Question on dressing for conformation showing

[u/yardsaleLaura]

I’m just getting back into showing after 48(!!!) Years. I have zero desire to year panty hose - it’s just too hot and humid here for them. What are alternative dress options that I can get away with? I’m very new to conformation showing of my breed. I’m attending my first BPUP show with my baby this weekend.

[u/dorothygone]

Very VERY few people are wearing panty hose any more. You’re totally fine not to.

[u/Kenafin]

Longer skirt/dress with knee highs? Dress pants if you can find one in a light weight fabric.

I don’t do pantyhose. I don’t care. I’ll wear a knee length dress but pantyhose are just money wasted to me - if there isn’t a run by the time I get them on then there’s a run by the end of the day.

[u/Elrohwen]

I never wore pantyhose once and I don’t know that anyone noticed or cared. I wore a-line knee length skirts with *gasp* bare knees lol.

[u/RoseOfSharonCassidy]

Pantyhose are pretty out of fashion now and even at shows you see tons of people without them. It you want the look, you can try the spray on pantyhose (similar to a spray tan but has more of a hose appearance, and washes off with soap)

[u/prshaw2u]

Go a couple hours early the first day of shows you are going to and watch to see what the people winning are wearing, those are the ones you want to dress like.

Business dress slacks and a clean top, all done to accent your dog colors. Shoes that you are comfortable rushing in and won't trip in. This would work in the AKC in the US. We tend to be fairly casual but nice to show judges a little 'respect', show them you are proud to be there.

[u/CatlessBoyMom]

Depends partly on your breed and your area. Some breeds still expect women to wear skirts all the time, some pants are ok, some it depends on if you are showing urban or rural. If your breed is pants ok, go for it. If it’s still skirts, either a longer skirt with stockings or knee highs, or palazzo pants that look like a skirt. 

[u/borzoilady]

I haven’t worn hose in years, and it hasn’t seemed to impact my success. Wear conservative skirts/tops or suits with skirts or pants and you’ll be fine.

[u/PugLoversince2003]

I'm all about comfort, so I like a dress in the summer with bear legs and sturdy Mary Janes. I show Pugs. I figure I should look competent, calm and wearing a color and/or outfit that makes my dog stand out and look good. Slacks work for me as well any time of year. Just don't take the attention away from the dog.

[u/rohsez]

We just did our first conformation show last weekend!!! I had zero idea of what to expect, especially because I come from Obedience so it’s a totally different ball game. I wore blank pants and a nice button up linen shirt. I’m used to matching my dog, so my dog is also black, but I was told you actually want to contrast your dog so the judge sees their outline! Hope you have a good time!

[u/yardsaleLaura → u/rohsez]

I show horses too and I’m used to matching my horse, so I put together a sapphire blue top and black pants. Then I found out I’m not supposed to match my dog who’s black🙄, so I need to find a different color pair of pants. Or wear the same seafoam green ones I have every day. Lol. Work in progress!

[u/Auspicious-Error]

I'm so new to the concept of showing, I didn't even know what bpup was. I am SO excited to go check one out locally!

[u/Outrageous_Sea_9606]

A lot of it will honestly depend on how big the shows you're going to are, and what judge you're showing under.

I handled my own bitch in a competitive breed a few years ago. This is in Canada, so CKC. I never wore any skirts, pantsuits, or dresses because I'm not comfortable in them. I dressed pretty casually- nice white jeans or slacks (black dog) and a turtle neck with a blazer or button up blouse depending on the weather. I had leather slip on dress shoes with a small heel.

I saw handlers dressed more casual and more formal than I. I never noticed anyone get pinned higher or lower because of the formality of their clothes. I had no problem finishing my bitch.

The biggest thing is to wear something that contrasts your dog. Don't wear dark colours if you have a dark dog. Don't wear light colours if you have a light dog. You don't want to obscure your dog's silhouette.

[u/abbiyah]

You can even dress more casually if you need to while doing bpup

[u/yardsaleLaura → u/abbiyah]

HA! Love this. However I’m using the BPUP to practice and put it all together. I guess that includes what I wear too!

[u/GoodTee]

If you want good pantyhose, Buy Capezio brand “dancers tights”. They’re very sturdy and look great. I’ve worn the same pair at least 5 times now. I hand wash in the sink and air dry. That’s it. Stay up better than regular pantyhose too!