You know that moment?
You’re at a show. It’s 7 a.m., dew’s still on the grass, and you’re tugging at your show shirt for the fifth time because the collar won’t lie flat, the sleeves are riding up, and the embroidery on your chest says “Barn Name” but you feel like no one even sees you.
You look around. Everyone’s in white. Or navy. Or some variation of “safe.”
And you think: Is this really it? Is this the peak of what we’ve got?
I’ve been there.
I’ve stood in tack rooms, sweating through a $130 shirt that claimed to be “performance fabric” but felt like a trash bag.
I’ve watched riders walk into the ring looking like they’re wearing their dad’s dress shirt.
I’ve seen barns spend thousands on uniforms that look like they were ordered off a generic catalog in 2009.
And I’m tired.
Not because I don’t love this sport — I do.
But because we’ve been sold a lie: that equestrian fashion has to be either boring or overpriced or impractical.
That you have to choose between looking good and feeling good.
You don’t.
And if you’re still wearing off-the-rack show shirts because you think custom is just “embroidery with a higher price tag,” let me stop you right there.
This isn’t about vanity.
It’s about identity, performance, and finally giving riders what they deserve — apparel that fits, functions, and makes them feel like the damn athlete they are.
Let’s talk.
This Isn’t Just About Looking Good — It’s About Feeling Seen
Here’s what no one tells you:
Looking good in the ring doesn’t mean you’re shallow.
It means you respect the sport enough to show up fully.
I used to think custom shirts were for rich kids with matching tack trunks.
Then I worked with a 16-year-old rider from a small barn in Kentucky.
Her mom drove a minivan with a cracked windshield.
They boarded at a no-frills facility.
But that girl rode like fire.
She came to me and said, “I want a shirt that feels like me.”
Not her barn’s colors. Not her trainer’s idea of “professional.” Her.
We built it together: deep burgundy, subtle tonal embroidery, a tailored fit that didn’t pinch when she posted.
She wore it at her first regional finals.
She didn’t win.
But the judge wrote on her card: “Confident presentation. This rider owns the ring.”
That’s the power of a custom shirt.
It’s not magic fabric.
It’s psychological armor.
The Uniform Lie
We’ve been trained to believe that “professional” means “identical.”
White shirts. Black pants. Hair in a bun.
Fine. I get it. There’s a time and place for tradition.
But here’s the truth: a uniform doesn’t create professionalism — the rider does.
And when you wear something that fits like it was made for your body, in a color that matches your energy, with a cut that lets you breathe — you ride differently.
You sit taller.
You make bolder decisions.
You stop fidgeting with your collar and start riding the damn test.
It’s Not Vanity — It’s Visibility
Let’s be real:
Judges see hundreds of riders in a weekend.
Sponsors scroll past thousands of show photos online.
Your trainer has 15 other students.
If you don’t stand out — not in a loud, obnoxious way, but in a “I belong here” way — you get lost.
A custom show shirt isn’t about ego.
It’s about making sure you’re seen.
And before you say “But the rules!” — I’ve read them.
FEI. USEF. Dressage. Jumpers. Eventing.
You can do so much more than you think.
You just have to know how.
The Customization Scam — And What Actually Matters
Here’s the thing they don’t tell you:
“Custom” doesn’t mean “better.”
I’ve seen brands charge $200 for a shirt that’s just a basic cut with your name stitched on.
Same fabric. Same fit. Same problems.
Just a little embroidery tax.
That’s not custom.
That’s a rip-off with a logo.
Real customization isn’t about slapping your name on a stock design.
It’s about designing from the ground up — for your body, your sport, your story.
The Four Pillars of Real Customization
Let’s break it down. If your “custom” shirt doesn’t let you control these, it’s not custom. Period.
1. Fit That Works With Your Body — Not Against It
I don’t care if you’re 5’2” or 6’1”.
If your shirt gaps at the back when you reach for the reins, it’s wrong.
Off-the-rack sizing is a joke.
“Women’s medium” means nothing when one brand’s medium fits like a large and another disappears over your shoulders.
Custom means:
- You get measured — or input your real dimensions.
- You choose sleeve length, torso length, shoulder width.
- You can add darts, adjust the back panel, tweak the collar.
At Fexwear, we’ve had riders say, “I’ve never worn a show shirt that didn’t ride up.”
We fixed it.
Because custom means listening.
2. Fabric That Performs — Not Just Pretends To
“Moisture-wicking” doesn’t mean jack if the fabric still clings after five minutes in the sun.
Real performance fabric:
- Breathes like it’s designed for movement
- Stretches with you, not against you
- Doesn’t wrinkle in a gym bag
- Survives the wash without turning into cardboard
And yeah — it can still be beautiful.
We’ve used Italian technical knits that feel like silk but dry in 20 minutes.
That’s not luxury. That’s respect.
3. Design That Tells a Story
You can have a shirt in solid navy with your name on it.
Or you can have a shirt with a subtle ombré fade, tonal embroidery, and a back yoke that echoes your barn’s crest.
One says “I showed up.”
The other says “I belong here.”
And before you say “But the judges don’t care” —
Yes, they do.
Not about the design itself, but about the presentation.
A rider who looks put-together is assumed to be more prepared.
That’s not fair.
But it’s true.
4. Details That Actually Matter
Let’s talk about zippers.
I hate buttons on show shirts.
They gap. They come undone. They catch on your vest.
A hidden zipper?
Clean line. Secure fit. No fumbling mid-test.
Other “small” details:
- UV-protective collars (for outdoor shows)
- Mesh underarms (because you will sweat)
- Tagless labels (because neck chafing at 8 a.m. is hell)
- Reinforced seams (because you’re not a mannequin)
These aren’t extras.
They’re non-negotiables.
The Aesthetic Isn’t Fluff — It’s Part of the Ride
I get it.
Some of you are rolling your eyes.
“Aesthetic? We’re riding horses, not walking a runway.”
Cool.
But here’s the thing: your brain doesn’t know the difference between looking confident and being confident.
Wear a shirt that fits like crap, and you’ll spend your test adjusting it.
Wear one that feels like armor, and you’ll ride like you own the damn arena.
The Confidence Feedback Loop
It’s simple:
- You put on a shirt that fits perfectly.
- You feel good.
- You ride better.
- You get better scores.
- You feel even better.
- Repeat.
This isn’t woo-woo.
It’s behavioral psychology.
And it works.
I’ve had riders tell me:
“I wore my Fexwear shirt for the first time and scored 5 points higher than my average.”
Was it the shirt?
No.
But it helped them show up differently.
Color Isn’t Just Color
Let’s talk about red.
You wear red in the ring, and people notice.
Not because it’s loud, but because it signals something: energy, passion, presence.
Blue says calm.
Black says serious.
White says “I follow the rules.”
Burgundy says “I’m here, and I’m not messing around.”
And no, you don’t have to go full rainbow.
But a deep wine with gold embroidery?
A charcoal gray with a navy trim?
That’s not breaking rules — it’s redefining them.
The Team Effect — How Custom Shirts Build Culture
Here’s a story.
I worked with a college equestrian team.
They were good — top 10 in the region.
But they didn’t feel like a team.
They wore different brands, different fits, different colors.
One girl had a pink collar. Another had a vintage button-up.
It was chaos.
We redesigned their uniforms with Fexwear:
- Same cut for everyone (but tailored to each body)
- School colors with a modern twist
- Subtle embroidery — no giant logos
- Zipper closures for consistency
First show in the new shirts?
They didn’t win the team title.
But the coach said:
“I’ve never seen them walk into the ring like that. They looked like a unit.”
That’s the power of custom.
It’s not about erasing individuality.
It’s about creating cohesion — so the team can rise together.
And let’s be honest:
When your riders look like a professional operation, people treat you like one.
Sponsors pay attention.
Judges take note.
Parents feel proud.
The Business Side — Because Riders Need to Eat
Let’s talk money.
Custom shirts aren’t cheap.
But neither is constantly replacing $100 shirts that fall apart after two washes.
Here’s the math:
Yeah, the upfront cost is higher.
But over time?
You save money.
And you gain value — in confidence, in branding, in performance.
And if you’re a trainer or barn owner?
Custom shirts are a marketing tool.
Every time your rider shows, your barn’s name is on their chest.
In a photo. On Instagram. In a judge’s mind.
That’s not fashion.
That’s branding.
The Fexwear Difference — Why We’re Different (And Why It Matters)
Look, I could sell you the dream.
But I’d rather tell you the truth.
We started Fexwear because we were tired — tired of seeing riders settle.
Tired of “equestrian chic” that didn’t function.
Tired of brands that treated riders like fashion afterthoughts.
So we built something different.
We Design for Riders — Not Models
Our prototypes are tested by real riders —
- In the saddle
- In 90-degree heat
- After 3 hours of competition
If it doesn’t work, we don’t sell it.
We Care About the Details
- No loose threads. Ever.
- Seams placed to avoid chafing.
- Zippers that don’t snag.
- Colors that don’t fade.
Because you’re not just wearing it — you’re performing in it.
We Believe in Inclusivity
We don’t do “one size fits all.”
We do:
- Extended sizing (XS–3X)
- Men’s, women’s, and unisex cuts
- Adaptive designs (coming soon)
Because every rider deserves to feel seen.
Wrap-Up (Like a Voice Note)
Look.
I’m exhausted.
I’ve been on calls all week, dealing with fabric delays, production hiccups, riders who want everything yesterday.
But I keep doing this because I’ve seen what a damn shirt can do.
I’ve seen a rider cry because for the first time, her shirt didn’t ride up.
I’ve seen a trainer get a sponsorship offer because her team looked that good.
I’ve seen a 12-year-old walk into a medal class like she owned the place — because her shirt made her feel like she did.
So if you’re still wearing something that doesn’t fit, doesn’t function, and doesn’t feel like you —
Stop.
You don’t have to accept the status quo.
You don’t have to choose between style and substance.
You can have both.
You deserve both.
Trust me.
I’ve been there.
And I’m still here — building better shirts, one rider at a time.
FAQs
1. Are custom show shirts allowed in competition?
Yes — as long as they follow color and modesty rules. We design every Fexwear shirt to be competition-legal. When in doubt, we’ll help you check.
2. How long does it take to get a custom shirt?
Typically 3–4 weeks. We offer rush options for shows. Just tell us your date.
3. Can I return a custom shirt?
Because they’re made to order, we don’t do returns — but we’ll remake it if the fit’s wrong. That’s how confident we are.
4. Do you work with teams?
Hell yes. We’ve outfitted 50+ teams. We offer discounts, design support, and bulk shipping.
5. Why are your shirts more expensive?
Because we use better fabric, better construction, and real customization. You’re not paying for a logo — you’re paying for value.
Call to Discussion
What’s your biggest frustration with show apparel?
Is it the fit? The price? The fact that nothing feels like you?
Drop a comment. DM me on Instagram.
I read every single one.
Because this isn’t just business — it’s personal.