Feline Fashions Put the "Cat" in Catwalk

By Darcy Lockman

One of the greatest pleasures many parents have is dressing up a baby in adorable outfits. These days, proud parents of kittens and cats can experience this same fun, thanks to the growing popularity of feline fashions.

"Many, many cat owners regard their pets as a member of the family," says Tammy Fields, a feline behaviorist in Leonia, N.J. "And dressing them up is an extension of this. The cats seem to enjoy it, too."

Case in point: Mikey, a gray tabby owned by Florence Tabbernay, 41, of Bentonville, Ark. "After Mikey eats breakfast in the morning, he walks over to the drawer where I store his clothes and begins scratching it," she says. "Mikey knows it's time to get dressed!"

But not all share Mikey's affinity for fashion. "Some older cats resist wearing clothes," warns Fields. "If you can start dressing your cats when they are kittens, they might be more likely to enjoy wearing them." Short-haired or hairless cats tend to be the biggest fashionistas, probably because they appreciate the extra layer of protection against the cold!

When Jennifer Connor, a 27-year-old account executive from Garden City, N.Y., heads down to the New Jersey shore to her summer beach house, she takes along with her two calico companions Lisbeth and Sadie. And she never forgets to pack their beachwear. "I saw these cat bikinis online, and I just could not resist," she confesses. "They were these itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka dot bikinis! The cats never swim, of course, but they sure look cute, and they always make my friends smile."

But what's a kitty cat to wear when the sun goes down? Well, ball gowns designed by Miss Glamourpuss, naturally. These handmade gowns are pullover style (no buttons or zippers to catch kitty's fur), and embellished with tulle, ribbons and glittery embroidery. To finish off the red carpet-ready look, try Swarovski crystal necklaces by Carol Laub, owner of the online boutique Fabulous Pet Jewelry. "Pearl necklaces embellished with roses or Swarovski crystals are in vogue for cats right now," Laub says.

Of course, pet jewelry is made with safety in mind. For instance, most cat necklaces feature an elastic or easy-break fastener to reduce the chance of a choking hazard. Magnetic catches allow the cat to pull free without damaging itself or its collar if it should become caught on something. That said, some materials, such as beads, can be a choking hazard, so it's critical to supervise your cat while it's wearing jewelry. Also, remember that pet jewelry is only for adornment, and should never be used as a restraint or attachment to a leash.

Cat jewelry is something Laurie Tretter, a 30-year-old social worker from Fairlawn, N.J., loves to put on her tabby Halle. "I adore dressing up my cat," she says. "She's like my baby, so it just feels natural that when I'm getting dressed to go out, I dress her up, too. For special occasions, like parties, she has a gown. I swear she seems to preen more when she's wearing it."

Dressing your pet for fun, like Tretter does, is a blast, but these pint-size fashions can be functional, too. Does your cat like going for walks? When winter strikes, outdoor gear can keep it cozy and warm. At online cat clothing boutiques like The Gilded Paw, you'll find a selection of outerwear including faux mink capes, black houndstooth jackets, and tartan plaid wool coats for the high-fashion feline.  

If you're considering a cat-fashion shopping spree in the near future, you'll be happy to learn that the selection is better than ever. It's projected that Americans will spend 40.8 billion dollars on their pets in 2007 alone -- and the cat clothing business is a fast-growing segment of this booming industry. More and more retailers (both online and brick-and-mortar) are offering feline fashions that are as fabulous as your feline. That means it's now even easier for your kitty to put the "cat" in catwalk.