dog walking chic

[lainiekazan]

All I do is walk a large, slobbery, hairy dog. (Well, it seems like all at the moment.)

I look terrible. Really bad. Nasty jeans or tracksuit bottoms, horrid fleece jacket that gathers at the bottom. Big sweatshirt that balloons out at the front. Not only do I look bad, I feel bad. Very bad.

So, what could I step out in that is practical and makes me look as if I've gambolled out of the pages of a catalogue [ha ha] ?

I'm 5'3" and size 8/10 and most normal shop clothes make me look like Minnie Mouse as the sleeves are too long/shoulders massive etc.

I am the same size as you, and spend a lot of time walking my rescue Staffie. I am also very like you because until recently my dog walking wardrobe consisted of very ancient trackie bottoms and DH's work fleece.

I have improved a bit and now wear skinny or boyfriend jeans, Hunter willies or my new floral Joules Wellibobs (DS2 is very unsure about them, but I like them) I have a new Superdry Vacation Henley top, a spotted sweatshirt from the White Stuff outlet and a Joules sweatshirt.
I top this lot off with my own Barbour jacket if it is not raining, DH's Toggi riding coat if it is. I have a couple of nice fleece ski type hats that I sometimes wear but my best hat for keeping warm is a crusader style Balaclava knitted by my mother. I might still look a bit odd, but slightly more stylishly odd than I did before.

I have a pair of Le Chameau neoprene wellies (with the rubber zips up the side) and a huge Didrikson Lindsey parka, far and away the two most expensive things I bought last year, and equally far and away my favourite items of clothing. Both feel lovely to wear, look good, make my chunky legs look a bit thinner, and frankly, if the weather's too bad for them to cope with, the dogs don't want to go out anyway.

"willies" too many biscuit crumbs in my keyboard, "wellies" of course.

Thanks, I shall investigate those items. I have been known to wear dh's coat - and he's 6'1 and XXL...

The Didrikson parka looks nice. I see there is a MN thread about it and the reviews are positive.

I don't have special dog walking clothes, I just wear whatever I am wearing that day - jeans, cords, dress, skirt. If it is wet and muddy I wear my boots like this as they are warm and waterproof, and I have a Barbour parka.

When I go for the daily normal dog walks, I just wear my normal clothes and my normal jacket/coat and shoes.

When out doing the daily training the dog in a muddy field, I wear my Timberland Earthkeepers ankle boots - they are brilliant in snow, rain, mud, on ice.

And a jacket with pockets for toys, treats, clicker, bags and so on - it's usually either a Barbour (wax, rain coat or puffer) or Jack Wolfskin 3-in-1 parka (so I can wear the outer bit as rain coat, inner bit as warm fleece or zipped together as a parka).

I usually wear a nice scarf as I think it makes it look a bit nicer and done.

When it gets colder, I'll either wear Baretta hunting fleece gloves or UGG mittens and a beanie or some rabbit earmuffs.

For winter you just need decent boots and a decent coat. Then just whatever you are wearing anyway. I have boots like this or Wellies for when it's really muddy.

Thanks - I think I will invest in a decent coat.

I have a horror of looking like the ladies at dog training. I must resist the urge to get one of those fleeces with the line of huskies round the bottom. Or the t-shirt saying "I love my [insert breed]" . As it is I accessorise with a glistening ring of slobber round the bottom of most of my clothes.

I just wear my normal clothes with Comfy boots and an appropriate coat.I'm not suddenly going to wear fleeces and trackies when I never normally do.I do love however wearing a bright cashmere scarf and beanie and Brora mittens in winter plus a down coat.Would love to find a glamorous coat for rain though.