Early riding habits were modelled on military outfits, and consisted of heavy great coats covered with brocade. By the 19th century, outfits were modelled for elegance and modesty as well as to follow the prevailing fashion. Ladies of the day would don a full, flowing skirt with a padded peplum, tight corset and extravagant hat before mounting their horses. As a project for younger students, have the class create a mock 19th century outfit. Have the student wrap a strip of material firmly round their waist to represent a corset. Make long skirts from as much material as possible and gather fully onto an elasticated waistband. Add a hat with extravagant feather decorations, and challenge students to practice moving in the outfits and then list the pitfalls of riding in them.
As part of a larger project on fashion, draw a series of outlines of women riders in riding habits and have students match them with the correct century. Students should appreciate the historical details that date the costumes, such as the appearance of "leg o' mutton" sleeves, cloche hats or neck ruffs.
Have students design their own modern-day riding habits. Outfits should include a safety helmet and boots, and be designed to give the rider an elegant upper body silhouette. In sidesaddle riding, the rider sits with the left leg in a normal riding position, supported by the "leaping pommel" of the saddle, and the right leg hooked round another support called the fixed or vertical pommel. A traditional riding habit should conceal the rider's legs totally and not cause any safety issues.
Again as a project for younger students, provide two photographs or drawings of a period riding habit and a modern day sidesaddle outfit. Have them point out the safety differences between the two. As an example, old-fashioned skirts were attached round the rider's waist and had a tendency to catch on the horse and drag the rider along if she fell. Modern aprons are much simpler and straight and will detach in the event of an accident. Period riding habits often incorporated elaborate neck ruffs which could catch on the horse as the rider mounted. Hats were not firmly attached and could blow off and alarm the horse. The class should take into consideration head wear and footwear as well as the habit itself.