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!

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.

Westminster Best Dressed

I wasn't able to see everyone this year at Westminster, but these Best Dressed individuals stood out to me.  

Jamie Vasquez brought it in an Issey Miyake tuxedo with very interesting details

 Alicia Morris Jones sparkled in a beautiful St. John

Karen Fitzpatrick was classic chic in a Ralph Lauren suit and brown Born boots

Elaine Lessig had it all going on with a vintage Louis Vuiton handbag, Taryn Rose boots, Saks Label Skirt, a Michael Kors Jacket and mixed costume and real jewelry

 Colton Johnson looked the part in a Caravelli Suit and Westminster purple retro tie

 Hiroshi Tsuyuki rocked a three-piece black suit completed by a purple tie and pocket square

Jessy Sutton brought the plaid Paul Smith suit and blinged out tie to Westminster

Remy Smith-Lewis looked classic chic in a brown Ralph Lauren three-piece

Sherry Wuetherich looked sophisticated in her Joseph Ribkoff white and black suit

The girls, Robin Novak and Laura King, were skinny & glitzy in St. Johns

Kimberly Pastella Calvacca looked great in her sparkling Tory Burch Suit

Angela Lloyd was sparking in a black Talbots suit

And my favorite shoes were Lois DeMers blinged Chanel flats!

Westminster Fashion Articles

Wow!!!!  I cannot believe how many articles were written about fashion at Westminster....or lack there of.  With New York Fashion Week going on a bit further uptown at Lincoln Center I guess it's no surprise that comparisons were made about the two events.   Here are a few links of the articles I found in addition to article about this blog in the New York Post

Boston.com - At Westminster, dog show style gets spotlight, too

And comparassions between New York Fashion week and Westminster

The Wall Street Journal Blog: New York Fashion Week or Westminster Dog Show?

Elle Magazine: Dogs VS Models: The Best Runway Walks of the 138th Westminster Dog Show

Huffington Post Canada: Westminster Dog Show Style Gets Scrutinized, Too

Jimmy Kimmel even edited a video with only handlers. no dogs...

So, ladies and gentleman the lesson is pay attention to your clothes especially at big shows like Westminster because you do not be in an article or on TV where you do not look your best!