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.

My Westminster Outfit

Okay, this is my one post about me.  I like I mention before I love clothes and fashion.  What I haven't mentioned is I LOVE GREAT DEALS!!!!  Being smart with my money and getting the most bang for your buck was what I was taught as a child and apply today.  It's fun to go shopping for that perfect Westminster outfit, but I think of it a challenge.  I want something completely different and I do not want to see someone else in the same outfit as me.

I found my outfit over the summer while visiting my grandma out in Palm Springs.  We walked into a vintage shop and found a vintage Cache suit.  It must have been from the 80's because it had the MASSIVE shoulder pads and the saggy arm sleeves.  I saw the beautiful black and bronze fabric and it fit really well just needed some TLC.  So for $35 I bought it!  For the first time an off center button blazer fit me without making me look frumpy and I loved the interesting collar cut.  Off to the seamstress it went!  She did a fantastic job taking out the should pads and basically restructuring the shoulders and sleeves for $25!!!!!

What took me forever was finding shoes.  Anyone that really knows me I have VERY small feet.  My favorite store for show shoes is Stride Rite!  Yep! Stride Rite.  Finding shoes is a very big challenge and I bought and brought two pairs just in case one pair wasn't fitting right (total for both shoes $30).  Good thing because the pair I really wanted to wear were too big, so I wore my back up pair in the breed.  For the evening judging I stuffed the toes of the cute pair with tissues and prayed they stayed on.  They did!!! :-)

The rest of my outfit included bronze crystal and gold dangle earrings ($8) and suntan nylons for breed judging (3 for $12 at Hanes Outlet) and off-black nylons with black line up the back for groups ($5 from Nordstrom Rack).

That's my 2014 Westminster Outfit!  You don't need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to look good.  I enjoyed finding something different and unique.  But, what I did realize is I did not really take any photos of myself at Westminster so thank you Congleton photos for allowing me to use this photo and thank you Mom and Dad for taking the other two photos.  I thought about capturing everyone else's great and amazing outfits I forgot I wanted to share my Westminster outfit.

This is about fashion and looking good and remembering people's great outfits at shows across the country.  In my one blog about me I have to include photos on my walk down the Fashion Walk of Fame.

 Great outfits were seen all over the streets of NYC this year.  Love the coats leggings/tights/black nylons and boots

"The Garment Worker" statue that starts the Fashion Walk of Fame

 Famous "Needle Threading Button" 

 Love his clothes and especially his suits

 OMG!!!!  I cannot believe Parsons The New School For Design has moved!!!!!  So sad

 Love, love, love Betsey Johnson and her eccentric style

 $4.99 seriously?  Fashion lines the streets!!!

.....and the buses!!!!

My biggest regret for this Westminster trip is not having an opportunity to go to the famous Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.  Errrrrr..... Maybe next year

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!

Remember the Undergarments!!!!!

According to Wikipedia the first undergarment was probably the loincloth.  During the Middle Ages and Renaissance undergarments became more sophisticated and looser in the form of trousers and chausses.  The chemise was the first undergarment to cover the upper half of the body and surprise, surprise men developed for them selves before modifying, wait! Perfecting it by women for their use in a corset.  From the Renaissance over the next century women's undergarments took flight in their own right to assist, flatten, lift, control, and beautify women's assets. 

Today, women's undergarments is a multibillion dollar industry that us dog show people definitely need!  From correct fitting and supporting bras to pantyhose or nylons to supportive undergarments, we need them all!

Bras

There are numerous types of bras from the most dainty & sexy to the ultimate sports bra.  Just as you change your wardrobe for different activities you have to change your bra.  Ladies dog show is a sport if you are running around the rings please pay attention to the girls!  If you are large up top this is especially important.  SUPPORT, SUPPORT, SUPPORT!  Some prefer to not have a wire bra, I personally prefer a wire supported bra.  You have figure out which fits best and how it supports.  If you're not for a sports bra, take a look at full coverage bras.  The super sexy, flimsy, or no bra look doesn't work at dog shows remember to keep it classy.

If you go to a specialty store like Victoria Secret or Fredericks of Hollywood and tell them where you will be using the bra and that you need to be able to run.  

One last thing on bras, it is very trendy to have bra straps showing or even portions of a bra showing.  This not acceptable in the show ring.  I am guilty of wearing a cami with my bra straps showing while grooming or in the set up with an apron on, but really this is pushing it and I shouldn't do that.  As we approach summer and the dresses and tops get lighter on fabric please be conscious of necklines and wear a bra that is appropriate and not hanging out.

Nylons and Pantyhose

Nylons and pantyhose are not just at dog shows anymore Princess Kate Middleton is even bringing them back.  At a dog show these are just a necessary evil, especially at big shows such as Westminster.  I feel if you're wearing a nice suit you should be wearing nylons or pantyhose or tights.  This just finishes off the look.  When choosing a pair of nylons control tops are best as they will not sag as the day wears on.  There are numerous shades of nylons from off-white to jet black.  As far as natural shades go, I think if you can't decide which shade is best for you go with the darker one.  

Tights are fun and can definitely spice up an outfit.  Please do not go to crazy with prints and designs as they can be distracting while moving your dog.  Argyle prints are a tie bit out there, but calm enough that they're not distracting.  

Control and Supportive Garments

A wonderful woman named Sara Blakely was going to a party and wearing white pants when she realized she didn't have the right undergarments to give a "blemish-free" look so she took a pair of control top nylons and cut the feet off.  This was the beginning of SPANX.    There are lots of brands of supportive undergarments, but SPANX has revolutionized the industry.

Everyone needs these lovely undergarments!  EVERYONE!!!  These help correct, hide, whatever the parts of our bodies we wish the world doesn't know we hate.  For some it can be a flatter stomach to smaller hips, to smaller thighs.  As you can see from the photo above undergarments can smooth your body to create a flawless look.  Women at dog shows run and at Westminster our behinds can be on national TV running can make the flattest bum giggle.  Control top nylons and pantyhose may not be enough especially if you're wearing a forgiving or stretchy fabric because it will cling to your body. 

One other thing these control undergarments can do is cover and hide panty and bra lines.  Let's face it we have to bend over and there may be a camera right behind us, let alone people.  Wearing smoothing or seamless panties really make the overall ensemble look polished.  I find his will also give a boast of confidence that from all angles you look your best

Westminster Undergarment Checklist
Well fitting, supportive bra so the girls don't bounce - we are supposed to be looking at the dog
Good pair of Nylons or pantyhose
Supportive undergarments
Seamless panties

Up Next: Out On The Town in New York

Westminster Unofficial Dress Code

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.

Up Next: Remember the Undergarments!!!!!