Back to School Fashion Tips

Welcome to Blogville's Back to School Bash! I hope you had fun getting to class on the Magic Bumblebee or yellow airplane. Be sure to check out Mayor Frankie's blog for a list of all classes offered today, and don't forget to check out the fabulous raffle prizes to raise money for Miss Sandra and the Houston Pittie Pack!

I know that the first day of school can bring a lot of stress. Carefree summer days are over, and you'll be seeing all sorts of furiends that you haven't seen in ages. You HAVE to make the right impression! But then you stare at your closet and wonder just what the heck you're going to wear.

You stress and stress and try everything on a dozen times, and in the end, you wind up feeling silly and looking totally overdressed.

Well, don't worry, because Professor Casey is here to help! I know it can be overwhelming, but there are a few simple tips and tricks that will help you along the way. I've tried to include advice suitable for both large and small doggies, plus a few for our kitty friends. To ensure variety, I've enlisted some help with my models! My sissy Cinderella and I will be modeling the big dog fashions. Also joining us will be my kitty siblings Scribbles and Pigeon and, representing the smaller doggies, the fabulous Mr. Pip and Puddles D. Rainwater. A big round of applause for our models!!

Now, I know that not everyone is keen on dressing up, so the biggest thing to remember is to start small. Even just a collar change can help take you from carefree summer dude to serious scholar.

See how serious I am?  

Cinderella steps up the collar change with a lovely lacy bow. This is how you can make simple changes to really show off your personality!

Once you've mastered the collar change, you can move on to a bit more advanced technique. The bandana! The simple bandana is the easiest way to add style to your wardrobe, whether you're a big dog, a little dog, or even a kitty! You can find bandanas to match every occasion and fit your style perfectly.

 Cinderella and I are rocking bananas that show off our personalities. Note that mine is twisted at a jaunty angle, while Cinderella favors the simple chest point.

 

 Bandanas are a great choice for kitties! They're easy to wear, and even the most persnickety kitty (like Scribbles here) can manage to rock the look.

Don't underestimate the importance of color! Pigeon's delicate pink bandana says that she's a sweet little princess with a sassy streak!

 

 If you're more advanced, try moving the bandana from around your neck to up on your forehead. It gives you a grreat rocker look!

 See how much you can do with just a bandana?? You're all doing grreat! Now, if you're ready to step it up a little bit, the next step is hats. These are a little trickier than collars and bandanas. If you're not used to it, having something on your head can be a uncomfortable and even a little bit skeery. Try it slowly, but if you can get used to it, it can really stylize your look!

 My hat says I'm a sporty kind of guy.

 Mr. Pip's hat says he's fun-loving!

Puddle's snazzy hat says she's fashionable and trend-setting.

All right, you're all doing just grreat!! I'm seeing some fangtastic outfits coming together out there. I think some of you are ready for the BIG step. That's right, full-body outfitting! It can be a little challenging finding just the right look, especially if you're a larger doggy, but time and patience will see you through. 

 Here I am again showing off my relaxed, sporty look.

 Puddles models a lovely polka dot number in hot red that shows off her 

feminine and fiery sides at once!

Don't limit yourself to just the pet stores. You can find clothes that fit us larger doggies in the human section too!(You'll need your human to help with this part of the shopping, since we can't usually go in those stores. That's okay, they have the credit card anyway!)

It may take some trial and error to find the right size. This is a human men's small. It's a little snug in the shoulders for me, but big in the waist. You can solve these problems by cutting a little slit in the inside armholes to allow for some extra room and then just tying up or pinning the waist.

Finally, remember to dress for the weather! Cold days don't mean you need to be shivering in the classroom. There are lots of options, again with every opportunity to show off your personal style.

 Cinderella favors a fun hoodie in her favorite pink. It says "Princess U" to demonstrate her allegiance to her princess alma mater.

 

 Mr. Pip favors a tradition knitted sweater. Look how he chose colors that showcase his 
lovely furs, and the high neck gives him that extra bit of gravitas that warns everyone he's 
not a dog to be messed with!

Puddles opts for a coat that shows off her funky personality and love of hot dogs.

And of course, don't furget to top off your back-to-school outfits with the pawfect accessories. I brought all my changes of attire to school in a classy personalized backpack from Sarge. Accessories are a great way to show off all the uniqueness of you. See how I'm showing my support for Legacy Boxer Rescue?

Well, class, I hear Sasha's food truck getting closer, and she's got a possum pizza with my name on it! So let's draw this to a close. The key to a pawfect back to school look is to utilize colors, expand your comfort zone with new techniques, and above all,

BE YOURSELF!!

In no time, you'll have the pawfect outfit for back to school so everyone can see the totally amazing doggy or kitty you are!

Thanks for your attention today. Have fun in the rest of your classes, everyone!



PeeS: My rescue group, Legacy Boxer Rescue, is trying to kick-start a new program to aid senior adoptions. LBR is in a contest to win $3,000 from the Animal Rescue Site! Our program is called "Gray Muzzle Boxers are Awesome!" You can vote here once a day until September 16th. We're finally in first place, but it's really close and our lead keeps slipping. Please help us win! Vote every day you can, and please share this link with anyone else who might help us out!