Work! (Turn to the left)
Work! (Now turn to the right)
Work! (Sashay, shantay)!
The lyrics to RuPaul’s hit song “Supermodel” pulses over the loudspeakers. The special lighting rig swings a dazzling display of color. The models prance and proudly strut their stuff, showing off their luxurious clothes to admiring spectators.
If you think you’re in Paris for Fashion Week, guess again. Your local dog-friendly organization throws a huge dog costume contest every Howl-o-ween, and those are paws prancing down that runway. Pet fashion is a growing global market that many pet owners are happy to contribute to by dressing up their precious pooches in adorable outfits like costumes, coats, sweaters, hats, booties, and more. While pet outfits are adorable, many of them serve a functional purpose.
Animal behavioralist and celebrity pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige founded National Dress Up Your Pet Day on January 14 in 2009 to help celebrate pets and the pet fashion community, and it’s easy to see why people love celebrating. Here’s how to celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day with your puppy and learn more about adorable yet functional clothes and accessories for dogs while showing off in style.
Trends In The Global Pet Clothing Market
The global pet clothing market is thriving both domestically and internationally. It is projected to reach $8.97 billion by 2032, valued at 5.79 billion in 2024. As more households adopt dogs, the demand for luxury and sustainable pet goods has also increased. International fashion houses have collaborated with influencers and pet clothing companies to produce popular luxury lines with miniature versions of human clothing and accessories. Social media pet influencers can reach a worldwide audience with just one post increasing the popularity of sponsored brands and introducing new companies to followers. The rising interest in more sustainable, eco-friendly dog clothing using recycled or plant-based fabric like hemp, cotton, and bamboo demonstrates that consumers are conscientious about the environment and want to reflect that in their values. People love matching their wardrobe choices with their pets as well, creating a thriving industry of coordinating human-dog outfits. An overall rise in customers’ decisions to use their disposable income on pet outfits and accessories in a post-Covid economy bolstered rises in pet clothing trends.
North Americans make up a market share of 33.63% of the pet clothing market – that’s a lot of hot dog costumes for Mini Dachshunds across the continent! Americans especially are ready to open their wallets to spend money to make their dogs look cute. According to the 2024 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, 45.5% of US households own a dog, making the total number of dog owners at 89.7 million. It would be difficult to find a pet owner who does not own some sort of accessory, no matter how small, for their pets. Americans love dressing up their puppies in costumes for every holiday. The National Retail Foundation reported that Americans spent $700 million on pet costumes alone with 60% being dog costumes in 2024. It’s clear that puppy parents are happy to open their wallets for the cutest, most sustainable dog outfits the world has to offer.
What To Look For In Dog Clothing For Puppies
Before you head to a dog-friendly pet store with your puppy to select an outfit, you’ll need to consider some factors first. Here is what to consider when purchasing pet clothing and accessories for maximum style without sacrificing comfort and safety.
Measure correctly
A puppy wearing a costume is adorable, but not if it doesn’t fit your puppy! An ill-fitting costume can prevent your puppy from seeing, irritate its skin, cut off circulation, or pose a tripping hazard. Prevent any issues with fit by learning how to measure your dog for clothing.
Many companies list a size chart in the product information section you can consult to see which measurements you’ll need. Gather a flexible tape measure, some tasty treats, and a phone or post-it note to record the measurements.
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Measure around the neck where the base meets the shoulders. Make sure you can slip two fingers underneath the tape measure.
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Next, measure the girth, the widest part of your dog’s body around the rib cage and shoulder blades, and use your two fingers again to record the measurement.
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Lastly, you’ll measure your puppy’s length from the bottom of the collar to the base of the tail or your puppy’s withers (the dip between the shoulder blades) depending on what the size guide asks for.
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Always size up if a measurement is between sizes, or take the largest measurement and order based off the number fitting the larger size.
Pay attention to your dog’s body language
Not every puppy can tolerate a sweater, booties, or a hat, and that’s okay. Sometimes, a puppy just needs to get used to wearing clothing and accessories. For other puppies, no amount of treats or coaxing will get them to don cute outfits, and that’s okay. The important aspect is to always check your puppy’s comfort level and body language to see if you need to hang the sweater back up in its little hanger or return that shark costume (for your little landshark, of course). You want your puppy to love wearing dog outfits for fun, not cause undue stress.
Avoid toxic materials and safety hazards
None of us want to accidentally expose our puppies to harmful chemicals in products we give them. Harsh chemicals or scratchy materials can cause skin irritation and bad reactions in puppies with delicate skin. Sweaters, coats, or costumes with detachable or long pieces can become choking and mobility hazards. Before purchasing a product, read the label to check if materials have been proven to be non-toxic to dogs. If sustainability is important to you, look at the materials list to see if the fibers are eco-friendly.
Be financially responsible
We all know it’s so easy to get carried away purchasing dog outfits and accessories for our puppies. If you get a bandana, of course they need a matching collar! You need that elaborate cowboy costume! Those bedazzled rhinestones would set off the shine in your puppy’s eyes so well!
Not so fast! A responsible pet owner is financially prepared to raise a puppy. Check your budget to see how much wiggle room you realistically have to play with instead of spending your pet food budget on the latest tiny athletic shoes for puppies.
When To Purchase Dog Clothing For Puppies
As if you need an excuse!
Many of us will buy our pets cute outfits on a whim while at a big box store browsing for items not on our list. With most of us on a budget, it helps to anticipate when your pet will wear sweaters, coats, costumes, accessories, and more. Here are some situations and times of year that are great opportunities to dress up your pet year-round and not just on National Dress Up Your Pet Day.
Holidays
People love to use any holiday to dress up their pets! From cupids on Valentine’s Day to Santa Paws at Christmas, pet parents can find pet clothing and accessories for any major holiday. Howl-o-ween is the ultimate holiday for pet costumes with events all over the nation hosting pet costume contests with coveted titles and prizes. People love sharing pictures and videos of their puppies all dressed up in holiday garb!
USPS Delivery Driver Dog Costume, Chewy, $15.23
Special occasions and secondary holidays
Special occasions and holidays are fun opportunities to have your puppy stand out and look his or her best. Cheer on your favorite sports team when tailgating with puppies by purchasing a tiny replica of the team jersey, a festive bandana in custom material, or a matching leash and harness set showing your support. A wedding is an excellent opportunity to have a custom bowtie made to match the wedding colors if your puppy participates in the matrimonial festivities. Fans celebrate all things Star Wars on May the 4th every year, and enthusiasts can dress up their Brussels Griffon to look like an Ewok or turn their French Bulldog into Princess Leia.
Chicago Cubs T-shirt by Tails in the City, $25
STAR WARS R2-D2 & Jawas Dog Costume, Chewy, $24.05
Seasonal practicality
While dog clothing is cute, it can serve a practical purpose during different seasons. For those rainy seasons, a durable raincoat for dogs will help keep the water rolling off her back. Double-coated dogs generally do not need coats or sweaters in winter. However, thin-skinned dogs with single coats or human-like hair will need a practical wardrobe addition to keep them warm. Dogs with single coats have problems regulating their temperature since they do not have a double layer insulating and trapping the heat close to their bodies, so wearing dog sweaters and coats helps prevent hypothermia in dogs. During winter, pet owners may opt to protect their puppy’s paws from harsh chemicals and sharp ice with booties.
Fitwarm Thermal Knitted Dog Sweater, Amazon, $23.99
Canada Pooch Soft Shield Dog Boots, Chewy, $54.99
Making Magic Puffer Vest, Lucy & Co., $45
Runway ready
These “just because” outfits don’t need a special reason to be worn! Pet owners can choose everyday wear or luxury wear whenever they’d like to without a specific reason. It’s a regular Tuesday? Great, put on the fancy sweater to prance around the neighborhood! Have a fun brunch coming up with friends? Your pup will relish the attention when she wears her cute razzle-dazzle collar and matching skirt.
Dress Up a Pawrade Puppy
From posh apartment puppies to friendly family dogs, Pawrade offers puppies for sale for every lifestyle and preference. We partner with reputable breeders who have passed a rigorous screening process and lovingly raise puppies for potential pawrents like you. Get your accessories ready to dress the love of your life when you adopt a Pawrade puppy!
#partner of Chewy.com
#partner of Amazon.com
