I have booked in for my first two shows, both in early June, and am now panicing about what to wear! I have a black Lab, so presumably should avoid black so he doesn't merge in with me. 
Can I wear a skirt or are trousers better?
Also how smart do I have to dress?

Thanks in advance,

Julie

If they are open shows then go for smartish casual, black smart jeans and a coloured top depending on the weather would be fine.  I always think smart flat shoes rather then trainers make an outfit.

If it is a Championship show then black or beige trousers with a smart blouse or if you have one a jacket, again smart but comfortable shoes.

If you are showing him with you standing infront of him you won't merge what ever colour you wear.

Be prepared for changes in weather, take extra layers such as waterproof jacket (it is our Summer after all) maybe a cool light T shirt in case of heatwave. Trousers are more serviceable, you don't want to worry about sudden gusts of wind! I would never recommend black with a black dog, there is always the chance that your dogs outling will be lost, even handling from the front you will at some stage move behind the dog. On the move also if you have to do the triangle pattern of movement. The lead however would be ideal in black as it will not break up the line of the dog. Clogs or floppy sandals are a no no, they can be quite dangerous especially in outside rings where the ground is never level.
whatever you wear I would make sure it has pockets for the treats, pouches can be a distraction to the dog as they bounce up & down when moving the dog. Liver treats are good as well as a strong cheese or even garlic sausage,the smell is the important factor, try not to use them all the time though & never as treats at home, as your dog could get bored with them.
Which part of the country are you? A good ringcraft should teach all this as routine. Good Luck in June, will be watching for you to post a win!

I used to panic about this,think it is a female thing.I wear smart casuals for an open Skirts and smart top as I don't like trousers.For a champ show I wear a suit - it was an excuse to splurge and i think in the past 12 months I have bought 9 suits - my O.H would go mad.LOL.I try to wear suits that compliment the colour of my dogs.eg if i am showing my red girl I will wear green or brown.But this isn't vital  just abit of fun.If your dog has a good topline then wear a contrasting colour so you show it off.If the topline isn't your dogs best feature then wear something that will blend in.Think I should give trinny and Susanah a run for their money.LOL.

I definitey wouldn't wear black if showing a black dog. 
I saw some pics recently of my sister handling our dark brindle bitch.  She was wearing black trousers and Ruby completely disappeared into her and lost her topline on the move. 

We tend to wear red or beige - seems to be safe with most colours.  Although now we have a fawn too, we might have to reconsider the beige!!

I never wear black,just ends up looking like a mohair suit LOL.Ideally brighter colours are good eg Red as you do stand out more from the crowd and in a big class it gives the judge something to remember you by.

well I still haven't found the right colour/outfit when showing mine...

opted for cream linen blend trousers for one show - got brown streaks down them from Madam's feet cos she tends to jump up when she's flustered...

tried green casual combat style, still showed the mud at WHELKS...

so now am on the lookout for BROWN smartish but wear-with-anything trousers....

and def no black - gets covered in grey dog-hairs and looks scruffy :(

am not brave enough to wear a skirt......

Dearlady,

Off topic slightly, but Next are doing some rather nice linen trousers for £18, and I think they come in a chocolate brown.

In Response to sandrah

I think we are talking black lab so no to the black trousers.

Tweed is the best colour for muddy paws, which is probably why it is country wear LOL.

I notice that different breeds have different levels of formaility re clothing.  We are pretty casual in my breed in the main with casual trousers and a jacket being common in the gents and the same for ladies with an overblouse instead in summer.

I noticed that a lot of the gundogs are shown with traditional country clothes.

I show a mainly black dog in black trousers, doesn't show the hairs ;)  Most people in my breed do too.

I tend to wear brown trousers now - it is difficult for me as I have one black dog and one wheaten - so no beige and no black suposedly. At a last resort I will sometimes wear black trousers but as I have table dogs it is easy to wear a colourful top so that I dont blend with the dog.
As to whether to wear skirt or trousers I would say just make sure you are comfortable and have comfortable shoes on.
Becki

> think we are talking black lab so no to the black trousers

defo no to black! i would say green if poss, there was a thread ages ago about the best colour to photograph black dogs against and someone said green is best, they posted some lovly pics to, so maybe green would show of the dog best?

I love the way my breed is shown abroad with many of the men wearing hunting green.

If you wore green would you not be invisable at Crufts?LOL

perhaps less of a garish shade than those hallowed carpets? they are quite...striking.

is that why they have green though? to show up dark breeds more clearly?

>is that why they have green though? to show up dark breeds more clearly?

I would think all colours of dog would show up equally well against the green, so none are at a disadvantage.

That's it I want a green suit a nice olive to teal tone.

yes, sorry thats what i ment- a white dog will show on anything where as a black one shows up well on green was what i ment

oh, that sounds nice. if i showed my boy i'd wear green, not only is it a good colour on me ;) but he is a stunning red that green would contrast nicely against :)

I have the most gorgeous (IMO) Green suit that my boyfriend brought me when we went to Thailand.  Made to fit and in Italian Cashmere I absolutely love it!  It's a nice olive green which looks lovely against the red and whites!

You can see it here if you want: http://crufts.fossedata.co.uk/crpix/2008_RDT_BOB.jpg