CALLIDAE’s Stylish and Functional Antidotes to the “Sun Shirt”
As many of you know, I came to riding in my 40s after playing competitive tennis my whole life. I competed in tennis during the heyday of tennis fashion, with brands like Ellesse, Fila, and Adidas all turning out super cute, well-made, and stylish tennis clothes. When I got more involved in riding and wanted to build my equestrian wardrobe, I was surprised at the paucity of well-made, stylish riding clothes. There were functional, modestly-priced brands with okay fabrics and not much style. And there were expensive European brands with slightly nicer fabrics, very low cut breeches and tight shirts, and a lot of embellishment.
CALLIDAE was founded to fill that hole in the market. While we worked on creating the best fitting breech for all bodies, we turned our attention to the “sun shirt,” an existing product I found lacking. We were determined to find nicer fabrics and to create better fitting, more stylish shirts for riders and other athletes. Our current suite of technical shirts does just that. All of our shirts are made of a UPF 50 technical stretch jersey. Two are made of a featherweight fabric (The Tech Rib Crew and The Tech Practice Shirt) and two are made of a slightly heavier weight (The Tech Polo and The Turtleneck). All are quick drying with excellent stretch and recovery. Read on to discover the unique features and uses of our technical shirts.
– Founder, HP
1. The tech rib crew
Made of our newest practice shirt fabric, The Tech Rib Crew provides second-skin comfort and all of the stretch and recovery of our signature jersey fabrics. The innovative rib-like technical knit gives the look of a fine gauge rib without any of the bulk, and is sweat wicking and quick drying. Our clients love this shirt for schooling on the hottest days.
2. The Tech Practice Shirt
CALLIDAE's original alternative to the “sun shirt.” Made from a feather weight, technical stretch jersey, the perforated panels on the sleeves and back yoke add to breathability. The skinny snap placket is finished on the inside with our signature grosgrain ribbon. The tech practice shirt is perfect for schooling on hot days as well as a great layering piece for transitional weather.
3. The Tech Polo
A long sleeved polo made from a slightly heavier version of our technical knit fabric that provides the perfect balance of aesthetic and functional characteristics. CALLIDAE's signature elastic ribbon finishes the wrist in tonal and contrast color. Looks crisp and polished without sacrificing flexibility. The stand collar and front snap placket make it a great alternative to a classic show shirt.
4. The Turtleneck
Since its launch 18 months ago, The Turtleneck has become a favorite of CALLIDAE followers. An easy to wear but ultra sophisticated shirt, it can be work both everyday and in the jumper ring at shows. The comfortable fit of the collar provides additional sun protection at the neck.
