to ask for your help with hi-vis fashion items for a guide dog owner!

[Wolfbasher]

I am a new guide dog owner. Not blind, but severely visually-impaired. I love my dog, and we are just beginning on a partnership with years to come.

BUT! I hate my hi-vis vest. It makes me feel like an object. Like a bollard or something! I understand it is my responsibility for my/my dog's safety to wear something hi-vis that would help drivers spot us if we make a mistake on the road. But I don't want to wear a construction-worker's vest!

Can anyone help me find something that is hi-vis yet vaguely fashionable. The sort of thing a normal person about their everyday business would wear. That looks nice with a well-cut coat. That sort of thing!

I am thinking about a small hi-vis rucksack. But everything I've seen looks as if it's made for a railway worker. Any advice much welcomed!

And yes, I know this is very trivial. Don't flame me for that.

How about a high vis running jacket or something similar from a sports shop such as decathlon?

Have you tried looking at rave/club wear brands like Cyberdog? You might find something suitable for your purposes there?

Would a sash be less Workman Chic whilst still serving the purpose?

Google found this: www.dezeen.com/2014/08/23/henrichs-hi-vis-cyclewear-fashion-conscious-cyclists/

Or this in the neon yellow?

Could you just wear a normal light/brightly coloured coat, and then carry something reflective?

I bought someone a reflective umbrella for Christmas - I think I got it in Waterstones (though that seems an odd place to have bought it so maybe I am remembering wrong) It just looks grey, but it is incredibly reflective under car headlights.

I had a very thick sash for horseriding to use in place of a vest. Can't find it online anymore, but have found this one which is just reflective and also this one.

You can also get a hi-viz lead for your pooch if you'd like one (I loved covering my horse in shiny stuff for the roads)

I saw a woman with one of these this morning, and was amazed at how hi-vis it was! And very on trend as well...

www.cambridgesatchel.com/en-gb/colours/fluoros

Hey, not trivial at all

It's still consruction-type stuff, but you don't have to get the vests in just yellow or orange - they come in all sorts of colours (I have a pink tabard that I love but the company wow wow doesn't seem to sell adult stuff anymore)

I've bought yoko stuff before, it's very cheap and lasted well, here's a link to their page on amazon:

vests

Or cycling stuff is good - these arm/leg bands are nicely subtle:
high-vis bands

Hump do a pink or blue backpack cover, definitely not construction worker style:
hump

Good luck with your dog!

Or a coat like this...

www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Jackets-Coats/CHESSY-Short-wrap-coat-Deep-Pink/p/112305-50-DEEP-PINK
You'd be very visable

I have a hi viz fleece for riding-OK so not that fashionable but it bet they do jackets a bit more tailored somewhere...

It is probably trickier in the winter to find something stylish - you can get hi vis back pack covers for cyclists which could be an option.
In warmer weather I would look for a hi viz hoody from sweaty betty or a running shop like sweatshop. I have a stylish sweaty betty one which I wear a lot. I'm a runner and there are lots of hi vis options available these days.

Or how about a Gore cycle jacket - they are stylish, just maybe not warm enough in winter weather though.

Its pricey, but Georgia in Dublin looks really nice on and is seriously waterproof as well. Loads of reflective detail.
Handily it expands over a rucksack when raining too.

I knew Mumsnet was the place to ask! Thank you :) Off to look at all these now ....

There was a smart trench coat in topshop with the reflective strips a few years ago. It was really lovely and looked very high fashion. Would you be able to sew reflective strips along seams of a coat yourself. You can buy the reflective stuff on a roll.

I think on the topshop one it was down the two seams on the back, on the top of shoulders and down arms and around waist, possibly around bottom seam too.

watching with interest! My DP's sight it deteriorating and he will probably have a guide dog eventually. He will be anti his vis vest too! Best of luck with your new pal I hope it goes really well for you

Tape a bit like this ebay link but there are many different types

this gives more options

Yes i was thinking add reflective tape to your coat

op,firstly if you're wearing the guide dog standard sam brown belt feel free to bin it forthwith. I would say that the lengths (and expense) you go to in order to make yourself visible very much depends on what kinds of roads you are crossing and when.

Your harnass has a reflecter on the front and the leed should have a reflective guide dog sleeve on it which will make your dog more visible to car drivers. but unless you are crossing roads e.g.late at night then you should be generally visible to car drivers as long as your adhering to your general traffic training.

I have been a guide dog owner for eighteen years,and none of the GDO's I know go to great lengths to wear high vis clothing, nor will it be questioned when you have your aftercare visits. obviously you will be being careful on the roads anyway when crossing, :-)

WannaBe - great to hear from a long-term guide dog owner, thank you. Yes, my dog is fully kitted out in reflective gear, and not self-conscious about it at all :) I don't go out at all at night at the moment, though will work up to that.

I love that fluoro Cambridge satchel - it's pricey but am going to request it as a Mother's Day gift! Will check out Sweaty Betty for summer fleeces too.
Thank you!

Have a look at horse related hi viz. I've got a really nice yellow gilet and you can get all sorts of clothing in hi viz colours.

May I also suggest that you ensure it is reflective also. Hi viz is useless in the mornings & evenings if it's not reflective