The Plaid Horse September 2022 - The Fashion Issue

CAVALIE E COUTURE

"You're More Than the Size on Your Riding Tights Tag."

WORDS: Tyler Bui

WHILE BODY POSITIVITY is slowly taking root in equestrian sport, we’ve still got a long way to go. Lela Alice Reynolds, creator of the clothing line Cavaliere Couture, has dedicated her career to creating change and advancing inclusivity and acceptance for all equestrians. Her number one goal: To help as many riders as possible to feel empowered, confident, and comfortable in the saddle.

“My brand stands for two things that are really important to me: Body positivity and mental health,” Reynolds tells The Plaid Horse. “My slogan is ‘You are more than the size on your riding tights tag.’ Body positivity is so important within the sport because we see a lot of people who are of a certain body type, and pretty much all of the clothing and imagery that we see within the equestrian world is again, of a certain body type.”

“You can feel that if you’re not a certain body type, you’re not going to be competitive, or that you don’t look as good on a horse,” she adds. “You also go into tack stores and see that all the clothes are not really made to fit every size either. I think all of those things tied together can make a very non-inclusive sport, and I personally want to change that perception.”

“Horses are supposed to bring us together and create a sense of community and well-being. That’s what the spirit of horses is all about. To have that ripped away because of a non-inclusive community is something that is in the forefront of my mind to change.”

As a young adult, Reynolds lived in the Los Angeles area not only riding, but working in the modeling, film, and television industries. Impacted by the unhealthy image standards of those worlds, she developed body dysmorphia and eating disorders, which she endured through her late

twenties, even after leaving those careers. When she turned 30, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, and later gained about 100 pounds due to the effects.

“Horses are supposed to bring us together and create a sense of community and well-being. To have that ripped away because of a non-inclusive community is something that is in the forefront of my mind to change.”

—LELA REYNOLDS, FOUNDER

“I had to flip the script on myself and start to realize and live firsthand a lot of the issues that people that were of a larger body type had to live through,” says Reynolds. “It was so eye opening for me. That is what sparked me trying to create a brand that really was going to make people feel comfortable in their own skin.”

“At the same time, I also had to encourage myself to redefine my own self worth. I suddenly had this vision of myself that my worth was not tied to my size or my clothing. There was so much more inside of me than that. I had to really reframe my whole image of who I was as a human being. Through developing Cavaliere Couture, it really helped me do that because I was helping other people do that as well.”

Reynolds developed a riding tight for riders of several different body types to feel comfortable. She created a yoga pant-type feel, with a high waist that does not roll down and provides just enough compression to feel great in the saddle. The pants, along with every other product the brand offers, is sold in sizes S-XXL, which fits sizes 0-24.

“Through my experience of both body types I am able to cater to [many different] body types, which I think is something that makes my brand unique,” she says.

Not only are Cavaliere Couture’s riding

tights great for riding, they are also an excellent choice for exercise, daily errands, and lounging.

“The tights are perfect for virtually any form of exercise. I have a lot of pilates instructors that use them because they have the silicone grips, which for horseback riding is great, but also has a dual use for pilates reformers and core pads,” says Reynolds. “They’ve also been found to be awesome for yoga classes, especially hot yoga, because these riding leggings are sweat resistant and moisture wicking, and your feet stick in the balancing positions with the silicone.”

In addition to riding tights and shirts, Cavaliere Couture also has a line of loungewear, accessories, and jewelry.

All of the Cavaliere Couture jewelry is part of a collaboration with Tara Hagman, a small business owner in Scottsdale, AZ. “She is a silversmith so she makes all of those pieces made to

order,” says Reynolds. “The stones are hand mined, so not one piece is the same. Everything on my site is all handmade, it’s all women-made, and all of my collaborations are done with fellow small female business owners.”

Reynolds hopes to further expand her brand in the future, not only growing in colors and variations but also developing a children’s line for both riding and loungewear. She has a competition riding tight that is set to launch in the near future, along with new colors and tights.

“My motto has always been ‘Show who you are, no matter what,” says Reynolds. “Don’t worry about anybody else’s opinion but the opinion of the horse underneath you. Horses will always tell you if something isn’t working for them. You always have to listen to your horse, and to not listen to the outside influences from the people around you. Don’t try to fit in. Just be yourself and everything else falls into place.”

For more on Cavaliere Couture, and to shop the collection, visit cavalierecouture.com.