Something new · Rider to rider
Tailored Sportsman Alternatives: What Riders Wear Instead
Breeches and sun shirts that fit the way you expect, from brands we carry.
Riders leaving Tailored Sportsman's Trophy Hunter, Trophy Hunter low rise and IceFil sun shirts name Romfh, RJ Classics, Kerrits, Ovation and Tredstep. This guide matches what you wore to a pick we carry, converts your Tailored Sportsman size from published charts, and points to the guide for each Tailored Sportsman line.
The short version
If you wore Tailored Sportsman: the breeches and shirts riders choose next
RJ Classics' Gulf is the closest look to a Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter among the breeches we carry, and Kerrits' Ice Fil Lite is the nearest fabric match to a Tailored Sportsman IceFil sun shirt.
If they wore
Trophy Hunter, mid rise, Velcro cuff
Riders switch to
RJ Classics Gulf BreechesThe closest look we carry: a knee patch hunter breech with a sock bottom instead of Velcro.
Shop nowIf they wore
Trophy Hunter, low rise or a gappy waist
Riders switch to
Ovation Celebrity Slim SecretA knee patch breech that one rider calls her favorite, at a tier below the Gulf.
Shop nowIf they wore
TechLight or a sock-bottom Trophy Hunter
Riders switch to
Romfh Sarafina Euro GripA stretch knee patch breech with a silicone patch in show tan and the numeric sizes riders know from Tailored Sportsman.
Shop nowIf they wore
Trophy Hunter for the hunter ring, for less
If they wore
Trophy Hunter, in a front or side zip
If they wore
IceFil sun shirt
Riders switch to
Kerrits Ice Fil Lite Long SleeveKerrits uses Ice Fil fabric too, in a long sleeve solid at the lowest tier on this page.
Shop nowRider voices
What riders say about leaving Tailored Sportsman, and where they went
Riders tell us the same three things when they switch: the size never quite fits, the fabric feels stiff next to newer breeches, and summer is hot. The brands they name are Romfh, Ovation, RJ Classics and Tredstep.
One size never fit waist and thigh
The breeches they point to
Romfh SarafinaOvation Slim Secret
Riders who fall between Tailored Sportsman sizes name Romfh and Ovation.
See the size crosswalkA more modern fabric, a sock bottom and a lower price
The breeches they point to
RJ Classics GulfRJ Classics Olivia
RJ Classics is the brand riders compare to Tailored Sportsman head to head.
See the Trophy Hunter swapCooler breeches for hot summers
The breeches they point to
Tredstep Hunter ProRomfh Sarafina
A diehard Tailored Sportsman rider in Texas and a rider comparing three brands both name carried breeches as the cooler pair.
See school and show picksOne size never fit waist and thigh
Riders describe Tailored Sportsman as a guess on size, then point to Romfh for the same numeric sizing and to Ovation's Slim Secret as a favorite.
Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunters
I thought TS Trophy Hunters would work on me, but I fall in between sizes (waist too tight to fit thighs or thighs too gappy when waist fits).
Tailored Sportsman breeches
It was interesting to me to see confirmation that the biggest variation with the same brand went to Tailored Sportsman. I’ve always thought no two pairs fit the same.
Romfh breeches
Romfh breeches. They have the same sizing as TS but go up to 40 and stretch really well.
Ovation Celebrity / Slim Secret
I LOVE Ovation Celebrity / Slim Secret breeches. I think they are one in the same, if not very similar in fit. My favorite by far!!!
A more modern fabric, a sock bottom and a lower price
Riders who moved to RJ Classics cite the stretch fabric, the sock bottom, easy washing and a lower price.
RJ Classics breeches
I got my first pair of RJ Classics in 2015 at a horse show and since then, I have been addicted. They look just as nice (if not nicer) than the Tailored Sportsmans and are excellent alternatives at a lower price. They have also held up better than my TS...they do not fade or stretch out at all. My first pair was burgundy (the pair I got in 2015) and they are still in excellent condition even though I wear them all the time. I love the sock bottoms because they fit comfortably under your boots and don't "catch" things in the dryer. These pants do keep you cooler than the TS as another reviewer stated and they are very easy to clean. The fabric is extremely comfortable and I love all the colors! Contrast knee patches on all of them. I get compliments on these all the time. I would give them more than 5 stars if I could...comfortable, durable, sleek, easy to clean, beautiful breeches. The price is well worth it. Buy a pair (or several)!
RJ Classics and Tailored Sportsman breeches
I wouldn’t say either of these breeches are uncomfortable, but I definitely think that the RJ Classics breeches win this category. Made out of breathable, super stretchy fabric, I feel downright sporty in them. While the TS breeches boast a “four way stretch fabric,” I definitely feel that they don’t have as great shape retention and overall feel a little stiffer/more starchy. I rank my RJ Classics for longer days at the barn and my TS for a show class or quicker in-and-out hack days.
RJ Classics breeches
Ultimately, my verdict is: keep your eyes out for discounted, secondhand pairs of TS – they’re everywhere. RJ Classics are well worth the full price.
RJ Classics breeches
I ride in these breeches nearly every day, in all sorts of weather, and they have never let me down. I have three pairs and they have lasted at least twice as long as my tailored sportsmans. They keep me much cooler than TS too and dirt just wipes right off of them, plus they're cheaper and have just as many colors! I like the sock bottom much more than the velcro on TS as well. I will never go back to TS after these awesome breeches.
Cooler breeches for hot summers
Riders who ride through hot summers say Tredstep and Romfh breeches feel cooler than their Tailored Sportsman pairs.
Tredstep breeches
I am a diehard Tailored Sportsman fan and only rode in those until the Texas summer heat hit and I was dying in the sweltering humidity. I was skeptical of synthetic fabrics and I tend to prefer natural cotton, but I have to admit that these Tredstep breeches breathe and keep me much cooler than my TS breeches. They are not as flattering as TS, but they are not unflattering either. They are very comfortable and I now have a pair in every color to get me through summer.
Romfh, Tailored Sportsman and Cool Blast
I have the Romfh, Tailored Sportsman and Cool Blast brands. I think the Romfh may be the coolest, but they all work well.
Your Tailored Sportsman size
Your Tailored Sportsman size in Romfh, RJ Classics and Ovation
Romfh's Sarafina chart lines up with Tailored Sportsman number for number from size 28 up, while RJ Classics' and Ovation's charts read one to two sizes higher at the small end. Use this as a starting point, then check your hip on the new brand's own chart.
| Tailored Sportsman size (chart waist) | Romfh Sarafina | RJ Classics | Ovation Dynamic Hunter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (27") | 24 to 26 | 26 to 28 | 26 |
| 26 (29") | 26 to 28 | 28 to 30 | 28 |
| 28 (30") | 28 | 30 | 28 to 30 |
| 30 (32") | 30 | 32 | 30 to 32 |
| 32 (34") | 32 | 34 | 32 to 34 |
| 34 (36") | 34 | 36 | 34 to 36 |
| 36 (38") | 36 | Past this chart | Past this chart |
Matched on published waist measurements only, from each brand's chart as published in October 2026, and from the Tailored Sportsman chart as US retailers print it. Tailored Sportsman's chart lists no hip measurement. This is a starting point, not a fit guarantee: some riders report wearing the same number in Tailored Sportsman and in RJ Classics or Ovation even though the charts differ.
Swap guide
Swap guide: Tailored Sportsman styles and the closest picks we carry
Find what you wore in the left column. The breeches and shirts riders move to sit beside it, with a price tier for each.
Price tiers among these picks: $ (lowest) to $$$$ (highest)
| If you wore | Riders switch to | Why riders choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Trophy Hunter, Velcro cuff (1963, 1964) |
| The Gulf is the closest look we carry, with a sock bottom in place of Velcro. The Dynamic Hunter keeps the show-tan look a tier lower, and the Hunter Pro is a tan hunter breech in front and side zip. |
| Trophy Hunter with a gappy waist or between sizes | The Slim Secret is the Ovation one rider calls her favorite, and the Sarafina uses the numeric sizes riders know from Tailored Sportsman. | |
| TechLight or a sock-bottom Trophy Hunter (1923, 1927) | Knee patch breeches to try beside the Euro Grip, which adds a silicone patch. | |
| Trophy Hunter in a plus size |
| The Tailored Sportsman women's chart ends at size 36. RJ Classics makes the Gracie Plus for plus sizes, and a rider says Romfh sizes go up to 40. |
| IceFil sun shirt, quarter-zip | IceFil is a fabric name several brands use, so the swap changes the cut, size range and price more than the fabric class. The sun shirt guide sorts these by climate. |
Fit tip
Measure your waist where your breeches sit and your hip at its fullest point, then check both on the new brand's chart instead of relying on a Tailored Sportsman number.Breeches
RJ Classics Gulf and Olivia: the Trophy Hunter swap in full
RJ Classics' Gulf is the closest look to a Trophy Hunter among the breeches we carry, and two longer guides take it from there. The Trophy Hunter guide matches each style by zip, rise and cuff, and the head-to-head compares Tailored Sportsman with the knee patch breeches we carry, brand by brand.
In fairness
If your Trophy Hunters fit, there is no need to switch. Riders who keep them for the show ring often school in a second pair from a brand below.Shop RJ Classics knee patch breeches
Shop all ›Schooling and showing
School in Romfh or Ovation, and keep Tailored Sportsman for the ring
Romfh's Sarafina and Ovation's breeches are the pairs two riders say they school in while they keep Tailored Sportsman for showing. That split is a fair way to try a new brand without giving up the one you trust.
In fairness
Riders who love Tailored Sportsman for the ring can keep it there. The swap is for the pair that sees mud and the washing machine every day.I love the ROMFH Sarafina breeches for schooling, and I have them in burgundy and navy. They are so comfortable and look so much like leggings to me that I wear them all the time, even outside the barn. I’m super old school, so for showing I love Tailored Sportsman breeches.
Ovation breeches
I’ve become a big fan of Ovation breeches. Maybe not for showing (I am attached to my TS despite the velcro bottoms) but definitely for schooling. Which is all I do now anyway.
Shop Romfh knee patch breeches
Shop all ›IceFil sun shirts
IceFil sun shirts: Kerrits, Equine Couture, Chestnut Bay and Ovation
Kerrits' Ice Fil Lite is the nearest fabric match to a Tailored Sportsman IceFil sun shirt, and Equine Couture sells an IceFill sun shirt of its own. Chestnut Bay's SkyCool and Ovation's quarter-zip sun shirts round out the shirts we carry in this style.
The sun shirt guide sorts them by humid South or dry heat, adds plus sizes and long torsos, and lays out what each brand's UPF label says.
In fairness
Riders who wear Tailored Sportsman IceFil shirts often praise how cool and soft they feel, and cooling depends on climate, so try the shirt in the conditions you ride in.Shop Kerrits shirts
Shop all ›In fairness
What Tailored Sportsman does well
We'd rather you wear the right breeches than the wrong ones from us. Riders who stay with Tailored Sportsman have good reasons.
If you show hunters and want the traditional look, a Trophy Hunter is still the pair many riders keep for the ring.
If you need a short inseam, Tailored Sportsman makes short, regular and long lengths in its women's breeches.
If Tailored Sportsman's sizing fits you, its seasonal color range is a reason to stay.
If you want breeches made in the USA, retailer listings show Tailored Sportsman makes its breeches there.
Tailored Sportsman alternatives: FAQ
What is the closest alternative to Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter breeches?
RJ Classics' Gulf is the closest look we carry: a knee patch hunter breech with a sock bottom in place of Velcro. For a lower price tier, riders look at Ovation's Dynamic Hunter, and the Trophy Hunter guide matches each style by zip and rise.
CloseWhat size should I order if I wear Tailored Sportsman?
Start from your Tailored Sportsman number: on published charts Romfh's Sarafina lines up number for number from size 28 up, while RJ Classics and Ovation charts read one to two sizes higher at the small end. Check your hip on the new brand's chart, because Tailored Sportsman's chart lists none.
CloseDo Tailored Sportsman breeches run small?
Riders disagree. Some find the waist gappy or small while the thighs fit, and others say no two pairs fit the same, so treat your Tailored Sportsman number as a starting point and not a rule.
CloseDoes Tailored Sportsman make a sock-bottom breech?
Retailer listings show sock-bottom Trophy Hunter styles (1923 and 1927) and the TechLight line, while the classic Trophy Hunter closes at the ankle with Velcro. RJ Classics' Gulf, Romfh's Sarafina and Ovation's Dynamic Hunter are sock-bottom or soft-cuff breeches we carry.
CloseWhat can I wear instead of a Tailored Sportsman IceFil sun shirt?
Kerrits' Ice Fil Lite uses an Ice Fil fabric, and Equine Couture makes an IceFill sun shirt. Chestnut Bay's SkyCool and Ovation's quarter-zip are other sun shirts we carry; the sun shirt guide sorts them by climate.
CloseWhere can I read more comparisons like this?
Riders leaving Tailored Sportsman also read these guides to compare fit, sizing and what to wear instead, and the other brand guides below.
- Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter alternatives: carried knee patch picks
- Tailored Sportsman sun shirts (IceFil): alternatives we carry
- Tailored Sportsman vs the knee patch breeches we carry
- Ariat breeches and tights: Shopping for alternatives?
- Alternatives to Ariat boots: are they worth the money?
- Shopping for alternatives: Samshield helmets
- Can't find Charles Owen? Alternatives
Brands we carry
Breeches and shirts riders chose after Tailored Sportsman
Every pick on this page comes from a brand we carry: RJ Classics, Romfh, Ovation, Tredstep, Kerrits, Equine Couture and Chestnut Bay.
How we built this guide: size matches from each brand's published chart, as of October 2026, and picks checked against our live listings on November 4, 2026. Quotes are riders' own words from public reviews and discussions.