Handler - what to wear?

[Cameo]

I'm curious about what to wear for the ring and which colour?
Does it have to be classic or can it be a little bit more sporty? Does it have to be shoes or can it be tennisshoes? Can it be red? Yellow? White?

People in my country pay very much attention on the cloths that handlers wear..is it really that much necessary?

[Gazou]

Classic look is always welcomed .

One judge asked one of my friend if she was showing herself or the dog when she entered the ring . She had too much jewelry on her .

Men don't have very much choice .

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Cameo

I'm curious about what to wear for the ring and which colour?
Does it have to be classic or can it be a little bit more sporty? Does it have to be shoes or can it be tennisshoes? Can it be red? Yellow? White?

People in my country pay very much attention on the cloths that handlers wear..is it really that much necessary?

You are a backdrop to your dog, nothing you wear should draw attention away from your dog. Classic more subdued colors are best, but remember with the color you wear you should be able to see your dog's outline. Shoes should be comfortable, but not take away from your dog.....a good flat sensible shoe....not flashy......Nothing is worse than sitting ringside and all you can talk about is what the handler is wearing, never paying attention to the dog....be invisible not only in your clothes, but in your presentation.

[Brooklynn]

I believe you need to be in a professional dress code at least when weather conditions do not matter as inside. If a pretty day outside and can get away with it you should ALWAYS be of professional dress. If you notice in the group ring and with most professional handlers men in a suit and tie and women in skirts and jackets "most of the time". Outside when weather is not so good then you can dress down.
I believe presentation plays a big part in showing your dog and being in professional attire should accompany ring presentation. Comfortable flats are a must for me! Of course traveling with a handler and watching all the professional handlers I learned it's always best to look your best and make sure the color of your clothes do not outshine your dog.
Just what I've learned in my short time of showing
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I believe you need to be in a professional dress code at least when weather conditions do not matter as inside. If a pretty day outside and can get away with it you should ALWAYS be of professional dress. If you notice in the group ring and with most professional handlers men in a suit and tie and women in skirts and jackets "most of the time". Outside when weather is not so good then you can dress down.
I believe presentation plays a big part in showing your dog and being in professional attire should accompany ring presentation. Comfortable flats are a must for me! Of course traveling with a handler and watching all the professional handlers I learned it's always best to look your best and make sure the color of your clothes do not outshine your dog.
Just what I've learned in my short time of showing
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Now Donna, When have you ever seen me in a skirt?

Not to disagree with you but to add, dressing down is usually set by the judge....if a judge removes suit coat and judges in shirt sleeves, men can do the same....women, well other than removing their jackets.....mmmmm

Mary

[Brooklynn]

LOL Mary no I've never seen you in a skirt but we can agree to disagree on this one but JMHO and if you watch more closely you'll always see the pros men in suit and ties and women in skirts and jackets whether or not what the judges say, weather permitting other kind of attire .
Donna

[Brooklynn]

Oh and to add....if you watch David Fitzpatrick, Mandy Carlson, Doug Carlson, Clint Livingingston, Hiram and Scott Sommers they are always in professional attire unless again weather or climate control is not within their control

Donna

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Oh and to add....if you watch David Fitzpatrick, Mandy Carlson, Doug Carlson, Clint Livingingston, Hiram and Scott Sommers they are always in professional attire unless again weather or climate control is not within their control

Donna

I'm just kidding....

Professional dress is the desired dress code. As far as skirts, it's more a matter of preferance....Me, I'm just not real graceful getting up off my knees. But, I always have a jacket on...never gone in the ring with just a blouse.....Have you seen some and not all wear skirts that are a just bit too short and a bit too tight bending over in the ring? I does take away from the dog.....

But, rule of thumb is they take direction from the judge as to whether or not they remove jackets.....I've heard plenty of them on a hot day stand around and verbally praying that they hope the judge removes his jacket, so they can do the same.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I'm just kidding....

Professional dress is the desired dress code. As far as skirts, it's more a matter of preferance....Me, I'm just not real graceful getting up off my knees. But, I always have a jacket on...never gone in the ring with just a blouse.....Have you seen some and not all wear skirts that are a just bit too short and a bit too tight bending over in the ring? I does take away from the dog.....

But, rule of thumb is they take direction from the judge as to whether or not they remove jackets.....I've heard plenty of them on a hot day stand around and verbally praying that they hope the judge removes his jacket, so they can do the same.

Well I don't always wear a jacket especially now that I've lost all my weight because they don't fit me any longer and I'm afraid to go buy anything just yet LOL But yes you always look nice in the ring and yes it's a preference as to what one wears.
OMG some of those that wear "short" skirts get on my nerves and it shouldn't be in the ring IMO that does take away from the dog and to me it's "not" professional. And it weather is too hot then that's when I said it's ok to dress down. I about froze this weekend and the judge had a coat on but of course I chose not to wear one LOL

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Well I don't always wear a jacket especially now that I've lost all my weight because they don't fit me any longer and I'm afraid to go buy anything just yet LOL But yes you always look nice in the ring and yes it's a preference as to what one wears.
OMG some of those that wear "short" skirts get on my nerves and it shouldn't be in the ring IMO that does take away from the dog and to me it's "not" professional. And it weather is too hot then that's when I said it's ok to dress down. I about froze this weekend and the judge had a coat on but of course I chose not to wear one LOL

Well, you are getting a bit on the thin side, But you look great. Pretty soon we're gonna count you absent if you stand side ways....

And the ones that wear the skirts too tight, that are kind of wide bodied in the hind quarters..........not a pretty sight, sitting at ring side, watching Groups......

The other reason I don't wear skirts is, I have horrible legs......and I hate wearing stockings......and the other great thing is being able to wear long johns under slacks in the winter.....wore them all weekend in NY.

Mary

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Well, you are getting a bit on the thin side, But you look great. Pretty soon we're gonna count you absent if you stand side ways....

And the ones that wear the skirts too tight, that are kind of wide bodied in the hind quarters..........not a pretty sight, sitting at ring side, watching Groups......

The other reason I don't wear skirts is, I have horrible legs......and I hate wearing stockings......and the other great thing is being able to wear long johns under slacks in the winter.....wore them all weekend in NY.

Mary

Nawww you'll know I'm there... even side ways, can't miss me when at a show ROFL!
No I don't like when skirts or pants are too tight not a pretty site at all even on some skinny girls LOL

Welll that is why I wear mostly longer skirts so not much of my legs show LOL. I wore long johns too but since I didn't show I didn't wear dress clothes LOL that's the fun part!
Donna

[topknot]

Professional is always key. And yes subdued colors as not to distract from presenting your dog. Also - skirts - not too longs or they will mess up your dog's gait. It will just make too much noise. Now I have bought one short skirt. First time ever, but if you were to look at it, you cannot tell it has shorts underneath. It is also to the knee, which I feel is a good length or just below the knee. And this way I do not give everyone a show while getting up and down. LOL! I try to keep a good tan so I do not have to wear hose. They always run on me at shows. Last year I wore pants most of the time. Length is also important as to look neat. Comfortable shoes of dark colors, so they do not show the dirt. But with some outside shows that I will be attending this year - I will probably wear that short skirt I just got. It is very nice. I will wear it with a nice shirt and jacket. Need those pockets! The NC show coming up - dress is casual - no jackets) with AKC permission. I am still waiting to hear on this. I just cannot go bright. Just not me.
T.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by topknot

Professional is always key. And yes subdued colors as not to distract from presenting your dog. Also - skirts - not too longs or they will mess up your dog's gait. It will just make too much noise. Now I have bought one short skirt. First time ever, but if you were to look at it, you cannot tell it has shorts underneath. It is also to the knee, which I feel is a good length or just below the knee. And this way I do not give everyone a show while getting up and down. LOL! I try to keep a good tan so I do not have to wear hose. They always run on me at shows. Last year I wore pants most of the time. Length is also important as to look neat. Comfortable shoes of dark colors, so they do not show the dirt. But with some outside shows that I will be attending this year - I will probably wear that short skirt I just got. It is very nice. I will wear it with a nice shirt and jacket. Need those pockets! The NC show coming up - dress is casual - no jackets) with AKC permission. I am still waiting to hear on this. I just cannot go bright. Just not me.
T.

I'm not sure with what some people go in the ring wearing if AKC really has a handle on this......Some of the stuff people are wearing into the ring is awful....Professional dress is the key.....but, clean is priority.....I've seen people go in with shorts, jeans, sandles and dirty......What bothers me the most is those that wear high backless heels....or those that walk real heavy....and all you hear is clomp, clomp, clomp......really messes up your dog.....Soft soled shoes are really important, just as a courtesy to your fellow exhibitors. And that jangly jewlery......just makes me crazy.....While it isn't a fashion show, dressing for our dogs is number one.

[topknot]

I know what you mean. I think I have seen it all too - shorts, blue jeans - (worn by a lady in her 70's and loaded down with all the jewerly I think she owned - all diamonds of the best cut though and a ton of perfume), sandals, heel-less shows, oily hair, hair in eyes. What ever you do - just be clean and professional - be aware it is a "dog" show, not the "cat walk"!
T.

[dray]

I have a hard time picking out clothes to wear, this weekend I need four outfits......
I like to be comfortable and I like my butt covered, flat shoes. I think skirts or dresses
look better but sometimes I will wear pants, it all depends on how I feel that day
and if it is going to be cold.
Here is a picture of my Danny , taken about two weeks ago at his first show,
the jacket I am wearing was given to me from Jay Amon so it must be proper ring attire...

Danny was bread by RoxAnne Miligan

Scan0004.jpg