Best Costume for an all Black Standard Poodle

September 11, 2022 10:28 AM

My velvety black poodle is a ninja who disappears when I walk her off leash at night. She's @ 50lbs, not really big but def. standard size. I did get her a black Bad To The Bone tshirt because it's true, and will keep her topknot long enough for a mohawk, potentially with glitter/ glow-in-the dark gel. But it would be fun to do something that presents a little more of an effect. A black motorcycle-type jacket won't show up. Dog owners in my neighborhood are doing a costumed pet walk.

I am open to making something, just not anything super-elaborate.

posted by theora55 to Shopping (26 answers total)

not sure if they have other colors of motorcycle jackets, but maybe if you did use a black jacket so you could affix studs/chains/spikes/patches to it or paint it (maybe stripes or other detailing or... hear me out, dazzle camouflage?)? Basically make it really pop off as a canvas. I feel like a giant back patch on a motorcycle jacket that's on theme could be really fun.
posted by actionpact at 10:35 AM on September 11, 2022

Build her a scythe?.

Standard Poodles are the best! We have a new almost all black 5 month old.
posted by Windopaene at 10:44 AM on September 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

A denim doggie vest would show up better than the black jacket.

You could do 80s neon and do an aerobics outfit, complete with scrunchie.
posted by explosion at 10:45 AM on September 11, 2022 [18 favorites]

Omg yes 80s poodle is the best idea.
posted by obfuscation at 10:51 AM on September 11, 2022 [6 favorites]

An acid wash denim vest with patches and/or custom painting seems the obvious answer here.
posted by phunniemee at 11:11 AM on September 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

An extra four legs and some googly eyes.

*spider poodle spider poodle
does whatever a spider poodle does *
posted by zamboni at 11:47 AM on September 11, 2022 [6 favorites]

Inverse of this?
posted by dobbs at 11:47 AM on September 11, 2022

Pleasepleaseplease, whatever you do, post a follow up pic! I am here for the Standard Poodle Costume Smackdown Eleganza Extravaganza. I mean, pleeeeeeaaazzzzzz.
posted by winesong at 12:31 PM on September 11, 2022 [10 favorites]

FYI - If you go the 80s route there are a range of doggie leg warmers for sale. Just sayin!
posted by brookeb at 12:44 PM on September 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

I think a vest in a loud zebra or leopard print would be adorable and eye-catching with the rest of the rocker look.
posted by vanitas at 1:29 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

I feel the pressing need to suggest anything that could be described as a "poodle skirt."
posted by eponym at 1:43 PM on September 11, 2022 [11 favorites]

Yes. A 'poodle skirt' adorned with silhouettes of ponytailed girls in a ´50s style.
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:48 PM on September 11, 2022 [11 favorites]

The big bad wolf?
posted by tafetta, darling! at 2:05 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

> keep her topknot long enough for a mohawk

just adding a caution: our very sweet and tolerant non-standard poodle briefly had a mohawk, which attracted a *lot* of head scritches, which in turn triggered the only time he ever snapped at anyone. Best keep others' fingers away from your dog's mohawk!
posted by anadem at 2:37 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

Attach some lightweight foam balls (could be glow in dark) to rigid wires anchored to a small platform mounted on a vest or harness and you've got some stars orbiting a back hole.
posted by SaltySalticid at 3:50 PM on September 11, 2022 [4 favorites]

Look at her face. Look at her expression. Does she remind you of anyone famous?

Run with that!
posted by amtho at 4:14 PM on September 11, 2022

Also, I think it could be hilarious to dress her up as you.
posted by amtho at 4:14 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

If you do the 80s poodle, pretty please make sure she has vibrant legwarmers to complete her outfit!

When I saw "black motorcycle jacket", all I could think was it'd look better in pink...

If she'd leave her feet alone, either neon or glow-in-the-dark painted toenails...
posted by stormyteal at 4:23 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

If we're going 80s poodle, maybe up the game and have her dress up as a singer from that era - Madonna? Whitney Houston maybe? Or Tina Turner?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:10 PM on September 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

80's? Cyndi Laupoodle
posted by amtho at 12:10 AM on September 12, 2022 [5 favorites]

Seconding the need for photos.
posted by TrishaU at 1:41 AM on September 12, 2022

CYNDI LAUPOODLE WINS YES PLEASE DO THAT!
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:43 AM on September 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Not Prince, with the flowing locks and arched eyebrow of the "Purple Rain" posters?

A purple jacket, a purple neck scarf, and a toy guitar should do it.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:32 AM on September 12, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: I'm not committed to Bad to the Bone as a concept, much as I love Lynda Barry's Poodle with a Mohawk, but loving suggestions so far. I've seen dobbs' link, but would need dog-safe non-yummy opaque white paint, and she's pretty wiggily so my skills might not be up to it. Green spikes might work for a dinosaur.

Love the ideas of Cyndi LaPoodle or Purple Rain Poodle.
posted by theora55 at 10:37 AM on September 12, 2022

Response by poster: Went shopping, found hair clips with red roses, realized we can both go as Frida Kahlo. Pup has plenty of time to grow out her unibrow. Sadly, I no longer have waist-length braids, but yarn will do. Thanks for all the ideas.
posted by theora55 at 10:05 AM on September 15, 2022 [2 favorites]

Ooh, the hair clips reminded me of another flower-related costume I saw on a dog:

Get a whole bunch more fake flowers, and a white dress with vaguely Swedish-looking trim. Wear the dress yourself with a flower crown, pile a WHOLE lot more flowers on your pup. You are cast members from Midsommar.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:39 AM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]