Dressing the "part"...benefits and drawbacks?

breakingcontact said:

I'm ditching my military camelbak as much as I hate to, it will be relegated to range or "car bag" duty. I've found some nice Jansport and Patagonia bags that will serve me well. They're not as well built I don't think, but they also are just normal looking bags. I don't want to draw criminal attention or unneeded police scrutiny, so that trade off is worth it to me at this point.

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I don’t know if that would be necessary, there are a lot of those bags floating around and not everyone that has one was in the military. Having a military camelback isn’t something that would trip my radar

So I'm shooting outdoors at our club last Friday on a cool but clear day, rattling off the AK, 10mm, AR in 5.56 and 6.8, Redhawk, Makarov, the usual, and etc...

A guy asks me if my sweater is cashmere. "Why....yes it is"

Next week shorts and 1911 200th anniversary T shirt.

I do my best to look like an office worker. My "tactical" uniform consists of an untucked Polo style shirt, some variation on khaki pants with large pockets, and nice shoes. I tuck in my shirt when I go "untactical".

Very true. Though I would wager that a higher percent of people wearing NRA apparel own guns than guys in Harley shirts own motorcycles. But it's still a valid point. There's a few people that come in to my store with NRA hats/shirts on, but don't carry. Now the guys in the Glock and S&W hats, and the guy in a hat that said "RUGER SR9" (now there's a giveaway! It's called concealed)...

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Maybe he thought he was being sneaky by carrying a J-Frame instead!

Shorts and a golf shirt usually.

I put the pants away in May, and don't bring them out til October.

breakingcontact said:

Agree it must vary by location. I'm not talking about mag pouches or anything but when I see a riggers belt or legit full on military boots it definitely catches my eye and makes me consider that person as a probably concealed carrier. I imagine the police and criminals size up people as well. Am I overly critical? Probably, but I don't want to paint myself as a concealed carrier anymore than I may already. I really like carrying my camelbak HAWG military version but I definitely feel like anyone in the "know" sees it and builds a profile based on it or at least thats what I do.

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I wear army style boots on a regular basis when out hiking and sometimes just to work. I like the ankle support.

I sorta look like Ward Cleaver, except he looked like more of a badass.

LeonCarr said:

If I were to ever turn to a life of crime everybody wearing 5.11 pants, a fanny pack, or a photographer's vest would get capped.

Right after CHL was passed in Texas I was standing in line with a buddy of mine waiting to watch the movie Independence Day at the Theater. In front of us was an older gentleman wearing a fanny pack. Casual observation disclosed that he had a wallet in his back pocket, keys in his front pocket, an eyeglasses case in one shirt pocket and a pack of Marlboro Reds and a Zippo Lighter in the other shirt pocket (Western Style Shirt).

What was he carrying in the fanny pack?

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

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Candy.

A diabetes kit. Epipens. Could be anything really.

Since I started pocket carrying my PX4 subcompact, all I look for is jeans with deep pockets.

What you wear, means nothing.

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This is overflowing with truth. People in the gun community overthink this stuff.

I very rarely OC outside of my last job (operating an LGS) or hiking. On perhaps the only occasion in which I OC'd into a business, I walked into a gas station mini market while my car was filling up. Most people didn't bother to look my direction. One gal did, and noticed my pistol. She asked if it was real. I said, "No. I'm an actor. I'm an extra in a scene that takes place in an FBI office." Her eyes basically glazed over at the word "extra". The people who turned to look at us when she asked if my gun was real all went back to zoning out.

Despite all of the recent media attention, citizens carrying is still a very abstract concept to those who are not part of-, or close to the gun community. Even people who know on an academic level that people can get a license to carry a firearm, do not think in terms of that being a thing that actually happens.

On the flip side, many people in the gun community seem to believe that anyone who looks remotely layered or tactical must be carrying a weapon.

Best practices:
1. assume everyone is carrying
2. observe behaviors and interactions as a matter of habit
3. enjoy life

Another vote for,

[X] Jeans and a tee shirt (both a size bigger for IWB).

Sometimes a tee shirt and shorts depending on the weather.


Work..

Dress shirt + dress pants... still IWB.

I don't go out of my way to look tactical or non-tactical. Typically wear jeans/shorts with a Tshirt or button down. I've always worn a buzz cut/high and tight, even before enlisting. I'd say the only thing that would "give me away" is that I use my Spec Ops THE Pack when going to class, why buy another one? Lol.

I wear what ever hides my gun best.

I work outdoors in hot humid east Texas, so a lot of my wardrobe decisions are made for me. T-shirts, baggy cargo pants, work boots. On weekends, cargo shorts and a slightly longer than necessary t-shirt. I am a lot more inclined to notice the person than the clothes. If they are standing ramrod straight with quiet hands and active eyes, I notice that. If they are a twitchy meth addict, I notice that. Either of them could switch clothes and it would not change my appraisal.

Tactical stuff is too rich for my blood.

Always the kerfluffle of how to hide a Constitutional Right.... :banghead:

OilyPablo said:

So I'm shooting outdoors at our club last Friday on a cool but clear day, rattling off the AK, 10mm, AR in 5.56 and 6.8, Redhawk, Makarov, the usual, and etc...

A guy asks me if my sweater is cashmere. "Why....yes it is"

Next week shorts and 1911 200th anniversary T shirt.

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Next week shorts and 1911 200th anniversary T shirt.

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Dr Who, I presume?

I wear camo every day, so I can't wait to get out of it when I get home. I do not own a single piece of tactical clothing for personal use.

When I'm at home...CHL or not...I dress for comfort. In TX and AZ heat, that usually means cargo shorts and some type of SS button down shirt that is long and loose enough to provide concealment. The most rugged piece of clothing I wear is usually some type of high quality pistol belt that can handle the weight of my 10mm with a couple mags.

I do not have any political stickers on my car, nor do I wear clothing with anything that would indicate that I'm a huge 2nd amendment guy. I prefer to keep a low profile and not attract attention from anyone (good or bad).

Denims and a shirt. Wide brim hat, coat if it's cold. No special dress. Now and then we do get a person or persons that come to the range with cammys, beret and combat boots to go along with their Ak's or AR's. Generaly pretty nice guys but we all sort of wonder ***. I would feel a bit out of place dressing like that for a range day.

At work I wear whites and on the job at home I wear jeans and one of Dad's denim shirts (if I can swipe one) or heavy cotton. I don't need to be "tactical" I just need to be comfortable.

Dr Who, I presume?

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I REALLY enjoyed the 100th anniversary!