Best In (Fashion) Show: Experts Reveal Dog Fashion Tips & Trends

Best In (Fashion) Show: Experts Reveal Dog Fashion Tips & Trends

Fashion weeks around the world often introduce us to many weird and wonderful new trends, however, the focus is now shifting to styles for our four-legged friends. Fashion Houses such as Versace and Moncler have pet collections, and this year the UK pet products market is predicted to be worth around £2.1 billion, with the demand for non-essential products growing fast.

Dogs are now becoming a regular occurrence in the audiences of runway shows, whether they are accompanying their influencer owners or are even influencers themselves. They are also finding themselves walking alongside models at shows, like Pow the Pomeranian, who stole the limelight at a Collina Strada show in February with his model co-star sporting a shirt with his face printed on it.

Statistics from Groomarts found that one in five people were spending £20 on outfits for their dogs, with owners spending £200 on average on pet clothes a year. Since January 2019, searches for ‘dog clothes’ on Google increased by 195% in January 2023. Outfits are the third highest expenditure for dog owners, and 66% buy accessories for their dogs. In a survey of 1,000 UK dog owners by tailoring specialist Savile Row Company, 44% of participants said they were prepared to wear matching outfits with their dogs. 

The same number expressed that they wanted it to be what they considered ‘real’ fashion as opposed to a novelty costume. 75% of surveyed owners admitted to buying outfits for their dogs, even if it was for a one-off event like Halloween. Research has suggested that we are so keen to dress up our dogs as by classing them as a family member, we feel the need to humanise them by putting them in outfits.

Keeping your dog safe & comfortable:

Although it can feel fun and look cute to dress up your beloved companion in outfits, you should ensure that this is comfortable and safe for them too. Clothing that is poorly fitting or designed can pose risks of tripping or entrapment, you should take care and check that there are no holes or loops where your dog may get their paws or teeth caught. 

Before putting anything on, ensure that any fastenings are working correctly and that the item can be easily removed if your pet does not like it. If you intend to have your dog wear the item when walking outside in the dark or poor visibility conditions, consider opting for accessories that have reflective details or flashing lights incorporated in their design. 

Other practical style choices for your pooch are dog boots or booties. These will keep their paws warm in the winter and dry when it rains. In these weather conditions, it is best to choose rubber or neoprene, whereas in the summer, mesh will be a better option to prevent your dog’s feet from getting too hot and protect them from hot pavement. 

Any dog clothing secured with velcro is a more suitable choice than zips, as it is much easier to adjust to provide comfort for your dog. If your dog likes to gaze out the window of your car when travelling, doggy sunglasses are ideal for stopping dirt and dust from going into their eyes. 

Coats are also a functional fashion accessory for dogs, as these can help them to keep warm and dry on walks in harsh weather conditions. Many outdoor clothing companies that design coats for humans now offer dog options made from similar durable materials. Although many owners love to style their companions in trendy jumpers and sweaters, these are also good for helping your dog to stay toasty in the colder months, with many funky patterns and lightweight fabrics available.

What if your dog doesn’t like being dressed up?:

If you are not a fan of dressing up your dog or your dog is not a fan themselves, there are equally stylish ways to turn them into a trendsetter without needing to invest in a range of outfits. For example, swapping out a plain collar for something with a bolder colour, pattern or even embellishments like studs can instantly turn your furry friend into a fashionista. Pair this with a matching lead and harness for a cohesive look that will turn heads. 

Similarly to collars, bandanas are an easy way of embracing the dog fashion trend without splashing out on expensive items. Many bandanas can be worn instead of a collar, but it is important to replace these with something more appropriate when walking your dog that will allow a dog tag with all your details to be displayed clearly. Many online and offline pet shops offer slip-on bandanas that can slide onto your dog’s collar for something they may be more comfortable wearing. If you’re feeling crafty, you could also easily make your own version of these with some fabric fat quarters and a sewing machine!

Where can I buy dog accessories?:

If you’re someone who likes being as close to your canine companion as possible, many affordable retailers are releasing collections featuring matching outfits for you and your pet. Brands like FatFace offer matching coats that are great for spring dog walks, and Next have matching cable knit jumpers that are perfect for when it is a little chilly outside. Similarly, dog owners were big fans of Primark’s Christmas 2022 range, where adults, children and dogs could all coordinate with matching themed pyjamas. High street jeweller Pandora now sells pet collars complete with engravable charms akin to those available for their regular jewellery for those who like to treat their dog to some extra sparkle.

The pet fashion industry shows no sign of slowing down soon, with the market expected to be worth up to $7 billion by the end of the decade. It continues to make headlines through celebrities releasing their own collections, such as Snoop Dogg’s ‘Snoop Doggie Dogs’ range and Dolly Parton’s ‘Doggy Parton’ brand. 

The future of dog fashion:

In the past few years, the emergence of events like The New York Pet Fashion Show has shown how mainstream this trend has become, especially with the announcement of the PittiPets exhibition in June 2023, which is set to be fashion week for dogs. Overall, even though this is something that can be fun and cute for many owners and their dogs to participate in, it is important to be mindful that this is not something that can be forced upon your dog if they do not like it. Always ensure that any clothes or accessories are comfortable for your dogs, do not pose any risks and can be easily removed.