Not everyone likes to dress up their dogs, but for those who do, here are some fashion forward tips on dressing your dog by body shape and size. There is no fashion bible for dogs yet, but there should be. At any rate, here are some ideas you may want to consider in dressing up your dog.

1. Poodles. These dogs have beautiful curly hair which give them a look that, depending on their haircut, can make them look either very elegant or adorably cuddly. Now personally, I find it humiliating when you cut a poodle’s body hair and leave little balls of hair on its lower legs and part of its tail. Dress this dog. Let it go natural. Dogs are hippies. Give it psychedelic designed fabrics and make it wear a cute mini skirt, or a kurta if it’s a man.
2. Dachshunds and other short legged dogs have stubby legs. If that bothers you, you can try to elongate them with leggings and smart booties. Otherwise, if you love their dainty little feet, go for it. Give them a flared and printed skirt to make the body look less long, and a plain top decorated with colorful buttons. That will make the pooch interesting and edgy.
3. Labradors: These dogs are so beautiful just the way they are. But give them a little personality. They can actually look quite dignified in the right cut of clothes and colors. Try plaids which are veddy English. These are lovely hounds with kind hearts, let them look smart and a little less approachable to give them the fierce factor they have always needed.
4. Bulldogs and pugs have a cute-ugly appeal. The wrinkles on their face can be accentuated with a turtleneck. With a dash of modern retro, give it a hoodie. The hoodie is modern, the face is ET retro. Oh, and their sturdy legs–give them lovely dog anklets. Or if you wanna do a Lady Gaga, wrap scrunchies around each leg and make the hoodie shocking pink.
5. Shih Tzus and Pekingeses have the uber cuteness factor but for too long, I feel they have lost their Asian identity. Give your Shih Tzu a Japanese fashioned kimono. The ribbon in the back should be very large so that people are drawn to it more than their naturally curly hair. Pekingeses should be dressed all in red with white edging which the Chinese believe bring good luck and prosperity.
6. Chihuahuas are tiny, but vertical stripes always add height. Add a hat a la cucaracha. I mean, really just because Paris Hilton had Tinkerbell, these are not genuine Hollywood dogs. They are Mexican. Mexican.
7. Boxers have huge torsos, and for male boxers that is a good thing. But you don’t want them to come across like Chippendales, even if you could, which you can. Instead, give them a smart, sensible look with a tailored suit and lapels. A face like that deserves dignity. Go corporate.
8. Here are some things you should never do. Never go too tight. Too slutty. Never go too loose (unless it’s a poodle). Too maharishi. And never buy four booties if your dog has only three feet. I mean, where’s the sensitivity?

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