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STYLE

Styling your dog doesn’t have to be ruff

Culture editor Chloe Southard dresses her beagle, Trixie, better than herself.
Culture editor Chloe Southard dresses her beagle, Trixie, better than herself.

I’m fully convinced that I dress my dog better than myself.

For those of you who don’t know, I have a 1-year-old beagle named Trixie (her full AKC title is Trixie Mattel). I’ve written two articles about her already because yes, my entire life revolves around her.

Since I first brought Trixie home, I’ve been obsessed with styling her. My other dog who lives at home is a great Dane, so purchasing clothing and accessories for her is difficult (please make more clothes for big dogs). Trixie is much, much smaller, so finding stuff for her wardrobe has been easy.

Dressing your pup makes them stand out, and sometimes it’s actually beneficial for them. Plus, it’s cute as hell. As long as your dog is comfortable with whatever you dress them in, keeping their wardrobe as fresh as yours is a fun and rewarding experience.

Weather wear

The most useful clothes for your dog are those that protect them from certain weather conditions. If you’re going to purchase anything for your pup to wear, these items definitely come in handy.

One of the first things I bought for Trixie was a pair of booties from PetSmart. They’re from the brand Arcadia Trail, and they were a worthy investment. The little boots are adjustable, so Trixie hasn’t grown out of them.

The reason I purchased booties was initially to protect Trixie’s paws from salt in the winter. I know Miami University salts the sidewalks, and this can be harmful to your dog’s paw pads. These boots have also come in handy on rainy days — I no longer have to worry about muddy and soggy paws.

If your dog has short (or no) fur, a winter coat is also a useful purchase.

Trixie loves to play in the snow, but she usually ends up shivering and I have to force her to come inside. With a nice, thick coat I bought on Chewy, she’s able to enjoy the snow for longer. I can also be assured that she’s comfortable on walks when it’s chilly outside.

The nice thing about a majority of the winter coats for dogs is that they are waterproof, meaning they can also function as a raincoat. However, they are quite heavy, so if you don’t want your pup to be too hot, a regular raincoat would be a good idea.

The raincoat that Trixie has was actually a hand-me-down from my Dane, Lolita’s, puppy days. I got it for cheap at Walmart, but it does the job.

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Custom accessories display personality

If you’re anything like me, Etsy has become a haven for ordering pet products.

There are many sellers who make personalized accessories for pets, and I simply cannot resist them. These aren’t items you can find in an ordinary pet store; they’re created with your dog and their personality in mind.

My favorite personalized product for Trixie has to be a biothane collar with her full title on it. I cannot tell you how many collars Trixie has been through in her one year of life. They’re constantly fraying, getting dirty and breaking.

Biothane is meant to withstand the elements. It’s also extremely easy to clean and doesn’t fade in color.

I’d also recommend custom tags. These don’t have any actual purpose, but they’re fun and cute. I found a nice seller through Etsy who makes personalized resin tags; Trixie has had hers for quite some time and it’s still as good as new.

The thing I love about customized pet products is that they truly capture your dog’s personality, and they fall under whatever aesthetic you can think of. For instance, since Trixie is named after the iconic drag queen, many of her accessories are pink, cutesy and cowgirl-themed.

These personalized accessories can be more expensive, but I’d say they’re worth it because of their quality and longevity.

The little things

I’m a big fan of putting bandanas on Trixie. They’re nothing too crazy, but they’re adorable and can match any occasion.

Again, I usually turn to Etsy for bandanas because the variety of designs are endless. Plus, most sellers provide discounts if you buy a certain amount from their shop. If you’re crafty, though, you can easily make bandanas for your pup with some fabric.

I also love to dress Trixie in other small, random things. For example, I have two tiny bows and a Rosie the Riveter headband from Build-A-Bear workshop that look adorable on Trixie.

I also once found a beaded necklace on the ground; I took it home, cleaned and disinfected it, then put it on Trixie. It looks perfect with her collar and fits her like a glove.

Pajamas are also a great accessory for your pup, especially if they get cold easily. Trixie loves to cover up with a blanket on cold days, so pajamas are perfect for lazy days around the apartment.

Some people may find it ridiculous to dress your dog or spend extra money on them, but I disagree. Our dogs are only here for so long. To me, it’s beyond worth it to dress Trixie, whether it’s for her own comfort or the simple enjoyment of seeing her look cute.

@_chloebowie_

southacr@miamioh.edu

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