Matching Your Show Pad to Your Outfit: A Guide to Perfect Coordination

Matching Your Show Pad to Your Outfit: A Guide to Perfect Coordination

Your show pad is a centerpiece of your look. It’s one of the first thing people notice when you enter the arena, setting the tone for your entire ensemble. Not only does it add color, contrast, and personality to your outfit, but it also plays a key role in complementing your horse’s coat and enhancing your overall presentation. The right show pad does more than just complete your outfit—it elevates it, creating a polished and professional look that makes a lasting impression. Whether you’re aiming for classic elegance, high-fashion drama, or something in between, here’s a guide to matching the perfect show pad to your show outfit, for your style and your horse’s unique coloring.

Choose Colors That Complement Your Horse

Your horse’s coat is the foundation of your look, and the show pad should work in harmony with it to create a cohesive and flattering aesthetic. The right color can highlight the natural beauty of your horse’s coat, while the wrong color can distract or even clash with it. Based on styling principles, here’s a breakdown of the most flattering colors for different coat colors:

• Brunette Group: (Bay, Black, Blue Roan) These horses often have rich, darker coats that carry bold, high-contrast colors beautifully. Bright, vibrant shades are ideal for creating a striking and attention-grabbing look in the arena.

Colors: Bold jewel tones like sapphire blue, deep purple, ruby red, and magenta stand out against these darker coats. These colors bring a high level of contrast, making your outfit pop in the arena.

• Redhead Group: (Chestnut, Sorrel, Liver Chestnut, Red Roan, Dun) Horses with warm, reddish undertones benefit from soft, earthy hues that enhance their natural coloring. These tones create a harmonious and polished look that’s both elegant and stylish.

Colors: Earthy shades like vanilla, chocolate brown, buckskin, rust, and gold beautifully complement the warmth of these coat colors. For a more vibrant look, burgundy's, deep teal, blues or burnt orange also pair wonderfully with their undertones.

• Neutral Group: (Buckskin, Palomino, Grulla) Horses with lighter, neutral coats are versatile and can wear a wide variety of colors. Whether you prefer soft pastels or bolder shades, these horses can pull off many different looks.

Colors: Earth tones like sage, muted greens, beige, and soft browns create a beautiful, understated effect. Bright shades such as turquoise, deep red, or berry tones from the brunette or redhead groups also pair well with neutral coats.

• White & Gray Horses: White and gray horses are known for their striking, lighter coats that offer a neutral base for many show pad colors. These horses often benefit from rich, bold shades that provide contrast without clashing with their coat color.

Colors: Bright jewel tones, such as royal blue, purple, reds, pinks and emerald green, are perfect for creating a dramatic effect. Additionally, accent colors like silver, black, and charcoal gray complement their elegant coats. These horses can also pull off both soft pastels and deep tones, depending on the look you're going for.

• Universal Colors for All Horses: Some colors work universally with all coat colors, meaning they’re flattering no matter what your horse’s coloring is. These versatile hues help create a stylish, balanced look that can be mixed and matched with any outfit.

Colors: Black, timeless and classic, black works well on any horse, providing a sleek, professional appearance. Teal, Deep Greens, Sage, and Turquoise: These rich, earthy shades look great on almost every horse and provide a fresh yet elegant contrast to any coat color.

Key Colors for a Polished Look

When building your look, remember the importance of color coordination. For a polished, professional appearance:

• Primary color: This should complement or match your chaps and jacket, providing a strong foundation for your outfit.
• Secondary color: This color helps to tie everything together and creates a seamless, well-balanced look.
• Accent color: This shade adds dimension and contrast, drawing attention to specific areas of your outfit for a touch of visual interest.

Match Your Chaps and Show Top

Your chaps and show top are central elements of your outfit, so they should work well with your show pad for a cohesive appearance. Here’s how to ensure everything ties together:

• Matching for a Classic Look: A monochromatic or two-tone look using your chap color as the primary shade in your pad creates an elegant and professional finish.
• Creating Contrast: If your chaps and show top are neutral (black, brown, tan), a bold show pad can add a striking pop of color to make your outfit stand out.
• Pattern Considerations: If your show top has a busy pattern, choose a show pad with subtle accents rather than a complex pattern to avoid overwhelming the look.

Consider Your Hat Color

Your hat is a crucial part of your show outfit and should coordinate seamlessly with your show pad. Here are some tips for matching your hat:

• Neutral Hats: (Black, Tan, Chocolate, Gray): These colors work well with most show pads and outfits, offering versatility and a classic look.
• Bold Hats: (Navy, Burgundy, Deep Green): If you’re wearing a colored hat, ensure it either matches or complements one of the dominant colors in your show pad for a cohesive appearance.
• White Hats: White hats are eye-catching and pair best with show pads that include crisp, bright colors or neutral tones to maintain a clean, polished look.

Investing in a Custom Show Pad for a Perfect Match

A customized show pad allows you to express your unique style that’s cohesive to your show clothing and horse. If you already have your show jacket, we highly recommend sending a fabric swatch to the show pad designer you're working with. If you’re purchasing a jacket, hat, or chaps to match a pad you already own, we suggest bringing your pad with you when shopping or requesting a yarn swatch to take along. Keep in mind that photos and lighting may not always reflect the exact colors in person.

Do a Pre-Show Style Check

Before you head into the ring, it’s always a good idea to lay out your entire outfit—show pad, chaps, jacket, hat, and accessories—to ensure everything looks cohesive. Take a moment to check your colors in different lighting, as natural light and arena lighting can sometimes make colors look different. Doing a quick pre-show style check can help you make any last-minute adjustments and ensure you look your best when you step into the ring.

✨ Looking for the perfect show pad? Browse our collection at River Runs Show Pads or contact us for a custom design tailored to your needs and style!