Clothes shopping with a CCW

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monotonous_iterancy

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I had a thought recently. I don't carry concealed, but I know that clothing is a very important part of it.

When you go out to buy new clothes and try them on, do you try them on with your CCW?
 
I think about the ability to carry when I'm purchasing everyday wear. My usual CC is a Ruger LCR in .38+P which I carry in a front pocket holster. I try to find pants with pockets that are deep enough. Columbia has some pants with good deep pockets.

My other CC is a new semi-auto Ruger .45 which I'm waiting on a holster from Kirkpatrick Leather. It's a strong side carry so I'll have to experiment with it to see which clothing works best.

Body shape has a lot to do with how one carries. I can't do the inside waistband holster but many people swear by it. I have a friend that can't do a front pocket carry because of his body shape.
 
I carry all the time and automatically try new clothes with my tuckable IWB.

One time I was shopping at the Men's Warehouse in Virginia, and for some reason didn't have a gun. As I was being fitted, I stuck my right hand inside the waistband and forced it out a bit. The little girl measuring me said, "Oh, you carry a gun."
 
Yes I try them with it on. Since I carry IWB I tend to get pants 2" bigger than I would if I was not carrying. Also check were the belt loops are at to make sure they don't interfere with the loops on my holster and how deep the pockets are since I carry my BUG there.
 
I don't try on clothes. Wife brings them to me and says "you're wearing these". And I listen.
 
Bring it with you, try it on.

If you don't want to bring it with you, this is the general advice:
If carrying IWB, get pants a size too big. If carrying magazines and gun IWB, maybe 2 sizes too big.
Wear a shirt a size or two too large to cover up the gun
 
I refuse to dress around my gun. I am fortunate enough to live in an open carry state (Washington). I have a paddle holster so I have don't have to make any allowances in my clothing. The only allowance I make is that I always wear a t-shirt tucked in because I don't like the feel of the bare butt of the gun against my skin if I should choose to flip my outer shirt over it to conceal it.

My feeling is that if I am wearing a shirt that is tucked in and covers the gun, then I probably wouldn't be able to deploy the gun quick enough anyway. So, if I desire to conceal the gun, just any regular untucked shirt flipped over the gun is all there is, or if it is cool enough to wear a jacket the jacket covers the gun, if I choose.

It's a lot easier to just wear an OWB holster and not have to mess with special fitting clothing.
 
Navy, if I want to pocket carry or carry OWB in my size-to-big pants, I just tighten my belt, and all is good!
 
When buying cheap clothes from a department store, simply buy the size you always buy (which is usually waist plus 2 for IWB). When shopping at an actual clothing store, I've yet to find one that has made an issue of it. Just explain the issues you need addressed such as waist and belt loop placement and they'll work with you. One tailor around here charges for moving belt loops, the other moves them as part of the purchase and fitting price.
 
I just buy a size up from normal.....and I have a spare tire so IWB carry is a bit more difficult for me.
I have a friend who is very in shape and likes to wear form fitting clothes......he was shocked to find that he needed a new wardrobe when he got his carry license.
Us fatter guys already dress to hide our shape...so a lot of our clothes already fit the bill.
 
It depends on what I am buying. I can't carry 100% of the time so not all of my clothes are compatible with carrying concealed. When I am shopping for clothes I generally have my pistol with me so if I am buying something I will be wearing while carrying the gun is already there.

When I am trying on clothes while carrying, before I leave the dressing room I check my holster and touch the gun three times (no kidding it's a ritual) to make sure my pistol is in the holster and not laying on the chair in the dressing room.
 
Monotonous_Iteneracy said:
When you go out to buy new clothes and try them on, do you try them on with your CCW?
Click to expand...

Let's ask this question in a different way When you go out do you go out with your CCW? If not why not?
 
Let's ask this question in a different way When you go out do you go out with your CCW? If not why not?
Click to expand...

I carry my EDC four to five times a week.

Oh wait...
 
My wife and I were cutting through the Sears to get into the mall, when she spotted a sport coat on sale. I was carrying concealed OWB under my coat.

Then I was carrying open OWB while it took my regular coat off.

Then I was carrying concealed OWB under the sport coat that was on sale.

Then I was carrying open OWB when I took off the sport coat that was on sale.

Then I was carrying concealed OWB when I put my regular coat.

Then off to the jewelery store to get her rings fixed & cleaned.

So......yes.
 
I don't carry IWB much anymore, I have gone to OWB 100% of the time and just don't tuck my shirt in. I am a fairly big guy so it's not hard to hide a 1911. During the summer it's shorts and a baggy T-shirt.
 
guyfromohio said:
I don't try on clothes. Wife brings them to me and says "you're wearing these". And I listen.
Click to expand...
Hunterdad said:
^thas awful. I'm sorry you have to live that way
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I don't know. if she also does the laundry, folds it and puts it away too, it's really just 1 less thing for him to worry about every day. he can focus on more important tasks.
 
Lol... It's really because I'm in a high profile position in a Fortune 250 company and would wear my 25 year old LL Bean flannel shirt every day if she didn't. I just hate trying in clothes. That and the area malls don't allow firearms.....for what that's worth.
 
monotonous_iterancy said:
I had a thought recently. I don't carry concealed, but I know that clothing is a very important part of it.

When you go out to buy new clothes and try them on, do you try them on with your CCW?
Click to expand...
Since I got my R9 clothing type became largely irrelevant. Life is truly grand now.
 
I carry IWB every single day. I always try on clothes with my weapon, there's no other way to know they fit right. I mostly wear Carhartt dungarees so I just buy them by size but for slacks or khakis I swap my belt, holster, and mag carrier into those pants in the dressing room to see how they really fit. I've had undercover store security people look at me funny and/or follow me around after I tried on clothes, but nobody has ever said anything. (Many retail stores have hidden cameras in dressing rooms.)
 
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