Riding Habits Of the Victorian Era
Riding habits should be made with a heavy weight drapable skirt. A heavy linen, cotton twill, or wool are excellent choices for wear, but velveteen and bengaline moire also work well.
Dark colors are generally used but red, grey, tans, dusty blue, and mauve are also seen.
Popular colors are dark green, dark blue, black, and brown.
Because of the necessary fabrics to make habits hang correctly,
I usually charge between $400-975 to create one.

1849 habit from Godeys- In tan with blue accents


Riding Habits from Godey's of 1858
L- Dark blue wool cloth, Right Mauve wool jacket, with Linen skirt and undersleeves.


Godey's 1863 Riding Habit Black wool, with white cashmere vest, fluted trimmings,
and red ribbon accents on hat and at neck

Godey's 1869 Riding Habit Black wool with leather colored contrast bindings and gilt buttons.


1872 Riding Habit from Peterson's
probably made with a false vest front (most dresses of this time frame were)


Riding Habits from Harper's Bazar 1873 in Wool and Mohair
One open to show the shirt underneath, the other made double breasted.


Butterick Patterns released this riding habit pattern in 1883
- it shows the more tailored skirt that became popular in the late 1870's- now fitted with a dart at the
knee instead of the previous flowing gores of fabric.



Riding Habit from Demorest- 1887
A fine example of the tailored habit bodice fashionable from 1877-1893


1894 Riding Habit Harper's Bazar
showing double breasted vest, full sleeves, and open coat with wide shawl collar

some more links
1847 riding habit

Hints on Equestrianism for the Fair sex 1848-49

Riding Clothing 1912

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