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Ladies’ Concealed Carry: Dressing for CCW: Cover Garments

Ladies’ Concealed Carry: Dressing for CCW Part 4 - Cover Garments - TheArmsGuide.com

January 3, 2017 by Kevin 18 Comments

Printing is only too easy when wearing the figure-flattering styles to which we women seem to gravitate, but grabbing a cover garment is one of the easiest tricks for obscuring your gun’s profile while still letting you wear your favorite skinny jeans (you know, the ones that fit “just right”). In this article, I’ll talk about a few of my favorite ways of making your “cute clothes” also work as your “carry clothes” by using cover garments.

Jackets/Hoodies

Concealed Carry - Should You Carry?
Without my jacket, you’d see me plainly printing.

It’s still warm out (well, warm-ish… I do live in Wisconsin, after all), but as fall approaches, jackets are one of the easiest solutions for hiding a stubbornly-printing concealed carry firearm. Here in WI, it’s winter about eight months out of the year, so in my time of living here, I have amassed a considerable collection of hoodies and a few lighter jackets. As with conceal-friendly bottoms, the thicker the fabric, the better it’ll conceal. I find that a tighter top helps keep the gun grip (the part of the pistol that I have most issue with printing with IWB carry) close to my body, while a loose jacket creates space between the visible layer of fabric and the imprinting pistol.

Layers

For ladies’ concealed carry, layers are your friend. My history working at a clothing retail store left me with disdain for holiday shopping, and an overabundance of layering tanks and tees. I still hate the crowds at the mall from November til year’s end, but the shirts I’ve been able to put to good use. As I started concealed carrying, I found that a pistol that printed in a tshirt, printed less when I wore a cami underneath that tshirt, and less still if I popped a little cardigan over both of those. (See, Dad, I needed the same tee in 5 different colors — for concealed carry!) Layers are a fun way to dress cute while keeping that self defense gun effectively concealed. However, during the four days that Wisconsin experiences “summer,” it gets a little warm. I have a different solution for those occasions.

Loose Tops

Ladies' Concealed Carry: Dressing for CCW Part 4 - Cover Garments - TheArmsGuide.com
You don’t have to melt for sake of concealed carry. Obey OG Leapord Print tank photo courtesy of zumiez.com

I love the trend that has deemed these types of tanks (pictured right) as “fashionable.” They’re flattering on most body types, and they’re loose enough to give a lady’s concealed carry pistol room to breathe, so to speak. These tops that flow around the waistline are a happy compromise between women’s fashion and effective concealed carry. They’ve become my go-to shirts for summer carry due to their combined warm weather and CCW friendliness.

Coats/Vests

This option’s pretty much a concealed carry no-brainer. If it’s cold out, those poofy warm coats and vests will keep you toasty, and will double as more-than-adequate cover garments. However, when wearing a coat for winter carry, I also keep in mind that I may find myself in a spot where I need to remove that coat. One trick I use is to wear something carry friendly, but tuck it in behind my holster while I’m wearing my coat (to make sure drawing is simple and snag-free, should the need arise). When I go to remove my jacket, I discreetly un-tuck my shirt(s) from behind my holster, and then slip off my coat.

Backpacks

Ladies' Concealed Carry: Dressing for CCW Part 4 - Cover Garments - TheArmsGuide.com
This Vera Bradley backpack purse sits just where I need it.

I have a cute little backpack style purse I often tote. Besides being able to carry the kitchen sink, it also happens to serve ideally as an atypical kind of cover garment. The bag rests just at the top of my pistol’s grip, obscuring any printing while staying out of the way of my draw. Another bonus is that I can wear it any time of year, even with the least conceal-friendly tops.

Filed Under: Concealed Carry Tagged With: CCW, Concealed Carry, cover garment, firearm, handgun, ladies concealed carry, self-defense

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About the Author

Avatar for Kevin

Kevin Kevin is an avid hunter and military history enthusiast. He participates in WWII reenactments every year and boasts a large antique firearms collection. The Winchester 1873 and Colt M1911 are two of his favorites. Kevin enjoys researching the best products on the market to keep The Arms Guide reader up to date and informed.

See All Kevin Articles

Comments

  1. Avatar for KevinMuskrat says

    July 28, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    Like the tip involving tucking a shirt behind your sidearm when wearing a coat, then untucking when you remove the coat!

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      July 29, 2013 at 1:06 pm

      Muskrat Glad you thought that helpful :]

      Reply
    • Avatar for Kevinhartcreek says

      July 29, 2013 at 9:18 pm

      Muskrat tucking the shirt in behind the gun also reduces chafing

      Reply
  2. Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

    July 28, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    I kinda like the ugly bag.  lol

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

    July 29, 2013 at 7:45 am

    Some good tips for not only female but male conceal carry. One thing my wife did was try out several outfits at home for me to access, she soon picked up on my attention being distracted by the TV and would ask what gun she was carrying or where she had it or even if she was carrying. Now the minute you make anything a competition then my male ego kicks in and it’s on like donkey kong. It worked out well as she got the feedback she wanted and I got a pizza for winning the game.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      July 29, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      peter3101 Sounds like a great deal lol I play the “Where’s my Gun?” game at home, too.

      Reply
  4. Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

    July 29, 2013 at 7:45 am

    Some good tips for not only female but male conceal carry. One thing my wife did was try out several outfits at home for me to access, she soon picked up on my attention being distracted by the TV and would ask what gun she was carrying or where she had it or even if she was carrying. Now the minute you make anything a competition then my male ego kicks in and it’s on like donkey kong. It worked out well as she got the feedback she wanted and I got a pizza for winning the game.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for KevinJoeFabeetz says

    July 29, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    I saw that.  lol

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      July 29, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      JoeFabeetz lol

      Reply
  6. Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

    July 29, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    You can’t beat a tactical Vera Bradley bag, or any type of Vera Bradley bag according to my Wife’s extensive collection.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      July 29, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      peter3101 True story! I mean a washable purse? That’s worth it in and of itself. My brother once spilled a chocolate shake on mine… but you’d never know ;]

      Reply
      • Avatar for Kevinpeter3101 says

        July 29, 2013 at 5:08 pm

        I’m sure once the bruises on his shin cleared up everything was good to go, if I ever split stuff on her VB bags she would hurt me and not the fun hurt real hurt, like hide the TV remote control she has that streak of evil in her, or the ultimate hurt invite the mother-in- law to visit. No I stay well clear of the bag pile.

        Reply
        • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

          July 29, 2013 at 5:15 pm

          peter3101 Lol! At first I was all, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!” but then I remembered I could wash it and then just laughed.

          Reply
  7. Avatar for KevinAmandaloveszoe says

    July 29, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    Great tips!!! Thanks so much, gives me an excuse to go buy another bag!!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      July 29, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      Amandaloveszoe haha my pleasure ;]

      Reply
  8. Avatar for Kevinhartcreek says

    July 29, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I shop for stuff at thrift stores.  I picked up my moms latest purse a the Goodwill.  It is a leather single strap backpack with multiple pockets.  One of these pockets is dedicated to her airweight and speedloader.  Being in Washington State Michaels of Oregon is a nobrainer  I got her one of therir inside the pants holsters and use a type of hardware bolt that has flanges…they are commoml used to hold wooden handles on tools but you can buy thes bolts to go through different thicknesses.  I then use two of thes bolts to bolt the holster inside the purse.
    For my own carry I use Michaels inside the pants holsters bolted through my jacket.  I have a light demim jacket for warmer weather and for cold weather I have two flece lined jackets.

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinFateofDestinee says

      July 29, 2013 at 9:14 pm

      hartcreek Clever solutions! You are a resourceful guy. :]

      Reply
  9. Avatar for Kevinhartcreek says

    July 29, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    I also have a custom gun pocket sewn into my jackets.  Some days I am carrying three handguns set up this way in my coat or jacket…..ladies can do the same if nothing else fits.

    Reply

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