Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.
My entire life my closet has consisted of black clothes. Shirts, pants, shoes, jackets. Even all of my socks were black. A revolving door of replacing the same styles when the ones I own were washed one too many times and now look marled grey.
Pre-Blue, my wardrobe was dark, predictable, and pretty boring to say the least. I never thought one adorably sweet and fluffy cat could impact the way I shopped. Sure, I’ve dealt with pet hair before Blue and I became roommates but her fur has a miraculous way of weaving itself so deep into fabric that lint rollers are essentially useless.
Although I’ve embraced the idea of rocking cat hair like it’s an accessory (I am a pet owner, it’s inevitable, and I’ve come to terms), black is no longer my go-to. At least not for my lounging-around outfits.
Choosing to branch out opened so many doors and I’m not just talking about finding colors that white cat hair seems to blend into seamlessly. I have discovered custom clothing! There are many companies out there that offer a selection of clothing options with set designs that you can incorporate your pet into. Simply upload a treasured picture of your pet and they turn it into the highlight of your shirt.
Custom Pet Apparel
Finding the right company can be a bit of a gamble though. The ideal company for me is going to have a wealth of design options, and produce quality products at affordable price points. Once I had the idea in my head that I must have Blue’s face on a sweatshirt, I began sifting through several companies. Shipping also made my journey a little tricky—not all shops offered shipping to Canada or they’ll charge you a full paycheck to do so. Customs charges, am I right?! Regardless, my motivation never wavered and I was determined to make this happen.
Nicole, a fellow Heppster, forwarded me a link to a printing storefront she fell upon that happened to fit my very specific and mandatory criteria. Finally! When I say I had a time trying to decide what to get, I mean that wholeheartedly.
Geckocustom.com has a massive selection of jammies, leggings, rompers, socks, bathing suits, and dresses. You name it, it’s available. If custom apparel is not your vibe, they have several novelty items as well. Since this was my first order, I was eligible for a nice discount and have been offered subsequent discounts via email for future purchases. Brownie points!
After some serious thought and consideration, I landed on an oversized crew neck sweater in a retro grey design and a black fitted t-shirt. They couldn’t arrive fast enough!
Worth the Investment?
Vintage Retro Sweatshirt Personalized Custom Photo Dog Cat—Sport Grey
As we are soon transitioning into sweater season, I was eager to unwrap this one hoping it lived up to what I’d imagined. This grey sweater is light with the softest fleece inside. Blue looks great. Her image is clear and bright. I went with a large for an oversized fit and it surprisingly exceeded my expectations. It is the perfect pullover for fall and I plan on living in it.
Personal Assistant Personalized Dog Cat Pet Photo Shirt—Black
This is the kind of shirt you get when quality collides with comfort. It’s one of those fabrics you know gets better with a few washes. Not to think or thin, it has a bit of stretch, and it’s breathable. The small I ordered was a good fit. Long in the body with semi-fitted sleeves. Nothing is flared or odd fitting. The message is silly and my kids get a kick out of it. I have deemed it my new work uniform. I figured black was appropriate since real cat hair compliments and drives home the message.
Final Thoughts
These might be the first pieces I’ve added to my pet apparel collection but they certainly won’t be my last. I’d love to get a cheeky sweater with my dog’s goofy mug on the front. So, would I recommend celebrating your pet by plastering them on your clothes? Absolutely. With Christmas around the corner, this would also make a great gift for anyone who is over-enthusiastic about their pets or people like me.
I am purr-oud to be a walking billboard and share Blue with the world, one grocery shop at a time.
This article is a part of Amanda and Blue’s series.
