“If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” This old adage inspired Trish Bosley to open Bosley Brangier Custom Hand Tailored Apparel. A custom clothier in suits, jackets, and shirts for business, social and equestrian attire, Bosley Brangier fills a niche in tailored clothing that is nearly unmatched. As one of the two or three custom equestrian clothiers in the country, she offers exquisite quality that horsemen have come to depend upon for her expertise and love of the trade.
Trish has furnished custom-made riding apparel for fox chasing, hunter/jumper shows, and dressage competitions at all levels for twenty years. Her love of horses comes to her quite naturally since she was born into a family who lived equestrian-centered lives. In the 1940s her mother attended Porlock Vale Equestrian Centre in Porlock, England. The school was a British Horse Society Training Centre and the first to offer courses in Dressage. Her mother learned all the aspects of horses from stable cleaning to mane braiding and was expected to ride at the most competitive levels.
So it is no surprise that even on the day that Trish was born, her mother had been galloping on horses in hopes of inducing labor. It appears inevitable that young Trish would grow to love and appreciate the full scope of equestrian events including fox chasing, hunter-jumper, and dressage. It is further not surprising that she would become an expert in designing riding attire.
Years ago Bosley’s godfather, Hank Vogel, of E. Vogel Boots and Shoes in Manhattan asked if she were available to help a friend in the custom-clothing business who desired a larger presence in the Equestrian market. Trish quickly learned, “While adhering to the standards for the discipline of the hunt and hunter/jumpers, the garment wearer needs to have functionality.
A properly fitted jacket has a trim silhouette on the body whether the person is small or large in size. Along with the shoulder blades, there must be enough room to move the arms forward when jumping over a fence. The sleeve length allows for a small amount of cuff to be visible when the arms are bent at the elbow holding the reins There is a balance between the perfection of the garment and the athlete’s need for comfort and agility.”
After working with Vogel’s friend for a time learning everything she could about the craft, Trish chose to start her own business called Bosley Brangier Custom Hand Tailored Apparel located in St. Michaels, MD.
Starting her own business was to Trish a matter of excellence. From the beginning, to provide excellent garments she sought out the highest quality and most reputable sewing shops and fabrics from around the country. She retained a pattern maker, Tony Rubino of Manhattan whom she told, “We want to create patterns for garments that look wonderful and provide the movement required for the equestrian athlete.”
“Whether it is mass-produced or custom-made, quality riding clothing can be expensive.” Bosley says, “The expense can be even greater when riders have to replace clothes that do not stand up well to the stresses of most equestrian activities. A jacket or a shirt that is made to fit one’s individual measurements from carefully selected fabrics results in a garment that fits better and lasts longer. It can be well worth the investment, both in terms of quality and in the peace of mind that you are every bit as well turned out as your mount.” In choosing one’s riding attire, there are strict requirements in each discipline. It is important that those standards are adhered to in order to obtain the polished, desired look of that discipline.
One of the most intriguing equestrian disciplines is the fox hunt. Even for those who are not members in a hunt club, images of the hunt are familiar and pleasing to watch. Images of men and women in red coats mounted on horses with the hounds afoot in open, pastoral fields chasing foxes may be all one knows about the timeless sport. It is said of fox hunting, “There is a passion for hunting, something deeply implanted in the human breast.” Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist).“Hunter/Jumper showing is another discipline that requires fine attire. What is worn by the rider takes on keen importance. When attending certain shows, it is almost as important what designer clothing you and your horse are wearing, as it is how you and your horse perform. There are name brands, including Bosley Brangier for shirts and jackets that define you in the hierarchy of acceptance.
The nice thing is that we are able to make everyone look the part, for not much more money than the average person spends on multiple outfits that never fit well. The average tack shop show coat costs about $450-$800. One of my coats begins at $995. The person who purchases multiples at an average price of $500 and looks just like everyone else on the show grounds, could have purchased one of my garments which would have made so much more sense,” explained Bosley.
Although her garments are custom designed and undoubtedly can be costly, the finished product is one that, contrary to “off the rack” clothes, will last throughout the years. That trustworthy garment becomes as familiar as the horses or the saddle themselves. The materials meticulously chosen, dozens of measurements per garment, and hand stitching at the collar, sleeve, and lining assure a perfect fit. For Bosley, ensuring the perfect fit for her customers gives her peace of mind that her clientele will look and feel their best as they compete in their chosen equestrian discipline.
