When you’re riding 16 horses a day in South Carolina humidity, you learn very quickly which clothes survive and which become a sweaty disaster by horse number three.
I’ve tested a lot of riding apparel over the years. Some of it lives in the donation pile. Some of it I reach for every single day. Here’s what actually makes the cut when the temperatures start climbing.
Quick Overview: My Summer Barn Wardrobe
| Item | Brand | Why I Love It | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday Breeches | Free Ride Lux Zip | Lightweight, breathable, feels like leggings | $95 |
| Sun Shirt | Free Ride Sara | UPF protection without the sauna feeling | $65 |
| Barn Tee | Free Ride Organic Cotton | $24, actually cute, doesn’t cling when sweaty | $24 |
| Show Shirt | Free Ride Amelia | Stays crisp even when I’m melting | $65 |
| Nice Show Shirt | Asmar Technical Tops | For the shows where I need to look polished | $98-148 |
| Outerwear | Asmar All Weather Rider | Morning fog to afternoon sun in one jacket | $498 |
The Breeches I Reach for Every Day
Free Ride Lux Zip Breeches - $95
Here’s the thing about summer riding pants: most of them are either too thick and you overheat, or too thin and they wear through in a month. The Lux Zip Breeches somehow found the sweet spot.
They’re lightweight enough that I don’t feel like I’m suffocating, but they have actual structure where you need it. The full seat grip holds up ride after ride. And honestly? They feel more like my favorite leggings than traditional breeches.
One note: they run long. I’m 5’8” and I still roll them once at the ankle. If you’re on the shorter side, heads up. But if you’re tall? Finally, breeches that don’t turn into capris.
I own these in Sand (my workhorse pair), White (for dressage), and Earth Brown. The Sand hides dirt better than you’d think.
Use code ELEVATED10 for 10% off at Free Ride.
Sun Protection That Doesn’t Feel Like a Sauna
I live in my sun shirts from March through October. Sun damage is real, and so is the fact that I don’t want to reapply sunscreen twelve times a day.
Free Ride Sara Sun Shirt - $65
The Sara Sun Shirt is what I grab for everyday barn work. It’s UPF rated, which means actual sun protection without looking like you’re wearing a rash guard. The fit is relaxed enough to move in but not so loose that it looks sloppy.
I like the quarter zip because I can open it up between rides when I’m cooling down, then zip it back up when I’m back in the saddle. Hunter Green is my favorite color — it hides sweat marks and looks put-together if I need to meet a client.
Asmar Technical Tops - $98-148
For show days or when I need to look more polished, I reach for Asmar’s technical pieces. They have a luxury feel that Free Ride doesn’t quite match — the fabrics are more refined, the cuts are more elevated.
The tradeoff is price. Asmar is “nice occasion” apparel for me, while Free Ride is what I beat up every day.
Right now Asmar has 30% off their spring collection — if you’ve been eyeing something, this is the time.
The $24 Barn Tee That Changed My Life
Free Ride Organic Cotton Filagen Tee - $24
I know, I know. “$24 tee that changed my life” sounds dramatic. But hear me out.
I used to wear old cotton t-shirts to the barn. They’d get sweaty, stick to my skin, look terrible, and I’d have to change before going anywhere. These Filagen tees are still cotton (so they’re comfortable and breathable), but they’re cut for riding and somehow don’t turn into a clingy mess.
I have them in Dark Grey and Light Sage. For $24, I bought multiples and don’t feel guilty about it.
They’re not UPF rated, so I layer a sun shirt under them on really sunny days or just save them for early morning and evening rides.
Show Shirts Worth the Investment
When it’s 95 degrees and 80% humidity and you’re trying to look professional in the show ring, shirt choice matters.
Free Ride Amelia Show Shirt - $65
The Amelia is my everyday show shirt. It looks crisp, it’s comfortable, and it doesn’t show sweat circles under my arms (crucial). The collar stands up properly, which sounds like a small thing until you’ve dealt with floppy show shirt collars.
I have it in Navy for jumpers and White for dressage. At $65, it’s affordable enough that I can own a few without feeling guilty.
Free Ride Cassidy Show Shirt - $65
The Cassidy is similar but with a slightly different collar style. I’d say Amelia is more classic hunter, Cassidy is more modern. Both are great — it comes down to which collar you prefer.
The Jacket That Does Everything
Asmar All Weather Rider - $498
Okay, yes, it’s expensive. But the All Weather Rider is the only jacket I’ve found that actually works for barn life.
South Carolina weather is insane. Morning fog and chill, blazing afternoon sun, random afternoon thunderstorms. I was going through three different jackets a day before I found this one.
It’s waterproof, breathable, and somehow looks professional enough that I can wear it when clients show up unexpectedly. It’s been my barn staple for two years and still looks new.
If $498 is too steep, watch for Asmar sales. They do end-of-season discounts and their spring sale (happening now — 30% off) sometimes includes the All Weather Rider.
A Note on Fabric Care
Summer riding clothes take a beating. Here’s how I keep mine from falling apart:
- Wash cold, hang dry. The dryer is the enemy of technical fabrics.
- Don’t let sweaty clothes sit. I rinse mine in the sink if I can’t wash them same-day.
- White breeches get their own load. Trust me on this one.
- Skip the fabric softener. It messes with moisture-wicking properties.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a huge wardrobe to survive summer at the barn. What you need is a few pieces that actually work.
For me, that’s:
- 2-3 pairs of Lux breeches (daily rotation)
- 2 sun shirts (Free Ride Sara)
- A few cheap barn tees (Filagen)
- 1-2 show shirts (Amelia or Cassidy)
- One good all-weather jacket (Asmar if you can swing it)
That’s it. That’s the whole summer wardrobe.
The pieces I’ve linked here are the ones I actually own and wear constantly. If you try them and love them (or hate them), I’d love to hear about it.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in.
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