People see dogs as part of their families. When people dress and look good, they also want their dogs to look good. When you rock the latest ripped jeans and a graphic tee, your furry companion should also rock the latest weatherproof coats, boots, and accessories. If you don't know the top trends, here are the latest apparel people are buying for their dogs and expert tips on how to keep your pup stylish all year round.
Top Trends in Dog Clothes 2024: How to Keep Your Dog Stylish All Year Round
Dogs are susceptible to weather changes just like humans. When exposed to winter colds, they get hypothermia and frostbite. The effect is worse for small and short-haired dog breeds like Greyhounds, Labradors, and Chihuahuas. Sometimes, there is harsh sunlight, rain, and wind during walks or hikes.
Dogs' clothes offer the same protection as human clothes. Your Fido will be safe from wind, scorching sun, rain, and frostbite. Now, like human clothing, there are advancements in dog clothing fashions. The latest fashions protect your Fido better than the traditional ones. Here are the top dog clothing trends to consider in 2024.
Heated Coats
Technology is advancing, and so are dog apparel styles. The traditional solution to protect dogs from the cold winter is to layer wool jackets. These layers of clothing are usually restrictive, and your Fido won't have as much freedom of movement.
It's a major drawback if you take your dog for exercise in the mornings before leaving for work. Either the dog won't jog freely and feels exhausted after a short run, or you let it meet the cold bite. The latest trend is clothes with heating elements.
These coats work the same way as heated car seats and heated blankets. The coat has a copper heating element, usually powered by a battery. The good thing with these coats is that you have precise control over the temperature.
There are no more problems with multiple clothing layers bunching up. The heating element distributes the warmth evenly. Since the coat isn't thick, the dog cools down naturally when you turn off the heater, and there are no risks of heat strokes. So, consider this option if you have a brachycephalic dog breed like the Boston Terrier.
Eco-Friendly Fabrics
Climate change is now a global concern. WHO data shows that over 600 million foodborne illnesses occur annually, and over 2 billion people lack clean drinking water. The data also shows that over 37% of heat-related fatalities result from climate change.
As a result, there's a new trend across the board: the need to preserve the environment. The environment covers both plants and animals. People now look for dog apparel made of recycled plastics, linings, polyfill, and fabrics.
People are switching from dog clothes made of animal products like wool and real leather. The argument is simple: it costs an animal's life to get by-products like wool and real leather. Instead, the new apparels use faux-down, faux-fur, and vegan leather.
GPS Tracking Collars
GPS technology has been used for military purposes since the 1960s. It was later integrated into phones and car tracking systems. Nowadays, GPS has made its way into dog clothing. In the past, there were many fences to prevent dogs from escaping. Almost all dogs had ID tags with the owner's information on their collars.
ID tags are great even nowadays because tech fails. However, the latest trend is GPS fences and GPS tracking. The collar has a small GPS receiver that picks up GPS signals from the satellites. The system's algorithm determines the dog's location.
It then sends the information to your smartphone. In short, you get real-time tracking of the dog's location. For geofencing, the collar gives a beeping sound or vibration warning when the dog nears the set boundaries. If it tries to cross, the collar delivers a static shock.
Water-Resistant Jackets
Most dog breeds were developed for working. Dogs like the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky were developed for pulling sleds. Newfoundlands were developed to help fishermen haul nets. Beagles and Foxhounds were bred for hunting. Border Collies and German Shepherds were originally bred for shepherding.
In short, most were working dogs and received the same treatment as other domestic animals like horses—no clothes to protect them from the elements. Over time, dogs showed lots of intelligence, affection, and love for their owners. Things started changing from working to companionship.
That's how the development of miniature dog breeds started. People wanted dog sizes that fit in apartments and sit comfortably on their laps. Dogs have become part of the family, and dog owners want their furry friends to live as comfortably as their children. This companionship has brought a whole new trend in dog clothing.
People are now getting weatherproof coats for their dogs. These coats have two fabric layers. The outer layer is made of waterproof and durable materials like Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex is the same material used to make gear for mountain climbers and skiers. The good thing about these materials is that they are breathable.
They allow moisture from the dog's body to evaporate into the environment, creating a cooling effect. It's a great option for brachycephalic dog breeds prone to overheating. The inner layer of these coats is made of fleece or synthetic lambswool lining to keep the dog warm and comfortable.
Dog Boots
In the past, people took advantage of the fact that dogs' paws were tough and adapted to natural environments. But the natural environments are slowly changing. People nowadays live in apartments and walk on paved streets.
Asphalt gets extra hot on a sunny day, up to 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the surrounding air. During summers, asphalt can reach unsafe temperatures of around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if a dog's paws are tough, these temperatures are unnaturally hot and can burn them.
People realize that walking with the dog on paved roads during summer and icy streets in winter is a form of animal cruelty. That's why there is a new trend of dog boots. These boots protect the sensitive paws from frostbite and ice balls sticking in between the pads.
The boots also prevent the dog from slipping. This traction is great for short-legged breeds prone to accidental falls, such as Corgis, Dachshunds, and Basset Hounds.
Trending Dog Outfit Ideas
You know the latest trends in dog clothing, but sometimes you need those direct outfit ideas to keep your pup stylish all year round. Here are some outfit ideas you can try out.
- Themed: Dress your dog in themed clothing that reflects the season or event. For instance, clothes that reflect Valentine's Day or Christmas.
- Bold and bright colors: Dress the dog in bold, bright-colored clothes so you can spot it easily.
- Matching outfits: Match the patterns and colors of the apparel to the dog's coat. Alternatively, you can match the colors with your outfit.
- Accessories: Accessories are what completes an outfit in humans. The same is now happening in dogs. Use hairbows, bandanas, scarves, hats, and bowties to make the dog stylish.
How to Choose the Right Apparel for Your Dog Breed
There are many trending dog fashions in the market, and choosing the right one is challenging. For instance, the boot size that fits a Tibetan Mastiff can't fit a Yorkie. The hat style that suits the large head of a Saint Benard can't suit the narrow head of a Greyhound. So, here are some things to consider when choosing dog apparel.
Size
The first thing to consider when choosing a dog's apparel is size. Just like a person can't walk freely and looks weird in oversized clothing, the same is true for dogs. Imagine a Greyhound trying to sprint with oversized boots or a Boston Terrier with an oversized hood that covers the face.
Remember, dogs are intelligent. If they feel something is restricting their movement, they refuse to wear it. When shopping for dog clothing, first take measurements. Keep in mind that the dog can lose or gain weight.
So, when the measurements fall between two cloth sizings, go for the larger one, not the smaller one. That means the clothing can only appear shaggy when the dog loses weight but doesn't restrict movement when the dog gains weight.
Comfort
Comfort is more important than looks. The dog doesn't care about how it looks but how it feels. Make sure the clothes have linings and padding to prevent skin irritations.
Safety
Don't compromise the dog's safety! Make sure the clothes and accessories don't have parts the dog can tear off, chew, and swallow. Steer clear of clothes that use lots of buttons, zippers, and straps. The dog can step on the straps and fall or try to swallow a button.
Also, make sure the clothes are bright, have reflective straps, or have LEDs to help you and motorists spot the dog in low light.
Final Thoughts
Dogs are parts of people's families and should have their personalities and styles. They need a wardrobe staffed with the latest dog clothes, just like how their human counterparts staff theirs with the latest fashions. Above are some of the top trends in dog clothes and valuable tips on how to keep your pup stylish all year round.