updating concealed carry wardrobe

New to CC

I'm retired but work on-call in an education setting so I can't wear CC all the time. When not working I wear Wrangler $15 jeans from Wally World. Now that it's fashionable to wear shirts untucked it falls right in with OWB. I've bought three CC items and use them regularly (vests & a coat). In winter it's usually a LS t-shirt under an open flannel-lined heavy Cabelas shirt. I use 5.11 bdu or riggers belts and have since I was in the military. I recently bought a good OWB DiSantis black leather holster for my M&P Shield w/laser max laser. It fits real well at the 3 or 4 o'clock position. In summer I wear cargo shorts, t-shirts and MLB baseball jerseys open, sometimes Hawaiian shirts...all untucked. I plan to buy a Sig P938 for CC in the summer since it's slightly smaller than the Shield. On my left side I carry a Husky $7 cellphone type carrier (Home Depot) that has a belt clip, place for an ultrasmall flashlight and a nite-ize small carabiner. It looks like a workman's tool but I carry an 8-round spare magazine in it. I wanted something that didn't look like a magazine holder. Also have used Rainbow brand small knife carriers like BSA folks use ( $6 at REI). All have velcro-type flaps that open quickly. I've worn 5.11 BDU style cargo pants for several years and I like them since they have so many pockets. Also, they are real tactical gear that costs about the same as the knock-off cargo pants sold in major department stores. I'm so comfortable I forget I'm carrying and will occasionally violate a no-carry area! Like most folks on this thread, you don't have to go expensive to carry what you need and blend in. I don't tell anyone when I'm carrying including family members. I don't think "civilians" even see what we carry or notice it.
 
I bought my boyfriend a few Cabela's Tactical Shirts online- 2 short sleeve & 2 long sleeve. They're less expensive than 5.11 Tactical & Blackhawk, good quality and nice looking, have the breakaway buttons, and are great for the outdoorsy type or to wear to any casual function. My only gripe is that they are very limited in color choice; only black, "mushroom" (which is really more of an Army green/olive drab color), and "field khaki," which is a dark tan. Not as "tactical" looking as some of the other shirts out there. Of course, just going oversized with a nice stylish pattern or darker color would work well, too. Pretty easy for you guys to go concealed; it's a different story for us ladies who don't want to go the oversized clothing route (we have to get a bit more creative). As far as belts go, CrossBreed has a nice selection of gun belts that don't look like they need to be worn with military-style pants. You can get their standard gun belt, the dress belt, or the instructor's belt in either black or brown, along with other options up to a size 65 (and their prices are cheaper than what I've seen elsewhere).
 
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As for Shirts, Winter time I wear sweaters that conceal 2 one on a JIT OWB and the other a Crossbreed IWB. I've been able to conceal wearing a hospital scrub top, or a regular fleece vest. Summer time I wear 2xl t-shirts or polo's that are not tight and clingy. I make my own belts the local Tandy Leather sells thick leather belts and I dye it to the color I want and punch holes to fit. Works for me. Dress around your gun and realize that you feel that everyone can see what you are carrying, my wife has gotten so that she bumps me as we are going out as she isn't sure all the time.
 
Its not clear to me why anyone would feel the need to buy a special shirt for concealed carry, other than possibly buying oversized t-shirts so that they do not cling to your body and print your gun. Wearing a short or long sleeved dress or casual shirt, and leaving it unbuttoned, provides good concealment for a holster work at 3 o'clock or further back and yet allows very easy access to the gun. Wearing other than a plain white t-shirt underneath the unbuttoned shirt makes it look far less sloppy. If the shirt you wear over the t-shirt is of a heavier fabric, then it is like wearing a light jacket. Keeping it unbuttoned allows you to sweep it back with your strong hand much easier than if you are wearing a buttoned shirt over the holster. Just my thoughts based upon my limited experience, admittedly mostly while traveling in warm weather.
 
First, read this:

Dealing with citizens legally carrying a concealed weapon

Rather than going "tactical", I either dress up or I dress with "hunting" fashion from the high end stores like Orvis. It works!

I avoid "Instructor Tactical Belts", "tacticool" anything, hawaiian shirts (unless in Hawaii), Sneaky Pete holsters (and copies), fake pagers, and everything by 511.

The key is to buy straight cut shirts that cover the gun. They need to be slightly loose. Pants need to accommodate an IWB holster, so buy at least 1" larger waist size. However, if the pants are too loose, you'll need a different pair. Another trick is to wear a t-shirt under the outer shirt and place the gun under both. This reduces printing significantly, but make sure the shirt matches.

Here is what works great for me:

Business Casual:

Polo shirt (classic cut, straight, not tapered, long or short sleeve)
Any sort of "khaki style" pants. I really like stuff from Orvis. Woolrich/ATI Concealed Carry Chinos are good too.
Nice shoes (but from DSW or other "cheap" place)

On cold days, I throw over a loose sweater or Land's End Men's Regular Bedford Rib Half-zip Mockneck (or similar--they all make them).


Daily Casual:

Polo type shirt (or at least something with a collar)
Jeans with properly placed belt loops. Wrangler puts them in the right places; Levis sometimes does not. Don't just buy 13MWZ's (unless you're in the rural West); buy something of recent cut.
Outdoorsey-style shoes

Gun belts can be a big give-away, so some balance is required. A 1 1/4" belt looks less like a gun belt, but men can get away with 1 1/2" wide belts most of the time. I use a nice Comp-Tac kydex reinforced belt most of the time. When I cannot use a 1 1/2" belt, I have a good Galco 1 1/4" belt that looks like a dress belt. Both belts are expensive, but much better than the icky Instructor and Tacticool style belts.
 
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OK, I heard you the first time. The OP was asking for help with a jacket/shirt and I offered some.

I liked the shirts you posted myself and love the untucked look since I carry OWB. Gets hot here and the extra circulation is great too.

I've found most shirts work for me by going one size larger.
 
I'm old enough not to worry about impressing anyone, ugly enough to stop tectonic drift, and above all broke.

Clothing from 5.11, much less Orvis, is out of the question financially. On me anything appearing remotely "tactical" would look like plate armor on a sycamore stump.

I suspect I'm not the only one in this penurious situation who is armed daily, every day.

I pocket carry the year around, and have for years. Nobody notices.

I realize many here carry full-sized or compact handguns with spare magazines or speedloaders. Your dress problems are different. But some of us just do the best we can with what we have.

Personally I doubt that a huge majority of people (I flatly refuse to call them "sheep" or "sheeple") are as observant as we might think.
 
Same thing here, we thought we had our retirement planned out. Had some investments, planned on having the mortgage paid off and just got a couple of newer used vehicles.
Then my neuropathy hit, now I'm on disability with a mortgage and 2 car notes. We've been having to use our savings to compensate for lost pay.
I can't afford any fancy "tactical" gear. I started out making my own holsters because it cost so much less. I got a $20 hunk of leather, made a couple of holsters and sold a couple of multi-tool pouches and came out ahead.
I've been doin' a lot of belts lately. I just finished a belt that I'm going to deliver to a client next weekend. He's going to give it to his Dad for his Birthday.
 
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My 1.5 Inch heavy leather belt was made by my local Saddle Maker.
I have numerous Leather Pancake holsters I carry 2 - 3 Inch revolvers in.
I have Carhart Vests, Duluth Trading company light working Man Vests, loaded up with Pencils, Pens, Project Calculator, etc. I have several jackets I have picked out with long tails.
I sent all my Hawaiian Shirts as well as my Woolrich Tactical shirts to Good Will a while back.
I have a closet full of Fishing Shirts. Duluth Trading Company has some very nice long tail working man shirts to choose from also.

I am old and retired, and as Invisible as a 4 year old Tan Toyota Camry.

Bob
 
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I think my biggest issue is finding a good belt 2 keep my holster up in place. Just left gander mt looking 4 a belt....they had a nice casual sturdy one but one had sizes for the little guys....none 4 the big boy club

Buckshaner, take a look at the Shoemaker Leather web site. they offer a number of different belts available with or without liner. Very solid belts, made-to-order when you submit the order. And they have sizes to 60 (and beyond in some belts).

Belts

I wear a #254 lined (size not disclosed) and it is a rugged as a lined Sam Browne, easily carries weight of a full size gun. I also have two #273 border patrol belts for carrying a full rig. Lined, these belts are thick and heavy duty. You can custom order accessories, such as keepers, with belt loops to fit the belt you wear. I always have my keepers made to fit a 1 7/8" belt for properly fitting the lined #273. Strange requests such as that do not bother them.
 
I am old and retired, and as Invisible as a 4 year old Tan Toyota Camry.

Amen Bob, it is kind of nice to be able to stand down when the rest of the prairie dawgs are sitting on their haunches chirping challenges to each other.

"Don't mind me, just shufflin' along here..."
 
I wear my shirts untucked when not at work no one sees my belt anyway.

I am an IT guy. No one expects us to "dress corporate" anyway so my shirts (Hawaiian) are always loose and untucked, usually with a T-shirt under them. I could hide a squad of marines under there. :rolleyes:
 
I'm old enough not to worry about impressing anyone.....and above all broke.

I suspect I'm not the only one in this penurious situation who is armed daily, every day.

When I was younger I wanted to look as though I was doing the work I was doing. But now I am like shouldazagged, old enough not to worry about impressing anyone with how tactically tough I think I am. Nuthin' to see here folks, just an old fat guy shufflin' along. Keeps me out of trouble.

Funny thing is that my teenage daughters use my previous career and exploits to scare prospective suitors. Their friends look at me like they can't really trust me to be normal. Not a bad outcome, I s'pose.
 
Thanks 4 your input guys. And sac my name is Bunk not Buck....LOL. I appreciate any advice I can get. I got a new belt from Aker I order the other day should be here Tuesday. I went looking at clothes which as I said I'm in need of new ones anyway....I think I am going 2 have 2 go with button downs like I have most of my life with at t-shirt under it.....but going 2 have 2 go to big/tall shirts because of how long my torso is but I want shirts that fit right....maybe a heavier material so it stays put and in place. I know several of you have posted some brands and styles to try and I surely welcome anymore advice or suggestions you are willing 2 share. One thing I did learn a long time ago...just because something works 4 one person doesn't mean it will work 4 another. I think having 5 kids with 5 different personalities taught me that real quick. Been with the same beautiful woman 16 years ago next month so she will let me know real quick if she doesn't like what I pick out but I surely don't have anyone 2 impress. One thing that makes it hard is I need 2 actually try these things on 2 b sure of fit once I get that figured out I can use the ol` interweb and just order. LOL. Thanks again....keep them coming (if possible when suggesting please try and include store...make...model...etc)

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Has anyone tried Sneaky Pete holsters? They take an interesting approach, and I wonder how well they work.

My wife has a Sneaky Pete and it is a good quality product but it's also big enough that even if people don't know you're carrying a gun they are going to ask you what it is
 
Hi, Bunkshaner. What are you trying to carry? I front pocket carry a DS at all (legal) times, about 80% of the time with a suit, chinos, jeans, or shorts. Other than suits (for work), Old Navy or GAP has everything I need in pants and jackets. The other 29% of the time, I carry in the weak side breast pocket of a suit jacket, sport coat, or jean jacket. My wife can never tell whether I am carrying, or where. Sport coats and jean jackets can be had at Sears, Old Navy, thrift stores, etc., very inexpensively. No need for special clothing, just a good sturdy belt and a decent pocket holster. Happy updating!


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I opened carried religiously for about a year (legal in Delaware) and I got my ccdw this past December. So I've only been carrying concealed about 2 months. I have been carrying my full size .45 m&p. ....I came 2 realize real quick that my current everyday belt was gonna be an issue. I'm the type of person who researches things probably a little too much....and don't want w trial and error a bunch. I ordered a new Aker concealed carry belt a few days ago....it should b here by tuesday...,which once I have that belt it's going 2 make the biggest difference. I wear t shirts and button downs all the time with jeans or my khaki cargo shorts. But I want 2 find some better button downs that don't move around a lot....I know a lot of guys hate them but I also want to get a shoulder holster....which if anybody has searched....there's not many factory made for my gun readily available. I have found some nice leather ones but damn they can get expensive LOL. But just like everything else I been researching the hell out of the same shoulder holsters over and over again....afraid 2 spend good money and pick the wrong one. I would rather save up and pay a few bucks extra 4 one that is going 2 fit well and work well than get a cheap one that's not gonna function properly. I was at old navy this past week but they stopped making my size. Because of the cuts of their shirts they are typically 2 short as well as 2 tight on my arms. They use 2 make the ones I am looking 4 now. I usually have issues finding shirts that are long enough or that even though hey fit in the store they shrink after the first wash. Sorry 2 ramble just wanted 2 give u the full detail.

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Bunk, I really didn't see a description of what you do in life and that matters in how you dress. My law office is casual dress but on court days, I have to wear a suit. As such carry dress varies. Another factor is the weather where you live. I've spent the last 30 years in south Texas where it is too hot for a covering garment most of the time.
Spend the money for a good belt. It's important if you are carrying on your belt. Keeps the gun where it belongs and helps concealment.
If you can live with untucked shirts, both polos and Hawaiian type shirts work. Tshirts also work. I'd avoid buttondowns not being tucked in. While a t shirt or a Hawaiian shirt looks normal not tucked in, a shirt with a tail designed to be tucked in doesn't look right. What I have found that works is a light cotton bush jacket over a T shirt or other shirt. It doesn't look Tommy Tactical, it looks kinda outdoorsy which you can pass off if you have on jeans and boots.
Just my thoughts on the subject. There isn't a right answer. All you can do is try to avoid the ones that scream guntoter and go from there. Good luck. Jim
 
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