Pet Fashion: New York Vs. Los Angeles

As a pet owner who recently moved from New York City to the Los Angeles area, it has been quite a change for me and I think an even bigger (and better) change for my dog and cat.  New York City is generally ‘high rise’ living and just to make it out the front of the building is an experience.  It begins with the elevator ride; one always wonders whether you’ll get on with a friendly neighbor or the vicious dog from the next floor, or the little kid who is completely terrified even though they are bigger and scarier than many of the dogs.  In many buildings they have people elevators where dogs are not allowed.

Limited indoor living space and cold weather make it more difficult to have a dog in New York City. I know first-hand, it’s not fun walking or exercising your dog in the rain and cold. Regardless of the weather, New York is “destination” oriented. New Yorkers are generally in a hurry to get somewhere, even if it’s for pleasure. In Los Angeles, there is a slower pace of living and more desire to stop and smell the roses, so to speak.  The sun and milder climate of California impels people to spend time outdoors and with them come their pets.

I’ve always taken note of pet accessories and products. In New York, one may see fancy collars and sweaters or jackets during the cold weather – even on some of the bigger dogs – but that’s the extent of “pet fashion.”  In the winter, because of the snow, sometimes you see dogs wearing booties to protect their feet from the salted walkways. Perhaps it was the territory I would cover in my daily life, but most New Yorkers don’t seem to go for the “glam” of pet fashion. Even the dog carriers, an opportunity to sport another designer item, don’t show up much.

With the exception of exercising their dogs, New Yorkers leave their dogs home. Dogs tend not to be part of the social fabric in the way that dogs are on the West Coast. As a result, West Coasters have more opportunity to show off their pooch in the latest pet fashion. I do think it is the smaller dogs that get dressed, but all size dogs deserve to be fashion plates.