Untacked

c h r o n o f h o r s e . c o m ja n ua r y/ f e b r ua r y 2 015 113 the harness—something that would bet- ter replicate the look of a nice leather. Oh, and don't even think about tack- ling this project the night before a show. While the main portion of my helmet dried really quickly, the vinyl was a touch sticky for a few days. STEP 7: re-Tape And Paint The Shell Remove the applicable sections of the FrogTape and reapply tape where needed. If you're applying tape to areas you previously painted, make absolutely sure the surface is dry. I perched my helmet atop a wine bot- tle, which enabled me to easily navigate around all sides of the helmet with Rust- Oleum's "any angle" nozzle. Painting the main portion of the helmet was instantly gratifying. I chose Rust-Oleum Universal's Burnished Amber color—a near-perfect match to the sheen on my Kingsland Magritte. No matter what color you choose, be sure to use a paint that is specifi- cally designed for use on plastic. I spent about three hours at Home Depot rumi- nating over all the spray paint options. In the end, I brought home four candidates from the Rust-Oleum Universal Metallics collection at a cost of $6.76 each. OK, listen up: The biggest mistake you can make with this project is apply- ing too much paint. To minimize runs and drips think thin, very thin, light coats, and allow the paint to dry for a few minutes between each application. Honestly, I almost feel like I just misted the helmet a few times with the paint—a light dusting, a whisper. And that was plenty enough coverage to change my helmet's look completely without ending up with a gloppy, sticky, indiscernible mess. Trust me, less is more! Step 8: The Final Touches Reposition your now fresh-as-spring lining and be sure to check for proper helmet fit. I tucked one of those cool tur- quoise Headline It! brand hat liners in to brighten up the interior. STEP 9: Fall In Love Stand back and admire your masterpiece. Not perfect? No problem. Researchers found that the Ikea Effect works even when the results are... well ... less than stellar. Like that crooked table you made when you got your first apartment, you will most likely find yourself quite attached to your customized helmet simply because it is the fruit of your own labor. Strap on your magnificent partially self-created helmet and ride on! An IMPOrTAnT DISCLAIMEr Consult your helmet manufacturer before applying cleaning agents, paints or adhesives to an equestrian helmet, as these may negatively affect the integrity, stability and protective effect of the helmet... and you're not supposed to leave your helmet in a hot car either. oops. SHADBELLY's Style Standards This tutorial was originally published by SHADBELLY, a blog devoted to the dressage lifestyle, and you can find plenty more projects, tips and trends at shadbelly.com. While dressage is often perceived as a sport for the elite, the team behind SHADBELLY takes a decidedly unpre- tentious approach when it comes to fashion: "Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, and add what is uniquely your own." Remember these five style stan- dards, says founder Laura St. Clair, and you'll never go astray: 1. No matter what anyone else says, wear what you love and what you think looks best on you. 2. Good style isn't about money. 3. Develop your own personal style; be your own brand. 4 . Most rules are meant to be broken. 5 . If you're going to splurge, make it on that timeless, magical "something." STEP 8 STEP 7

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