I want to get something smart to wear for Crufts, that I can also wear at champ shows. My dog that is qualified is a tricolour, so mostly black and white, and my other one I show is a blenheim, so brown & white. I was thinking the best option would be something medium grey, but I can't seem to find any trouser suits like that. I could just get a jacket to wear with my normal trousers (light/medium grey), but I'm useless at matching colours, and I don't know if it would look silly if it was a different shade grey, so I thought the safest thing would be a trouser suit. I don't want to spend too much money as my girls are not high flyers, I just want to look smart and tidy. I am utterly hopeless at styles / colours etc, but I just want something plain, simple, non-fussy. I am a size 18/20 currently (arrgh!). Anyone got any ideas? I've tried several shop websites and ebay.

Yours,do a linen mix jacket in black that would go with grey trousers,+ size shop, shop I used when I was a size 26/28. £12 online sale at the moment

Have you tried the work wear sections of the supermarkets, in the past I have had jackets and trousers, from Sainsburys, Tesco and ASDA they do a wide range of sizes, and matching ranges and they are not expensive but will was and wear well.
I was in my local Sainsburys at the weekend and they had a lot of items reduced to 50% so now might be a good time to buy.
Have a look at mail order as well I have had some nice jackets suits and gilets from www.crazyclearance.co.uk also Damart and Very.co.uk.

I think a lot of the high streets will have sales on at present, BHS and Debenhams tend to have good size ranges and prices.
With regard to two shades of grey together, I would say no, as unless you can get an exact match it might look a little odd, as there are so many shades of grey  it would be difficult to match, and one could make the other look dirty. I would go for a contrasting colour like, black, white, or plum with grey. I have seen smart jeans and a grey jacket that looked fine, but I personaly think trousers would look smarter for Crufts.
Good luck and do not put yourself or your dogs down, they have qualified, go into the ring with your head held high, and be proud of your dogs and you never know what will happen.

Don't mix greys, I've seen people who do and it looks awful.
If you want to keep your own grey trousers get a coloured jacket, pink would work.

Would you consider a dress or skirt suit, not a short one. There are quite a few nice ones out there is various of colours. It means it you want to wear black it wouldn't be a problem as not directly against your dog.

Would black work with a black & white table dog? I suppose she's not on the table long. I like the workwear at supermarket idea, haven't thought of that, thanks! I hate shopping but that wouldn't be too bad. No pink I'm afraid, and no skirts either! :-D

I got several jackets yesterday at matalan,all half price.They had loads of colours, so I bought a cerise pink one ,a red one and a royal blue.
They are lovely smart jackets that sit just below the hips and most importantly they have two pockets.I will only buy jackets with pockets in.Either of these colours would work well with grey ,navy or black trousers.
I think that red would look good against a tri and possibly a blenheim.

As for black and white I used to wear this quite a lot when showing my black and white chin but havn't done so since I went to a show and there were loads of us in the ring wearing black and white outfits.We looked like a box of dominoes,black and white chins and matching owners!

I have bought a  teal skirt suit and some silver pumps for crufts which I saw in the sales.

Would black work with a black & white table dog?

A fair few Papillon exhibitors use black suits, and of course plenty of the dogs are black and white or tri. I use a black suit myself, as does my daughter and my husband -we all handle.

> I am a size 18/20 currently (arrgh!)

If you're not feeling completely comfortable with your current size then a 'fitted' jacket can be tricky.  It does depend on your height but also where you wear your weight:  longer is better to cover hips, tummy or bottom but a lot of fitted jackets are a nuisance with boobs.  Many jackets simply ride up when you move your arms or flap about when you run or walk quickly.  

With that in mind have you thought about a more tailored cardigan or knitted jacket?  These needn't look at all frumpy (forget twinset and pearls) and there are many different lengths and colours to try.  You can get one with a similar cut to a conventional jacket but the softer material is generally more flattering AND so much more comfortable to wear.

If you go to a specialist store that design specifically for plus sizes you'll find that you will be wearing one of their smaller sizes BUT the cut and design will make you feel even smaller :)  Avoid M&S their cuts are terrible for anyone over a 14/16 and try Elvi, Evans or Ann Harvey online and in the High Street.  Also look at BonPrix online but order from them early as they take a while to deliver.  Finally, if you aren't very tall - try Eastex

Hope this helps :)

I completely agree with going for something other than a suit jacket if you're going to wear a nice pair of trousers in the ring. I've always thought that the only people a matching trousers and jacket suit looks really flattering on are the models in the pictures, and those are probably altered and photoshopped. There are plenty of ways to make normal shirts, cardigans, etc. work in the show ring and look professional. I know I'm probably going to be wearing a nice collared shirt with one of the dogs I'm handling this year because he slobbers everywhere and there's no sense wearing an expensive suit that I know is going to need serious dry cleaning by the time I get out of the ring.

Wow, thanks everyone - loads of good ideas. I like the black jacket with grey trousers idea, I have some coloured shirts so it's not completely monochrome. Lots of places to investigate - thanks all! :-)

This knitted jacket from Eastex is a good option if you want black and although a bit pricey for a one-off should last you many shows :)

A bit pricy eastex again but with black trousers or red for that matter would look good. Nice and long which is what I would like to cover my larger than desired bum and tum
http://www.eastex.co.uk/product.php?cat=Knitwear&id=92510434

Thanks! I'm loving all these great ideas. :-)

If you are not comfortable in a Jacket have you thought of a gilet or waistcoat ? I have a few as I don't feel as restricted as I do in a jacket, and as I am small and dumpy, I find it difficult to get a jacket that fits well. I wear a shirt type blouse underneath in summer, and in winnter I wear a thicker type top, but with a collar, I always feel smarter in something with a collar.
I have had a few bargains from House of Fraser and Debenhams online, I like the Dash and Maine ranges, so worth having a look at those and you could wear with your grey trousers.

Thanks for the heads up about Matalan I will have a look at the jackets, and would agree you simply must have pockets for the treats and a spare pooh bag !!!

My last two trouser suits I've bought from charity shops and they look brand new!

I was mooching around today and with your query in mind I was doing a little mental shopping for you!  Interestingly I found more options in the charity shops than the independent clothes shops I was also looking in.

Try charity shops in high end retail areas - I've always done well in such places :)

I've got some orders here from Next, let's of suits and smart clothing in there right now.

One thing though if you are concerned re your size then don't wear tight fitting clothes or light colors. Make sure you can move well and aren't going to be fidgeting all of the time.
I'm about to take my own advice and send most of it back as I don't feel 100% in it.

I also like longer line jackets not easy to find atm they all seem to stop at my hips. Being a 16/18 to me that is too short. I agree not tight fitting but something that gives you some shape covering bum and tum and foesnt ride up when you move. Flipping hard to find

Yes, longer line jackets are hard to find. I liked the look of some of those cardies from higher up this thread, nice and long to disguise my big bum! :-D

yes me too. never mind give it a while and long line jackets will be back in favour lol

I'd go for a red or a blue if one dog is brown and the other black. Something like this from simply be maybe?

Or this cardie http://www.marisota.co.uk/shop/longline-cardigan/jd640/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6247#colour:Berry Red,size:20/22 from Marisota?

Well worth trying ebay too - a nice one here.  It's cost effective to try on the High St and buy on ebay!

Ooh I like both of those, wonder if red might clash with the blenheim, it's more of a rich tan than a chocolate sort of brown. But it comes in other colours!

> I'd go for a red or a blue if one dog is brown and the other black. Something like [url=http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/mix-and-match-longline-blazer/qy064/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=7273#colour:Navy,size:20" rel=nofollow]this from simply be[/url] maybe?
>
>

Love that jacket in the Tangerine colour.

No help with where to buy but what about a dark plum? 

Also, with the long line jackets etc, although they are not so popular now there are some great tunic type tops and plenty of longer length type smart tops as so many people where them over leggings now.  Might be an option?

There was a lovely grey striped jacket in Sainsburys yesterday (new range). Would look lovely with grey trousers and suspect it would go with many shades of grey.  It had a slight shine to it, and only about £30

Ooh thanks, that's where I do my weekly shop, will have a look when I go! :-)

Personally I'd go for the grey trousers with a red jacket.

I think unless you're stick thin, grey is not a very flattering colour imo.

I'm definitely not! But with the colours of dogs I have, grey is the best option to blend into the background and have the dogs being seen. Specially as I qualified both my girls for Crufts 2014 yesterday!!!!!

With a long (flattering) jacket you might get away with it but I've slimmed from a size 18/20 to size 10/12 and I still wouldn't wear anything grey lol.

Boston qualifies for 2013 this year

> I think unless you're stick thin, grey is not a very flattering colour

I disagree - I don't think colour is shape related.  Whether a fabric colour suits you, depends far more on your skin tone and hair colouring than it does your actual body size.  However the cut, colour (combinations), and texture of the fabrics will have an influence on how good you look.

Bigger sizes benefit from really good tailoring or soft generous fabrics.  A column of colour can work but sometimes looks a bit 'elderly'.  If you're going for separates then you're better choosing a contrasting colour.  Darker greys can work like black but be a little more flattering to winter skin.  Be careful with light/silvery greys at this time of year if you're quite pale as it can wash you out, particularly under those lights at the NEC. 

If you can afford it OSKA have some lovely knitwear and tunics at the moment and they know how to dress bigger sizes too.  Look for their stuff on ebay and and do an ebay search for 'lagenlook' style too - good boxy shapes on your top half can work wonders!  Keep an eye open for really good jacket shapes in boiled wool - it cuts and tailors well BUT is much softer and more forgiving if you have boobs and bumps.  Asymmetric tops and tunics can also help by taking the eye away from your widest points (usually bust, bottoms and hips!!)

I love Oska's designs but think most are a bit '"swirly" for the ring ( for a breed that needs to go at a reasonable pace).

I have been driving myself mad with finding a nice jacket and finally my perseverance has paid off. Try http://www.theroseonline.co.uk for some beautiful fabrics and designs up to size 18--I can't afford their prices normally but there are some great prices in their sale (and I am not on a commission :-))

No qualifying dates for Crufts 2013 were 9/1/12 to 7/1/13 this year as thats when postal entries closed.

Boston wins are most definitely for 2014 ,as satincollie  stated ,this is because the postal entries for crufts closed before boston.

Well done to both lucy dogs and toolz for qualifying their dogs for 2014.

Toolz you must be so pleased that your little pup has qualified at the first show of the year.

Tooolz's dog is gorgeous!! My little girl only qualified because it was an unusually small class, but we don't care! My older girl however won her Veteran class so I am over the moon - she also got 5th of 7 in Open Bitch, beating an AKC Champion!!!

And I'm not too fussed about how flattering the jacket is tbh, I know I'm fat and dumpy. I just want to look neat and tidy. :-D

I wear a grey trouser suit myself (And I'm a big girl) when showing a tri beagle and it doesn't look too bad. I sometimes wear black trousers with the grey jacket and that works well. I've found a nice navy trouser suit in Yours that I'm going to buy. I think that'll look more smart then the grey and won't blend in with her black topline too much.

I disagree - I don't think colour is shape related.

White, grey, a lot of pale colours look hideous on the lower halves of big people as they just make you look even bigger.

Oh that's strange as someone said that they got a place which qualifies them for Crufts and they've now entered, they hadn't qualified prior to Boston... Hmmm bizarre!!

They may find they get contacted and told if it's an error - I certainly understood that it was a qualifier for 2014.

Thank you Japsmum.
My baby boy qualified for Crufts 2013 by winning Best puppy dog at the LKA and now this win at Boston has him sorted at the first opprtunity for 2014. :-)

Im a mid to light grey too and im pale/big(size 26)/dark hair (black and tan one breed, red in the other)

I actually think in dog world as much as you want to look good/smart when it comes to it you need to contrast your colours. Im at a size that no matter what i do i still look big and i dont mind so others dont and the dogs definately dont.

For the colours the OP mentioned grey would work but blue or a nice plum would work better.  I like green too but its the worst at crufts you look like the carpet lol. Ann Harvey always has nice pieces when you catch them.

I think I like the idea of those long cardigan tops, I shall get one in blue, I like blue best. Then I can just wear my usual grey trousers and black shoes. Not very original, but it'll make a change without spending too much money - I'd rather spend the money on more dog shows! :-)