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Getting your concealed carry permit (CCW) is a significant step toward personal safety, but figuring out how to dress for concealed carry often deters many from carrying consistently. Balancing comfort, discretion, and quick access can feel overwhelming, especially when adapting your wardrobe. In this guide, we’ll explore practical strategies and outfit ideas to help you carry confidently and discreetly, no matter your style.
When carrying concealed, several things may cause you to want to adjust your wardrobe. Whether you’re a new permit holder or looking to refine your daily setup, here are key considerations for how to dress for concealed carry effectively:
Comfort: Avoid restrictive clothing that adds discomfort to all-day carry.
Concealment: Choose garments that reduce printing and follow local laws for CCW.
Accessibility: Prioritize quick, unhindered access to your firearm in emergencies
Durability: Opt for sturdy fabrics and designs that handle the weight and friction of a firearm..
Protection:Consider integrating bulletproof gear like the Everyday Armor T-shirt for added safety.
This balanced approach helps ensure your setup meets your functional and legal needs while staying comfortable throughout the day.
For conceal and carry clothing, here are the items of clothing that work the best.
First, try to wear shirts with patterns and prints when possible. These designs help break up the outline of your firearm, making your firearm less noticeable.
Next up, pants. The easiest options here are pants designed specifically for CCW, or pants you can wear a belt with for a belt holster.
Lastly, jackets. There are a lot of jackets that come with interior pockets, pass-through pockets, or built-in holsters. Most people find these very convenient and worthwhile. Just keep in mind that if you’re inside somewhere and you get hot, you’ll need to keep your jacket on.
But these are just clothesfor concealed carry. There are a significant number of people who find on-body carry uncomfortable and prefer off-body techniques. If you don’t feel like changing up your style for a firearm, check out our Ultimate Guide to Off-Body Carry Setups.
Now, let’s dive deeper into individual items of clothing.
When selecting the best shirts for concealed carry, there are a few key factors to consider for optimal concealment and comfort. The right shirt can make concealed carry effortless and discreet. Here’s what to look for:
By focusing on these elements, you can find shirts for CCW that make carrying both comfortable and covert.
When it comes to the best pants for concealed carry, comfort and functionality are paramount. Here’s what matters:
Brands like 5.11 Tactical offer durable, versatile options tailored for CCW enthusiasts.
By prioritizing these features, you can find concealed carry pants that blend really nicely with your everyday wardrobe and have the functionality needed for CCW.
The right concealment garments are going to make concealed carry a lot easier. Here’s what to look for in a concealed carry cover garment.
If you want to have the gun concealed within the jacket, you can purchase jackets or vests with interior pockets and built-in holsters. These carry methods are a great way to conceal a firearm, plus, they often come with additional compartments for carrying extra magazines or other necessities. Don’t wear these if there’s a possibility that you might get too hot indoors and have to take off your jacket.
If you are using the jacket to conceal a firearm in your waistband, consider the material and fit. Durable, slightly heavier fabrics like denim or canvas help conceal the outline of your firearm better than lightweight, clingy materials. Viktos offers outerwear with a passthrough pocket in many jackets, allowing you to reach through the pocket to access your weapon in your waistband as normal.
As for t-shirts, a looser fit ensures that your weapon remains discreetly tucked away without printing.
Lastly, think about versatility. Try to choose cover garments that fit seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe. You don’t want to be working to accommodate one piece of clothing. That means neutral colors and classic designs that can go with anything.
Women have certain limitations and advantages with concealed carry. Here are some practical options available for women’s concealed carry clothing.
There is no good holster for dresses, but thigh holsters AKA “drop leg holsters” are a great workaround. They fit comfortably under skirts and dresses, keeping your firearm completely hidden and easily accessible. Nicer thigh holster models come with adjustable straps and non-slip features.
A lot of people don’t like drop leg holsters because they can cause the gun to move around a lot, and it can be a lot to get used to wearing. A bad thigh holster will also make it difficult to walk for extended periods. If you decide to go this route, we recommend being extremely picky about choosing the right one.
A bra holster offers a relatively discreet way to carry and conceal your gun. These holsters usually fit snugly under your bra, but some sit on your side. Concealed carry bra holsters are good if you want concealment. This comes at the cost of accessibility.
That being said, if comfort is a concern, you might be surprised by how comfortable these holsters are. Many of them are designed with comfort in mind, with soft materials and ergonomic shapes to prevent any discomfort.
When it comes to off-body carry, purses are perfect. A concealed carry purse is never going to raise any eyebrows in public. These purses come with built-in holsters and compartments designed to keep your firearm secure and accessible. Modular holsters, like one from Crossbreed, allows you to off-body carry in a purse one day, and attach to a belly band for on-body carry the next.
Look for a purse with a dedicated, easily reachable pocket for your gun to ensure it doesn’t get lost among your other belongings. Someconcealed carry purses also come with lockable zippers and reinforced straps to prevent snatch-and-grab incidents. If purses aren’t for you, check out our guide on sling bags for concealed carry.
Each of these methods offers unique advantages, allowing you to choose the best option for your lifestyle and wardrobe. Whichever method you decide on, it’s recommended that you practice drawing your firearm regularly. Doing so will ensure that you’ll always be able to access your firearm quickly in a stressful situation.
When you dress for concealed carry, minimize the visibility of your firearm ("printing") with these practical tips:
Pro Tip: Patterns work better than layers because they don’t compromise firearm accessibility.
Learning how to concealed carry without printing is one of my most important things to remember.
Concealed carry attire is going to present different challenges depending on where you live.
Our readers in Wisconsin are going to have less difficulty concealing their firearm, but trouble finding clothes that provide easy firearm access. On the other hand, people living in Florida have fewer options with layering and concealment.
The warm weather limits your ability to dress for concealed carryand limits you to lightweight and breathable fabrics. Finding the right balance between concealment and comfort is key, no matter where you live.
You might need to experiment with different styles and materials to see what works best for your climate and personal preference.
The key for warm weather concealed carry is fit and texture. Oversize everything. A flowy Hawaiian shirt is going to conceal just as good as a heavy sweater, and it won’t make you hot.
For hot weather, you’re likely still going to want an undershirt. This is where tank tops come in especially handy.
If you’re still uncomfortable with carrying, get a good belt. A good holster can help with comfort and increase concealment. That being said, a good gun belt will make an even bigger difference.
Conceal carrying in the cold is a lot easier. Your weapon is going to be hidden in basically any cold weather outfit. You now just have to worry about comfort and access. With the added bulkiness and layers of clothing, it’s easy to get uncomfortable.
You can get a cold weather jacket for concealed carry that focuses on easy access. Be careful of concealed carry cold weather jackets that just have a few extra pockets and no holsters.
Most people are going to tell you that the best way to carry will always be with a gun belt. If this isn’t for you, we recommend putting it inside of a jacket, for minimal printing, or in a pocket on the outside of a jacket for quick access.
There are a lot of clothes marketed for concealed carry, but a lot of these can just be regular clothes sold at a markup. Sure, there is certain hardware that can make concealed carry easier, but most hardware can be bought as a standalone item. Some people will even use fabric glue to attach certain types of holsters into jacket pockets.
Here’s our advice:
When dressing for concealed carry, start with the basics. Don’t start by looking for pistol concealment clothing. Think of your ideal setup, and figure out if it’s possible. At the end of the day, most people’s concealment clothes are just their regular clothes.
Take a second to think about why concealed carry is important to you. It keeps you safe in dangerous situations. A weapon is only one safety measure.
Having some sort of bulletproof protection isn’t just a smart idea. It’s the prerequisite to concealed carry, and gives you an edge over someone else in an emergency.
Now–most people assume that a vest will disrupt their day -to-day life. But what’s even more disruptive to your day-to-day life is the constant underlying feeling that comes from a lack of protection. It’s a fear that most people don’t realize they had until wearing a bulletproof vest out for the first time. Your confidence goes up. You understand what actual peace of mind feels like. The vest quickly starts to feel like any other piece of clothing.
You may be the type of gun owner who doesn’t like to stick out. You want comfort and concealment, so a bulletproof vest isn’t really your style. But much like any piece of clothing, there’s something for everyone. You want something sturdy, yet comfortable and discreet. The best option for you is most likely going to be our concealable armor vest. It’s designed to look and feel invisible, but remain as versatile as possible.
Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned concealed carry permit holder, dressing for CCW doesn’t have to limit your wardrobe. By focusing on comfort, concealment, and quick access, you can create a setup that’s both functional and discreet.
Looking to take your safety to the next level? Explore Premier Body Armor’s concealable gear to complement your CCW setup. Stay safe, stay confident, and carry with ease every day.
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