For those among us who proudly wear the label of a dual-income, no-kids couple, adding a canine companion redefines and enhances our concept of lifestyle. Our bubbly new companion, Gidget — a sprightly, extroverted, four-pound chihuahua mix — inspires us daily with her boundless energy and insatiable thirst for social interaction. The question is, what clothes do we wear in order for our dog-walking style to match the sparkling personality of our tiny diva during our leafy strolls around Brooklyn, where everyone wants to stop and chat, and every dog wants to sniff and say hello?
Our sartorial choices are now driven by the blend of Gidget’s spirited personality and the vibrant energy of our neighborhood. Should we keep it casual, allowing the flow of daily life to guide our style post-pandemic? Or should we dress with flair, adding a bold touch to our daily ensembles to keep things interesting?
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Doing Justice to The Ritual
Being socially sartorial is important as someone who works from home (something for which I am also obscenely grateful). Walking little Gidget a few times daily has become more than a dog walk; it’s time to put my phone on ‘do not disturb,’ and be present with my little good-time girl. It’s also become a time, and often the only time of the day besides a Zoom call or a Pilates class, to be social and, I suppose, to be seen.
Earlier this year, Chloë Sevigny sparked criticism after telling Rolling Stone that, in New York, “The athleisure and the dogs are taking over, and that’s unfortunate.”
“Everybody’s in Lululemon and has a f*****g dog, and it’s driving me crazy. I’m sorry, dog lovers. There are too many of you.” Rest assured, Chloë. I feel you, though not on the dog bit. I am not one to wear gym clothes outside of the gym, though I will wear components of athleisure, like sweats with a blazer, leggings with a big coat, or sneakers with a jumpsuit, etc. The ultimate poster woman for dog walking in New York City is and always will be Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, rest her stylish soul. These pics prove the timeless endure of her vibe, which is effortless city chic. Great coat? Check. Modern minimalist staple like a black turtleneck? Check. Fab-fitting jean? Check. You get the idea. She was perfection and an example of a classic New York woman. Here’s my take.
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Winter Wear
In the winter, dog-walking style is all about a fabulous coat. The other day, I saw a woman walking a tawny doodle of a dog in a tawny belted teddy coat to match, and it was fabulous (she claimed she had the coat first). I love faux fur and found myself going for volume this winter in the form of a giant black fuzzy number that makes me feel like Brian Jones and Anita Pallenberg. It looked great with almost everything, from simple black leggings to over-the-knee boots and sunglasses, which I am never without.
This past season, I bought a red Max Mara teddy coat off the back of a fashion-forward friend who sold it to me for a song after overspending on a Paris vacation. Her loss of funds was very much my gain. I am so in love with this coat; its volume and luxe look levels up every outfit I own.
Dressing Down
Sweats are an excellent option for dog walks. I love my Tibi sweats more than most humans, and my new balloon pants from Le Bon Shoppe are so cool and look fantastic with a blazer, a motorcycle jacket, or a fitted tee. Brooklyn is ultimately less “buttoned up” than Manhattan. My neighborhood is casual cool, so you never have to worry about being underdressed here.
I’ve favored classic aviators lately, but I can’t live without my tortoise Vildas from Moscot or something more shield-like like these from Thierry Lasry.
Although I tend to carry my keys and phone in my pocket and that’s it, if I do feel the need for a purse, I’ll go with a favorite fanny pack from Baggu, which is perfect for holding a small tennis ball, some treats, some lip balm, and my keys.
I also love wearing a blazer over a flared pant when it’s warmer. I spent Christmas upstate this holiday season and bought a vintage, oversized Escada Sport navy wool blazer with a crest that feels very ’80s in the best of ways. It’s such excellent quality, and I love wearing it with pants. I’ll rock it with a unitard like this one from Aerie (don’t scoff; there are some good things there, particularly workout wear), ballet flats, and a baseball hat like this one, and I’m good to go.
Jumpsuits are an excellent, stylish one-and-done. They are perfect for dog-walking style, and Alex Mill makes the very best versions, full stop. If you don’t own one yet, get one.
Spring Sprung
And since it is now officially spring, I’m thinking about what to wear as the weather warms; and I’m all about a great shirt dress, which has such a polished look but is also so effortless at the same time. I like maxi and mini versions, and I wear mine with everything from checkered vans to Adidas slides to Gucci loafers and back. It’s a perfect throw-on in the morning and works well on the go. I love this one from Mara Hoffman, but I also love this snappy French blue mini from Alex Mill. They are easy to find at all price points and sizes and flatter on many body types once you get the proportions right. Ladies with boobs, don’t worry. Go for something oversized, like this super chic stripey one I found on Amazon, and you’ll be fine.
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As for a spring jacket, a trench is an essential city outerwear piece and is great for chilly mornings when the pup wants to play outside. I love my Burberry classic, which was an investment, but I shall have it forever. There are tons of great ones out there. I wrote about this one from COS on my Substack last week, but I also love this navy one from The Frankie Shop or this chambray one from Kule.
Conclusions
It’s been a journey of rediscovery and adaptation, transforming from the solitude of mourning Khan to embracing the vibrancy of life with Gidget. How she injects joy and social interactions into our daily walks has redefined how we navigate our neighborhood and see ourselves within it. Our attire, once chosen for its practicality or the lack of need to impress in a pandemic world is now a reflection of this new phase of life. Each piece of clothing, from the voluminous faux fur coats to the chic jumpsuits and effortlessly stylish shirt dresses, is chosen for a world anew, with Gidget leading the charge.
The ritual of walking Gidget has become more than just a necessity for her; it’s a moment for me to reconnect with the outside world and embrace the unpredictable joy she brings into every encounter. In these moments, amid the hustle of daily life, I find a profound sense of gratitude for the simple things: the sun’s warmth, the greeting of a familiar face, and the uncomplicated love of a dog. In all her exuberance, Gidget has filled the void left by Khan and expanded my world and wardrobe in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Calling all fellow DINKWADS (dual income, no kids, with a dog) and anyone with a four-legged friend or two, let’s walk in style, shall we?
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