Concealed carry clothing preferences?

[bainter1212]

Hi,
Relatively new to the forum, and soon-to-be concealed carry permit holder. I don't personally know any other permit holders, and I have some burning questions/maybe a little anxiety.....what kind of clothing options are out there to prevent printing, or accidental displays of your firearm? I plan to carry IWB most of the time. I am warm blooded and I live in temperate CA, and I will wear shorts and a T-shirt well into the winter until I can't possibly get away with it anymore. Therefore I wouldn't much care for wearing a jacket when it's 70 degrees outside. Barring the obvious solution of a jacket in the winter, what kind of summer wear is the best? Any preferred brands? Another question......when you wear a jacket in the winter, and then go into your dear aunt Betty's house for dinner (where it's 112 degrees of course), do you just take your jacket off and endure all the looks and questions? I live in CA and people here freak out when they see a gun.
Any response would be appreciated thanks a bunch High Roaders!

 

[CZ9shooter]

I've found that an untucked button-up type shirt works the best for me. One with a pattern of some sort, not a solid color. I usually get the ones in tall sizes to keep from riding up when bending over. However, that is probably optional for most. I am 6'3 so it helps a lot, and they just fit me better anyway.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

If T-shirts are your main form of clothing you won't have many problems. I have always worn shirts one size up than I should and pants a little baggier which allow me to carry comfortably without showing. An undershirt can help with keeping it comfortable against your body.

A good holster will do more to help hide your weapon than clothing for the most part.

 

[bainter1212]

Thanks for the tips. Didn't think about the pattern idea, will definitely keep that in mind. An undershirt is alos a good idea. I'm thinking the undershirt combined with a nice button-up. What is the best breathable material to wear? Plain cotton, a silk blend?

 

[bigfatdave]

untucked shirt that runs a bit big and long
pants that take a real belt
real gunbelt
good holster
... that's all you need for basic concealment IWB, add an undershirt for comfort and minimize grip length for ease of concealment

remember, nobody is looking for a gun in the first place, you don't need to have the most perfect concealment in the universe

 

[jmorris]

If you play IDPA "real life" means you should wear a netted fishing vest that has had extra heavy starch applied to it.

In real "real life", a SOB holster and an untucked T shirt works just fine.

 

[Derry 1946]

Cotton shorts, front pocket carry in a pocket holster, works fine. Does not print. Cargo shorts are particularly useful since the outermost pockets further camouflage the extra bulk. Any shirt will do.

 

[Jim Watson]

Aloha and guayabera shirts were designed for warm climates and are roomy enough to cover a sidearm well.

I have seen t-shirt tails hung out over a gun butt and unless the shirt is very sloppy, it prints badly.

 

[jeepnik]

Out my way, "Hawiian" shirts are pretty common, it's a beach thing. Since they are loose by nature, and not designed to be tucked in, they work very well. And they go with shorts, jeans or any other sort of "casual" pants.

The few times they aren't warm enough usually requires an outer garmet of some sort so you're covered there.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

A good belt/holster is a huge part of CC! I used to rely on baggy overshirts or coats to conceal, until I got my last belt. I've gotten away with just a loose t-shirt for the last year.

A good belt helps in two ways:

1. A loose gun is easier to see. And you "adjusting" it is very obvious to the gun community.

2. Keeping the gun tight against your body reduces its "grab" on your conceal clothing.

 

[erikk8829]

Milt Sparks VM2 IWB & a T shirt work for me

 

[bainter1212]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like maybe the most important thing is a good quality holster and belt, secondly dressing comfortably with light clothing.

 

[bigfatdave]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like maybe the most important thing is a good quality holster and belt, secondly dressing comfortably with light clothing.

Pretty much
One small adjustment there is that if the shirt is really lightweight it may hang up on the grip more. I find that a somewhat snug undershirt that tucks in well combined with a mid-weight linen or cotton button-down shirt works best. I occasionally carry a full-length doublestack all-steel 1911 dressed for casual concealment like that, and nobody has called me on it yet. Concealing a carry-size gun under a camp shirt is trivial, with the right leather and/or kydex gear.

 

[rodinal220]

Anything that blends in with my surroundings.I will not buy or use anything taci-kool such as 5.11 and the like.I match my clothing to my build,climate,and weapon and the local mode of dress.Blend in,look like everyone else,not the tactical tommy poster child.

 

[bigfatdave]

Blend in,look like everyone else

around here, "everyone else" is wearing cargo pants anyway
and 5.11 pants are just so comfortable, and they last forever

I've been wearing cargo pants longer than I've been packing - I dislike having stuff in back pockets, so everything ends up in thigh and hip pockets. When I started carrying, the only pockets available were back pockets, which wasn't going to happen - thus a quality belt and holster added to the existing cargo pants and comfortable shirt wardrobe, I just choose my shirts a bit more carefully now.

seriously, take a look around ... cargo pants are mainstream now, they don't stand out
(now, the photographer's vest or fishing vest DOES still stand out)

 

[trigga]

i carry a glock 27. I have an ankle holster (last resort), iwb hybrid holster, and a shoulder holster. depending on what i wear that day determines my method of carry. IWB is ideal but I wear baggy pants, so in some cases where it's not possible, i always go for the ankle holster. slow on the draw but works. The shoulder holster i wear 90% of the time when i know i'm not taking my jacket off, like in winter and shopping. you can also conceal it in clothing like mentioned before, like a coat pocket.

 

[dfsixstring]

There are some all in one elastic belt/holster combos I've seen that you wear inside your pants. I have not tried them but always felt they would be great with shorts.

I have a comp-Tac Minotaur holster that I wear with shorts and a loose t-shirt. The only "new" thing I had to start doing was wear a belt. I never did before my CC permit.


Dfsixstring
SR9c
LCP
RST4S

 

[Captains1911]

Hawaiian shirts are common? Really? Where do you guys live?

OP: I really don't change my attire. I conceal a G23 in the summer under a regular fitting t-shirt. The holster and belt are key.

 

[TAKtical]

I wear one size bigger tshirts. Usually dark colors because they can help hide the gun if you are printing a little bit.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I find I am most comfortable carrying (either a CZ-82 or full size 1911) IWB, in a good leather holster with a thick belt, and wearing pants my size (not a size bigger), and a shirt that is slightly longer, and thicker/heavier than normal. The heavy material of the shirt shows bulges and edges less, and the extra length means I can bend forward a decent amount without my gun kicking the back of the shirt up. The proper sized pants will help the belt hold the gun more rigidly, and that will help you carry without constantly adjusting your rig.

 

[45crittergitter]

In hot/humid MS, I usually wear a 5.11 vest, whether I have an IWB or not. If I'm at Aunt Betty's and she doesn't have a place for me to safely store it, I leave it in the car and use pocket carry for a smaller gun.