Product review - Equine Couture Giana show shirt

Ignore the fact my husband didn't manage to take a picture of me smiling - I am happy with the shirt!

As part of my new affiliation with Breeches.com, from time to time they send me products to test out and review. How cool is that? I'm under no obligation to provide a positive review; they want my genuine, honest feedback and that's exactly what your'e going to get.

The first item they sent couldn't have come at a better time. We've been having a heat wave in Ontario that feels like it's lasted for two months already. Temps are above 30 most days with humidex values often in the 40s. Even riding first thing in the morning doesn't really help beat the heat, so I was excited to try this Equine Couture Ladies Giana short sleeve show shirt.  It features a large mesh panel across the back for ventilation, and is made with moisture-wicking "Equi Cool" fabric. 

First impressions
The shirt is simple and stylish with clean lines and a sporty look, thanks to the tech fabric and quarter zip. Definitely nice enough to wear at a show or clinic, but plain and comfy enough for everyday schooling. The logo is subtle and not too big. Overall a nice modern update on the classic short sleeve show shirt.

Fit and function
The cut is on the long side, with the bottom sitting closer to the hip than the waist; a length I prefer to avoid any riding up or gapping between the shirt and my breeches. The fabric is not as stretchy as I thought it would be, but it's very lightweight and quite comfortable. Perhaps because of the lack of stretch, it fit me a bit on the small side. In most brands I wear an XL on top, but in this particular product I would be more comfortable in an XXL. One of the things I really appreciate about this line of apparel is their inclusive sizing; the shirt is available from XS to XXXL. Have a look at the sizing chart and if you are in doubt, I'd recommend going up one size. 

Did it keep me cool? Honestly nothing can keep me cool when it's 33 degrees outside, except relaxing in the shade with an ice cold gin & tonic. But the fabric does dry quickly, avoiding that gross, damp, sticky feeling. The large mesh panel at the back does encourage airflow, which gives the illusion of feeling cooler, at the very least. I think that feature would be particularly helpful under a show jacket on a hot day. 

Would I recommend it?
Yes - although not as stretchy and comfortable as some other tech fabrics I've tried, this shirt gets bonus points for the ventilated back panel, and for coming in a wider range of fabrics and being priced more affordably than many similar show-appropriate shirts. 

Want 20% off?
Breeches.com has given me a special code to offer 20% off to Canadian Dressage Addict readers. Full disclosure - I get a small portion of the proceeds from any order that includes my code. No pressure, no obligation. But if you like cool horse stuff, and you like saving money, please feel free to use the code AKREAD20. The discount will apply to your entire order. 

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