Could get shot down for this!!

What are people's opinions on standard of dress for Crufts? I know there are "favourite and lucky" outfits but I believe that the handler should be comfortable, it should be practical but smart and complement the dog, completing the whole picture.

Yesterday I sat ringside watching (not my breed) and saw a lady who looked like she was wearing what she would to have cleaned out the kennels! it didn't even look clean. I couldn't concentrate on the dog but just kept looking at her outfit, marvelling who would put those colours together!! Also saw a few interesting ensembles worn by some overseas visitors which were not very practical, one verging on indecent :)

Funnily enough I thought similar on Thursday.  Watching one of the pastoral rings being judged.  One lady looked as if she was going to a ball.  The other looked as if she had been mucking out at the stables!

Seemed so noticeable to me, as they were so miles apart in the way they looked. 

In an ideal world the handler would blend into the background and be invisible. Too scruffy or too smart are equally wrong. The dog is the important one.

With all the close-ups on the live streaming, for the first time in my life I became a bit shoe-obsessed! lol
Just to see what they were wearing.... Now I can't for the life of me remember which dog, but yesterday Friday one female handler in Group was wearing boots with sharp heels. And did think at the time, Doggy don't want to walk too close to her, he values his paws...lol

I've seen some wearing jodhpur boots - most people go for a flat ballet-shoe. Not flattering for the handler but who's looking at the handler? I saw one with trainers - well that's practical if not glamorous - would get my vote above the heeled boots.

When I'm showing at Crufts (and other shows) I do want
a) Comfort b) practical but smart c) colour scheme that doesn't merge with the dog's colouring
d) something that doesn't cost the earth but that is machine washable :)

On thursday when showing my veteran brindle Boxer girl I wore a light grey suit and a purple shirt
with black footglove flat boots. I also had a purple lead for my girl.

Today as I'm gofer for the International Junior Handler competition and not going in the ring but
helping with the dogs etc I'm wearing my stretchy comfortable coloured jeans with a nice comfortable and warm
rugby style shirt and trainers as I want practical & comfort but don't need to be oober smart.

You will always get the 'scruffies' and the OTT peeps.
Guess that's what makes the dog world a colourful place :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u-quGlpzGM

Ideal outfits.

LOL

Could get shot down for this!!

What are people's opinions on standard of dress for Crufts? I know there are "favourite and lucky" outfits but I believe that the handler should be comfortable, it should be practical but smart and complement the dog, completing the whole picture.

Yesterday I sat ringside watching (not my breed) and saw a lady who looked like she was wearing what she would to have cleaned out the kennels! it didn't even look clean

Agree with you,  some people turn up looking like they have just cleaned out the kennels   , and not just at Crufts!!  another thing I hate to see is, children dressed up in cut down adult suits! (boys mainly) why not just dress them in a smart pair of trousers and shirt.  

its a funny old world dog showing, you see all manner of outfits from !lets not bother"  to the "ridiculously " over the top.

Saw one yesterday,  that Ziggy stardust would  have been proud of wearing !!