Foxhunting attire is grounded in tradition, but that tradition is firmly based upon practicality. It has developed over the years to keep riders comfortable in the weather and field conditions that one is likely to encounter in the fall, winter, and early spring. Further, for many who participate in or watch the hunt, including landowners and their families, the spectacle of a nicely turned-out field is pleasurable and indicates our respect for both the traditions of the sport and the landscape to which we have been granted access.
 
The details of acceptable attire vary somewhat from region to region and hunt to hunt. Some hunts are quite particular about certain nuances of turnout (for example, finding square or colored saddle pads unacceptable) so if hunting elsewhere, a polite enquiry as to any special considerations may be in order.
 
The guidelines given here apply to adult hunt attire for the Radnor Hunt. Cubhunting attire is less formal than regular season attire, mainly because the weather still tends to be warm. A collared shirt of subdued hue (polo, ladies’ show shirt, or gentleman’s dress shirt with tie), breeches (traditionally tan, grey, brown or rust colored), and black or brown high boots are acceptable, as are similarly colored jodphurs and “paddock” or jodphur boots. Hard hat may be brown, grey, or black. (Note that in the U.S., ribbon tails on hard hats should run upward; downward is reserved for professional staff.) The ensemble should be completed with a tweed jacket or linen jacket, although this requirement is waived in September if the weather is too uncomfortably warm for jackets. Persons subscribing to the “Foxhunting 101” course often ask about proper attire. As this course is conducted in the fall, cubhunting attire is all that is required, and a show coat is perfectly acceptable for cooler days.
 
Formal hunt attire is worn beginning with the opening meet in November. Once the formal season begins, hard hats and high boots should be black. (Note that patent boot tops for ladies or brown boot tops for gentlemen should only be worn if one has been awarded one’s hunt colors.) Riding coat should be black or navy (for women), and worn with beige, tan, canary or rust colored breeches. Riding shirt should be white or canary with a white stock tie. Tie should be affixed with a simple stock tie pin running horizontally. (A pin running vertically is reserved for staff.) It is recommended that you affix the ends of your stock tie to your shirt with two small safety pins hidden inside your coat—flapping stock tie ends are both unsightly and a safety hazard. A vest (traditionally canary or tattersall plaid) may be worn once the weather gets colder, but should not be viewed as required if the weather is warm. 
 
At Radnor Hunt, those who have been awarded their colors will add a grey collar and hunt buttons to their coats. For ladies who are not riding as staff, this color scheme is always worn, and may include patent-leather topped boots if desired. For gentlemen members of the field who have been awarded their colors, the same rules apply (with brown-topped boots, if desired). Gentlemen may also wear white breeches, and this dress is always correct. On Saturdays and holidays (or other special occasions which may be decided by the Masters) gentlemen with colors may substitute a scarlet coat with brass hunt buttons and white breeches. (Note that brass hunt buttons are only used on the scarlet coat, never a black or navy one.) Also note that hunt colors are normally displayed only when hunting with one’s own hunt (or in an organized joint meet between hunts.) If one hunts as a guest at another hunt, colors are usually not worn unless one has been given permission to do so by that hunt’s master.

The most important thing for juniors to know is that they are strongly encouraged to try hunting. They are the future of our sport and we want them to come to enjoy it. While the “Foxhunting 101” course is an ideal way for them to learn about the sport, it is certainly not the only way to do so. Attire that is clean and functional is fine, and does not need to be expensive. Juniors are always proper in jodphurs and jodphur (or paddock) boots or breeches and field boots and a thrift shop tweed coat or navy show coat. This is ALL YEAR, not just cubbing. They may save their money to buy dress boots and a good black coat when they are done growing. Being on time, clean, polite, well-behaved, and helpful is far more important than wearing fancy clothes.

At Radnor Hunt, a Hunt Breakfast is traditionally held after the opening day of the formal season, after the closing day of the season, and usually at least one other time during the season. A breakfast is also usually held if we host another hunt in a joint meet, or sometimes put on privately by a generous member of the hunt. Note that it doesn’t matter if the meal is at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.; it’s still traditionally called a breakfast. Most riders bring a tweed jacket and change into that before attending breakfast, feeling that it’s nice to have something that isn’t mud splattered (or worse) to wear. Note that it is good form to remove your spurs and get the worst of the mud off of your boots before entering the clubhouse (or anyone else’s house.)

At Radnor Hunt, a number of social events during the year are labeled “Scarlet if Convenient.” The biggest of these is the Hunt Ball, generally held on the first Saturday in December. The shortest translation actually is “Black Tie.” For gentlemen who are not members of the Club, or not interested in making a considerable investment, this is all the term can mean.  Ladies are subject to some caveats which we will discuss later. For the remaining gentlemen, the term means “hunt colors would be appropriate.” All gentlemen members of Radnor Hunt, whether foxhunters or not, may wear a scarlet tailcoat for evening dress. Scarlet tails with grey silk facings officially denote a Radnor member; other hunts’ evening attire can vary dramatically, but all formal hunt or military uniforms are proper attire at any Hunt Ball. There is some debate as to whether a grey velvet collar may also be worn by all Radnor gentlemen, or only by those who have earned their colors in the hunting field. Black formal trousers, white stiff collar shirt, white bow tie, white vest, and black dress or dance shoes complete the uniform. Tailcoats may be custom ordered from specific tailors, or found on the rack in some finer tackshops, but many Radnor coats are passed on from generation to generation, and develop a history and patina of their own. Radnor tailcoat buttons must be proper Radnor Hunt buttons, and these, like all hunt buttons, are purchased from the Hunt Secretary. The recently reissued RH buttons are particularly appropriate for formal wear, while various versions of the familiar foxhead buttons are also proper, and occasionally a set of the original hound head buttons will turn up. Gentlemen may use their discretion, however, in the selection of shirt studs, vest buttons, and cuff links, although fox heads seem to be the most popular.
 
Now to return, for a moment, to the caveats for ladies; the scarlet in “Scarlet if Convenient” does not apply to ladies. Do not wear a red dress to such an event. Further, do not hasten to purchase a green, orange, fuchsia, or purple ensemble, either, as ladies must not clash with the colors being worn by the gentlemen. At one time, “Scarlet if Convenient” implied rigid adherence to black or white dress, although more recently the strictures of appropriateness have loosened somewhat. A lady will most likely not be chastised for wearing grey, navy, or other subdued color not likely to clash with the clothing worn by the gentlemen, although black or white will always be correct. While some people have been known to disparage the wearing of evening colors, derisively referring to the gentlemen so attired as “peacocks,” there is an undeniable air of pageantry that makes every “Scarlet if Convenient” soiree a noteworthy occasion. The Hunt Ball is a very popular event, as it generally opens the holiday season, and is often filled to capacity by the membership. Hunting subscribers who are not members of the Club may attend the Ball, and, if capacity allows, members may invite a limited number of guests. 
Sourced from Radnor Hunt Foxhunting Directory 2004