Just as the football players from the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will receive special uniforms for their big game at the Meadowlands, Westminster exhibitors should step up their "uniforms." Westminster is considered the Super Bowl of dog shows and even though regular uniforms are not worn by handlers and exhibitors upscale ensembles amplify the prestigious event.
Exhibitors, handler, judges and even owners watching their dogs are, or should be dressed "to the nines"!!!!! This means well fitting attire, shoes shined, tasteful to give the impression that they are dignified and respectable, YET approachable. Please do NOT give the impression of being so on top the of world or above the rest that you are unapproachable. Westminster is a opportunity for not only the dog show community to see each other once a year and celebrate the best of the best, but also a HUGE opportunity to meet with the public and educate them about purebred dogs and how responsible breeding is a positive contribution to society. Attire can give a welcoming impression and I hope these tips will influence that.
Menswear
Men at Westminster often wear tuxedos and suits. I personally think the tuxedos are a thing of the past, which is very unfortunate. I remember seeing Doug Johnson in his Clumber Spaniel Cumber bun getting ready for the group. I wish more men would have a wardrobe change for groups and Best In Show into tuxedos. However, I do love the new trend of wearing ties in a new way. Men across the dog show scene and corporate America are spicing up their traditional suits with interesting tie knots. Here is a link to a website (thank you Tommy -my husband- and Luke Baggenstos) providing great instructions for awesome tie knots - www.agreeordie.com
Another trend of mens dog show fashion for Westminster I'm a huge fan of is fun socks! Gone are the days of matching or boring dress socks under suit pants. Now men can spice up their pants while setting up their dogs or bending on knee (no marriage proposals please) to present their dogs with fun socks. I think these socks can lighten up the tension of pressure in rings among handlers because they can be so outrageous.
Men, just please keep in mind taste, matching suits always look fantastic. Remember to polish your shoes. Hey! Maybe getting your shoes professionally shined will be your version on a ladies pedicure!
Womenswear
Women this is the event for your dog AND you to shine! Of course women have lots to choose from for what to wear at Westminster from dresses, to suits, to pants, to all of the accessories to make the outfit stand out. Ladies remember the Three S's - Sparkle, Shiny Satin, Special Knits!
Sparkle - this is time for the beauty pageant glitz! I think this can be taken over board and you could end up looking like a disco ball, so be careful! If you're going to wear a sparkly jacket, wear a simple skirt.
Shiny Satin and other fabrics - these look great on camera and really make your dog stand out. These look especially great with solid colored dogs. Michelle Scott looked so fresh and great with her Newfoundland when she wore a simple champagne shiny suit.
Special Knits - everyone knows Westminster will have just about as many St. John knits seems as dogs entered. Okay, maybe that's a little over exaggerated, but St. John is the most popular designer seen at Westminster. With as many St. John's seen at Westminster I only a few really stand out in my mind as best dressed. Ladies please remember that knits show EVERYTHING! With that in mind, size up when buying these special knits. One of my favorite St. John Knits at the Garden was Alessandra Folz Stymiest. I love this because it is a great cut for her age AND it fits appropriately.
Everyone is at Westminster to win so make sure you look the part. Don't go overboard. This is not Prom (that was last week at Larry and Marcello's). Westminster is formal, black tie optional, please dress the part.
I apologize for not having more best dressed from Portland. There were so many great outfits!!! My phone died and some of the photos taken on it were lost.
Julie Matney looked fantastic in a black I.N.C. dress with a beautiful scarf
Sammie Lewis looked very chic in a Calvin Klein
Larry Fenner was dashing in an Alfani suit and tie
Jackie Hofer hit the mark in this Amanda Lane poke dot skirt that 100% flattered her!!
Looking good!!!!! Please take pictures of best dressed at your shows and email them to dress4bis@gmail.com
Recap - Great show clothes can come from a variety of stores such as department stores (discussed in Part 1), specialty store (discussed in Part 2), and discount stores and online stores.
Discount Stores
Discount stores obtain their inventory though purchasing left over or over purchased merchandise from big department stores. This means that there is a variety of clothes at these stores and they might not have every size available. Most of these stores are set up in sections such as dresses (also contains suits, misses, petites, misses, juniors, active, etc.
A big positive for me at these stores is I can be in and out quickly IF I'm there looking or a specific item (ok this only happens once in a great while because I get there and think oooooohhhh! I need that too). For instance I can march right up to the dresses section (staring at the ground and no where else) and go though my size section in the rack, then walk a few racks over to petites, then finish with the clearance section. If I find something great, if not, I'm out of there! The biggest piece of advice I can give is to know you may not find anything at these stores, BUT that doesn't mean you can't or it won't appear later or at a different store.
Unfortunately most discount stores do not offer online buying options probably due to their inconsistent inventories....so go out and get some exercise and shop!!! Here are a few I love:
These are probably my favorite stores to shop at because I'm VERY thrifty and I like to find great deals! Paying full price for anything is not in my blood!
Thrift Stores
Contrary to belief thrift stores are great places to find hidden treasures!!!! Thrift stores by definition generally sell used goods such as clothes that were donated by others. These stores often are run and operated by a non-profit organization and/or churches.
Hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis wrote a number 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit called, "Thrift Shop." This hit song is about not needing to spend a lot of money to find clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Here is the official CLEAN version of the song.
Some thrift stores are better than others because their inventory depends on what people in the community donates. I have even found St. John Knits at thrift shops when I visited my grandmother out in Palm Springs! In fact one of my favorite dog show outfits came from a thrift shop.
Online Discount Stores
Most people have heard about ebay, Amazon and Overstock, but did you know these are also great places to buy show clothes? Both of these websites offer great deals on new and used clothes (and just about anything else), you just need to know a few things before you buy.
Know your sizes in different brands - Hint: go to a department store and try on suits in a few different brands so you know what sizes fit for better deals online
Check if the clothes are new or used - if they're used check for photos of blemishes and if the garment is from a smoke-free home
Check if it's returnable
Check shipping costs - sometimes the shipping costs can make online shopping more expensive than buying in a physical store.
While on ebay, Amazon. or Overstock use the search button to it's fullest advantage check multiple boxes for sizes (misses, petites, womens, juniors) and brands and even colors to have a search custom tailored for you. I love to shop on these sites because things ALWAYS change, you never know what you're going to find! My Westminster suit from last year was purchased on ebay and I loved it because it was so unique!
This concludes my three part series on where to buy great show clothes. I hope you enjoyed this and I hope this provided a sound starting point for bringing out your inner fashionista!!!!
Last post discussed buying show clothes at department stores and what brands to expect at these various retailers. This post is geared to discuss specialty stores and the styles they offer. To recap, a specialty store is designed for a specific type of shopper from style to age to size. Below is a brief description of SOME specialty store where dog show clothes may be found and each logo is linked to the online store and/or website.
Chico's is multi-brand company with Chico's brand as the headliner. It's shopper is seeks chic prints (love their prints) especially in their signature garment are artisan jackets with unique details. Chico's began in 1983 with Mexican folk art and cotton sweaters. If you love unexpected details and prints Chico's may become your favorite store. Chico's carries sizes 0 - 22
White House Black Market specializes in clothes that are just that white and black! They do add a color to their black and white scheme during the various seasons, but their main focus and cardinal is black and white. White House Black Market is geared to a younger demographic with chic tailored lines, but I have seen great pieces on mature women. They just started offering petite sizes (hooray!!!!). White House Black Market offers sizes XXS - XL and 00 - 16
Talbots is a New England based company that prides itself on classic apparel. That is a great thing about Talbots clothes, they'll look great even if they're years old. Talbots also offers Talbots Women and Talbots Petite with sizes 2 - 20.
Ann Taylor is a New York based company that designs for an affluent career woman. Where their extension brand, LOFT, designs for a more "relaxed" career woman and a younger crowd. Both brands definitely read Ann Taylor and they make any woman look great. Sizes range from XXS - XXL and 00 - 18 with petites and tall sizes.
Based in Idaho and started in 1984 Coldwater Creek focuses on a vibrant and caring woman who can go from work to juggling family in the same clothes. Their clothes are business casual that can also go to dinner with friends and family. Coldwater Creek's colors and prints are vibrant and distinctive which separates them from other retailers. Coldwater Creek carries Misses, Petites, and Women sizes.
Lane Bryant focuses on fashion not fit, nor the size of a woman. They feel women of all sizes can look fabulous in great fashion pieces. It started in 1904 with maternity clothes and the company transformed to focus on women sizes 14 - 28.
These specialty stores all cater to women's fashion and clothes purchased from these stores are great for shows as well as everyday wear. I hope you enjoyed this blog and if you love a different (and I know there are lots more) store than I have touched on please comment below to share with others.
Up Next: Where to Buy Great Show Clothes: Part 3 Discount Stores
This topic is up for debate as everyone will have their own style and taste, but I wanted to provide a starting point. I will not be discussing shoes and accessories at this points just clothes.
What's the difference between department stores and specialty stores and discount stores?
Think of a department store like an All-Breed show - there are shoes, furniture, perfumes, clothes, furniture, appliances, make-up, just about everything one would need. There is a lot going on and you have to pay attention to not get lost when you're trying to locate a specific item. Department stores can also be a one stop shop, just like getting to watch all breeds instead of just one.
Where specialty stores are just like specialties. These stores specialize in a specific product line and generally have a lot of depth in a specific market. If you have a style that suits your body, you taste, and your budget sometimes you can get to the point that you just love "your" specialty store.
Discount stores will often acquire a hodgepodge of product from what department and specialty stores have too much of or didn't sell. Great deals can be found here if you have the patience to search.
A place to start
Below will provide a brief summary of what you can find at some stores I find carry suitable dog show attire. Each logo is linked to their respective websites, please take a look.
Department Stores
Macy's is the largest department store and a household name for most families across the United States. It is a great store to find great dog show attire for all shapes and sizes. They have a great suiting department that carries heavy hitters such as Kasper, Tahari, Nine West, & LeSuit among others. Macy's also carries great dresses and designer separates. A fantastic brand is I.N.C. - International Concepts, which is trendy, but classy at the same time. The best part about Macy's are their sales! Remember to bring or download Wow! Savings Passes for additional discounts
Dillard's is an upscale department store that is unfortunately not found in every state. They organize their departments by designer and most do not have a designated suiting section. This can make it very easy to stick with a designer that you've fallen in love with. The suit separates at Dillard's generally are made by two designers Alex Marie (also comes in petite sizes) and Antonio Melani.
JCPenney has gone through some major changes and really has brought itself to the 21st century. It has been a household name since I was a kid. I think my mom even purchased her wedding dress there (??). JCPennney does have a suiting and dress department that carries major brands. Most of the sales people are not as attentive to your needs as they are a higher end department stores. I have seen some really cute suiting separates and dresses one ladies of all sizes come from JCPenny. This is no longer your mom's or grandma's store.
Nordstrom is a high-end department store that will cater to your every need. They carry the best designers in the world and also carry a dog show favorite, St. John. This is the place to go if you're looking for that extra special suit or dress that will ooze elegance.
Other notable department stores:
Or I have even bought some amazing pieces at:
Remember all of the store logos are linked and will open a new window.
Up Next: Where to Buy Great Show Clothes: Part 2 Specialty Stores
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