If you are concealed carrying, you will need to consider your clothing choices with a different eye. This doesn’t mean you can’t wear the clothes you like; it just means that your selections should be made with concealment in mind.

For example, a slightly oversized shirt helps mitigate gun printing through the fabric and makes clearing and drawing your weapon much more accessible.

Shirts

Shirts are essential in concealed carry as they can hide your firearm while allowing for comfortable movement and easy access. A few shirt styles that work well for concealed carry are peplum-style shirts, button-down shirts, and flannel shirts.

Adding a cover garment, such as a jacket or cardigan, can also help. However, it’s important to avoid using a backpack or purse for concealment as they can interfere with your ability to safely and securely access your pistol when needed.

A good rule of thumb is to stick with mid-rise pants, which sit between the hips and navel and pair well with most shirt styles for concealment. Then, practice clearing and drawing your firearm in that particular garment to ensure you can do so without issue. This will also help you identify any problems, such as clinging or printing, that could arise. Then, you can address these issues.

Jackets

If you prefer to carry in a shoulder holster, your jacket has to accommodate the weight and shape of your gun. Ideally, it will have a pocket for a sidearm and offer a secure closure (typically snaps or Velcro) that allows one hand to clear the garment while the other draws the firearm.

Some brands have designed jackets specifically for concealed carry clothing for ladies. These are rugged and good-looking, with holsters and backup magazine holders that don’t interfere with the garment’s style. They’re also made with fabrics that won’t snag on the grip of your pistol and have clever features like faux buttons or pull lanyards that let you open the jacket quickly while wearing gloves.

Another option is a blazer or sports coat and long trousers. This look is often preferred by plainclothes cops, bodyguards, and other professionals who must conceal their weapons in business casual settings.

Pants

Whether you’re wearing a holster on your hip or tucked into a pair of pants, the basics are pretty simple. You’ll need a shirt that fits well but doesn’t show too much of the gun or holster and pants or shorts that work with your carry setup (and a belt if you wear one).

A tried-and-true trick is to use prints or patterns to hide the outline of your pistol. Dark colors, camo, and plaid are especially good at this.

Pant sizing is important, too; if the waistband of your pants is snug, it can squeeze and produce hotspots around your firearm. Some purpose-built concealed carry pants have a bit of Lycra or stretch woven into the fabric to reduce this. This can make a huge difference in comfort.

Shoes

Many people think they need to go out and buy some “tactical” clothing when they start carrying. They believe they need pants with belt loops that accommodate a gun belt and shirts with a roomy fit to help conceal the firearm. They may also need a holster that works with those shirt and jacket styles. But what most people need are a few good staples, like jeans that are not too tight to insert an IWB holster and a shirt with a flat hem that looks OK untucked. And if they want to carry in the winter, a good pair of hoodies or sweatshirts that don’t look like they’re trying too hard to hide a handgun.