Dressing for Concealed Carry: A Complete Guide 2025

Dressing for concealed carry is often a misunderstood subject, especially for those new to it. It does not mean a wardrobe shift or compromising comfort or style. The right clothing choices stem from a good knowledge of what concealing a gun means and then deciding on a garment accordingly. This post will help you learn all this so you can select proper clothes and dress discreetly.

Understand the Mechanics of Concealment

Before you choose the right dressing option or gun holster for discreet carry, understand the little science behind concealing a weapon. This will help you buy the right clothing and holster, which will complement your gun, body type, and style of carry.

To conceal a gun well, you must find a spot under your clothing that gives you a strong grip on the pistol. This spot can be the naval or the strong side, based on your physical build. If you are overweight and position your gun on your belly button, it will print. If you have a flat abdomen, this position will not work. So, if you are a heavy person, you need to find a particular position that reduces printing.

The outline of the pistol's grip is most common, and concealing this protrusion is not easy. It extends past the clothing silhouette and does not conform to the body. A good holster that holds the gun and its grip tightly to the body prevents this issue. Holsters with a wing are equally helpful. They keep the grip fully in contact with your body. Along with this, a strong gun belt stabilizes the holster setup and enables the grip to tuck in.

Sometimes, the top of the holster protrudes. Fix it with a custom holster that has excess material that extends past the muzzle end of the gun. This material acts like a keel, balancing the gun so it does not tip outward.

Best Positions for Concealed Carry

You want your gun to remain disguised under your clothing and not print. Holding it in specific positions meant for CCW will give you the desired discreet carry experience.

• Appendix carry (1 o'clock for right-handed shooters and 11 o'clock for lefties):The Appendix carry places the gun at the front. It is either on the right or left of your belly button. The Appendix position conceals the gun and allows easy accessibility.
• Strong-side hip carry (3 or 4 o'clock position):You holster the pistol on the side of your strong or dominant hand. This position is very comfortable among the different IWB or concealed carry positions. It eliminates the risk of accidental discharge.
• Small of back (SOB): In this position, you keep the revolver on your lower back. The firearm stays concealed while you walk and stand.
• Belly band carry:Crossbow holsters wrap around the user's body. It secures the gun at almost any position around the midsection.

Typical Dressing Options for Concealed Carry

Concealed carry clothing is far from restrictive and more geared toward quick access. You don't need any special concealed garments for it. Just a few considerations will go a long way.

• Wear an open or closed cover garment while ensuring that the fabric does not entangle your hand when you try to retrieve your gun.
• Floral or plaid patterns in garments break up the outline of the pistol. These busy patterns prevent the weapon from becoming noticeable.
• Button-up shirts with features like pearl snaps give easy access to the gun. The buttons don't take much time or effort to open.
• Lightweight jackets or vests also conceal well. They have a loose fit, which gives you a lot of places to hide the firearm.
• Use comfortable and rigid gun belts with well-structured pants. Check whether you can change its tightness while sitting or driving.
• An undershirt acts as a barrier between the skin and the holster. It prevents the holster from rubbing against the bare skin.

Importance of Clearing the Cover Garment

No matter how well-dressed you are for CCW, if you cannot clear the cover garment while drawing, your dressing is not effective. To clear the cover garment, first decide on the clothes you will wear. After that, choose a method to clear the cover that is comfortable to you and practice it.

Usually, you use the weak hand to hold the cover garment out of the way and draw with your strong hand. Once the gun is on the way out, let go of the cover garment with the weak hand and join the draw on the gun. Using a single hand to clear the cover increases the chances of messing up the draw.

The method to clear the cover clothing differs according to your dressing choice.

• If you are wearing a t-shirt or a polo shirt that is closed from the front, lift the cover garment and pin it to your body first with the shooting hand. The support hand can then slide down to the gun to draw.
• Those who tend to wear an unbuttoned flannel or a denim shirt that is open from the front can sweep the cover out of the way. Hook it under the placket with the thumb of your shooting hand and pull it away.
• Add an extended zipper pull for quickly accessing the gun if you choose to wear a light jacket. Ask your tailor to attach a kind of split-ring key that will act as a handle and aid in achieving the best possible speed.

Reliable Concealed Carry Dressing Options for Men

The right attire for men to carry a pistol discreetly depends on your own sartorial preferences. Still, there are some tried and tested options you can explore:

• A business suit is a great way for men to conceal a gun in a professional setting. It allows you to carry a gun in different types of holsters, such as paddle, pancake, IWB, shoulder, and ankle holsters.
• A lightly buttoned or unbuttoned business suit is preferable, but if you need to take it off, the best option is to use an IWB holster with a good gun belt.
• For a more casual approach, try light blazers and slacks. A long sweater vest also looks casual and respectable and effectively conceals the gun's handle.
• If you are not concerned about looking professional, you have many options. From concealment jackets, full-sun hoodies, flannel shirts, and wool-based layer pants with deep thigh pockets, you can try them all out.

Reliable Concealed Carry Dressing Options for Women 

Women have dressier attire than men. So, you need to give more thought to carrying a concealed weapon.

• When shopping for skirts, look for those with belt loops. It makes hiding the weapon in IWB or AIWB style effortless.
• A crossbow holster is safer for women who want to experiment with dresses that don't have a belt loop. You can wear workout attire, be in professional or casual clothes, and still have your gun virtually undetectable in this holster.
• Single-piece dresses need to be taken up for drawing the gun. In these cases, wear basketball or compression shorts.
• In winter, semi-fitted jackets with zippered chest pockets work well to conceal small firearms easily.
• Thigh holsters also hide the gun if you are wearing a dress. It allows you to carry your handgun on the inside or outside of your thigh.
• Long trousers or pant suits that are slightly loose at the end are also a great option for concealed carry clothing. With these garments, you can hide the weapon conveniently in an ankle holster.

Concluding Words

Choosing comfortable and covert outfits helps you hide a pistol and do your daily duties efficiently. Still, learning how concealment works is important. The clothes you choose should allow you to get a full and positive grip on the gun and draw it effectively. After choosing a specific dress and holster, keep practicing drawing the pistol. The more you do it, the more confident you will feel with a CCW.