Believe me, the judges arent' going to be swayed by your choice of color unless you truly are a 199+ handler. I personally go for comfort, try to look neat but w/ different color labs, I really don't get too hung up on color coordination. Anne
Most folks around here wear every day jeans with sneakers while showing at trials (not in conformation just obedience and rally). I am more traditional and would feel more comfortable dressing in something nicer. I'm wearing chinos with loafers and a colored top with a sweater. I know I should wear black with a black dog and khaki with a yellow dog for the same reason dressage riders should match glove color to horse color unless you have perfect hands.
But here's the thing...the khaki makes me feel gross. It's a good fit for my figure (it's the same fit as the black which I receive compliments on) and modern style and it's not necessarily the color, it's just that the color is not very forgiving and I need some forgiveness!
If you were me, would you go for comfort and wear the black, even if you risk highlighting your imperfect dog's imperfections and looking like a complete amateur? Or would you suck it up for the sake of your run, get over yourself, throw on the Spanx, wear the khaki color, and then change into the black as soon as your run is finished? (Hmmm, maybe if I wear the khaki the judge will be so distracted by my choice in pants she won't' even notice the dog!)
Believe me, the judges arent' going to be swayed by your choice of color unless you truly are a 199+ handler. I personally go for comfort, try to look neat but w/ different color labs, I really don't get too hung up on color coordination. Anne
Try not to sweat the small stuff. Honestly, I would dress for your comfort. I think there is enough for you to think about during competition, without wondering about feeling weird in your clothes. As long as you aren't a slob (and frankly some people who compete look like they just came in their jammies and changed from slippers into street shoes -- this seems TOO casual to me), and dress "normal," that should be respectful enough for most judges at most shows. You will see all sorts of outfits on your competitors. Those of us who are running in between conformation and obedience, could be dressed more nicely, or at a specialty, maybe slightly more casual. Long story short; be comfortable and confident, so your dog can sense that from you.
Wear whatever you are comfortable in. The chinos (whatever color you like) sturdy shoes and a colored top sound perfect.
I would wear whatever you feel comfortable in because that's what's gonna put you at ease. I did Rally the other weekend in black jeans and a green/blue blazer because I was also showing in conformation.
Jen
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I've discussed the whole "match your dog so the crooked sits aren't as obvious" with a few judges and they all agree that it really only works for black dogs, LOL, so if you are showing a yellow, wear whatever you want. The goal is to look neat and presentable ... you wouldn't want to look TOO sloppy as that creates a negative impression.
Having black dogs, I usually show in black jeans and black sneakers.
Wear what's comfortable. Definitely agree if you feel "out of sorts", your pup will feel that too.
KAZ
Thanks, all. I threw out the khakis (and the Spanx!) and went for the black pants in that material that is sorta chino-like but not shiny where hair and dust brushes off an they are pretty water resistant and stretchy. I feel good about the decision. "Don't sweat the small stuff" never really worked for me.
ZRabbits (06-24-2014)
Have found that if I'm not comfortable, its just one more thing to worry about when competing, and then the dog (or horse) picks up on it. I also don't like to look too casual in the ring. Nice tidy comfortable pants that fit properly (I do wear beige/tan with Scout, I have a pair of khakis and a pair thats almost a stretch denim type fabric ), a decent shirt (shirt-style or knitted shirt and if necessary a zippered or buttoned sweater, but no just t-shirts) and comfortable shoes. I always take an extra pair of pants just-in-case. And I have "ring" shoes that I don't really wear for anything else, some places have expensive matting and don't want street shoes on the mats. They're really comfortable, Sketchers that look a little nicer than running shoes, but still with good grip and support and no laces to tie up or trip over. I've seen Conformation people in the Obed or Rally ring in Show clothes, that can't be super comfortable; but sure looks better than seeing some folks show up in baggy dirty sweat pants or what look like pj bottoms, and a t-shirt. Sheesh, you're trying to show off your dog, don't want to detract from them by looking like a slob. And I'm not sure about the US, but we have a rule about club etc clothing can't be worn, I try and not have anything "branding" showing.
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