeve.
“Where’d you get that?” I asked.
She smiled. “I designed it. The compass? It’s for the trail rides I lead. I wanted something that felt like me.”
That’s the power of real custom.
It’s not about branding. It’s about belonging.
Whether it’s your initials, your horse’s name, or a symbol that means something only to you—your jacket should feel like a second skin.
Not a uniform.
The Psychology of What You Wear
There’s research on this: clothing affects confidence, posture, even decision-making.
When you wear something that fits well and looks intentional, you ride differently.
You sit taller. You speak with more authority. You feel like you belong—even if you’re new.
That’s why we spend weeks on fit testing. Why we offer free samples. Why we’ll tweak a collar three times until it’s right.
Because it’s not just a jacket.
It’s armor.
Wholesale Riding Apparel Is a Goldmine (If You Do It Right)
Let’s talk money.
You run a stable. Or a riding school. Or a retreat.
You want your team to look professional. You want clients to remember your brand.
So you order branded jackets.
But then they fall apart. Or the fit is all over the place. Or the logo peels after one wash.
And now your brand looks cheap.
Here’s the truth: wholesale riding apparel isn’t a cost. It’s a marketing investment.
Every time your staff wears that jacket, they’re advertising your brand.
But only if the jacket is good.
The Wholesale Trap: Low Price, High Regret
I’ve seen it too many times.
A stable owner picks the cheapest wholesale option. Saves $20 per jacket. Orders 25.
Total “savings”: $500.
But:
- 8 jackets come in wrong size.
- 3 logos peel in the first month.
- The fabric pills after two washes.
Now she’s dealing with complaints, replacements, and a team that feels disrespected.
That $500 “saved” cost her $1,200 in damage control.
At Fexwear, we don’t compete on price. We compete on value.
Our wholesale clients get:
- Consistent sizing (no more “this one fits, this one doesn’t”).
- Durable embroidery that lasts 100+ washes.
- Fast reorders with no quality drop.
And yes, it’s not the cheapest option.
But it’s the smartest.
How to Use Apparel to Build a Real Brand
Your jacket isn’t just clothing. It’s a touchpoint.
When a parent sees your instructor in a sharp, well-fitting jacket with a clean logo, they think: This place is professional. They care.
We helped a riding retreat in Montana launch their branded gear. If you’re selling online—or want to—this isn’t just about team jackets. It’s about building a real product line. We’ve helped over 5,000 small sellers scale with custom gear. See how it works in our guide for sportswear wholesale suppliers for Shopify and Amazon sellers . We didn’t just make jackets—we helped them choose colors that matched their logo, added reflective details for safety, and used a fabric that looked premium but could handle mountain weather.
Now, guests ask to buy them.
They’ve turned apparel into a revenue stream.
The Numbers Behind Successful Wholesale Programs
- Average markup on branded apparel: 60–100%
- Customer retention when staff wear branded gear: +27% (based on client surveys)
- Lifespan of Fexwear wholesale jacket: 5+ years with proper care
- Repeat order rate for Fexwear wholesale clients: 88%
You’re not just outfitting a team. You’re building equity.
Fit Is Everything (And Most Brands Ignore It)
Here’s a story.
We sent a sample jacket to a client in Colorado. She loved the design. But when she tried it on?
The sleeves were 1.5 inches too short. The shoulders pulled when she raised her arms.
She sent us a photo. Looked like she was wearing her little brother’s coat.
We apologized. Redid the pattern. Sent a new one.
It arrived three days later. Perfect fit.
She texted: “I didn’t realize how much I hated my old jacket until I put this on.”
That’s the power of fit.
But most brands don’t test. They assume a size chart from Asia will work for American bodies. It doesn’t.
The Fit Gap in Equestrian Apparel
Women. Men. Different builds. Different riding styles.
But most brands use one unisex pattern and call it a day.
We’ve measured over 300 riders. Found that:
- 68% need longer torso length.
- 42% need wider shoulders or chest room.
- 31% need shorter sleeves.
So we offer custom fit adjustments—no extra charge.
Because if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t matter how good the fabric is.
Why Off-the-Rack Fails the Riding Body
You’re not standing still. You’re leaning, reaching, twisting.
A jacket that fits in a store might bind when you’re reaching for a lead rope.
We build articulated sleeves, stretch side panels, and riding-specific cuts that move with you.
Not against you.
How We Test Fit (And Why It Matters)
- Phase 1: 3D body scans of diverse riders.
- Phase 2: Prototype testing in real riding conditions.
- Phase 3: Feedback loop—riders wear it for a week, report issues.
- Phase 4: Final tweaks before production.
It takes longer. Costs more.
But the result? A jacket that feels like it was made for you.
The Real Reason Riders Quit Their Jackets
They don’t quit riding.
They quit their gear.
Because it’s uncomfortable. It doesn’t work. It makes them feel like crap.
And then they stop wearing it.
I’ve seen stables with closets full of unused branded jackets. Riders pulling hoodies over breeches because “at least it fits.”
The problem isn’t loyalty. It’s respect.
If you give someone a jacket that doesn’t fit, isn’t durable, and looks cheap—you’re telling them their experience doesn’t matter.
Comfort Is Non-Negotiable
You can’t focus on your horse if your jacket is digging into your neck.
We use flatlock seams, soft inner collars, and zero-chafe zippers because little things make big differences.
The Durability Lie
“Water-resistant” doesn’t mean “survives a real storm.”
We test our jackets in actual rain, wind, and mud—not just in a lab. Curious what makes a fabric actually perform under real conditions? We break it all down in our fabric recommendations guide —including breathability scores, sustainability, and why most “water-resistant” claims are BS.
One client wore her Fexwear jacket through a 4-hour trail ride in pouring rain. Jacket stayed dry. She didn’t.
That’s the standard.
So What’s the Move? (Here’s How to Get It Right)
Look.
I’m not here to tell you Fexwear is perfect.
We’ve had mistakes. Late shipments. A batch of zippers that failed.
But we fixed them. Paid for replacements. Learned.
Because this isn’t just business.
It’s personal.
So if you’re serious about getting custom horse riding jackets that actually work—here’s what to do:
- Demand real customization—not just a logo on a stock jacket.
- Test the fit—get a sample before ordering in bulk.
- Ask about materials—don’t accept “water-resistant” without specs.
- Check durability—ask for wash test results, seam strength data.
- Work with a brand that stands behind its work—not just its marketing.
We make it easy:
- Visit fexwear.com/design to start your custom build.
- Request a sample kit (free, we pay shipping).
- Talk to a real human—no bots, no scripts.
Because you deserve better. Ready to stop settling? Hit reply on this page and talk to someone who actually gives a damn.
Wrap-Up
I’m exhausted. It’s been a long week. Three factory calls, two design revisions, a client who cried because her jacket finally fit.
But I keep doing this because I’ve seen what the right jacket can do.
It’s not just fabric and thread.
It’s confidence. Identity. Belonging.
So if you’re tired of the same old crap—reach out. Let’s build something real.
FAQs
1. Do you offer wholesale discounts?
Yes. Volume-based pricing starts at 10 units. Ask for our wholesale catalog.
2. How long does custom production take?
2–3 weeks for first order, 10–14 days for reorders.
3. Can I return a custom jacket?
Samples can be returned. Final custom orders are final sale—but we’ll fix fit issues.
4. What fabrics do you use?
Waterproof softshell, breathable stretch, eco-fleece linings. Full specs on our materials page.
5. Can I add my own logo?
Absolutely. Upload it in our design tool or email us. Vector files preferred.
Call to Discussion
What’s your worst “custom jacket” horror story?
Seriously. I’ve heard them all—but I still want to hear yours.
Drop a comment or DM me. I read every one.