I was introduced to Horse Back Riding at the age of 5 and it's been a life long love ever since! We spent a few summers visiting a Dude Ranch in Pennsylvannia when I was younger, escaping the city for greener pastures and guided trail riding. I followed the Ranch Hands around and wanted to be their helper so I could have more time with the horses! I guess I never was a typical city girl, I loved horses and martial arts and had a serious aversion to the color pink!
Many of my greatest summer and vacation memories center around riding. On annual vacations to the Caribbean, we would ride on the beach, and those are cherished travel memories for me. In Mexico I went on a beach ride that was guided where we had the chance to explore an ancient ruin site via horseback, and I certainly don't even need to glance at the pictures to remember that trip, it's all still very much ingrained in my memory!
The summer I spent in Puerto Rico when my older sister got Married, I'd go for long walks by myself every morning, and I'd pass an old apple tree that always dropped apples and I'd collect a few so when I walked passed a ranch I would feed the horses a few of the apples. One of the bolder horses began waiting for me each morning waiting for his apple!
I can only assume my fascination with Riding Boots and Equestrian Fashion stemmed from learning to ride so early. But Riding Boots are probably the biggest part of my boot collection. I can't get enough of the style! What stilettos do for most women, is what Boots (and admittedly handbags) do for me!
The last place I expected to find something to satisfy my inner Equestrian:
I love seeing a brand I already know well in a whole new light. Like many of you, I regularly get an
LL Bean Catalogue in the mail. I already know I'll end up bookmarking turtleneck sweaters, and great sleepwear for myself and for others on my list as gifts, but this year while scanning online (Yes, I get the catalogues but end up actually ordering online!) I saw some great Equestrian Inspired Fashions that caught my eye!
Wool/Cashmere Jacket from LL Bean:
 |
| LL Bean Wool/Cashmere Jacket in Color: Claret Red Item No: TA270958 |
Isn't this jacket awesome? It instantly dresses up a pair of jeans (Great with Trouser Jeans for Casual Fridays in the office) and of course pairs brilliantly with Skinny Jeans and Riding Boots! Not to mention the color is just so me! I love the Claret Red, but you can't go wrong with any of the colors!
About:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Made of a premium Italian blend of 80% wool and 20% cashmere that feels warm, soft and luxurious to the touch!
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Slightly fitted; falls at low hip (No worries it's true to size but does NOT require a size up, it's not too fitted, you can move freely with it and can fit a lightweight sweater underneath!)
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Designed to layer easily over a lightweight sweater or woven shirt
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Traditional three-button styling, with notched collar
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Princess seams and front darts add feminine shaping.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Welt pocket on chest
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - front flap pockets
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Button cuffs
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Full polyester lining
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Back vent
LL Bean Women's Deerfield Boots:
 |
| LL Bean Women's Deerfield Boots, Equestrian Tall Side-Zip Item No: TA278619 |
I can't get enough of these boots!
About:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Premium leather and refined details crafted in Brazil, using a handselected water-resistant leather upper
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Contoured cushion insole gives outstanding step-in comfort and support
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Full cotton lining and elastic panels on outside ensures a proper fit.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Wide styles also have a wide shaft for a better fit at the calf.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Flexible rubber outsole has a slight heel to set off your favorite skirts or trousers.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Leather outsole with rubber treads at the forefoot and heel.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Boot 14"H; Heel 1"H
My Take:
I am so glad I ventured beyond my usual LL Bean Turtlenecks and looked into other options this holiday season. While I will tell you that their Turtlenecks are fantastic, and amazingly durable, after the year I've had I find my tastes changing in many ways. I want to up things a notch from my usual 'comfort wear' and give it all a bit more flair while still being true to who I am. While Cocktail Dresses will always have a place in my life and my wardrobe as a New Yorker, at heart I'm that girl that would rather see my world from the vantage point of a horse with the wind whipping through my hair! If there is such a thing as a 'Sophisticated Casual Look' for me Equestrian is it! The jacket runs true to size, it is fitted but gives me room to move my arms freely, when picking out an Equestrian Jacket, lift your arms up to your shoulder and make sure the jacket isn't so tight or fitted that you can't do so. This jacket definitely met my expectation of LL Bean quality, warm and a wonderful fit in a fashionable color. (I am trying to force myself to stop getting everything in Black, particularly clothing!) The boots are phenomenal. As a wide width foot with athletic calves finding boots has always been a challenge for me. These are quality leather boots in a water-resistant leather. I will tell you that they feel surprisingly glove like when you first put them on, even a bit snug, but don't be discouraged by that, the leather WILL stretch with you and the heel height is low but very comfortable, you can wear these all these day, and not have a difficult break in period.
These were both a hit with me and thankfully they were way too big for my niece because she wanted to steal them the moment she saw them! I owe you guys a personal picture of me wearing all these, I have worn them, but no one nabbed a picture, I promise the next time I wear them both together I will have someone snap a picture for me !
Nab a Deal:
My inner fashionista is especially excited about getting it for less and nabbing a great deal, right now you can score a Free $10 Gift Card with the purchase of $50 or more at LL Bean. Place a qualifying order online or from any catalog and you will receive a gift card by email within 24 hours. Make a qualifying purchase in any LL Bean retail store and receive your gift card right at the register, How cool is that? For details about this promotion, you may visit llbean.com/promocard.
Get Social With It:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow
@LLBean on Twitter
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙
FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received in exchange for this post, however all products featured were provided to Ascending Butterfly free of charge for editorial consideration; all opinions expressed are 100% my own and I've been shopping LL Bean decades longer than I've been blogging, I have a genuine affinity for the brand and it's durable products!
