Slightly with Crufts in mind, I wonder what to wear when showing.  I'm female and show a red fawn dog, should I  be colour co-ordinating with him, and if so what colour is best, and skirt or trousers?

All the men I can call to mind who show successfully wear suits - whilst women seem to get away with being more casual...

I didn't think it was that important until I saw that a big name in my breed had changed her outfit twice (different colours) at the same show to suit each dog and got 1sts with both.

What is the general consensus re. clothing. Does it pay to go smart.  Does it pay to colour co-ordinate your outfit with your dog?

Black or Navy & I always go for trousers personally(save skirts for my judging). The carpet will be green & your dog will stand out well on that.

I'm sorry but I think wins should be based on how good the dog is not what the handler is wearing, of course that's not to say I go in the ring a scruff I like to be smart but I wear what I'm comfortable in and I've been quite successful this year being shortlisted a few times.

It is usual to wear a colour that your dog shows up well  against. There has been a picture recently ..everyone wearing drab colours showing dachshunds ...the handler wearing a pink suit stands out as does her dogs outline.

It sometimes helps to wear something that helps your dog stand out rather than coordinate with him.

I saw a fab Black and Tan Cavalier in a HUGE class being shown by a lady in black trousers in poor lighting conditions.
How the judge ( Feffie Somerfield) found him I do not know, only when the dog stood away from the handler, could you see him.

Wearing something distinctive also helps a judge remember that they liked your dog on the individual examination - it doesnt mean that the judge is judging YOU.
I find in big classes, up to 25 blenheim bitches can seem like a sea of fur :-) Looking around for the one that impressed on the table can be helped by a handler who doesnt blend in.....It also works the other way of course and if you want the judge to forget a major fault on exam....BLEND!!

One of my hounds is black and I unfortunately tend to live in black tights aaah! I was thinking of getting burgundy coloured tights or something... would that also work against my fawn hound? Don't want to have to have outfit changes at a show LOL

"One of my hounds is black and I unfortunately tend to live in black tights aaah! I was thinking of getting burgundy coloured tights or something... would that also work against my fawn hound? Don't want to have to have outfit changes at a show LOL"

When I'm showing dogs of different colors, I tend to go for skin-colored tights and then an outfit that is either pink, blue, or red. That way, your outfit will never be the same color as the dog you're showing and you will stand out against pretty much any background.

I always go for skirts, but it's really a matter of personal preference. The more comfortable you are with what you're wearing, the better. Personally, I always try to look as professional and neat as possible.

I usually wear a trouser suit or a nice pair of smart trousers and a nice top.  I do think it's important to look good, as if you dress down it does, no matter what anyone says spoil the appearance of your dog.  Just look at dog show fashion police on FB there are some that are dressed correctly and others that you can't even comment on LOL!

> I always go for skirts, but it's really a matter of personal preference.

This seems to be very much the norm in USA and some of the European lady handlers seem to be dressed like Fashion plates in Power suits.

If you want to dress up the most practical and discreet must be a trouser suit, no showing anything inadvertently when bending over (especially with the mroe ample figure), which is the danger with skirts.  Also any very full or flowing skirt can be a distraction for the dog and judge.

When I shop for skirts, the first thing I do is bend over in front of a mirror to make sure that nobody can see anything they shouldn't be seeing. Business suit skirts are generally the best because they are the correct length and fitted enough that they won't be a distraction or interfere with the handling of the dog.

We've had many funny looks in changing rooms practising running, bending and imaginary stacking!

Many of the big guns take clothes for the Group ring.Disappointing to see the guy on Birm show filmed for Horse and Country the other night on Sky , with the ESS  handler wearing jeans it looked as if he worked in .The guy moved well as did the dog , but I personally feel it is a bit of an insult to your judge going in looking so scruffy .Love it about the looks in changing rooms , everything we have has to have bait  and brush pockets !

I had a lovely brindle that I used to show and I wore a fabulous red trouser suit with a matching waistcoat and a black blouse underneath.  Really showed off the flecks of ginger in her coat.
My other show dogs were red/fawns and when I showed them I wore a black trouser suit. 
So long as you are not matching your dogs colouring as when you are standing, you need to see where the dog ends and the handler begins.

Thank you for your replies everyone!

Lexy - great advice re. green and Crufts.  I had emerald in mind, but I don't want to look like a continuation of the carpet!!! 

Much as it shouldn't matter, as it should be the dog being judged, I do think it adds to the 'package' if you're smart and well presented.

I personally feel it is a bit of an insult to your judge going in looking so scruffy

A let down to your dog too if you've bathed and groomed him to perfection.

As/if you were, a judge would it affect your decision, perhaps indirectly, if a person was scruffy?

Not me it would as my attention would be on the dog but it would seems for many others it does.

Wearing the wrong outfit can definitely detract from the dog though. An outfit with a "loud" pattern might take the eyes off the dog, and a skirt that hits the dog while the handler is moving will cause the dog to move improperly, as will clothes that restrict the handler's movement. Wearing an outfit that permits you to handle your dog effectively is extremely important. Jeans and a t-shirt might get the job done, and if you're a talented handler with a nice dog it really shouldn't matter what you're wearing.

Personally, I prefer to look professional and presentable out of respect for my judge and my dog. The goal is a clean performance in the ring, and that's much easier to achieve if I look my best as a handler. Handling skills are also important though. A nice suit won't make someone into a good handler, and poor handling can make even the nicest dog look incorrect. While all eyes should be on the dog, there are things you can do as a handler to make sure this is the case, and that the dog looks good.

I really need to wear my glasses, I read that as 'what to wear when showering' and I'm thinking who the heck wears clothes in the shower!!

Anyway regardless of what you are wearing I hope you both really enjoy yourselves.

Still think trousers for both sexes are more dignified than skirts. a flowing skirt can flap about impeding the dog, and a fitted one can restrict the handler (unless they are prepared to have a lot of leg showing with splits). 

I really don't understand why women mostly continue to wear skirts when handling in the USA.

But then I nearly always wear Jeans as being the most practical for not getting covered in hair with a Jacket on top or a blouse worn as a jacket in summer.  It does seem to depend on breed and we are quite casual in my breed in the UK, though the men nearly always wear a jacket, but not necessarily a suit.

I do think it is important to feel comfortable and relaxed in your clothes so I would feel uncomfortable dressed formally or in a skirt.  As long as your clean and tidy what you wear should be irrelevant.

I love the hunting garb they wear when showing my breed in Scandinavia (shades of green and practical), but that woudl nto suit here as it would be pretending as we don't/can't hunt here.

I completely agree Barbara and as is said in the KC badge thread a good judge should not be looking at the handler.

Certain brands of business suits make skirts that are the perfect balance between fitted and not restricting. A skirt that goes to your knees but doesn't cover them generally provides enough coverage when bending over and still allows for free movement. Handlers in the US are expected to dress to a certain standard and many women feel that skirt suits tend to be more comfortable than pant suits. Plus for those of us who are a younger generation, it's difficult to find a pant suit that is age-appropriate.

Especially when handling smaller breeds where the handler is required to kneel, I've found jeans to be restricting as well. I've found athleticwear to be the ideal trousers, especially the ones designed for running in the cold because they're tight enough that they don't interfere with the dog, the material isn't too thin, and they allow for a full range of motion. Sadly, those would probably never be appropriate in the ring.

> It does seem to depend on breed

I agree.  I show a gundog and our Group ring looks quite different from some of the others :)

> A skirt that goes to your knees but doesn't cover them

I have never worn skirts that short as my legs are my worst feature. ;)

The only skirt I own is my floor length one that I wear in my choir for performances. :-)