Local Cats Will Once Again Wear Clothes for Our Amusement

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Cats of New York City, be warned: There's a chance that in less than one month, your human will attempt to clothe you in garish outfits and put you on display for all to see. In other words, the annual Algonquin Hotel Cat Fashion Show returns on August 5th.

This year's theme will be "A Feline Salute to NYC's First Responders," meaning that each costume will pay tribute to the city's police and fire departments. To reserve your $30 ticket (proceeds benefit the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals), call the hotel at 212-419-9197, and in the meantime, relive last year's Broadway theme with these stunning cat models, ranked in order of shame:

Grid View

Expand

• Model: Lightning
  Broadway Inspiration: Heathers
  Shame Level: Nonexistent.
  
  This chill little guy is NOT AT ALL PERTURBED by wearing a sweater. Perhaps because it's cashmere?
• Model: Q
  Broadway Inspiration: The Phantom of the Opera
  Shame Level: Slight.
  
  Is she sleeping? Or merely closing her eyes so she won't have to face the public while suffering the indig
• Aerial view!
• Model: Lily
  Broadway Inspiration: Mamma Mia!
  Shame Level: Mild.
  
  "Let's never speak of this again."
• A shot of the beautiful bride's gown.
• Model: Cody
  Broadway Inspiration: Rock of Ages
  Shame Level: Moderate.
  
  "I was told there would be treats."
• Sigh.
• Model: Tigger
  Broadway Inspiration: Rock of Ages
  Shame Level: Considerable.
  
  "Let's just...not tell the dog about this, okay?"
• Model: Daisy
  Broadway Inspiration: Matilda
  Shame Level: Palpable.
  
  We witnessed Daisy being whisked away for a time out after taking a few swipes at an onlooker. Girl was OVER IT.
• Model: R2D2
  Broadway Inspiration: The Phantom of the Opera
  Shame Level: High.
  
  This grumpy little Phantom didn't want to wear his cape.
• But he did gamely pose in his mask before swatting it away.
• Model: Zeus
  Broadway Inspiration: Wicked
  Shame Level: Acute.
  
  "Humiliation engulfs me."
• Model: Milo
  Broadway Inspiration: Legally Blonde
  Shame Level: Intense.
  
  Much like Elle Woods, Milo is friends with a Chihuahua IRL! Unlike Elle Woods, he doesn't really think pink is h
• Model: Ferrara
  Broadway Inspiration: Chicago
  Shame Level: EXTREME.
  
  LOOK AT THIS DIVA!
• Giving us the side-eye.
• Okay! We get it! No flashes.
• "That's right. Back away."
• BONUS CAT MODEL: Tara the Hero Cat!
  
  Tara doesn't need to wear clothes, because she is a True American Hero. She also has an agent, in case you were wondering.
• Tara not wearing clothes. Like a boss.