Black is the colour that photographs well after dark, which is when most Halloween pictures get taken. A pale costume blows out under a camera flash, while a bold skull on black holds its shape. The skull runs across the back, so it reads properly from above and from behind, which is the angle you actually see a dog from when she is trotting along beside you at a party.

It is a single-colour outfit in four sizes, S through to XL, which puts it within reach of medium dogs as well as the small breeds most novelty clothing is cut for. As with anything a pet wears for fun, the aim is to get it on quickly, take the picture and take it off again. A dog left in a costume all evening stops enjoying the evening long before the party ends.

• Bold skull design across the back
• All-black, single colourway
• Four sizes: S, M, L and XL
• Cut to go on and come off quickly
• Fits small and medium pets

Two things worth knowing. Costumes are for short, supervised spells only, never on an unattended pet, never overnight and never during rough play, where fabric can be caught in another dog's teeth. And we are given size letters without a chart in centimetres.

Who it's for: Owners of small and medium pets who want one simple, striking outfit for Halloween rather than a wardrobe of costumes worn once each.