Dressing your dog up is one of the most fun guilty pleasures of being a pet parent. But one of the greatest frustrations is getting excited over the cutest dog outfits only to find out they don’t fit well, they’re uncomfortable, your dog hates it before you even have a chance to show them off.
Novelty costumes are all too common in popular pet stores, but they, unfortunately, don’t fit all body types. Sadly, buying unusable dog clothes is a common experience, especially among broad-chested breeds like bulldogs.
Here’s a few tips that will help you find useful, properly fitting, and durable dog clothes.
1) Fit & Craftsmanship
The hems and cuffs of the Striped Multi-colored Knit Dog Cardigan showing high-quality craftsmanship.
The fit is one of the most important factors to quality dog clothing. Unlike human fashion, dog clothing has to cater to many completely different body shapes, sizes and proportions.
Small details like stitching patterns, sleeve length, how the chest piece is connected to the arms, torso to back ratio, underbody V-cut can determine if your dog is going to wear a piece of clothing or not.
These details are more important than the style and design of the clothing. The stitching should hold and endure any young pup’s roughhousing. All hems and cuffs should be properly made to protect the clothing from fraying. Additionally, the lining should be soft against your dog’s coat.
2) Materials/Fabrics
Snowy The Maltipoo sitting cute+cozy in her Leopard Pattern Knit Sweater
Experienced product designers understand that when it comes to creating good dog clothes, comfort always comes first.
The materials and fabrics used in dog clothing is really where you’ll see the biggest difference in price and quality. Clothing in big box retailers are typically made of scrap fabrics left over from human-fast-fashion production, these fabrics are usually thin, rough, tear easily, none-stretch, chemically treated and could irritate your dog’s skin.
In contrast, quality dog clothes use premium human grade fabrics that cater to a dog’s needs; such as temperature-control, durability, flexibility, softness, thickness, wash-ability and texture. Many types of fabrics are sourced and tested in real life situations before mass production.
3) Function
(LEFT) Knit Hooded Down Vest, (RIGHT) Sub-Zero Puffer Vest
Think beyond fashion and determine why your dog needs to wear clothes. If it’s because they feel cold easily, get something that actually offers additional insulation. A properly lined jacket or hoodie should do the trick.
If you prefer a pull-over, make sure the fabrics are stretchy and the hood fits your dog's head—a problem many bulldog owners experience.
If your dog has an odd body shape, then avoid buying a raincoat or thick winter jacket as your first purchase from a new brand because there is no stretchability and there may be a good chance that it will not fit.
Always consider how easy it is to put on and remove the clothing you are buying. If it’s too difficult, your dog will likely reject it and you will likely run away. Fortunately, there are plenty of clothes designed for the comfort of dogs and the convenience of their owners.
4) Brand
Basil the Maltipoo & Friend in the Flower Pattern Knit Sweater
Buying clothes from a reputable dog apparel brand is really about product quality and customer service. Think about it: dogs come in all shapes and forms. So why do big-chain manufacturers expect French Bulldogs to fit in the same clothes as Pointers do?
Find a brand that stands behind their products and designs clothes specifically for the breed of dog you have.
*Some breeds—bulldogs especially—need a manufacturer that’s intimately familiar with the big head, broad chest, small waist, and short legs. Thankfully, once you’ve found a brand that suits your dog well, you can be confident in your future purchases with them.
5) Budget
Dog clothes range in price from cheap to extravagant. You’ll find costumes at pet stores and popular online marketplaces for as little as $10, but you’ll also find designer brands selling them for a couple of hundred dollars each.
Choosing the right price point depends on your actual budget, but keep in mind that the cost is often positively related to quality.
Although the most expensive dog clothing isn’t necessarily the best, you can bet that the cheapest ones are just that: cheap. Thankfully, there are reasonably-priced items that perfectly balance cost, style, and quality.Here at Miminko always it's our guarantee .
Additional Tips for Choosing Clothes for Your Dog
Here are a few other tips that might help you put together a wardrobe filled with stylish yet comfortable and high-quality dog apparel:
For winter activities: If it’s frosty where you live or you’re heading out on a snowy adventure, get a water-resistant vest, coat, or jacket that will keep ice from gathering on your dog’s coat. A snowsuit that covers the legs will be especially helpful in keeping your dog safe and comfortable in harsh winter weather.
For morning walks: Temperatures tend to be low during the early hours of the day. If your dog gets cold during your morning walks, get a fleece-lined jacket that can keep them warm. Proper lining is especially important if your dog has a short coat and sensitive skin. Additionally, a good dog jacket will be easy to put on and take off, which is most convenient for city dogs and apartment dwellers.
For lounging at home: If your pup gets cold at home, a hoodie would be essential for a good night’s rest. Dog hoodies are soft and comfy—perfect for warm snuggles! This wardrobe essential also has the added benefit of keeping shed hair away from your carpet and furniture.
- Ruffle Trimmed Ribbed T-Shirt) Orange
- Teddy Bear Hoodie) Ivory *truly the softest most cozy piece! Your pet won't wanna take it off!
- Unbalanced Sweatshirt) Green
For finicky dogs: Not all dogs will feel comfortable wearing clothes right away. If yours still gets fussy in any dog apparel, opt for stretchy or soft materials that won’t make their movements feel restricted. Soft knit dog sweaters work best, especially those that cover the body but not the limbs. These comfy clothing will help your dog transition into all sorts of outfits later on.
- Holly Jolly Sweatshirt) Wine
- Daisy Scrunch Bubble Tank Top) White
- Dino World Tank Top) Yellow
- Eco-Fur Vest With Lace) Pink
It’s smart to be just as particular with the fit and quality of your dog’s outfits as you are with your own clothing
When shopping for dog clothes, remember to think beyond cuteness and Instagramability. Of course, style and swagger are important. But keep the critical considerations in mind so that you get the best-looking outfits with the best value for money, all while keeping your adorable pup comfortable.
*Shopping online, make sure you check out this guide on how to measure your dog for clothes.
