Some dogs are treated like the most important member of the household, and it shows when the walk, the park meet-up or the Christmas photo comes round. A matching set, where your dog wears a printed bandana or hoodie and you wear a hoodie or T-shirt with the same design, is a simple way to turn that into something you can wear. This guide covers how to pick designs, measure your dog properly, keep things comfortable and safe, take better photos and give the whole thing as a present.
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What counts as a matching set
A set has two parts that belong together.
- For the dog: a printed pet bandana, or a pet hoodie.
- For the human: a printed hoodie or T-shirt.
The link between them can be literal, with the same artwork on both, or playful, with the dog's name on the bandana and "Dog Dad" or "Dog Mum" on your chest. We print using DTF, so full colour illustrations and clean lettering both work. There is no minimum order, so a single dog and a single owner is a perfectly normal order, and extra items for the rest of the household are easy to add.
Matching design ideas
The best matches are readable in a photograph, and they feel like a joke or a story rather than just two similar logos.
- Name pairings: the dog's name on their outfit, the owner's nickname for them on yours, such as "Biscuit's Human".
- Role titles: "Chief Sniffer" and "Head of Treats", or "Walkies Club, Founder" and "Member".
- Shared motifs: a paw print, a bone, a favourite breed illustration, or a silhouette of the dog printed in a simple style.
- Seasonal ideas: a snowflake or holly design for winter walks, a robin for Christmas cards, or a bold slogan for a birthday.
- Fun mirror designs: the front of your top says "Walk Leader", the dog's says "Actual Leader".
If you want to use a photo of your dog, send the sharpest picture you have. Natural light, an unblocked face and a plain background give the cleanest result. Our page on artwork and file preparation explains what makes an image suitable.
Keep the dog's text short. A bandana has limited space, and a long phrase will be tiny. A name, a short word or a small icon is usually clearer than a sentence.
Bandana or hoodie for the dog
Both are available, and they suit different dogs.
A bandana sits around the neck and is light, easy to fit and fine for most dogs. It is a good first choice for a dog that is nervous about clothing, or for warmer weather. It also works for dogs of unusual shapes, because the fit is less exact than a garment.
A pet hoodie covers the chest and back, and suits smaller or short-coated dogs that feel the cold, or dogs that like being dressed up. It gives you more room for a design, but it asks more of the dog, because it must fit around the body, legs and neck without rubbing.
If you are unsure, start with the bandana. Many people add a hoodie once the dog is happy wearing something.
How to measure your dog
Sizing a pet hoodie correctly is the difference between a happy dog and a dog that stands motionless in the hallway. Use a soft tape measure, or a piece of string you can lay flat against a ruler afterwards. Ask somebody to help hold the dog still and give treats.
- Back length: from the base of the neck (where the collar sits) to the base of the tail. Do not include the tail.
- Chest: around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs.
- Neck: around the neck where a collar usually sits, loose enough to slide two fingers in.
When a dog falls between sizes, think about the coat. A fluffy dog may need more room than the numbers suggest, and a deep-chested dog may need a larger size for the chest even if the back length is short. Measure more than once, and write the numbers down. Send them with your request and the breed if you are unsure, and we can check them against the size guide before you commit.
For a bandana, measure the neck and allow room to tie or fasten comfortably. A bandana should not sit tight against the throat. Ask which bandana sizes are available for your dog's neck when you request a quote.
Comfort and safety
Dogs cannot tell you when something bothers them, so watch their body language.
- Introduce the outfit slowly. Let the dog sniff it, put it on for a short time indoors, and give treats and praise.
- Check for rubbing around the legs, armpits and neck. Remove the garment if you see red skin or the dog scratches at it.
- Never leave a dog dressed up and unsupervised. A bandana can get caught on furniture, and a hoodie can twist or ride up.
- Keep clothing away from the eyes and nose, and do not tie a bandana tightly.
- On warm days, skip the hoodie. Dogs overheat more easily than people think, and a dog that is panting heavily needs the garment taken off.
- Leave the lead attached to the harness or collar as usual, not to the clothes, unless the garment is designed for that.
- Check the print and the fabric after every wash for loose threads or damage that could be chewed.
If your dog has a medical condition, a skin problem or is elderly, ask your vet before dressing them regularly. We cannot give veterinary advice, and a pet's comfort comes first.
Getting the photos you want
A matching outfit is mostly about the picture. A few habits help.
- Take photos outdoors in soft daylight, and avoid harsh midday sun that makes both of you squint.
- Get down to the dog's level. A photo taken from your standing height flattens the face and hides the front of the bandana.
- Have treats or a squeaky toy in one hand, held just above the camera.
- Take a lot of pictures quickly. Dogs rarely hold a pose, so a burst of shots gives you one good one.
- Place the design clearly. Make sure your top is not covered by a coat, and the dog's bandana is not hidden under a collar or harness.
- Let the dog warm up first. A short walk or play often gives you a more relaxed expression.
For a Christmas card, you can design the print around the festive picture, with a wording like the year and your family surname. If you are sending the card to friends who also have dogs, a set for them might be a gift in itself.
Giving a matching set as a present
Matching sets suit dog lovers of all ages, and they are easy to personalise. Some ideas:
- A birthday gift for a friend who treats their dog as family.
- A "first Christmas" present for a new puppy and their person.
- A thank you for a dog walker or sitter, with the dog's name on a bandana.
- A gift for someone whose dog has recently been adopted.
If the recipient is surprised, you will need accurate measurements and sizes, so find out discreetly. Ask the owner what size hoodie they usually wear, or check an old one when you visit. For the dog, a bandana is more forgiving than a hoodie if you cannot measure. Mention the occasion when you request a quote and ask for timing, because gifts often have a deadline. Order early if there is a fixed date such as Christmas.
Care for the printed pieces
Wash dog items on their own, inside out, in a cool cycle, with mild detergent. Skip fabric softener and avoid tumble drying hot, since heat is the enemy of any print. Our washing and caring guide covers printed clothing in general, and the same principles apply to both human and dog garments.
Questions people ask
Does the dog have to wear the same design as me?
No. Many people choose a coordinated look rather than an exact copy. The dog might wear a name and a paw, while you wear the matching slogan, and the colours link the two.
What if my dog hates wearing clothes?
Start with a bandana and short sessions with lots of treats. If the dog is still unhappy, do not push it. You can wear the design yourself and keep the dog's item for photos only.
Can I order only the dog's item?
Yes. There is no minimum order, so you can order a bandana or hoodie alone, or the full set. A discount applies on five or more items, which helps if you are ordering for several households.
How do I know the size will fit?
Measure back length, chest and neck, then send the numbers and your dog's breed when you ask for a quote. We can compare them with the size guide before you approve the order.
Will I see the design before it is printed?
Yes. A proof is shown before printing, so check the spelling of your dog's name carefully and tell us if anything should move.
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