Concealed Carry Clothing Tips for Women: Finding What Works For You
Dressing for concealed carry can be challenging for anyone. And for women, trying to figure out how to hide a weapon under clothing designed to be cute instead of functional poses a very real problem.
But don’t worry. There are plenty of tried and true tricks women have been using for years to successfully conceal carry without giving up their personal style. In fact, choosing women’s concealed carry clothing that’s both effective and flattering is pretty simple when you have the right gear and carry style.
In this article, we’ll cover everything from the patterns and styles you should gravitate toward, to the best holster choices for women, and everything in between. Let’s get started!
How is Concealed Carry Different For Women?
If you’re new to concealed carry, you may wonder how the experience differs from men’s. In many ways, women’s concealed carry is exactly the same. However, two main factors make them drastically different: body shape and clothing styles.
As you already know, women’s bodies are shaped very differently from men’s. Whether curvy or thin, you face your own unique challenges when it comes to how and where you carry your pistol, even compared to other women.
The second thing that makes concealed carry for women different is the type of clothing that we tend to wear. If you walk down the aisles of a women’s clothing store, you’ll notice a trend: clothing for women is designed to be cute, sexy, or even comfortable, but rarely functional (why are our pockets so small?!).
We don’t have to tell you it’s more challenging to hide a firearm under skinny jeans, crop tops, and little black dresses than the looser-fitting pants, T-shirts, and button-ups that are stylish for men.
So, what’s a gun girl to do?
Don’t worry. While you may have to rethink a few of your favorite outfits, don’t take a trip to your local donation center just yet.
Do You Need Special Concealed Carry Clothing For Women?
A lot of companies prey on the misconception that women need to invest in specially designed concealed carry clothing to be successful. The idea of replacing your entire wardrobe is incredibly daunting, especially considering most concealed carry clothes are pretty expensive.
But the good news is that the best women’s concealed carry clothing doesn’t have to be specially made. In fact, while you may need to buy a few new pieces, most of what you need is probably already in your closet.
While having a few designated conceal and carry women’s clothing items can be really helpful – like leggings with belt loops or a concealment camisole – they aren’t a requirement by any means.
There are so many different styles of women’s clothing, and dressing with concealed carry in mind doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s all about finding the right shirts that prevent firearm printing (when your gun is visible through your clothes), pants with belt loops that are sized correctly to accommodate your pistol, a supportive gun belt, and a gun and holster combo that suits your needs.
We’ll dive into the specifics of what to look for on all of that and more in this guide. Whether you’re heading to work, the grocery store, or date night, choosing clothing that works for you is a combination of personal needs and your carry style.
What to Look for in Women’s Concealed Carry Clothing
We’ve already established that most women’s clothing was not designed with concealed carry in mind, so you may need to rethink some of your current outfits. That being said, Geauga Firearms Academy trainer Kim Nemetz says you don’t need to trade all your stylish pieces for a gunny sack.
“Carrying as a woman is very difficult. When I first started to carry, my husband would tell me to just wear bigger pants and shirts. But that is not the answer; women still want to dress in clothes that flatter their body type and style,” she said. “ [But] you will have to change how you dress. You can’t wear a bikini or all spandex and think you can hide a handgun.”
Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your wardrobe:
Shirts
When carrying IWB, you’d be surprised by how well you can conceal your gun even under tighter-fitting tops. However, if you’re looking for an easy way to distract from your pistol and avoid printing, some types of shirts work better than others.
The first thing you’ll want to look for is a top with some stylish embellishments. Peplum, tie-knots, button-ups, and loose, flowing shirts make concealed carry for women easy. Choosing a top made of a heavier weighted material or designed with dark colors, patterns, or other distracting features also helps avoid detection.
If you’re more of a plain T-shirt kinda girl, don’t worry. With the right holster and belt combo, you can just as easily conceal your firearm under a simple cotton shirt. Wearing a slightly looser-fitting T-shirt, a tucked-in top, or topping it all off with a cover garment will help your gun stay concealed (more on that later!). You can also simply tuck a bit of your shirt in at the side or front in a “French tuck,” which is not only a cute look, but helps conceal your pistol.
Whatever kind of top you decide on, wearing an undershirt can make carrying more comfortable. If you’re noticing that your shirts tend to cling in the little spaces between your firearm and your body, or you’re worried about printing, an added layer between your gun and shirt can help smooth things out.
Pants
When it comes to pants, dressing for concealment is pretty simple. So long as you have belt loops, you can easily carry IWB or OWB. Luckily, the actual style of pants isn’t overly important. The main thing you need to consider is size.
If your pants are too tight, you won’t be able to fit a holster inside your waistband. A good rule of thumb is to buy a size up from what you usually wear. If you can fit two fingers inside your waistband, you have the right size for CCW.
Luckily, women’s pants are often a bit stretchy. This gives you a bit of wiggle room depending on the gun you’re carrying and the size of pants you have. No matter what type of pants you wear, you will need a sturdy gun belt, which will help prevent stretchier pants from sagging throughout the day.
Another thing to consider with women’s concealed carry clothing is pant rise. Low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise pants typically come down to personal preference and current trends. While any pant rise will work for concealed carry, low-rise tends to be the most uncomfortable and difficult to conceal, while mid-rise and high-rise tend to make concealment easier and more comfortable.
Skirts and Dresses
Whether you’re going to work, a formal event, on date night, or you just like wearing skirts and dresses, you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re supposed to carry your gun.
While we won’t lie and tell you that concealed carrying while dressed up is easy, it is doable. Skirts with belt loops are an easy solution to this problem, as they’re really no different from carrying in pants. Dresses and skirts without belt loops, on the other hand, require a bit more finesse.
The bottom line is that you can’t carry IWB or OWB without a belt. When wearing a dress, your best bet is to try a belly band, thigh holster, or bra holster. Even with these means of carry, looser, flowy dresses and skirts make concealment much easier than a bodycon dress or pencil skirt. If you just can’t ditch the form-fitting style (and who could blame you?) a concealed carry purse paired with a proper holster might be the way to go for the night.
Activewear
In case you made it this far and got scared that you’ll have to ditch your comfy yoga pants to conceal carry, don’t worry. While carrying under spandex or sweatpants can pose a bit of a challenge, it’s not impossible. A Comfort Concealment Belt or concealed carry leggings with belt loops paired with a LightTuck® holster allows you to carry in comfort.
Cover Garments
If you’re looking for a silver bullet to solve all your concealment problems, this is it. No matter what you’re wearing, where you’re going, or what season it is, a nice lightweight cover garment can help you hide your weapon.
Light jackets, flannels, vests, wraps, cardigans, and other loose, flowing items you can wear over a tighter shirt all work great for concealed carry. While it’s not impossible to print while wearing a cover garment, it dramatically reduces the risk.
The only thing to keep in mind with cover garments is that you’ll need to train with them to get used to moving that extra layer of clothing out of the way when you draw. But, so long as your garment isn’t too tight or heavy, this should be relatively easy to get used to.
Accessories
One thing women have an advantage in when it comes to concealed carry is our ability to accessorize. Particularly if you like wearing plain shirts, a cute scarf, statement necklace, or a colorful purse can help draw the eye of passersby and ensure their attention doesn’t land on your midsection where your gun is.
Prints and Patterns
Allow us to let you in on a little secret: if you struggle with printing, patterns are your best friend. Not only are they cute, but patterns like florals, plaid, and chevron work well to distract from your firearm and keep the telltale print of your pistol’s outline from showing through. Dark colors can also help with the shadow associated with printing. This is an especially helpful trick if you prefer more form-fitting tops.
Specially Designed Concealment Clothing for Women
There are a lot of specially designed women’s concealed carry clothing options on the market. You can find everything from leggings, to tank tops, to purses, to sweaters designed to either hold a gun or hide it.
While some of these items can be useful in your CCW endeavors, you do have to exercise caution, as some are safer than others.
For example, Nemetz said that while she regularly uses concealed carry leggings with belt loops, she steers clear from the ones designed with a pocket for your gun since they’re not as secure as a proper holster.
“I like the leggings with the belt loops. I wear them four or more days a week because I can use my holster and gun belt with them. I do not like the leggings with the pocket for the pistol. I think they are very dangerous,” she said.
Concealed carry leggings and shirts with a pocket design rather than belt loops often lack a proper trigger guard and are more challenging to reholster than a well-designed holster, putting you at risk of negligent discharge or having your gun slip out of place.
And, while it may be tempting to invest in a few pieces like these so you can mix and match depending on your outfit of the day, don’t. It is vitally important that you carry and train in the same position as often as possible so when seconds count, you’re not slow to the draw.
Gun Belts
One of the most important aspects of a secure carry system is a proper gun belt.
“A solid gun belt is the foundation of your carry system,” Nemetz said. “It will help with comfort, concealment, and also is essential to a smooth draw.”
EDC belts are thicker and more durable than regular belts, preventing belt sag and printing, and keeping everything in place. Something women have to keep in mind when selecting a belt is size. Most women’s pants have smaller belt loops than men’s, so you’ll need to find a belt that will fit your clothing.
Gun belts like the Vedder Holsters V3 Gun Belt are nice and low profile, making them easy to fit most women’s pants. The V3 Gun Belt is also a more lightweight option and comes with a thin aluminum buckle that doesn’t add a lot of bulk.
Concealed Carry Purses
Many people, especially women, are drawn to the idea of off-body carry – carrying your gun in a purse, backpack, or other bag – for its convenience and flexibility. And while this can be a helpful method, there are some drawbacks to consider.
While purse carry allows you to carry in any outfit or situation, it can also be dangerous when practiced incorrectly. When your gun is tucked away in your concealed carry purse, it will be significantly slower to draw. (Just check out the test Nemetz performed here.) Not only that, but having your gun in your purse makes it easy for an unauthorized user, like a curious child or a threatening person, to grab it. And in the event your purse is stolen, well, there goes your handgun.
Using a proper concealed carry purse with a safe holster, regularly practicing your draw, and keeping your purse on you at all times can help make this method safer, though on-body carry, such as IWB or OWB, will always be a better option.
“Concealed carry is always a balance between comfort and what is most tactical and effective,” Nemetz said.
If you are going to give off-body carry a try, make sure to invest in a proper concealed carry purse designed for the job and pair it with a quality holster that features a fully covered trigger guard and retention. The Vedder Holsters Pocket Locker® is an excellent holster for off-body carry, as it comes with a built-in eyelet designed to secure it to the inside of your bag with paracord.
How to Dress for Concealed Carry in the Winter
If you live in a cold climate, you’ll be relieved to hear that dressing for concealed carry in the winter is actually much easier than in warmer months.
As we’ve already said, one of the best and easiest ways to conceal a handgun is with layers. And, if you’re like most people, you’re already bundled up in warm cardigans and sweaters at the first hint of pumpkin spice.
But before you get too excited, there are a few things to take into consideration when dressing for concealed carry in the winter. While concealing your gun is easy when it’s cold out, drawing it is another story.
While the added layers help reduce printing, that additional layer of clothing also gets in the way if you need to draw to protect yourself. While there’s really no way to avoid this altogether, extra practice drawing from under that puffy coat will be in order to ensure you aren’t scrambling in the event of a defensive encounter.
That being said, everything from cardigans to cozy sweaters to vests, flannels, and cute jackets makes concealing your weapon super easy. If you’d like, you can even take advantage of seasonal fashion to try out OWB carry if you haven’t already. Just keep in mind that while carrying OWB under an oversized winter coat works great while you’re outside, you may want to make sure you have another layer or two in case you go inside.
How to Dress for Concealed Carry in the Summer
If you thought concealed carry was hard enough for women, just wait until the temperatures creep up in the summer.
Trading your cardigans for shorts and tank tops means less material to hide a gun under. But, don’t worry. There are a few tricks that can make concealed carry in the summer a breeze.
So long as you wear shorts or skirts with belt loops, concealed carry clothing in the warmer months isn’t that different from winter. The biggest change you’ll need to think about is the use of a cover garment. If you’re used to relying on a light jacket, flannel, or cardigan to hide your gun in the winter, you’ll want to invest in a lightweight tunic, wrap, or shawl to throw over a tank top in the summer.
If you’re wondering how to conceal carry at the beach in a bikini, unfortunately, we can’t help you there. But as far as your everyday wardrobe goes, loose, lightweight, and colorful tops are your friend.
Other Considerations
In addition to finding the right concealed carry clothes, there are a few other things to consider for successful women’s concealed carry.
Train Consistently
We would be remiss not to talk about the importance of consistent training when it comes to concealed carry.
Learning to carry a weapon can be intimidating for new gun owners, and having proper training can mean the difference between life and death in a defensive encounter.
Nemetz recommends that anyone interested in concealed carrying get some formal training. Practicing on your own is important, but a trainer can help correct your mistakes and offer some valuable advice.
For women, in particular, Nemetz suggests finding a women’s gun club or a female instructor. Because men and women have such drastically different experiences regarding CCW, a female instructor will be better equipped to answer certain questions.
Another trick is simply wearing your unloaded weapon around the house while you’re still new to carrying. This practice will help get you comfortable with having a gun on your body, and it can give you an idea of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to dressing for concealment.
“I know how scary it can be to make the decision to carry. It is a big responsibility,” Nemetz said. “When you first start, begin with wearing your holster with a cleared pistol in your house. Just like a watch, over time, it will just become something you are used to wearing, and it becomes part of everyday life.”
Find the Right Carry Position
The good news is that if you select a carry position that works with your lifestyle and clothing to begin with, the process of picking outfits that work for concealed carry becomes much easier.
“The first thing I suggest is picking a position that fits your dress style and lifestyle. A lot of women find appendix is easy to conceal with a loose-fitting shirt. I carry 4 o’clock because I find it more comfortable. Both are great positions, just depends on your preference,” Nemetz said.
Nearly any carry position works well depending on your body type, lifestyle, and clothing preferences. The only waistband carry position that is highly discouraged is small of back, or 6 o’clock carry, which, while comfortable and easy to conceal, can cause serious spinal injury if something goes wrong.
“Small of the back is dangerous because if you slip or are pushed down or against a wall, your handgun will be pushed into your spine,” Nemetz says.
To learn more about the different carry positions and which may be right for you, read our guide to concealed carry positions here.
Use the Right Holster
The right holster can make all the difference in the world when dressing for concealed carry. If you have a holster that’s bulky or poorly made, it could cause printing, shifting on your waistline, or discomfort.
For women, especially, finding a low-profile and lightweight holster is essential. Adjustable features are also something to look for, as adjustable cant and ride height make finding that “sweet spot” for comfort and concealment that much easier.
If you tend to wear tucked-in shirts a lot, investing in a tuckable holster is also a great idea. These holsters work great under business clothes or any other tucked-in shirt. Even if you rarely tuck in your shirt, it’s nice to have the option.
The Vedder Holsters LightTuck® is one of the best holsters for women. Not only is it lightweight and made of ultra-thin Kydex, but it’s our most adjustable IWB option with three levels of adjustable ride height, adjustable retention, and up to 30 degrees of forward and reverse cant. This tuckable holster can be worn in any position and can be paired with accessories like the Holster Wedge or Holster Claw for better concealment or with the HolsterPad for even greater comfort.
The LightTuck® can be worn on your waistband, or you can pair it with something like a Comfort Concealment Belt and wear it around your midsection, making it one of the most versatile holster options available.
The Vedder ProTuck® is another great IWB holster for women’s concealed carry. This advanced holster is designed to mold to your curves, keeping your gun tucked close to your body. It features two points of contact and leather wings for added support and comfort.
If you’re looking to carry outside the waistband, the Quick Draw is a hybrid holster that rides very flat and close to your body. It also features two points of contact and is one of the easiest OWB holsters to conceal. The ProDraw® is another excellent OWB option, especially if you’re looking for something easy to put on and take off or if you need a holster for the range. It’s also one of our most adjustable OWB holsters!
You can find all of these and more excellent holsters for women by browsing our collection of IWB and OWB holsters here. Or, take a look at our Concealed Carry Holsters for Women Guide to find the perfect fit for you.
Take Your Holster Shopping
Listen, it may sound weird, but trust us. If you want to take the guesswork out of shopping for everyday carry, just take your holster with you into the dressing room. As you’re browsing, look for functional items instead of “cute” items, then try them out to see if they actually work for concealment. This may not be necessary as you get more familiar with what works for your carry setup, but it certainly can’t hurt, especially if you’re just getting started!
Summary
Most women’s clothing is designed to be stylish, even at the expense of functionality. But why not have both?
Finding women’s concealed carry clothing that is both cute and effective all comes down to strategically choosing pieces that can hide a firearm, reduce the risk of printing, and are easy to get out of the way when drawing.
Looking for a reliable, custom-fit holster? Visit our Holsters by Gun Model page to find Kydex holsters tailored to your firearm. Plus, explore our Resources Page for gear recommendations, concealed carry guides, and exclusive content to elevate your carry system. To connect with other like-minded women in the gun community, join our Facebook Group, Women of Vedder, for all things concealed carry and self-defense.
