I love my golden retriever Bailey but I’m not spending $50 on a sweater that he will roll in mud five minutes later.
Store bought dog clothes are expensive. I found a “premium” hoodie for $50 that would barely fit over my beagle’s chest, let alone my lab mix. And if something does fit, it still looks cheap. Polyester nightmares with cheesy patterns clash with my carefully chosen throw pillows.
I spend hours scrolling through different options. My cart overflows with “maybe I will get this one?” Two weeks later I get the package and I try it on. It feels itchy. I have to try the velcro a few times because the closure is coming off already. I wash it once and the seams split. My dog scratches it to death because it is too tight in all the wrong places. It is in my donation pile now because I cant even give it away.
One of the joys of making your own dog clothes is that you get to customize the fit, save money, and create outfits that match your pup’s personality with whatever stuff you have lying around. Turn an old flannel shirt into a cozy bandana for your pup to wear.
A forgotten sock has been transformed into a perfectly fitted sweater. You control the quality of the fabric, the size, and even the look. No more “settling” for “good enough”. And these projects take less time than it would to scroll to find the perfect outfit at a store. Plus, they actually work! If you’re looking for more stylish outfit ideas, start here then come back and make your favorites. Once you master these, you’ll never overpay for dog clothes again.
Tools You Will Need
Before you start, grab these budget-friendly tools that make every project easier:
#1: The Upcycled T-Shirt Sweater (Zero Sewing Required)
I wanted a sweater for my dog but didn’t want to spend $40 on one. I also didn’t want to learn how to sew. I had an old long-sleeve shirt I was planning on donating so I turned it into a custom fit sweater for my dog in 10 minutes.
Cut the shirt to 2 inches longer than your dog’s neck length (from the base of his neck to the base of his tail), and cut the arm holes where your dog’s front legs rest (usually about 3-4 inches from the neck). Have your dog try on the shirt and make adjustments to the leg holes if necessary. The maroon sweater in the photo is made from a $3 thrift store thermal. It fit my French Bulldog perfectly because it was measured to his body, not a generic “Medium” that fits no one.
My first sweater recommendation is fleece or cotton jersey. These seem to stretch enough for comfort, but then hold their shape once washed. In terms of cost for the sweaters, they’re basically free (unless you buy the fancy ones from my etsy shop!). The time takes into account the “does this fit?” try-on phase. My dog stays warm, I use what I already have, nothing looks cheap because I controlled the quality and when it gets drooled on or muddy, I don’t care because I know I can make another DIY piece tomorrow.
If you’re working with a squirmy pup, use sharp curved grooming scissors for clean edges that won’t fray. And if you’d rather skip the DIY route entirely, this fleece sweater vest gives you the same polished look in colors that actually match your home aesthetic
. pro tip: turn the shirt inside out before cutting so any pen marks from measuring stay inside.
Photo credit: @beansthefrenchie1024
#2: The Cable-Knit Sweater (The “Looks Expensive” Hack)
That forest green cable-knit sweater looks like it’s gonna cost you $60 at the boutique pet store, but you can totally recreate the look for under $10 with a human sweater from Goodwill.
I had the brilliant idea of grabbing a cable-knit sweater from the thrift store in her size (adult small or medium should work for most dogs). Cut the front rectangle from the torso section and then cut 4 small slits for the legs. The cable knit pattern is already done for you and the thick collar is just the ribbed neckline folded down. Takes 15 minutes, including the trip to the thrift store.
I love that he’s wearing this color, because it’s a deep jewel tone, and I think the color photographs better. I also like that it’s a cable pattern, which is kind of nice, but not overwhelming. Because this coat fits Jack, who is MY dog, and not a Guess dog.
The best part? Cable-knit sweaters from thrift stores cost $3-8. You can make three dog sweaters from one human sweater and still have fabric left over. Store them in this airtight storage container to keep them fresh between seasons. Or grab fabric scissors designed for thick materials—they’ll slice through chunky knits without snagging.
Pro tip: Step 1: Wash the thrifted sweater in HOT water to shrink it slightly and make it easier to work with.
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Photo credit: @crealandia.official
#3: The Striped Sailor Shirt (Parisian Chic on a Budget)
Black and white stripes never go out of style! This look is always “in season” and photographs beautifully. I love wearing a white poodle mix! She’s just like a Pinterest board… come to life!
As luck would have it, we already own these materials! Find a nice, stripey long-sleeved shirt that’s too small or has a stain on the sleeve. Cut it to your dog’s back length (from collar to the base of her tail) and cut four leg holes. Try it on your dog. That’s it! The ribbed cuffs on the bottom legs of the overall are just the original sleeve cuffs, but who cares. Only 8 minutes!!
This is an example of what can happen when you commit to the do it yourself life. The wooden rack behind me houses several handmade pieces that color coordinate with the room. No clashing cartoon prints. No polyester that makes you look cheap. Clean, intentional pieces that fit your home’s aesthetic. You can rotate through outfits without the guilt of spending $200 on clothes that your dog will outgrow or destroy.
Display your growing collection on a wooden clothing rack or store finished pieces in a washable storage basket until you need them. Creating a dedicated dog space means everything has a home—including their handmade wardrobe.
Pro tip: Stripes allow shedding to be hidden better than with other colors. A white dog’s hair will be harder to spot against the white stripes and a dark dog’s hair against the black.
Photo credit: @sewfyi
#4: The Houndstooth Blazer (Runway-Ready in 20 Minutes)
This Pomeranian is a pro at looking good to go anywhere, not just the dog park. Try out this houndstooth blazer with a white turtleneck and black beret for a fashion forward look that can be yours for less than $15.
I got the idea for this on the Kids’ section of a thrift store. My dog is a small-medium sized dog, so I bought a blazer in a size 3T-5T. If the sleeves of the blazer are too long you can roll them up to make cuffs (that’s what I did on this one. The white turtleneck is actually just cut from the long-sleeve portion of a toddler’s shirt. How fun is that?!
I love this houndstooth pattern, it photographs so well! The black and white don’t compete with your home decor and the little bit of pattern isn’t busy. I even had my girls wear a black winter hat over their heads for the photos and we had the most stylish pup in the family!
Store delicate pieces like blazers on padded hangers or fold them with tissue paper in a storage bin to prevent wrinkles. If you’re inspired to make more elevated pieces, thrift stores are your best friend—their kids’ sections are full of quality materialsat fraction-of-retail prices.
Pro tip: Look for blazers with shoulder pads- you can remove them to give you a better fit and the material holds its shape.
Photo credit: @shop.minis__
#5: The Colorblock Sweater (Patchwork Perfection)
This sweater looks like it was hand-knitted by a professional, but you can recreate this same effect using scraps of old sweaters you have on hand. No knitting skills required!
For this you’ll need to have a few old sweaters in some complimentary colours (I chose purple, pink, blue and cream). Cut each one into rectangles to be used for the top and then smaller pieces for the sleeves, and sewn together to create a patchwork effect (seams included!). The ribbed collar and cuffs are just the original edges left on!
Three reasons to love this color block sweater… 1) it uses up fabric scraps that would have been tossed 2) the colors hide stains better than a solid sweater. “A little mud on the pink panel” is not going to ruin my sweater! and 3) it looks cool! Like something I bought in a trendy boutique for $80.
The fit is perfect on this little dog because I measured each panel individually. The purple turtleneck isn’t choking her, but isn’t too loose. The body panels have enough stretch to move, and the leg cuffs stay in place without riding up. That’s what happens when you build DIY projects piece by piece, instead of hoping the “Small” at a factory is really small.
It takes me about 30 minutes, including the “hmm, which colors look good together?” part of the process. And it costs nothing if you have the materials in your closet. So why not go with a one-of-a-kind piece that no store has? Read on!
Pro tip: If you are nervous about choosing a canvas print to add color to a room, start with just two colors – a half and half design is easier to create and add personality, plus you can add matching accessories later.
Photo credit: @sundaypetjumpers
#6: The Chunky Crochet Sweater (For Advanced DIYers)
Looks complicated, but trust me, if you know how to do a single crochet you can make this in an afternoon. The chunky yarn and simple stripes really go quick – no little details to mess up!
You will need about 2-3 skeins of bulky weight yarn in rust, brown, and cream. You will crochet a simple rectangle for the back, then crochet 2 smaller rectangles for the chest panel and crochet them together at the shoulders, then finish them off with leg openings. The raised texture you see on the front is simply made by alternating rows of single crochet and double crochet. The sweater just looks dimensional because of the thick bulky yarn used.
This style is perfect for fall and winter because the chunky knit will trap more heat and keep your dog actually warm, not just warm-looking. The neutral colors will work with basically any style of home – from modern minimalist to cozy farmhouse. And because you are making it, you can control how big (or small) the sweater is, no more fumbling with a too tight neck hole or sleeves that drag on the ground.
If you’ve never crocheted before, this isn’t your first project—start with simpler DIY options first. But if you know the basics, grab some chunky yarn and a size N hook. You can also use thick rope-style materials for an even chunkier look.
Pro tip: Add a button or snap closure to the front of the chest instead of trying to put it over your dog’s head — it makes putting it on easier and your dog will tolerate wearing it longer.
Photo credit: @tetecancrochet
#7: The Bow Tie Bandana (The 2-Minute Accessory)
Sometimes the easiest projects have the biggest impact. This burnt orange bow tie bandana took less than 2 minutes to make, but it turns this dog from “just walked in” to “ready for company.”
Cut out a triangle shape from an old bandana or scrap piece of fabric. Try to make it about 18 inches on the longest side if you have a medium sized dog and 12 inches if you have a small dog. Fold the long edge down twice to make a cleaner edge, then tie it around your dog’s collar. The bow will form naturally when you knot the fabric around his collar.
You might be surprised by the color of the nail polish I’m wearing. The orange looks good against the black and white of my dog’s coat and pops but it’s not clashing. I’ve found that burnt orange, rust and terracotta colors photograph well and feel expensive even when they’re cheap. They also cover dirt better than red or pinks outside.
If your dog hates being put in stuffy coats and sweaters, a bandana is the next best thing. It’s just a bandana—no sleeves, no covering up their body, and no overheating. Your dog barely notices it’s there, but everyone who sees them notices how great they look with a bandana on. Keep a couple bandanas of different colors (we like sage for spring, navy for summer, and burgundy for fall) and suddenly your dog has a coordinated collar accessory collection that didn’t cost a cent.
You can use the bandana for training sessions too. It makes your pup feel special and they will associate getting dressed with positive experiences.
Pro tip: If your dog keeps pulling the bandana off, loop it through the collar before tying it, instead of just tying it around the collar.
Photo credit: @youmakeitsimple
Your Next Weekend Project Starts Here
Sweaters and blankets from old socks and the kids’ section. Blazer from the 99 cent store. Bandana from fabric scraps. None of these require advanced skills, and most require zero materials other than your dog’s measurements and a pair of scissors you already own.
Pick one project, any one! It’s ok, don’t overthink it. This Saturday morning, grab that stretched out thermal shirt hanging in your donation pile and turn it into a sweater. If the leg holes are wrong, adjust them. If you hate the color, do it again with a different shirt. No big deal, it’s DIY and “mistakes” don’t cost you anything, they just take 15 minutes and a shirt you would have thrown away anyway.
I didn’t care if the seams were crooked (my dog didn’t care either – she just cared that she was warm, comfortable, and getting attention from me while I fussed over her sweater). And I’ll care that I just saved $45 on a sweater that would have fallen apart after three washes.
Once you have created the first project, you will be able to make a whole dog wardrobe for the price of one store bought jacket. Keep it all in a pet space and when the weather changes you will have it ready to go. And when someone says “where did you get that?”, you can tell them you made it yourself.
Which project will you tackle first this weekend? Pin this post so you can easily find the instructions when you need them!
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
