WHAT to wear when you’re out with the dog?
Clothes that are easy-on and -off, lightweight and comfortable, dog-friendly yet catwalkstylish.
Here’s the latest in chic dog-walking fashions and accessories.
Summer footwear should have adequate ventilation to keep your feet cool and be shoelace-free – the laces will just come undone while your hands are busy with your leashed pooch, anyway. The sleek Barrado Sport Slip-On by Merrell (merrell.com) zips instead of laces, plus it’s treated with an antimicrobial compound that kills a broad spectrum of bacteria – perfect for those sockless mornings. It’s $76 at Harry’s Shoes, 2299 Broadway, at 83rd Street; (866) 4427797.
Yoga pants are made for comfort – and like yoga, walking the dog is a positive, centering exercise. Sedona woven pants ($54) from the Balance collection by Marika have an elastic waistband with handy drawstring, adjustable cuffs and deep pockets. They coordinate nicely with the embroidered Shiva Shakti seamless camisole ($52), also by Marika, available on marika.com.
The Safe-T-Stretch collar by TazLab ($15) comes in a range of elegant colors that look great in daylight; for nighttime jaunts, the discreet, detachable LED TazLight ($10) is a smart safety feature that ensures Fido won’t disappear in the dark. Collars come with a tag silencer to eliminate that tiresome jangling sound. Available on tazlab.com.
Your dog’s accessories are an opportunity to accessorize with bold color. The 4-foot-long Comfort Cushion leash by Aspen Pet (aspenpet.
com) has a padded handle – especially helpful if your dog, like my Angus, pulls hard on his leash. It’s $15.99 at Petco stores and petco.com. Finally, scooping canine poop isn’t just the law – it’s the height of ecofriendly style. Try using the brilliant BioBag, the firstever completely biodegradable dog-waste bag. A box of 50 sells for $5.99 at Matter of Health, 1478 First Ave., at 77th Street; (212) 288-8280 (or visit biobagusa.com).