Sidesaddle riding habit
Costumes
Inventory number
2020.2.18.1ab.CO.UF.C1910.FRAuthor:
J. Busvine & Co. (French/British,1881 - 1951)Description
Women's sidesaddle riding ensemble, belonged to a certain Missis PAILLE (Madame Paillé) consisting of a skirt and trousers in dark navy colour wool. The breeches have a side button fly fastening with five pearly buttons and eight pearl buttons at the knee on each leg. The apron fronted safety skirt secures from the waist at the front of the left thigh with four buttons and one hook. Over the wearers, right leg the skirt shapes to accommodate the rider’s right knee whilst sitting sidesaddle with her legs on the horses left flank. The base of the skirt has an elastic strap, which hooks around the rider’s leg to reduce the danger of the rider’s skirt become tangled, should the rider become un-seated. When the riders is not mounted the skirt can be secured with a button around the body to provide additional modesty as well as assist walking without the skirt dragging on the ground.Sidesaddle riding is a form of equestrianism that uses a type of saddle which allows a rider (usually female) to sit aside rather than astride an equine. Sitting aside dates back to antiquity and developed in European countries in the Middle Ages as a way for women in skirts to ride a horse in a modest fashion while also wearing fine clothing.
Materials
WoolSilk