Green is the new Black-Yes, for Dog Couture Too!
Why Green?
Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color, recently named Emerald Green the color of 2013, and the fashion world has taken its cue. Pantone describes the color as “lively, radiant and lush.” You can see variations of it in everything from ready-to-wear and couture to accessories and home decor. Read on to see how to incorporate it into your dog’s clothing.
It Has a Rich History
It seems the emerald has a long and vibrant history. It has been a gem of fascination in cultures around the world for over six thousand years, sometimes, carat for carat, being valued much more highly than a diamond. Aristotle was a big fan of the gemstone and believed it to ward off illnesses when worn around one’s neck. We girls have long known the power of gems to make us feel better! LOL
The ancient Egyptians believed emeralds represented fertility and rebirth; ancient Romans believed it to be calming and wore it in battle. Legends during the realm of King Arthur believed the Holy Grail was fashioned from an emerald. And the emerald was a favorite gem of the fashion-forward Cleopatra!
On the Runway
The runway during Fall 2013 Fashion Week was abuzz with Emerald. Vivienne Westwood showcased a fun emerald and black plaid coat. Monique Lhuiller presented stunning emerald red carpet ready dresses and gowns. And Marc Jacobs showed more muted shades of greens.
What about for our Dogs?
For dog fashion, let’s look at what’s practical and makes sense for our pups. If you want to make a bold statement, an emerald green coat or scarf will pop on the street and look very
smart on black dogs, especially. Your dog can still be very stylish in a rich, fall colored green hue. Think forest. So you can play with which green suits your dog. And this trend goes for boys and girls. This is a color that transcends occasion as it can be sporty or luxe, depending on the style of the garment. Sophie has pale colored hair so I would put her in a more muted, rich shade of green. She also looks good in olive. There are wonderful faux leathers and faux furs available in shades of green as well, for those who are interested in designing and sewing your own coat. We cover a How To…on a DIY dog coat in another post.
Above is a Ruffwear Cloud Chase jacket. I love this company. Sophie has one of their olive green fleeces and a matching K-9 overcoat. It is well constructed and keeps her very warm on the coldest days of the winter. We’ve injected Ruffwear pieces into Sophie’s wardrobe since she was a puppy. Also they wash in the machine and come out looking great.
For the girls…
For fall for the girls, there are so many choices! From lovely ID tags like this one to emerald accents in collars, leashes, clothing. You can incorporate green into plaids, which are also very on trend this season, or in a floral or color block pattern. Have fun with it and make it an expression of your pup’s personality and you!
Until next time…