How to Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk, and Dress the Part for a Proper Foxhunt
Foxhunting is deeply rooted in tradition, and many traditions which originated on the hunt field are still carried out today in other riding disciplines, like plaiting manes or wearing a stock tie for dressage. If it’s your first time foxhunting, it’s important to dress the part. While some of these items vary for different hunts, this list is applicable to most.
Formal Foxhunting Attire
Helmet or Riding Hat: Although you might see some riders wearing top hats or hunt caps without a chinstrap, an ASTM-approved helmet is generally recommended anytime you’re riding, especially if you’re jumping. For formal hunts, your helmet should be black velvet, with the bows in back pointing up (unless you’re a member of the staff). Long hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into your helmet with a hairnet. Top hats should only be worn with coats with tails.
Coat: Black, lightweight for warm weather or wool frock for winter. Some hunts specify navy, hunter green, or other colored coats for the members and/or masters, but black is usually a safe choice. Three buttons in front, two buttons on each cuff. Never wear a red coat unless you have earned it and are supposed to!
Shirt: White, long-sleeved (like a show shirt), tucked in.
Stock tie: A plain white stock tie should be fastened with a plain, gold pin. Some hunts specify a different type of pin, but a plain, straight, gold pin is a classic safe choice.
Vest: A canary yellow or a tattersall vest is acceptable for most hunts.
Breeches: Tan, buff, or canary breeches. For some hunts, masters and red coats will wear white breeches.
Boots: Black leather dress boots are traditional, although many riders wear field boots (with laces).
Belt: Belt should be black and shirt should be tucked in. Leather belts are advised, as they can be substituted as a rein or stirrup leather if needed.
Gloves: Gloves may be black or white, depending on the hunt.
Informal Foxhunting Attire (Ratcatcher)
Helmet or Riding Hat: An ASTM-approved helmet is generally recommended anytime you’re riding, especially if you’re jumping. For informal hunts, your helmet can be black or brown. Long hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into your helmet with a hairnet.
Coat: Tweed (in many patterns) and muted earth tone coats are acceptable for informal hunts and cubbing or autumn hunting. If you don’t have one, a black or navy coat is fine, too.
Shirt: A light-colored, collared shirt with sleeves, or an Oxford shirt with a neck tie. White is also fine.
Stock tie: Any color stock tie except white during cubbing season, and for informal hunts white or any other color or plaid or patterned is alright, fastened with a horizontal stock pin. Stock ties may be decorative, but other jewelry is discouraged.
Vest: Vests are optional but can be canary yellow, tattersall, plaid, or patterned.
Breeches: Tan, buff, gray, or rust.
Boots: Black or brown dress or field boots.
Belt: Belt should match the boots and shirt should be tucked in. Leather belts are advised, as they can be substituted as a rein or stirrup leather if needed.
Gloves: Black leather, brown leather, or string gloves. Stock pins may be decorative.
