New Fashion Wrinkle: Stylishly Hiding the Gun

NY Times ^ | April 23, 2012 | MATT RICHTEL

[neverdem]

Woolrich, a 182-year-old clothing company, describes its new chino pants as an elegant and sturdy fashion statement, with a clean profile and fabric that provides comfort and flexibility.

And they are great for hiding a handgun.

The company has added a second pocket behind the traditional front pocket for a weapon. Or, for those who prefer to pack their gun in a holster, it can be tucked inside the stretchable waistband. The back pockets are also designed to help hide accessories, like a knife and a flashlight.

The chinos, which cost $65, are not for commandos, but rather, the company says, for the fashion-aware gun owner. And Woolrich has competition. Several clothing companies are following suit, building businesses around the sharp rise in people with permits to carry concealed weapons.

Their ranks swelled to around seven million last year from five million in 2008, partly because of changes to state laws on concealed handguns.

Shawn Thompson, 35, who works at an auto dealership in eastern Kentucky, bought two shirts last month from the Woolrich Elite Concealed Carry line. Both, he wrote on his blog, are a step up from more rugged gear.

“Most of the clothes I used in the past to hide my sidearm looked pretty sloppy and had my girlfriend complaining about my looks,” he wrote, adding in an interview, “I’m not James Bond or nothing, but these look pretty nice.”

The shirt has a barely discernible side slit with Velcro through which, he said, he can yank his Colt 1911 from his waistband holster. Depending on circumstances and mood, he might also carry a folding knife and, at night, a flashlight in a...

[grobdriver]

IMHO Velcro can only get in the way and slow down the presentation of the weapon in an emergency.

That's OK - he's not going to be carrying a 1911 on an elastic waistband for very long...
Heh.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I’m thinking of a waist holder. Cinch up the gut and hide the gun. Pretty good combo???

[Jeff Chandler]

I guess men will need a MAN PURSE to conceal during the warmer months.

Or you go small and carry in your pocket:.

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[TigersEye]

Let me be the first to thank the NYTs for the heads up. I need to do some shopping now. ;-)

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Here’s an Idea for some entrepreneur. Make the royalty checks payable to me.

Any type of pant, add an extra pocket as in the article but here is the difference. An elastic band or velcro to that attaches the extra pocket securely to your thigh. Then you get no bouncy bouncy like a big woman jogging.

[Bryanw92]

Cargo shorts are good for a gun that fits in the pocket like a j-frame or Bodyguard 380 (which are my carry guns), but I like something beefier for trips to the Obamazones.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Concealed carry takes some effort down here in Florida.

For the Summer I have purchased a new concealed carry accessory. I don't recall the name (sort of like the Belly Band) but it is a very comfortable, soft band that goes around the mid section and allows carry under the shirt...like a nice Hawaiian style shirt. Loose fitting works best. It allows quick access and also allows straight 'up' draw or cross draw.

The thing I have found is that for CC, having options is the key. No one solution will fit all scenarios.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link!

[MamaTexan]

And they are great for hiding a handgun.

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Jokes aside, I AM glad to see carrying has become common enough manufacturers are recognizing the market. :-)

[Ellendra]

Hmmm, that sounds like a challenge to me, time to warm up the sewing machine again!!

[neverdem]

LOL!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

“...she was packing a pair of 38s. She also had a gun.”

[Carriage Hill]

Nice gear; I have their vest:

http://www.woolrich.com/woolrich/browse/productDetail.jsp?icParent=subCategory&icCategory=cat240010&icProduct=44424&icSort=

[Bryanw92]

I’ve tried belly bands and thunderwear. They are an option, but not a comfortable one. Comfort is extremely important for CCW because if it isn’t comfortable, you start coming up with excuses to not bother carrying. And since needing your concealed weapon is a once or twice in a lifetime event, its easy to convince yourself that it isn’t worth the trouble.

My best solution for the larger gun is a zippered day planner with built-in holster or a messenger bag with some books and a sewn-in holster. Bible covers are especially useful because no one wants to talk to a guy who is carrying a bible around. He might be looking for an excuse to talk! LOL.

[sjmjax]

Recommended for excursions into Obamazones....

[sjmjax]

Recommended for excursions into Obamazones....

[Bryanw92]

That is an awesome rig! I think I prefer the Glock and Gladius combo for the Obamazone. (30 rd mags, of course!)

[PapaBear3625]

Cargo shorts are good for a gun that fits in the pocket like a j-frame or Bodyguard 380 (which are my carry guns), but I like something beefier for trips to the Obamazones.

Hot summer weather is hot summer weather. When it's hot, I either

A) Wear cargo shorts and put it in a pocket, or

B) Use an inside-the-waistband holster and drape a t-shirt over it.

For inside-waistband carry, any bulge these days will be assumed to be your smartphone holster.

[tumblindice]

Thunderwear? http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2010/06/11/smartcarry-vs-thunderwear-deep-concealment-holster-review/

“Don’t hide it too good. I don’t want a fellow Okie drawing
from his pants and winding up with just his d**k in his hand.’
Sonny Roy