Fashion and CC
- Thread starter Colvin
- Start date
Straightshooter629
New member
In the words of one of my favorites, Clint Smith, "carrying a gun should not be comfortable...carrying a gun should be comforting". I'm more concerned about practicality and not fashion. Carrying a concealed firearm is not simply a fashion statement...it is a lifestyle and I choose my wardrobe and my gear to fit that lifestyle.
Sgt.Fathead
Moderator
If fashion means what the kids and twenty-somethings of today look like, in tight jeans from their sister's closet and long, unwashed hair in their eyes, day-glo sneakers and ratty old t-shirts, well, I'm out. In warmer weather I wear Carhartt carpenter shorts (which are short, not to the knee baggies but an appropriate, above the knee inseam) with a t-shirt and in cooler weather, Wrangler jeans. I wear the same kind of sneakers (black New Balance 473) all year long, or ankle length lightweight hiking shoes. I might add a favorite long sleeve flannel or chamois shirt in cooler weather. I always wear the same t-shirt, the Duluth Trading Longtail Tee, of which I have twenty, all black.
Yes, my wife is exasperated with my wardrobe.
I carry IWB, 4-5 0'clock strongside, and never forget it's there. I have yet to need to carry in a suit, or business casual, but when I do, I'll adapt.
By the way, fashion is fleeting but true style is forever. I've worn the same get-up with little variation for twenty odd years so I suppose as un-stylish as it might be, it's mine.
Yes, my wife is exasperated with my wardrobe.
I carry IWB, 4-5 0'clock strongside, and never forget it's there. I have yet to need to carry in a suit, or business casual, but when I do, I'll adapt.By the way, fashion is fleeting but true style is forever. I've worn the same get-up with little variation for twenty odd years so I suppose as un-stylish as it might be, it's mine.
TheNocturnus
New member
Nope, fashion does not enter my mind at all. Just ask my wife...
Wife approved "style", can't remember the last time I bought clothes for myself, probably when I was 16 (that's when my wife and I met) & I'm 25 now. Pretty much have some sort of iteration of the following in my closet that I wear daily (don't always wear a long sleeve underneath but it's starting to get cold here now):
Concealed:
Un-Concealed:
I carry a Springfield XDM3.8 Compact 9mm in a Crossbreed Supertuck with a hand made gun belt made by a local guy.
Phillip
Concealed:
Un-Concealed:
I carry a Springfield XDM3.8 Compact 9mm in a Crossbreed Supertuck with a hand made gun belt made by a local guy.
Phillip
Concealment, retention, access control, speed....
There are some good member posts here & good input.
I'd add that when selecting a concealed firearm, holster, belt, pack, etc; you need to account for a few important factors: speed(how quickly can I make full contact or purchase on the firearm with either hand?), security/retention(how can prevent mishaps or a gun grab?), fashion/concealment(does the holster print? Will my shoulder holster straps show or can anyone clearly see the firearm?), quality/design(will the elastic wear out? Will the snaps or buckles break over time? Is the holster leather well made or vat dyed?).
I, for 1, avoid most "packs" & "murses"(man purses) but can see there merit under LIMITED conditions(a beach trip, a mall outing, nature park hike).
As I've posted before on forums, many violent or aggressive criminals "cull the herd" & are looking for an "easy lick".
In the down & dirty world of street fighting and CQB(close quarters battle) you may not have the reaction time or skill to repel an attack if your handgun is wedged in a "fanny pack".
Carry on the person or even better having a BUG/2nd gun makes more sense.
There are some good member posts here & good input.
I'd add that when selecting a concealed firearm, holster, belt, pack, etc; you need to account for a few important factors: speed(how quickly can I make full contact or purchase on the firearm with either hand?), security/retention(how can prevent mishaps or a gun grab?), fashion/concealment(does the holster print? Will my shoulder holster straps show or can anyone clearly see the firearm?), quality/design(will the elastic wear out? Will the snaps or buckles break over time? Is the holster leather well made or vat dyed?).
I, for 1, avoid most "packs" & "murses"(man purses) but can see there merit under LIMITED conditions(a beach trip, a mall outing, nature park hike).
As I've posted before on forums, many violent or aggressive criminals "cull the herd" & are looking for an "easy lick".
In the down & dirty world of street fighting and CQB(close quarters battle) you may not have the reaction time or skill to repel an attack if your handgun is wedged in a "fanny pack".
Carry on the person or even better having a BUG/2nd gun makes more sense.
not ever
Absolutely; I've found it very fashionable to remain alive.
Other than that, "looks" matter zero nada none. I have two separate fannypack choices with me at all times in my manpurse (okay, it's really a computer bag I haul with me so I can tote all my survival crap. Like two other guns, and numerous holsters --both left- and right-handed-- and tools and mags and ammo and lights and knives and stuff).
Absolutely; I've found it very fashionable to remain alive.
Other than that, "looks" matter zero nada none. I have two separate fannypack choices with me at all times in my manpurse (okay, it's really a computer bag I haul with me so I can tote all my survival crap. Like two other guns, and numerous holsters --both left- and right-handed-- and tools and mags and ammo and lights and knives and stuff).
Kimbertron
New member
This is one area where being a woman is convenient. It is hard sometimes to dress around my sp101 but when I want to wear something that wont conceal well the pocket holster stitched into the front pocket of my purse works great. Carrying in my purse is not ideal but the front pocket is held closed by small snap buttons not a zipper,so i can reach in without having to fumble with anything.
firespec35
New member
Well my typical carry gear is jeans, tshirt, gym shoes. Easy. If I don't feel like jeans, I wear sweats and a tshirt and ill wear my keltec p32 on a horizontal neck holster. Usually if I'm dressing up, I can't carry but not a prob if I do. I dress in guido shirts ( Charlie from 21/2 men shirts) so they're untucked anyways or I can pocket the p32.
Xe, GS4, 5.11 vests, concealment...
I do & do not agree with D's "fishing vest" remarks.
Yes, if you are "in the know" or "dialed" in you may pick up on some fashions or clothing styles but I'd bet 2 dozen Krispy Kremes, 90-95% of the general public won't pick up or be alerted to the same cues as a sworn LE officer, federal agent, spec ops soldier, PI, etc.
In the great novel; The Protector, author David Merill(check spelling) had a main character who worked as a EP(exec protection) agent. The former US Army special operations member said to always check a persons watch & shoes. These items can give you a quick assessment of the person and/or their intentions.
I don't walk around my urban area looking to "out" armed citizens or plainclothes cops.
I'm not a behavior or social sciences expert either but within a few minutes I could probably gauge if a person is "on the job"(a NYPD expression) or carrying a firearm. There are some traits & cues that I won't go into here but as I stated most citizens are honestly not that concerned or advanced.
Clyde
I do & do not agree with D's "fishing vest" remarks.
Yes, if you are "in the know" or "dialed" in you may pick up on some fashions or clothing styles but I'd bet 2 dozen Krispy Kremes, 90-95% of the general public won't pick up or be alerted to the same cues as a sworn LE officer, federal agent, spec ops soldier, PI, etc.
In the great novel; The Protector, author David Merill(check spelling) had a main character who worked as a EP(exec protection) agent. The former US Army special operations member said to always check a persons watch & shoes. These items can give you a quick assessment of the person and/or their intentions.
I don't walk around my urban area looking to "out" armed citizens or plainclothes cops.
I'm not a behavior or social sciences expert either but within a few minutes I could probably gauge if a person is "on the job"(a NYPD expression) or carrying a firearm. There are some traits & cues that I won't go into here but as I stated most citizens are honestly not that concerned or advanced.
Clyde
Shadi Khalil
New member
Today I did something I haven't done in a while, carry a large (IMO at least) gun on a day out with my wife and parents. I totted my P239 in a Comptac paddle holster along with two Comptac mag holders. To do so I had to adjust my wardrobe by wearing a size up hoodie, unzipped over a big t-shirt. While the holster and belt make for a comfortable carry experience, a few hours in I was longing for my usual carry set up, a 637 in one front pocket and a speed strip in the other.
Absolutely. Most of the time I wear a suit or nice trousers with a shirt and tie and a jacket. I like pants that actually fit my 33" waist like they are supposed to, so my pants are all 33" waist sized. This doesn't work so well for IWB. When I carried my P2000 IWB, I had to go out and buy several pairs of trousers that were 1-2" larger in waste size. I wasn't about to alter all my trousers just so I could carry IWB.
Luckily, VA is an open carry state. I've decided to go to a bit smaller gun, a PPS maybe plus an OWB holster. If I have to remove my cover garment, no big deal. In the past when I have "accidentally" taken off my jacket and my gun was visible, most think I'm just a cop. Must be the suit, lol.
Luckily, VA is an open carry state. I've decided to go to a bit smaller gun, a PPS maybe plus an OWB holster. If I have to remove my cover garment, no big deal. In the past when I have "accidentally" taken off my jacket and my gun was visible, most think I'm just a cop. Must be the suit, lol.