My Westminster Emergency Fix Kit

After all of the searching high and low in store after store and scrolling on countless websites you have found the perfect Westminster ensemble. Congrats!  This is an exciting event and we want our dogs and ourselves to look fantastic. But what do you if an accident happens to your clothes? Here are some of my go to "fix it" items. Please share pearls of what you cannot leave without when preparing for big events

• Hairspray -  for the obvious hair fixes but also can be used to reduce static on skirts or dresses. Also, a quick temporary fix for nylon runs
• Bobby Pins & Extra Hair Ties - I believe in having bobby pins everywhere! They can fix hair styles and they provide quick fixes on attire in a pinch like a busted button
• Safety Pins - lets face it these are some the best fix it items. They can fix hems, broken zipper pulls, visible bra straps, busted buttons, seam splits, the ideas are endless!
• Clear Nail Polish - will fix snags on nails when a file won't do. It also can fix runs on nylons or if very carefully applied can fix knit runs - but only try this on the inside of the garment 
• Baby Wipes - for those oppsie spills. Dab. I mean dab don't rub to help lift spills
• Extra Nylons - nylons can remove deorderant residue
• Double-Sided Tape - can fix hems and too low of tops on the fly
• Wrinkle Releaser - if you don't have this little amazing product go buy it!!! It's perfect for getting those last wrinkles out without ironing. I use it on everything I hang when I get to the hotel room
• Blister Healers - these are my favorite for blisters or even preventing them! Make sure you apply when skin is clean and dry and they will stay on for days!

There are countless of other fit it items, these are my go-tos. Please share your own and good luck to everyone who is going to Westminster!

Approved Attire

I'm sitting on a plane watching the flight attendants while other passengers board the plane. They're all polished and dressed in their uniforms, but all attendants are different. Some ladies wear dresses, others wear blouses and slacks, while the men wear sweaters or Blazers with slacks. Even with the professional uniform variations you know these individuals are definitely part of the flight crew while walking through airports or hotel lobbies.   

Suits are the traditional uniform for ladies and men who exhibit and judge at dog shows.  It's this uniform and its seasonal change to dresses and golf shirts that differentiates us from the spectators, visitors and vendors.  But why?  Why is their the tradition, the need, the want to stand out of these other dog show enthusiasts? Professionalism. I believe it's the physical display to show the community that we're serious about what we're doing at a dog show. I mean if we weren't serious and want to look professional in the ring itself, why wear aprons while grooming or walking around? 

My point to all of this; is if the goal, impression, desire is look professional and serious then do it.  Wear clothes that are well fitting, classic and conservative enough that you would feel comfortable and confident walking into a board room meeting but age appropriate enough that you could meet your friends after the dog show for dinner and drinks. 

White Top | Black Bra

Black bras under white tops is almost always a fashion no-no, especially at dog shows.  Yes, it can be fashionable and trendy to have different colored strappy bras peaking out of tops while out with friends or even in the gym. This is not the case at dog shows or in the workplace.

Here are some tips to keep your bra concealed as a supportive undergarment-
*White on white can be a highlighter. White bras under white tops can actually make your bra more visible. It's best to wear a nude bra under white tops
*If you discover your bra straps are slipping down your shoulder or are too big, use one of those safety pins from your dry cleaning and pinch the back straps together ~ this trick can also provide additional support if needed
*Wear a black top, wear a black bra. Enough said
*On some dresses there are little straps at the top seam, use these to secure and hide bra straps

Even if your "in ring" ensemble covers your top and bra, please be mindful of these tips because you never know who you could run into....judges, potential clients, potential puppy owners.

Staying on Trend....with Class

I have been absent from blogging and I apologize. During this absence the one request for a blog I am asked over and over again is write about the dress of young and teenager handlers. Now I realize I'm in that category and yes, I acknowledge I have worn things that may have been to short or tight and I regret that now. I regret those wardrobe choices because I've grown up and learned my audience - what type of person attending, exhibits, and judges dog shows.

I am not trying to look cute for date. I am not dressed to go to a bar or a club. I am not hanging out with friends of my own age. I am in front of parents, grandparents, children where tight, short skirts and plunging necklines should be left at home.

Don't just listen to me, here's a story a male judge once told me about ladies fashion choices.  While he judges Junior Showmanship he watches the Junior set up their dog (this was before it became a rule) to see "how" they did this. I tried to thank him for taking the time to actually judge Juniors and their handling ability. He stopped me before I was able to finish my thank you. He said, "I could be these girls' grandfather." I wasn't following where he was going with this message. I see some of these girls who are dressed like they could be my wife and others I simply cannot watch. He told me of one time he actually turned his back on a Junior while she was setting up her dog. He had to do this because she was a minor and he was an adult but her top was so low and skirt so shirt he had to morally avert his eyes.

Let's think about that - one hand Junior girls are dressed like they could be the wife of the average male Judge, on the other hand these girls are dressed so inappropriately a male judge can't watch a minor show their dog.

So what do we do? Wear age appropriate clothes and check fit. If a teenager would be embarrassed wearing their show clothes in front of their school for an award ceremony or similar event then maybe it's too old for them. If you cannot wear your show clothes to church or in front of your grandparents then maybe it's to sexy. Consider you audience and your age.

I hate packing!!!!

Packing, that tedious task that you absolutely have to do for yourself, by yourself. I have a crazy, busy couple of weeks coming up that requires being in different areas of the country, for totally different types of events. In fact, I have to pack for a week of work in Orlando, and my sister’s wedding in San Diego, all in the same suitcase! All this packing and planning has made me want to pull my hair out. Its the lugging around all the little extras that I hate the most.  I try to be a minimalist, but we all know that packing for dog shows requires being prepared for any and everything. Packing for a trip can be a daunting task.

So, how do we maximize space, and still fit a week, or more, into one suitcase? One word…SEPARATES! I love the new trend of separates, with mix and match tops and bottoms. It enables a lady to look contemporary, by combining several staple items in different ways on different days. Staple pieces might include lots of black and white;  pencil skirts, slacks, sweaters or even a blazer. These items can be combined with splashes of color to create countless looks. Fun, trendy jewelry and accessories can also make fun additions to change up these outfits. Think about the possibilities, and the space and weight saved in your suitcase.

The same goes for shoes, minimalism, not separates. Choose pairs that will can be worn with multiple outfits. When wearing the same couple of pairs for several days, remember to keep them clean. Inexpensive shoe polish sponges are great for quick cleans and don’t weigh too much. Some hotels will also have complimentary shoe polishers at the front desk.

I try to not overpack, because I don’t want to travel with a suitcase that is bigger than I am. I don’t want to worry about getting my bag off the airport luggage carousal. I need to be able to do travel on my own and still maintain the standards of appearance that dog show women have created. Remember, separates and staple items are our friends. Ladies, we CAN fit everything, including cosmetics, into one suitcase.

Please share your go-to packing tips.

10 Fashion Questions: Heidi Gervais

Heidi Gervais
Cobble Hill, BC

1 – When did you first realize you loved fashion and clothes?

       I think it's a necessity   

2 – If you had all the money in the world which designer would you always buy?

      St. John

3 – What is your favorite piece of clothing or accessory?

      My St. John 

4 – What is your biggest pet peeve about dog show fashion?
      Inappropriate shoes - bad shoes that ruin great outfits

5 – Who always looks best at dog shows?

      Amy Rodrigues & Adrienne Hill

6 – Who is your go to designer or what is your go to store?

      Macy's, eBay, Tahari and the NFL Shop   

7 – What time in history would you have liked to have been around for because of the fashion?

      Downtown Abby Era in England - love the clothes in that show!  

8 – What does your “every day” consist of?

      Patriots hat, t-shirt, jeans and flip-flops  

9 – What one thing do you think people at dog shows could improve on regarding fashion at dog shows?

      SIZE UP!

10 – What was your favorite outfit you wore at a dog show?

        My St. John that was bought at Saks Fifth Avenue for me before the Sporting Group at 
        Westminster when I showed Marley

Duplicates, Copy Cats…OMG She’s wearing my outfit!!!!

So you’ve found the perfect outfit for Westminster and you are so excited, so over the moon about showing it off at that the Super Bowl of dog shows. However, as the day dawns and the show begins, you realize that others have also found your perfect outfit.  How do you handle that?  How do you feel about wearing the same outfit as other people at such as prestigious event?

 

The go-to suit designers only release a limited number of new, glitzy, sparkly, and glamorous suits to the general purchasing population each year.  With this in mind, many handlers are searching for that perfect Westminster suit in a very limited market. Many of these dream suits, dresses, and other dog show appropriate fashion are distributed and sold by the same major retailers across the US like Macy's and Dillards.

Due to time constraints, lack of available appropriate dog show fashion, and other variables, many women end up buying and then wearing the same Tahari or Kasper suit at major shows like Westminster as others handlers.  I’m going to share my tips and ideas to allow yourself to stand out from others who have chosen your same outfit.   ACCESSORIES!!!!!  Solid color suits are most common amongst suit designers and are the easiest to accessorize.  A simple black or neutral suit can be transformed with a bright, bold necklace, scarf or shoes.  If you fell in love with a beautiful black lace suit, for instance, consider pairing it with an unexpected necklace and earrings in a bright or bold color.  Instead of just turning to your typical pair of black shoes, wear a patent nude or metallic pair.  Matchy, matchy is no longer the “in trend” and unexpected tid bits are part of the fashion norm.  Embrace this fashion trend, and add pops of color to neutral outfits to update your look and classic  pieces.

Think outside the box and remember accent pieces are very on trend.  Dog shows have adopted this concept with leads for our dogs.  A few years ago you would have never seen green, blue or pink leads on dogs, but now it’s seen on a majority of dogs.  Maybe these bold colors are just accent’s for a primary tan, brown, black or white color, but we’re individualizing our dog’s equipment, so why not think outside the box for your own look? 

 

As always, please send me your “same outfit” stories.