My eyes struggle to focus, I take a deep breath, my palms start to sweat, my breaths shorten – yes someone is wearing a scrunchie! People laugh at my ridiculous dislike for anything scrunchie related but they don’t understand that this is not just a mild issue – this is a marmite level of hate and something to be taken very seriously.
Carrie Bradshaw (from Sex and the City) famously declared that no woman of taste would ever be caught wearing a scrunchie. Harpers Bazaar described them as “an unsophisticated accessory” and “a dangerously ironic fashion statement that can easily tip the balance into fashion faux pas territory.” So for those fashionistas out there, this should be enough of a reason to avoid this hair accessory.
I, however, am not the fashion police. And I shall not even pretend to be fashionable. My problem is more related to what a scrunchie represents.
A scrunchie sends a subliminal message to say you are trying to be a show rider, you are wearing what you think should be worn – it just screams amateur. Everyone should watch and learn from the best – go to a show and watch whoever is winning, look through the Horse of the Year Show programme, open a copy of Showing World… Look at the best, what are they wearing? I can almost guarantee there will not be a scrunchie in sight.
I am all for colour co-ordination but the matching browband, tie, waistcoat, scrunchie…. Is just too much! As David and Victoria Beckham know all too well – matching and complimenting is good, being too matchy is awful.
It sounds trivial and pathetic to suggest that your showing outfit can affect your results – it doesn’t affect your performance but it does send out a message and set a context for the judge. As always you are trying to make it easy for the judge to put you at the top of the line, so dress like you are meant to be there.
Coco Channel said “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress. Dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” And I will edit this quote but continue the meaning “Dress shabbily and they notice the rider. Dress impeccably and they notice the horse.”
And don’t even get me started on messy hair….
