Wardrobe changes to help in concealment?

[The Unknown User]

In less than six months I can apply for my CCW permit. I was thinking: will I need to change the way I dress when I carry?

I typically wear:
- "Relaxed fit" jeans
- Carpenter jeans
- Khakis
- Polos
- Occasionally t-shirts
- Rarely button-downs

Does clothing have to be rather loose for it to successfully conceal a handgun? Does clothing type, style, etc., affect how a handgun can be concealed?

I guess I'm really looking for that "I wish someone had told me this before I started carrying"-type advice.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

A lot of it depends on the kind of gun you are carrying and the way you intend to carry it. Since I'm guessing based off of this thread you don't even know what kind of gun you want, what kind of holster, and so forth, it's pretty hard to say whether you will need to change or not.

But really, here's the deal. You just have to do it an see what works for you. You can take two guys with identical builds, identical guns, identical holsters, and identical wardrobes and the gun will disppear on one guy and on the other guy will look like he's smuggling a lead brick around.

The only "'I wish someone had told me this before I started carrying'-type advice" I think anyone can fairly give you is that this is terribly subjective and personal decision and there are almost no "one size fits all" solutions.

It really is one of those things that comes together much easier by doing rather than discussing. No one here knows what will work for you. Some folks here can slip a full size double-stack pistol in an IWB with jeans and think it's as comfortable as going around in sweat pants. Others find a P3AT in the pocket of pair a baggy pants to be cumbersome. Some of the people who dish out carrying advice here are years away from being old enough to buy a long gun, let alone carry a handgun. Without a bit of your own experience, it's hard to filter out what will be helpful to you.

I would recommend to not fret about it so much and to accept the fact that you may not get it right the first time. With enough work, almost anyone can find something that will work with either the gun they want to carry or clothes they want to wear. Sometimes these aren't the same thing. I will say that from my experience that people who select a gun/carry method that fits their lifestyle seem to stick with it longer and more often that those who pick the ultimate gun then try to fit their life and wardrobe around it.

Hope that helps.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

You're off to a good start

I like "relaxed fit" jeans and cargo pants for their larger pockets, which enable and enhance the carrying of larger and more effective pocket guns, as well as the usual money wallet, ID/CCW (I put these in separate wallets), cell phone and sometimes a flashlight. Add an inch to the waist if you want to carry IWB (inside the waistband); this makes this kind of carry much more comfortable.

An untucked shirt, a little on the large side, helps hide the butt of the gun. I like the kind of shirt with a squarish-cut bottom hem called a "camp shirt," as well as Cabela's "safari shirts." I wear an undershirt tucked in so the gun butt or holster top does not directly contact my bare skin, which is horribly uncomfortable.

 

[whitetiger7654]

I carry IWB. I had to buy one size larger pants and shirts. It's going to be trial and error until you find what you like.

 

[Prince Yamato]

You will not need to change your wardrobe.

The only time it becomes difficult is if you wear "fitted" clothes. Which you don't.

The only thing you need to do is invest in a good belt. Thick and sturdy. Dickies belts are fine. You can get them at Walmart pretty cheap. You could also drop a lot of cash on a designer belt as well.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A Wilderness Instructor belt is only about $40-ish.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

It's definitely about experimenting. I think the first question would be how do you want to carry or put another way, do you want a pocket pistol or something a little bigger? The type of pistol helps determine the method of carry... If you haven't determined that yet, do an advanced search for titles only and just type in CCW or concealed and you'll get some great ideas. Good luck...

 

[DWARREN123]

I wear basically the same, I have always liked my clothing to be a little loose so no problem trying to conceal a CZ 75 Compact in 9mm, IWB.

 

[The Unknown User]

Is it harder to conceal a handgun on your belt outside of the waistband?

 

[CNYCacher]

IWB

IWB are more concealable for a few reasons:

1. Need longer cover with OWB. I carry IWB and many of the jackets I wear would show the muzzle of my gun poking down below the jacket if I carried OWB.
2. IWB reduces printing with light cover. IWB carry causes the outline of the gun to be spread out as your pants will tent over the gun and feather the bukge out to points tangent to the curve of your body. A gun carried OWB will print much more under light cover, like a tee shirt
3. IWB holds the gun tighter into your body, less "clank" as you move around in tight places.
4. Only IWB carry offers a tuckable option.

Ruger P89 in a High Noon "Hidden Ally" IWB tuckable holster:

 

[The Unknown User]

Okay, where's the handgun hidden?

 

[CNYCacher]

Exactly.


Here's a pic of the holster, click it to go to their website:



See the black clip? You can see that and only that in my other pics.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I don't change what I wear for my weapon. I wear what I like and if it's concealed it's concealed, if not, then not.

 

[CNYCacher]

Maybe that kinda thing flies in Coruscant, but in NY and MA, we gotta stay concealed.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

If you want to carry IWB and your pants are loose enough that you need a belt then it should be fine. If they are tight around the waist it may be a little uncomfortable until you lose weight or get a size bigger pants
Get a good gun belt and quality holster, it makes a huge difference.

 

[hit or miss]

What guns do you currently have? If you have something you would like to carry, or think you would like to carry I'd advise starting the search for a holster. Personally I like IWB for the aforementioned reasons. Get the holster and start wearing around the house always. That will tell you alot plus let you get used to carrying on a daily basis. When you first go in public you will be very self-conscious.

Scott

 

[Prince Yamato]

If they are tight around the waist it may be a little uncomfortable until you lose weight or get a size bigger pants

This was actually my inspiration to lose a little weight. I wanted to carry my gun with my existing wardrobe.

 

[dredwinggirl13]

this guy has many videos on this kind of holster, and will probably be what i use when im able to CC. (3 years. ugh.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MaCEj19Yv4

 

[iiibdsiil]

I noticed that I needed slightly longer shirts. My shirts for some reason ride up on my gun in both of my holsters, but I'm pretty active in my daily routine.

 

[KODB]

Be sure to get good gear; belt and holster as noted above. Personally, I use only Milt Sparks these days and have for a while. Also, you may find adding a vest will be just the ticket. I'd stay away from the ones that scream tactical-specops-delta-recon-swat and have 50 pockets if you are looking for true CCW with a focus on concealed and subtle. I use vests from Coronado Leather http://www.coronadoleather.com/ . I do not use their included holsters, preferring to carry with a Sparks SS-2 holster. I carry fullsize service pistols when going concealed (generally a BHP or 1911), so if you have a compact then you might be able to sucessfully use the vests included holster pocket. I also wear vests from Filsons and Woolrich(wool) and Duluth Trading (canvas work/tradesman vests), again with my standard IWB belt and holster setup. Interestingly, the vest are usually long enough that I can carry my revolvers on a belt holster most times as well.

Regards,
Bob

 

[kd7nqb]

I too am a new CCW'r the only difference I made was wearing my tshirt untucked as opposed to tucked. I did not need to by larger pants but have found that certain pairs of pants work better than others. I normally wear either Cargo's or jeans. Also as of right now I am still using a standard belt and a super cheap holster, neither of these are optimal but my gun stays where it is put and it has not wrecked my belt yet. I would eventually like one of those Ifidel holsters I hear so much good talk about.

Long story short I think you will be fine. But be prepared to have a few uncomfortable moments before you find what works best for you.

 

[FireArmFan]

Get whatever suits you best. If you're looking for IWB this one is terrific.

http://www.donhume.com/products/ProductsPage.cfm?ProductID=35

I didn't have to change wardrobe but I wear my clothes a bit loose. The biggest thing is the feeling that it's not concealed or someone knows. I've been carrying since I turned 21 (about 4 months) and the feeling is still there.

As far as the gun goes, get whatever fits "you" best. I carry a HK P2000 in .40 S&W b/c it accomodates my southpaw factor I got going on. Plus I'm not much of a small gun kind of guy. The P2000 was the smallest gun I was willing to go with. I carry my P2000 strong side (9 o'clock) because that is most comfortable and most concealable for me. I use that Don Hume I posted earlier and although it was cheap I think it's great. It doesn't close after drawing so reholstering is very easy. You'll have to try a few things and go with what works best. Best of luck in your search.

 

[SSN Vet]

I gave up on IWB carry after getting a deep bruised feeling in my kidney area.

Switched to a pancake....which is REALY comfortable.

In you're states climate, you can easily wear a cover garment in all but July and August.

If your OWB holster rides high and you have a piece designed for concealed carry (i.e. 4" or shorter barrel) you should get along just fine with an XL sweat shirt or my favorite....a fleece vest.

in the summer you can go with an untucked shirt, and if the feeling of cold steel on your skin doesn't appeal to you, just wear a muscle shirt underneath.

Lot's of options. Half the fun is figuring out what works for you.

 

[RKBABob]

I don't think anyone asked this, but...

Are ya fat or skinny? Broad or narrow shouldered?

This will determine your degree of success moreso than wardrobe, IMHO. If you're broad shouldered with a skinny waist, you're lucky... just about anything you wear will drape over your firearm naturally, when worn IWB or OWB. If your belly and lovehandles are wider than your shoulders, you're going to have a harder time, and will really need to pay attention to how you dress. Extra weight around the middle really pushes that gun way out there... pocket carry solves the problem, 9 outa 10.

Now sit back and wait... 7 other fat guys will get on here and tell me I'm wrong, and that they routinely conceal an AR15 OWB with just a T-shirt and their boxers on.

 

[Myrdhyn]

FWIW, I am a heavier set guy and regularly carry a full size pistol(ruger p85) IWB with the same wardrobe you listed(and more) and it pretty much disappears on me. I have never been made wearing the clothing style you listed both in my normal size and in larger sizes(most common for me) as well as just t-shirts and shorts, dress clothes both with and without a jacket, and more.

The trick is to find a good holster, and not just a good one because someone says its good, you have to find one that works well FOR YOU so that you can move around naturally. My personal preference? Crossbreed or Crossbreed Supertuck but everyone has their own preference and you will get as many different opinions as people posting in this thread.