Stylishly Hiding the Gun

L

lamarw

New member
Attached is an interesting article in today's New York Times. The article should be a must read for us who conceal carry on a daily basis. Clothing manufactures have found a new market for clothes designed specifically for us. The article discusses numerous other points of interest. It does sound as if clothing makers have worked closely with some knowleagble gun owners.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/us/fashion-statement-is-clear-the-gun-isnt.html?emc=eta1

I posted it here since I believe it is more handgun oriented.
 
Well, I don't really follow fashion trends, but in my line of work, cargo pants and an untucked shirt won't fly. It's kind of nice to see stuff like this.
 
Elastic waistbands? Have they ever tried to carry an all steel pistol in pants with a stretchy waistband? :rolleyes:

I'll pass. My Wranglers work just fine.


Jason
 
I don't think they want you to rely on only the elastic waistband. A belt is still necessary. Only the waistband stretches to provide more comfort.
 
I am retired and wear denim a lot. There are other times when jeans are just not appropriate wear such as out to a nice restaurant with a pretty lady.

With the right gun, an elastic belly band can be comfortable. It does help if you have a semi-wide belt on under the belly band. The right gun is one with relatively round corners and edges without sharp points or extended sights.

I can envision the pain of a 1911 with an extended pointed beavertail. It would probably catch you right under the rib cage. :)

There are a lot of gentlemen out there in the work place having to wear dress clothing and still wanting to conceal carry. I am glad to see some clothiers giving us some consideration and filling the niche.
 
I believe the elastic waistband is there so that you don't have to wear different pants based on whether or not you're carrying. I know it'd take something like an act of God to get my wife to let me double my pants inventory, and I wouldn't want to anyway.

The reality is that many of us can't wear jeans everywhere; there are cultural and corporate expectations that we must meet. Allowing us to look nice while carrying something larger than a pocket pistol is a good sign of progress. The more options there are for discreet carry, the less potential criminals will be able tell who's carrying and who's not. That inability to tell increases the public good done by those of us who do carry.
 
I agree with you guys. Elastic waistbands and small pockets don't do much for me. But I do like the idea that companies are recognizing us as worth marketing to.
 
Have any of you guys tried carrying a steel framed pistol with elastic waistband pants? Even with a good belt it does not work IME.

Jason
 
I believe the elastic waistband is there so that you don't have to wear different pants based on whether or not you're carrying.
Click to expand...
This makes sense. Of course I don't wear elastic waistbands myself, because I'm not 5 years old and I'm not 85 years old.:D
 
Don't knock us old farts. If you are lucky, you will reach your second childhood too. :) Bulky diapers also make things less obvious with concealed carry.

I am closing in on 85 with only another 20 years to go. Hope I make it. Will they let me conceal carry in assisted living? I want a Roy Rogers holster for my cap gun.

All of the above is said in jest, but there are some interesting factors as we age. I have just undergone catarac surgery. It is a piece of cake so to speak procedure wise, but there are challenges. I am not and will not by choice be concealed carrying until such time as I have good vision back. The same is true with operating a vehicle or boat. The process will take me about five weeks or more, but it is less with some not requiring glasses. The final result should be the best vision I have had in many years.

I know, I am high-jacking my on thread. ;)
 
I bought a couple pair out of curiosity, although it seems I bought a different model. Mine are more like a Woolrich take on 5.11 Operator pants.

They fit better than the 5.11 pants fit me. They do not have a zippered pocket. The thigh cargo pockets have a lot of capacity, but the internal straps are too high and too loose to secure 1911 mags. They might secure M&P45 extended mags; I am tempted to see if they fit around AR mags.

With regard to the elastic waistband, they only have a couple of elastic panels, one behind either hipbone; the elastic is not all that stretchy, but does help accommodate an IWB holster.

I also ordered some of the short sleeved shirts. The solid colors look dressier; both solids and plaids work pretty well; I think the plaids work better.

Pants are ok, and I definitely recommend the plaid shirts.
 
LamarW: That's funny stuff! I can see where an adult diaper would help with CC.

You'll have to forgive me, I'm just a snot nosed kid: not even 50 yet.:D
 
Thanks JayHawk, You, and many others, have some of the best years yet ahead of you.

I retired ten years ago and have more money and fun than ever. I just can't figure out how I ever had enough time to work. :)
 
Have they ever tried to carry an all steel pistol in pants with a stretchy waistband?
Click to expand...

Would you expect more from a NY Times article? Who ever wrote the article would probably poop the old pantaloons if they saw a real gun in person.:eek:
 
Guys, as I mentioned before, at least on the operator style of the Woolrich pants, the waistband isn't all that stretchy. There's a little give, about enough for a reasonably slim IWB rig, but it's not like a pair of Mom jeans.

With a good belt, and those pants, I've been carrying a 5" 1911. So there is no problem at all with this particular type of elastic and a heavy, all-steel pistol.

I don't think anybody here would recommend carrying a heavy pistol without a good belt, would they?

So you might consider that you are knocking a product you haven't tried, and possibly giving bad press to people who might look the product up, without any actual knowledge of the product.

And then you might wonder why major clothing manufacturers don't do much innovating for concealed carry...
 
Going back to the operator style pants... a couple posts ago I mentioned that the thigh pocket internal straps were too big for my 1911 mags, and I thought they might fit AR mags.

I tried the AR mags. They do in fact fit in the straps, so the pants will hold 2 AR mags in either thigh pocket, in a relatively secure manner that should also eliminate or at least minimize clacking of metal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top