switching to english!

I have ridden Western for about 7 years now and I am officially switching to English! I am now at a barn where they ride Hunter/Jumper and I am very interested in learning some things from them :) Soo... I am currently looking for good (and cheap) paddock boots, half chaps, and eventually riding breeches. What are some good brands I should look into for any of them? Also, I am about a size 4 or so in pants, so what is that in breeches? Thanks in advance for any help, and if anyone has anything to tell me about the differences in riding styles I am open to any advice/warnings/things to expect!

Anyone?

I'm not sure what a 4 would be in breeches, but I'm a 0-1 and I fit a 26, so if you can compare to that haha :)

I don't want to get flamed for anything I say, but english doesn't hold you in the saddle as well as western and if you're learning direct reining its going to be much more different! Some advice would be to turn your thumbs up, keep a nice bend in your elbow, and the obvious relax, heels down, toes in, look up!
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I've actually always switched between neck reining and direct reining so that is one thing I was prepared for haha. I guess I may be about a 28 or so in breeches then?

I wear a size sm in kerrit and a 26 in tuffrider. Sm in chaps we are about the same size so this may be helpful.

Brands: Breeches come in waist size or s,m,l if you have a 34 in waist do not follow dovers advise and buy 34 size breeches. Please go to a local shop and have them size you properly. This goes for chaps as well. I also switch western to english in hunter/jumper. So I learned everything about the clothes the hard way.

Products: start cheap then when you ride more you will learn about different clothes and then expand.

For breeches buy tuffrider. Tuff Rider™ Low-Rise Pull-On Riding Breeches < Knee Patch Breeches < Riding Apparel|Dover Saddlery.

I wear paddock lace-up boots and chaps. My chaps are dublin easy clean Dublin Easy-Care Half Chaps < Half Chaps < Riding Apparel|Dover Saddlery.

If you want any advise about transitioning I have been riding hunter for about a year not and still ride western when ever I can.

Thanks so much! My BO has a pair of tall boots that fit me, but I think I would rather have the short boots and half chaps. Today I actually rode in tennis shoes and half chaps because I don't have boots yet.. Haha.

But I have a question - I never had this problem western, but I seem to be losing my stirrups at times during my rides. I try not to put too much weight in my stirrups and depend on them too much, but I also try to keep my heel down.. So what could I be doing wrong?

Usually your sized in breeches is based off your waist measurement (and inseam if they have an option.)
I wear a 28 and I'm 5'7 and about 165lbs.
My favorite pair of breeches are from TuffRider, I've had them for awhile and they haven't shown any signs of wear. They're the ribbed ones and they're quite grippy.
I'm not much help as far as differences considering I've been in a western saddle only once or twice! But I wish you luck in your transition.

To keep your feet in the stirrups you need to loosen your heel and not focus on shoving it down into the stirrup, or shoving your toes up. Contact with the stirrup and a flowing motion in your ankles will keep them put. Keep in mind though, you do still need to get those heels down, just don't brace on your stirrups. :)
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English stirrups are shorter so you need a deeper heel to keep your feet locked in. This is achieved by placing you palm in the stirrup closer to the toe. The length of the stirrup is about 2 inches shorter. Your iron should bang against your ankle bone when you relax your legs and feet are lose.

Second your stirrup is just a leather strap and not a thick lock in piece of leather. This means the stirrup is very lose and goes everywhere. Something a western rider doesn't experience. To get your foot use to this new discipline turn your feet out so your toes are away from the horse. Once you get use to the stirrup length and lower heel then turn in your foot and strengthen the ankle.

Okay thanks for the advice guys! I wil definitely keep all that in mind next time I ride :)