Hold your horses. Or better yet, wear them this fall.
The horse motif is riding high these days, with dramatic equine imagery emblazoned across sweaters, jackets, blouses, jeans and even on accessories. Dubbed the “horse girl aesthetic” by many, the trend goes beyond Western and equestrian themes and celebrates one singular sensation: the horse.
According to celebrity stylist Samantha Brown, “Horses are heavily represented in classic prep and Americana fashion, and there’s definitely a strong movement toward this.” But beyond that, she suggested, “Perhaps wearers are asserting something about themselves when it comes to choosing a piece of clothing with a horse on it. Wild and free is the slogan that would come to mind.” Brown also believes that there’s a “trickle-down” effect from high-end horse-centric brands such as Hermès, making once elite horse-inspired fashion approachable and affordable.
A majestic look
At Penny Lane boutique in Huntington, owner Gabrielle Sunshine said that this horse moment is an extension of the Western craze. This cozy sweater is $96 at the store and pennylaneny.com. Credit: blue b. Collection
For Gabrielle Sunshine, owner of the Penny Lane boutique in Huntington, where horse-themed tops and jewelry are popular, the focus on the “literal” horse, she said, is an extension of the overall Western trend. “We’re taking it to the next level. Horses are the most majestic animals on Earth.” One brass necklace here features a horsehead and is composed of actual horse tack — vintage brass medallions that once decorated saddles used initially to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the horses.
This vintage horse medallion on a thick curb chain iby Dash Theory at Penny Lane is a showstopper. Credit: Penny Lane
A customer, Denise Sperando, 70, of Plainview, who is involved with thoroughbred and polo worlds, bought the piece and calls it a showstopper. “I get so many compliments from people in the race world and from people who have nothing to do with horses,” she said.
Of course, homage to the horse is not new, says vintage fashion expert Matthew Ruiz, who owns Luxe Swap, a luxury consignment boutique in Oyster Bay. Ruiz credits Ralph Lauren for keeping the horse in the national conversation and recalls selling the designer’s sweaters depicting horses decades ago. Currently, he said “Vintage Ralph is going insane,” in terms of sales, especially items depicting horses. “Everything is cyclical in fashion, and we’ve gone from sleek futuristic high fashion to the antithesis — more country. And nobody defines country like Ralph Lauren.”
That said, Ruiz also likens the latest horse stampede to “a symbol of a lifestyle. If you’re wearing a horse you have an apartment on Fifth Avenue and a ranch in Montana,” he joked. “A lot of these pieces are signaling wealth even if you don’t have it. You can’t own a horse if you’re not wealthy. It symbolizes power and wealth. You don’t see sweaters that glorify snails or slugs.”
‘Nouveau Americana’
At Gallery Couture in Manhasset and Loop in Port Washington, this dramatic toile print knit sweater features horse scenes and shiny gold buttons. Credit: Gallery Couture
Afshin Haghani, the owner of Gallery Couture in Manhasset and the Loop boutique in Port Washington, sees it similarly. “In the old days, the whole horse genre meant being part of this luxe lifestyle. Now it’s more like, ‘I may not have a horse; I may not belong to a country club, but I understand the sentiment.’ It’s almost twisting the symbol and bringing it down to the masses.” Haghani, who dubs the movement “nouveau Americana,” called the horse imagery, “a powerful symbol of freedom and not being contained by rules.” To prove that point, he noted the versatility of a graphic cardigan stocked at his stores that depicts a scene featuring galloping horses in a busy toile-like pattern amped up with shiny gold buttons. “It’s flying out the door and being worn to the office, and with denim for more casual days.”
Hannah Goumas, of Smithtown, calls herself a real “horse girl” who even rode a horse down the aisle at her 2019 wedding. Credit: Lexi Daniels
Some, like Hannah Goumas, 33, of Smithtown, are anything but reined in when it comes to the horse trend. Goumas truly is a “horse girl.” She rode a horse down the aisle for her 2019 wedding, has led trail rides at the Bethpage Equestrian Center and worked at the therapeutic riding facility, HorseAbility, in Old Westbury. Needless to say, she’s more than delighted by the horse’s new starring role in fashion.
Recently she ponied up $58 for a horse-themed sweater which she bought online and wore during a family photo shoot. “I think it’s a beautiful trend,” she said. “I think it elevates style, has a designer look to it, and I think horse’s faces are really elegant,” she explained. Clearly, she’s not saying “neigh” to the trend.
