Stories

If you are starting out in horse riding, one of the first things you will need to do is purchase riding gear. There are many different options for buying horse riding gear in Australia, from online shops to physical ones to second-hand sellers. Let’s have a quick look through some different and provide some tips on where to buy quality riding gear at a reasonable price. 

Before you buy any gear, ask yourself if you are truly committed to horse riding and whether you can reasonably expect to continue doing it for a few years at least. The answer to this question will determine things like the amount of gear you should buy, and what kind of gear you should look at. (For example, are you thinking about buying a full saddle kit? Or are you thinking of buying clothes only? What about boots?) You should also balance the expense of buying better-quality gear to start with versus saving money and buying something better later on. 

Physical shops

There are plenty of upsides to visiting a physical shop. You’ll be able to try on gear and get a better sense of the fit and quality of the items you are interested in. You can also get advice and recommendations from the staff, who are usually experienced riders themselves. The main disadvantage of shopping in a physical shop is that there may be a more limited selection compared to online shops. 

Shopping online 

There are also some disadvantages to shopping online. You cannot try on the gear before you buy it, so it is important to check the sizing chart carefully and read reviews to see if other customers have found the sizing to be accurate. You may also need to pay for shipping, which can add to the overall cost of your purchase. (Need custom lengths for riding pants? We can help with that!) 

Buying second-hand

If you’re on a budget, consider looking for second-hand horse riding gear. There are many online marketplaces and local classifieds that allow you to buy and sell used gear. You can often find quality gear at a fraction of the cost of new items. 

You can also ask around. If you’re just getting into horse riding, you probably know somebody who has been providing lessons or guidance. Ask if they have any quality second-hand gear for sale, or if they know anybody who might. Experienced riders will also be able to tell you what to look for when buying second-hand items. The basic advice here is to inspect the items carefully for any damage or wear and tear. You should also make sure that the gear fits you properly and is appropriate for your level of riding.

Buy gear that will last

If you’ve decided to commit to horse riding, why not get some quality jodhpurs or a jacket from TukTuk Clothing? Our clothes are designed from scratch, by riders, for riders. We stand behind the quality of our products. Got a question? We’ll be happy to help! Get in touch now. 

What to wear for horse riding? Some basics

Most people want to look good while riding at some point. But you also want to make sure you are ensuring your safety and comfort. Choosing the right apparel for riding is essential as it affects your performance and comfort level while at the same time protecting you against possible injuries while in the saddle. With that in mind, let’s break down which items you need in your equestrian wardrobe and why they’re important.

Riding pants or jeans

Look for pants that are lightweight and comfortable but also sturdy enough to protect you, just in case you come off. Jeans with reinforced knees might do the trick, but you can purchase riding pants specifically designed for this purpose. At a minimum, these will usually come with additional features such as stirrup straps and pockets which can be useful while riding. Tuk Tuk riding jeans are designed by women, for women. Our jeans and pants are made from four-way stretch fabric that is generally 95% cotton.

Four-way stretch means the pants will stretch up and down (along the warp), laterally (along the weft) and diagonally. These pants stretch like yoga pants. We’ve also included features like secure closures for thigh pockets, and where possible, our designs feature no inner leg seams that could sit awkwardly or rub against the saddle. We can make custom adjustments and will work with you to ensure the fit is correct. In particular, we can do custom leg lengths. Our customer reviews speak to the quality of these jeans – check out the full range now. 

Waterproof jacket or coat for horse riding

Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Investing in a waterproof jacket will ensure that you stay dry on those miserable rainy days. We offer variety of styles, from lightweight rain jackets to more heavy-duty winter coats. If you’re really going to be out there in the weather, look into our Storm Cloud full-length riding coat, made from lightweight and breathable but waterproof material, elasticised storm cuffs, and full seam-sealing. There’s also a removable hood and cape, and most importantly, the flared cut is guaranteed to cover your legs and saddle while riding. For a shorter warm waterproof jacket, look no further than our famous Winter Exercise Jacket with studded storm front closure.

Get in touch

To speak with a friendly member of the TukTuk team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.

Wondering Where to Buy Horse Riding Clothes?

Any keen horse rider knows that what you wear in the saddle (or in the stables, or on the track) plays a huge role in your ability to be the best horse rider you can be – whether you’re competing in tournaments, training your horse or just going for a leisurely ride!

As such, there’s an important question that crosses every horse rider’s mind: where to buy horse riding clothes? And not just any old clothes will do – where can you find quality-made garments that are purposely designed and manufactured for horse riding?

Despite all the “outdoor clothing” and “active lifestyle” outlets that exist in Australia, filling your wardrobe with comfortable, supportive and durable horse riding clothing is more difficult than people initially realise.

That’s where we come in.

TukTuk Clothing is where to shop for top-of-the-line horse riding clothes you can count on

At TukTuk Clothing, we design and manufacture horse riding clothing that’s functional, fashionable and comfortable all at once. As keen horse riders ourselves, we know what’s required when you’re on horseback.

With more than 25 years’ experience making innovative use of premium materials to craft quality clothing, it’s with great pride that we continue to provide Australian horse riders with casual clothing that can withstand the elements for many seasons to come. Our four-way stretch cotton-rich fabric is just one example of how we cater for women who want to feel comfortable and supported, in and out of the saddle.

Not only that, but we design all of our horse riding clothes with versatility in mind, so that they’re suitable for wearing in the stables as well as into town. This goes for our riding pants, waterproof riding jackets, vests, shirts and the rest of our carefully curated selection.

Whatever your age or body shape, you can rest assured we have form-fitting clothes for you – horse riding clothes that feel good, look good, and serve their purpose.

Why TukTuk Clothing is where to buy your horse riding clothes

• Unique, top-of-the-line horse riding clothing that you won’t find anywhere else - designed by women for women in our Beechworth studio, and manufactured with care by our trusted and ethically sourced partners in India
• All of our designs are tried and tested for durability before being officially added to our online collection
• Free domestic shipping on online orders over $200
• We accept Afterpay – buy now and pay later
• Join the TukTuk tribe for exciting product announcements and exclusive promotions (plus a 15% discount on your first purchase)

Get in touch

To speak with a friendly member of the TukTuk team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.

A 'wild rag' is basically a scarf, initially worn by American Cowboys or cattlemen whilst working out on the ranges and exposed to harsh sun, wind and dust. The story goes that back in the 1800s, the first versions were cut up feed and flour bags draped around their necks and faces for warmth and to keep dust from entering their noses whilst mustering and droving cattle. Besides protection from the elements, the many uses for wild rags included straining drinking water, use as a bandage, tourniquet or arm sling or hanky. Even a scared horse or beast would often calm down when blindfolded with a wild rag, and they came in handy as a temporary fix for failing saddle rigging or rope replacement.

Today, wild rags are worn not only by Cowboys and Cowgirls, but they have evolved from just being practical neckwear to becoming a fashion accessory. Being worn as elegant headscarves (think Grace Kelly, or, more recently, Anne Hathaway), tied to handbags or hats as hatbands, or used as colourful ponytail ties or belts, and even as stylish bandanas for our dogs, just to name a few. 

In many regions of the US, wild rags are still a standard part of a Western outfit, whether it be for working cattle or after hours. In Australia, these scarves are not widely known as wild rags yet. However, they have become increasingly popular over the last few years, particularly with Western and pleasure riders training and competing in Reigning, Cutting, Ranch Riding, Cowboy Dressage and Equitation. 

More traditional scarves often feature Western themes and can be worn with scarf slides to hold them in place or simply draped around the neck and tied.   

As most of our followers have probably figured out, we are sticklers for quality and always strive to develop our own unique designs. Whilst we love a traditional paisley pattern, we wanted a modern take on it, and we also wanted scarves with Australian inspired motives.

Our first collection of TukTuk wild rags featured Australian brumbies, Western Australian Silver Princess Eucalypt blossoms, Southern Australien Desert Peas with their striking colour and shape and our take on modern paisley patterns. These designs are printed on the most beautiful 12 mm silk twill and measure a generous 100 x 100 cm. We are now working on a smaller version swell, more to follow soon..

We have only made limited numbers of some of the prints. They are marked 'Limited Edition' on our website.  Once they are gone, we won't make the exact ones again.

Silk Wildrag Desert Pea Design

Why do we use silk and not the widely used polyester satin for our wild rags?

For most of our garments (waterproof outerwear excluded), we prefer natural fibre products over man-made ones. 

Silk fabric is made from natural fibre produced from the silkworm and has been manufactured for thousands of years; it has built its reputation as a symbol of luxury throughout the ages. 

Satin, on the other hand, is a type of fabric weave. The weave produces a lustrous sheen on one side of the fabric commonly associated with satin. However, "satin" can actually be made using various materials, including polyester, and it is a poor substitute for silk in many ways.  

Some points of comparison:

Softness and Skin Benefits

When you feel a polyester satin fabric, it has a distinctly slippery feel under your fingertips. But while it is slick, it isn't necessarily soft. Pure silk fabric – made from a natural protein – provides both a smooth and silky feel that man-made textiles have not been able to replicate.

Silk reduces friction on our skin and, since pure silk is made from natural silk fibres, the protein filaments make it hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin. For us here at TukTuk making scarves made from a natural product is the obvious choice since we wear them often next to our skin at the neck and close to our faces.

Temperature Regulation

While neither is a heavy fabric, polyester satin weaves don't adapt to environmental factors like temperature and humidity the way silk does.

Silk is a naturally temperature-regulating fabric that makes it breathable; it's never too hot or too cold in any climate or time of the year.

Price

Polyester satin is synthetic and therefore easier to produce in large quantities. It can be manufactured and easily incorporated into many different products, making this fabric common and inexpensive. 

Silk production is labour intensive and, it is a complex process to manufacture pure silk and have it woven into fabric. It requires careful nurturing of silkworms and handling of the natural fibres. All of this determines the price. Silk will always be more expensive than polyester and a far superior product. 

So, why do you need a silk scarf or wild rag?

We love scarves and, we firmly believe no woman can ever have enough of them. They feel luxurious next to your skin, protect you from the weather, and add colour and personality. Just adding a scarf to an outfit will change often change the whole feel and look.

And we promise you that you'll never find one of our designs elsewhere, all of them are all unique and hand-drawn in our Beechworth Studio.

Our silk scarves and wild rags will always be exclusive to a small club of women who appreciate these scarves for what they are: an elegant and practical accessory that elevates a stylish equestrian outfit.

When we decided in 2019 to bring back the TukTuk Clothing brand, we never imagined we'd be in for such a wild ride. Fast forward to 2021 and her we are, having a ball designing and tweaking the classic TukTuk look. We couldn't wait to bring back our signature range of horse riding clothes. But of course, it never occurred to us that the world would go gaga just when we were in the middle of getting everything going again.

The previous incarnation of TukTuk set the bar very high. It was always going to be a hard act to follow. But we know now for a fact that we have all of you, our gorgeous customer behind us. You must have really wanted this to happen. We've received fantastic feedback and support from you all. 

So here we are again. Despite Covid, lockdowns, chaotic worldwide shipping conditions, and Equitana having been postponed twice. And it was only possible because of the fantastic support we received over the last year. Thank you all from the bottoms of our hearts!

Some things have changed (like we updated our logo and our office/design studio and showroom are now located in Beechworth), but the essential things remain the same.

Our thoughts on design are the same as they've always been. We believe that comfortable and well-considered design is everything. It should help you feel good. Doesn't matter if you're stepping out for a cuppa in town or getting on your horse. We get that our fellow horse-loving and mostly country dwelling women need sturdy gear that can withstand a bit of bush bashing or mucking out. But you want your clothes to be stylish at the same time. In particular when you're showing or competing or taking part in a clinic and also after, at the pub or around the camp fire.

We also understand that we all need to love our clothes enough to want to wear them day after day. 

So, what makes us love them? The way they make us look, the way they feel next to our skin, the ease of movement they allow. It's that unique combination of functionality and form.

We still choose natural fibres where appropriate. Cotton, linen, bamboo and silk for our riding pants and shirts. Why? For comfort and breathability. Often we mix in a little bit of Spandex for that all-important stretch (think getting your foot into your stirrup with ease).

When we're designing, for us, it's not just about creating clothes for horse riders. We're thinking about what the women in our tribe, the horse-riding women who also have a busy life, would love to wear when they are doing all the other things they need to get on with. Would that pair of riding pants also look good and feel good when you're out shopping, dropping off the kids at school or meeting friends at the pub? Can you seamlessly ride your horse in them and then get on with the rest of the day?

And we still follow a straightforward principle in our designs: we build up to quality, not down to price. We will never compete on price because that means we have to compromise on quality. That is our promise.

Yes, it sounds simple, yet it's a tough gig. From first-hand experience, we know how much passion and energy is required to make loveable clothes and then make the whole thing work as a business. You may have heard that the clothing industry can be cut-throat, and the competition is fierce. It is.

Because of this, we still take complete control over everything ourselves. All our designs are created in-house, and then we take those designs straight to our select manufacturers. We choose the best materials, and we make to last. And because there are no middlemen (or middlewomen), we're able to bring you the best possible quality at competitive prices.

A shot behind the scenes in the design studio.

So this year, we've had a bit of fun and added some Western design elements to our riding pants styles 276 and 278. Like cute embroidery on the hem or on the yoke. The aim was not to copy Western riding gear but to add a bit of a 'Wenglish, English Cow Girl' sort of a vibe. Just because we can. And we think it looks adorable. And it seems that a lot of you also love these new styles. 

We have some new designs in mind too. We are in the process of developing three new riding pant styles (and yes, the full suede seat is making a comeback - yay). And also as a waterproof riding poncho (think a modern take on a serape). More accessories and possibly a new take on the classic TukTuk riding vests are also on the drawing board.

And, we are in the early stages of designing a riding skirt (I never thought I'd ever say that). When we posted the first design illustrations of the riding skirt on Facebook, our followers got really excited. That gave us the confidence to pursue this idea further.

Illustration of a riding skirt

We are also still planning on releasing a collection of premium TukTuk clothing and accessories. Stay tuned on that. Exciting things are happening behind the scenes.   But it will be a little while still until we can reveal more.

In the meantime, we have already released our first limited edition of exquisite silk scarves (or wild rags like our 'cow girl' customers like to call them). And, of course, they are all featuring our own hand-drawn designs. Unfortunately, many of our customers missed out on the first drop, so we are re-thinking how we will offer future editions of these scarves. Possibly by advertising new designs for pre-order before we make them. We'd like to see that everyone who wants a scarf has a chance to put in an order before we make them so as not to miss out again. More on that subject soon.

It feels great to be back. We love hearing from all our previous customers and getting to know all the new ones. The excitement and enthusiasm we are getting from you are invigorating.

If you want to know more about the going ons at TukTuk and get an idea of what happens behind the scenes, please follow our Instagram page @TukTukClothing or TukTuk Clothing on Facebook. And, of course, we always love to see photos of you in your TukTuks. Please keep posting them.

Come ride with us. 

Thank you.

Sabine and Cornèlia 

Our first photoshoot in May 2020, a couple of month before we launched the new TukTuk website/e-commerce shop.

Often, we are asked, "Where are your riding pants made?"
There is no one answer. They are 'made' in several places.

The process is spread over several stages and takes place in as many countries:
1. Research
2. Design
3. Drafting
4. Sampling – several parts to this one
5. Fabric
6. Making

Sure, not everything happens in Australia, but there is always a good reason for that. We'll explain. Get a cuppa; this will take a while...

Research

This one is easy. We put on some pants (or a jacket, a vest, a shirt, whatever) and get going on a horse. Swim in the river, go up the high country, ride down the beach, sit in the truck for 14 hours straight, stop off at Aldi to buy drinkies on the way home…you know the sort of thing. This is R&D for us. Not too shabby, eh?

Design

Step one: here in Beechworth, in our design room on a big table, we sketch the ideas for each garment, working out what we need (the form) versus what we simply want (the function). Often we receive input from our dedicated fan base on social media. Comments like: 'Please make a pair of riding jeans with a phone pocket' or 'Can we have a style of riding pants with a higher waist' and so on. Sometimes we just have a couple of new ideas for a riding pant design that we feel is worth pursuing. Quality of make, originality of design and comfort are our guiding principles.
Sometimes it's simply a feeling, "I LOVE this!" (a colour, a shape, a 'look') that comes from our designer. We then discuss the features of the new riding jeans or riding pants so that they're functional as well as gorgeous and desirable.
Step two: right, we've settled on a concept. Let's get started. Off to the drawing-room we chuff to begin drafting the first pattern (sometimes the first of many). From scratch. Sometimes a new design is based on an existing TukTuk riding pant design which means we can use it as a basic block, which we amend into a new style.

Drafting

Lots of technical stuff (finicky, picky, teeny weeny measurements and Bezier curves).
Many sheets of bridal paper, rolls of sticky tape and sharpened pencils later, we make the first toile from calico. Then we repeat, and repeat and repeat, till the form looks right and fits our house model.

Sampling (fiddly stuff, lots of detail)

Our sample machinist (in Yackandandah) makes two versions of our sample. One we keep, the other is sent to our Industrial Pattern maker in Brighton, Victoria, to be finished into a 'make ready' pattern for the factory.
After that, the patterns and our first samples are sent to whichever maker is responsible for that style. They produce a first counter sample from our patterns. We may also test a couple of alternative fabrics at this stage: stretch cord or new deni, or whatever may be a better or different option for this particular style.
Remember, the devil is in the detail, after all. Only once we are really happy with the design and pre-production samples, then we grade the patterns into different sizes. They are not just 'blown up' in a uniform way. There is a complex formula to calculate which bits get bigger and by how much, and which bits don't so much.

Making

Our riding pants and riding jeans are cut and sewn in India, as they have been since TukTuk began in 1997. In many cases, we are using the same makers as when we started. In a couple of factories, the children of the original owners have now taken over the businesses.

Fabric

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, the four-way-stretch fabric is on its way.
TukTuk fabric is woven and dyed to our specifications (95% Cotton+5% Spandex woven as four-way-stretch) in Turkey, India or China.
You may ask why not in Australia? The answer is simple: there are no suitable weavers in Australia anymore.

That's the factual process stuff, but enough of that. It's not only about where our riding pants are made but why we do it this way.

To give you a real-life example of how it all comes together. The riding pant style we currently have under development is a hybrid of a couple of previous riding jeans styles. We have added thigh phone pockets but chosen not to go with a zip. Why? We tested both versions and found a zip will not allow any stretch over your thigh - just one example of why we do the things we do instead of just copying what's in the market. We also moved a seam, so there is no inner leg seam. Because our riding pants are purpose constructed for spending many hours in the saddle. We added some gorgeous design details for the hem. Just because we can and because we like a distinct look, rather than a generic, bland one.

In this case, we used the patterns of previous riding pant styles – we know they fit! We added changes to the original patterns according to the new style specifications, evolving it into a new style.
Before our fabric is woven to our specification, the yarn is dyed to our colours. The dyed yarn is then woven into a four-way stretch fabric.
Dying of fabric is an art. The process comprises a series of steps. First, we select a colour we think might work. Then we get several 'lab dibs' done. After seeing it on the actual cloth and, if we still like it, we finally approve the colour. This can take weeks and sometimes months.

You may ask why we don't source the fabric in Australia. The answer is simple: there are no suitable fabric manufacturers in Australia anymore.

Once the fabric arrives at our manufacturers in India, it is laid out on large cutting tables. The various panels and pieces of cloth that later make the riding pants are cut using our patterns. From there, all the parts are sewn together, trims added, then ironed and packed. There is a rigorous quality control process applied at all stages of making the riding pants.

We work with a couple of Indian manufacturers (and have been working with them since 1997). Over the years and, after trying out many others in India, Turkey and China, we've found that the manufactures we work with meet our high quality and finish standards. They are reliable and are good to work with, and they look after their employees and pay them fair wages.

Could we have our riding pants manufactured in Australia? Most probably. However, they are quite a technical garment to manufacture. Our four-way stretch fabric requires specialized machinery to make and highly skilled machinists.
The higher cost of employment, real estate values, etc. are contributing factors to making manufacturing in Australia costly. Even if we did not apply standard retail margins (which we have to; otherwise, we won't survive), it would make the riding pants come with a hefty price tag. That's just the reality of how the world works - not our choice.

We haven't tested acceptance of a more expensive price tier for "Australian made" in our customer base yet. It would be a risky move. Maybe once we are more established, we'll work up the courage...