Clothing Recommendations

[The Mad Moderate]

I am new to CHL and my question is, what types of clothing are effective for concealment? I am six foot tall with a skinny frame and have a Ruger P95 (not a huge gun, but definitly not tiny). would looser pants/ longer shirts help. I plan to carry iwb center

[lonewolf]

IWB center? You mean small of back? Most folks find that uncomfortable when seated, and it reduces accessability in a higher number of situations (in a car, for example).

You might find yourself buying pants one size larger to accomodate the weapon in the waistband. Polo type shirts, Hawaiian, T-shirts......I wear them all and have no issues printing or unintentional revealing of weapon. I carry Beretta 92G IWB at 9 o'clock crossdraw.

I have also, in cooler/cold weather worn a T-shirt, tucked in, shoulder rig, and sweatshirt untucked. Just as accessible for me. Nice to have the spare mags out of the pocket as well. There are holsters that will allow you to tuck your shirt in over your weapon. Endless variety. I suspect a good number of CHL holders have a drawer full of holsters in a variety of configurations they have tried over the years prior to settling on favorites. (I admit to having a few myself)

Honestly, this is a subject that will require practice, trial and error on your part. What works, or is acceptable for one may not work for another. I am 6' tall and weigh 195 lbs. My wife still asks me on occasion if I am carrying (I am).

Remember that the vast majority of people out there are not looking for your weapon. They are looking for frozen peas, new earrings, keeping an eye on the kids, almost anything else. Not for your gun. When I look in a mirror, I may see a little bulge or something, but to others that's just a wrinkle in the shirt, if they even notice........

You'll find references on this forum to the infamous "Wally Walk". Look them over. You may even find mine in there somewhere, with pics. It'll definitely help you get over the hump of feeling like all eyes are scanning your every movement, looking for a weapon.

Personally, I believe in function over form in the case of holsters. The most beautiful CC holster in the world will only be seen my me. If it doesn't work like I want, it will just be a pretty piece of leather in a drawer. Or up for sale for someone else to try (it may work fine for them).

I don't know where you're located, but the next time we have a little get together up here in DFW, feel free to join us. There is a big get together in the Houston area as well, for members of this forum. I haven't been to one, but lots of good information/seminars and such go on at that shindig.

[longtooth]

Ruger's P85 was my first carry. Reliable economy. I covered w/ a vest as today, Polo shirt starched & ironed w/ IWB Don Hume PCCH.
Shirt tail out when not starched & ironed.

One size larger pants was enough for me but others have said they required 2 sizes.

[The Mad Moderate]

IWB center? You mean small of back? Most folks find that uncomfortable when seated, and it reduces accessability in a higher number of situations (in a car, for example).

iwb front center or left front center

[RPB]

I agree with lonewolf, but most of the year, I'm a huge fan of guayabera shirts, in TALL sizes, so they are longer. (Also called Cuban shirts or Mexican wedding shirts) [in cooler weather, I wear a long-tail Tee shirt under the guayabera shirt, and leave it unbuttoned, for the "Earl J. Hickey" (actor: Jason Lee) look.
To quote Massad Ayoob ...
"The Cubans were an armed society", as Mexico is now (where guns are illegal) and Cuban/Mexican/Floridian climates .... like much of Texas.

Some have zippered fronts; I prefer the button ones for easier access (most common)

I keep tissues or something in each lower pocket, to create bumps/lumps which distract from any potential bulge under my shirt.

Also, the duluth trading co "anti-plumbers butt" shirts, which are longer.

A good reinforced gun belt is essential; many are on sale for "black friday"
http://design.dealerfire.com/mailer/Com ... 12410.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I have 2 Comp-Tac Contoured, double-layered, kydex-reinforced belts with Velcro-sewn-in option, one for everyday, one for church wear.
(MADE IN TEXAS)

Pants, yeah, I get a size larger now, so I can eat more. (This time of year, it's a sorta given that I'll eat more)

[lonewolf]

My bad---forgot about the guayabaras. Really like them. Comfortable.

Definite +1 on getting the right belt. Makes all the difference in the world. A great holster is lost without a proper belt.

[A-R]

Still not sure I'm understanding the "center" placement of pistol that OP discusses. How do you plan to bend over or sit down with that relatively thick gun in front of your abdomen? Carrying on the sides - thinking of body as a clock with your nose pointing to 12 - at 3 pm-4pm right or 8pm-9pm left (strong draw or cross draw) is highly recommended.

anyway, to the specifics ...

For all forms of belt carry, get a "gun belt" specifically designed for concealed carry. These will usually be either double-layer thick leather and/or leather with a thin plastic or kydex insert between thinner leather, OR kydex reinforced plastic weave/web belt. When ordering the belt, be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions closely because belt size, especially if carrying IWB, is NOT the same as your pants size. Best way to determine exact size is to put gun and holster in position and thread a flexible measuring tape (like the ones you see in the old "Slim Fast" commercials) through the belt loops and find the exact measurement.

Here's a link to some reviews I did of a few quality belts (there are many other good choices other than those I reviewed): viewtopic.php?f=23&t=31517&hilit=+5.11+belt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The importance of a strong belt cannot be overemphasized for comfortable all-day carry.

For IWB carry (inside the waistband), you'll likely need pants one or two waist sizes larger than normal. But again, try your gun/holster out as described above and see what you need. Shirts with IWB carry are less of a problem, but a bit of extra width can help. For instance if you wear XL shirts and they fit you well or even a bit tightly, you might need 2XL. Definitely get rid of any purposely tight-fitting shirts for carry use.

Also if your IWB holser is designed for "tucked" carry, consider types of shirts to use for that as well - they'll need to "drape" or "blouse" over the tucked gun just a bit to work right.

For OWB carry, you'll definitely need wider and perhaps longer shirts, and/or another cover garment such as a vest or light jacket. Be warned however that if you're using a jacket for concealment and you go somewhere with the heat turned up, you won't be able to just take off your jacket if it's covering your gun. So plan ahead wisely for all eventualities. A big heavy winter coat provides great concealment, until you come in from the cold to a building with the heater set at 82 degrees and you start sweating under the big heavy coat.

For good shirts for Texas weather and our 9-month summers, guyaberas are a good choice. As are "camp style" shirts, Hawaiian shirts, "mechanic's shirts", fishing shirts, or any other loose fitting, button front shirt cut straight across the bottom and intended to be worn untucked. Companies like 5.11 Tactical and EOTAC make specifical "covert carry" shirts that offer other useful enhancements. But a simple camp style shirt from Academy or Wal Mart works well too. This look very "normal" worn untucked. And untucked pullover collared short sleeve shirt (a "Polo" style or "Izod" style) works well too if sized large enough.

[Teamless]

I bought 1 size larger pants / shorts
normal to 1 size larger shirt / Tshirt or golf shirt or hawaiian(long is preferable)
Crossbreed Holster
Springfield XD9sub compact

I normally carry with jeans or shorts with an under armour T-shirt
yes, just a t-shirt
I carry at 3:30 (right side) and it hides perfectly
I am 6' and 250 lbs (so yes, larger width than you)

[ELB]

I wear the same clothes I wore before I started carrying, I just make sure they fit around the gun.

I use a Comp-Tac CTAC holster, which is a Kydex IWB holster, at about 3:00. I buy my pants a couple inches bigger. I wear the same shirts -- polo, T, dress shirt, whatever, and it works out well. Some times I wear the shirt untucked, sometimes tucked in (over the gun -- the holster is specially designed for this) -- some situations are just not appropriate for untucked shirts.

In cooler weather I wear it IWB, with the shirt tucked in under the gun and holster, but with a leather vest as a cover garment.

The biggest clothing change I made was to start wearing A-shirts with everything, including T-shirts. Having the gun against my bare skin, especially in the summer, was very uncomfortable.

The position you described as IWB left-of-center is (if I understand you correctly) what many others call the appendix carry. Gabe Suarez experimented with it in force-on-force, and now swears by as the fastest, most accessible position, and he and alot of his students carry Glock 19s and even 17s like this. He also sells holsters by Dale Fricke that are specifically designed for this. I am thinking about trying it myself.

Good luck.

[ex_dsmr]

Personally, ive gone from wearing fitted T-shirts (getting a little old for that) to untucked button up long and short sleeves. Youll just have to go try different brands to see what fits as they all run different. Ive got 3 button ups from Aeropostale, American Eagle, and Stetson that cover just fine and dont print. I picked up a long sleeve button up from Wally World and its too small on me and prints pretty bad. All are sz SM, but one of them does not fit. Go try on clothes with your CC rig.

Patterns are good, it breaks up any remaining printing. I also wear either insulated vests or some sort of jacket all winter long. As I carry more, I might go to a pancake OWB during the winter months.

Get pants a size or 2 larger, relaxed fit if possible. Cargo cuts are good for pocket carry.

Get a belt that you can cinch up...the ones with holes dont do well from my (and others) experiences.

Whats got me really thinking is summer wear. Ive got a Sr9c and while its small, I live in swim/athletic type shorts during the summer...esp on the weekends. I might have to get a pocket carry gun like the LCR (damn the luck) as I dont know how well an IWB is going to do.

ETA: as far as carry position, youll have to see for yourself. I personally sit too much and therefore Appendix (or AIWB) carry is too uncomfortable. I wear mine just behind the strong side at about 3:30.

FWIW im 5"1" 140lbs so I dont have much room to hide the gun, but this method works best for me.

[Dave2]

I personally sit too much and therefore Appendix (or AIWB) carry is too uncomfortable. I wear mine just behind the strong side at about 3:30.

That's where I carry mine, too, but I can't keep the grip from sticking out when I sit or bend over. How do all you strong-side carry people deal with it?

[SpringerFan]

Most important thing to remember for shirts is that dark colors and patterns hide little bumps very well.

[Pawpaw]

I personally sit too much and therefore Appendix (or AIWB) carry is too uncomfortable. I wear mine just behind the strong side at about 3:30.

That's where I carry mine, too, but I can't keep the grip from sticking out when I sit or bend over. How do all you strong-side carry people deal with it?

What holster are you using? All of mine, including the adjustable ones, have a pretty good forward cant. That pretty much keeps the grip plastered to my side.

[Dave2]

I personally sit too much and therefore Appendix (or AIWB) carry is too uncomfortable. I wear mine just behind the strong side at about 3:30.

That's where I carry mine, too, but I can't keep the grip from sticking out when I sit or bend over. How do all you strong-side carry people deal with it?

What holster are you using? All of mine, including the adjustable ones, have a pretty good forward cant. That pretty much keeps the grip plastered to my side.

Two... a Raven Concealment Phantom LC, and a Comp-Tac MTAC. The MTAC's a bit comfier (and canted as far as it'll go, FWIW), but the Phantom conceals a bit better (and has room for my light). To be fair to the MTAC, I just got it, and I'm still playing with the adjustments. I'm actually starting to wonder if I've got them set too high with too much cant. If I tame the cant and lower them, they both conceal a little bit better, but the reduced cant makes it harder to get a good grip on the gun (not enough room for fingers between the front of the grip and the top of my pants) and if the front goes any lower it becomes quite difficult to holster the gun because my belt & pants get pinched between the back of the ejection port and the top of the holster. Perhaps more practice is in order.

[ex_dsmr]

Here is another thing to consider on pants that youd never expect: Fly length.

When your...well...doing what you do at a urinal rather than unbuckle and allow your carry piece to flop around its generally advised to keep your belt done up and use the fly only. Well, I found out yesterday that one of my nicer pair of Wrangler relaxed fit (cant remember what "model") has a pretty short fly making....things...difficult. Its not a huge deal breaker and ill learn to work around it, but I dont have that problem with any of my other pants.


To answer the question asked of me im currently rocking a Kholster at the aforementioned 3:00-3:30ish area with a slight cant (2 hole difference on the Kholster settings). I cant...cant much at 3 because im not all that "thick" so the non-business end of the slide sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. Being on my hip I dont really get much show from the grip if I sit or bend. And since im in my office 99% of my work day and not carrying stuff around its really a non event. I dont squat down much because even though im only 27 ive got horrible knees. I opt to use the "keep one leg straight, bend at the waist, and use the other leg to counter balance" method.