Get your dog ready to rock the catwalk

I grew up in the era of the bandana, when a dog's fashion statement was limited to classic red or blue, edgy purple or trippy tie-dye. There were, of course, dogs in sweaters and coats way back then, but these were mostly serviceable garments, uninspiring in a sort of Yankee-librarian sort of way.

Things have changed, and unless you've been walking your dog under a rock, you know it. New York dedicates a whole week in August to pet fashion, and paws on runways are nearly as common as stilettos. So in honor of spring gala season -- when people don fine threads, buy benefit tickets for animal welfare and, in some cases, watch dog fashion shows -- we offer a few spring wardrobe injections for chic canines.

When it comes to style, dogs follow their people. In New York that means classic. In L.A., plenty o' bling. In Seattle, well, practical with a dash of edge. (And yes, of course, that includes plenty of all-purpose fleece, which is always out there, but which I'm not going to write about because, snore.)

Good function, good comfort and hip design are precisely the qualities that Katie Rockwell, owner of Urban Beast in South Lake Union, looks for in the dogwear she sells. Her picks for spring are simple Gooby cotton T-shirts and tank tops in camouflage. (Camo and denim are everywhere for dogs this year.) Simultaneously cute and street, Gooby tanks include an O-ring at the back and can double as harnesses for small dogs. They range from $20 to $24.

The urban, alternative look plays big at Railey's Leash and Treat in Fremont. New in the store this week are black-and-white T-shirts from the So Cal label Chi Wow Wow. Very L.A. Ink, these signature T-shirts feature a Chihuahua skull with crossbones or a Guadalupe figure (less than $40). Complete the ensemble with a one-of-a-kind Chi Wow Wow pet carrier fabricated from vintage jeans or camo pants.

A decidedly more button-down look rules the day up on Queen Anne, but you knew that. Preppy is the style of choice at Mes Amis dog boutique. To complement a Lacoste revival for people, and in deference to her personal taste, owner Nicole Ryan puts the prepster in pupster. For spring, that means bright orange and green polo shirts embroidered with whales and alligators and tennis dresses embroidered with ice-cream cones ($34 and $38 respectively from Canine Styles). If these don't put the lime in your Cape Codder, check out Mes Amis' madras harnesses in pink, orange and blue ($48.50) by Cloak and Doggie. Your inner Bif will love it.

Even if your tastes tend toward the more couture items that aren't, technically speaking, essential, recognize that fashion can be a boon for pups. Many dogs dig the attention and praise that accompanies dress-up time, says Tracey Morales. She owns Planet Poochie on the Kirkland marina, just far enough from Seattle to guiltlessly feature Swarovksi crystal collars and gold lamé and faux-leopard coats. This is where you'll find replica Louis Vuitton and authentic Coach collars, plaid Burberry rain jumpers imported from England and pooch-specific labels like Doggie Design, Monkey Daze and ChaCha Couture.

Some of the eye-catchingest fashions by far are Morales' own. She designs a complete line, everything from tufted-satin-and-lace gowns to simple fleece jackets. (Morales calls fleece "'doggie jeans,' cause they wear it all the time.") As a former dog-store manager turned jewelry and handbag designer, she understands both ends of the dog-fashion equation. She's smart about avoiding dog-unfriendly pitfalls such as awkward snaps instead of easy Velcro, or armholes that seem designed for kids, not canines.

All her designs are sewn and made locally. Current standouts are jackets made of Alexander Henry limited-edition fabrics -- such as skulls and pink roses or Japanese woodblock patterns -- fringed in fun fur. These are jaw-dropping wraps ($48-$68) that you'd expect to see at an art walk, not a dog park.

Once your pup is ready to strut his stuff, slip into something shiny yourself and shell out some clams for animals in need at local spring flings, including PAWS Wild Night Gala to benefit the Progressive Animal Welfare Society of Lynnwood at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel, April 5; the Best Little Rodent, Rabbit and Ferret House benefit, dinner and silent auction at the Rusty Pelican Café, also April 5; and the Caribbean pirate-themed Tuxes & Tails for the Seattle Humane Society, which even includes a celebrity pet and fashion show, April 26 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Reservations and tickets for al three benefits were still available in late March.

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