Dog Formal Wear

About Dog Formal Wear

Maybe every day isn't dress up day for your dog, but sometimes it's fun to include him or her in your social functions. So, wear do you turn when you want to have a little fun dressing your dog in a canine tuxedo or formal gown?

Actually, that question is answered more easily than ever before. Our furry friends have really graduated from mere pets to full-fledged family members over the last decade, and there are certainly a lot of retailers catering to upscale pet trends. You'll find doggie delicatessens and bakeries both online and off, and there's no shortage of doggie fashions on the market these days.

Yes, you can still easily find neck bandannas and T-shirts, but you might be a little surprised at just how fashion forward dog clothing has become, especially if this is your first venture into the world of canine couture .

Let's Shop

Trixie and Peanut

An online trip to Trixie and Peanut is just plain fun. They have a wide variety of dog clothing that includes some very nice dog formal wear.

A small sampling includes:

• Bow tie collars: Choose a white collar with black bows or just the opposite. Add the coordinating leash, and your dog is ready to ring in the new year with you.
• Formal wear scarves: If your dog isn't the type to wear full clothing, you'll probably be delighted to see the formal wear scarves this shop has to offer. Each scarf is made to slide over your dog's regular collar. For the boys, Trixie and Peanut offers the tuxedo scarf. For the girls, you'll find an adorable bridal scarf that doubles as formal wear.
• Tuxedo shirts: Complete with a retro ruffle, these tuxedo style shirts are super cute. Each shirt has a satin bow tie as well as faux pearl buttons. Choose from traditional black and white or pay homage to the 80's with powder blue.
• Maribou boa sweater: Sometimes a girl just needs a little drama, especially during the holidays. This decidedly Christmas-styled design fits the bill perfectly.

Hands-N-Paws

Our next stop on the canine fashion circuit finds us at a store that truly understands the essence of canine formal wear. At Hands-N-Paws, you'll not only find couture fashions, you'll find all the accessories you need to complete your dog's ensemble.

• Two-piece tuxedo: This doggie tux is definitely a cut above the rest, with gold button and chain accents. Your stud will definitely be the dressed best fella at any function he attends. A matching top hat is also available.
• Pink satin formal: Not to be outdone, Heads-N-Paws offers a nice selection of dresses for the ladies, including this pink satin gown. Top it off with a fabulous faux white mink coat and your little diva will be the envy of all who see her.

Other finishing pieces include:

• An elegant crystal necklace and matching ear clips
• Swarovsky simulated pearl necklaces
• A Mandarin gold pet carrier

My Pet Haven

We find even more great dog formal wear at My Pet Haven.

• White tuxedo: White tuxedos are generally reserved for the most elegant occasions, and your dog will certainly look splendid in this smashing example of canine formal wear. You have a choice of red or black tie.
• Wedding gown: This Victorian-style white gown comes with a matching veil.

Both of these fashions could be used to include your dogs in a wedding ceremony as the flower girl and ring bearer. Now that would be a memorable event!

Fashionable Fit

A bad fit can turn any canine formal wear dowdy in a heartbeat, so it's important to take your dog's measurements before you choose a size.

You'll need to measure:

• Around your dog's chest from top to bottom
• His/Her body length from collar to tail base
• Around the neck
• From ear to ear (Mainly for hats)

Care and Cleaning

Like any other formal wear garment, canine formal wear needs to be treated with extra care to preserve the shape and texture of the fabric. Hand-washing is recommend in many cases, but your best option for keeping your dog's fashions looking like new is to leave the cleaning your dry cleaner. You can then store your dog's attire in the protective bag until the next big event.