@ Fullford15- I thank you very much. I think I prefer hunters though over jumpers, I like that classy look.
You can absolutely wear the classy look while doing jumpers, you just don't have to.
The primary difference is that in the hunter classes you are judge on form, in jumpers you are judged on performance.
In hunters, you can ride a beautiful round with auto lead changes, correct striding between jumps etc. and still do pretty well having a fence down.
In jumpers, no one cares if you are on the wrong lead as long as you clear the fence. If the fence stays up and you have put some bizarro striding in there and it was a miracle the fence stayed up - fine. The fence is up and that's all that matters.
However, to do well, all of the things that apply to hunters, should be used in jumpers. You are not going to be terribly successful if a rider is hanging on for dear life and barely making it around the course.
Hunters is also judged on turnout, it's important for riders to to present their horse in an expected way, and attire tends to be fashionable.
Jumpers is not like that as you are only judged on performance. There's no need to braid, and you can wear half chaps if you want to - however I believe that any horse showing at any level should be well turned out.
From what I have personally witnessed, it's not always clear why someone places over another person in the hunter classes.
For me, personally, I have no desire to compete in hunter classes. I really don't give a hoot if my toe is turned out slightly or anything else. I'd much rather be judged on my results.
ETA - Hunters is pretty much an American thing, so I am still learning about it myself. So I might be off on some points, but it's my general understanding of it.