what clothes do you have to wear for shows?

You can wear what you like Frank, but my own feeling is, that if you are going to spend time on the presentation of your dog, then you should be willing to complete the picture and at least be smartly turned out yourself. The best ones to look at are the junior handlers.

You will find though, that it varies from breed to breed, the standard of exhibitor attire. In my breed it's very smart, and in some others it's very casual. I would never advocate jeans though.

Dawn R.

Dawn I find it varies in each breed alot aswell!  JH's are not always the ones to look at, I judge one girl who was wearing a suit that would have look nice at a wedding, but the silk look with the bows just didn't go in the ring!

I also find the top breeders/winners will turn out very well! 

As a rule of thumb.  Open shows tend to be smart casual.  Championship shows smart, but comfy non slip footwear.  Crufts go the whole hog :D

sandrah, It could just be because I used to be a junior handler, but I always where a suit at open shows, still even when being an "adult"!

Only did jeans once at a champ show where the dog I ended handling jumps up and scratches all teh way down your legs putting ladders in tights when I had skirt!  and I didn't ahve time to get changed again, wore my jeans with owners jacket!!!!!!

Tidy , smart clothes that compliment the breed

and of a colour that compliments the dog and if yours is a breed where the owners stand behind the dog a different colour to your dog.

That is what I should of said Christine eh ? :-) colour of the dog not the breed. Might have someone away looking for something that looks nice with a 11 inch Well set shouldered dog :-)))

Contrasting clothes look good as if the light isn't brilliant the dog's outline is very clear.  I was at a show last weekend and someone was showing a dark dog and they had on trousers nearly the same colour.  From the ringside it was quite difficult to see where the dog finished and the owner began.

But don't forget wearing clothes that match the dog could be "good handling"!!!!! :D you can hide alot of faults because the dog isn'r clearly seen!!!