The famed Rifleman’s Creed is taught to every United States Marine recruit and has become part of the history and ethos of the Corps. It highlights a special bond between a Marine and his rifle by stating: “This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.” As a U.S. Marine veteran of Iraq myself, I can testify to the power of this statement on the demeanor and aggressiveness of the United States Marine.
Here at M-Tac, we believe that ethos extends to every aspect of the shooter’s life, from gear to garments and that includes dressing for concealed carry. Concealed carry (CC) is designed to accommodate a firearm while allowing for quick access. This can be achieved either through purpose-built garments with integrated holsters or by choosing everyday attire that is strategically layered or sized to help conceal a firearm worn in a traditional holster. Choose wisely and you’ll win the day gunplay comes your way. Choose poorly and the consequences can be grim. Here’s our take on guiding you through this pivotal decision.
Concealed Carry Clothing Basics
In a 1920s interview, famed wild west gunslinger Wyatt Earp shared his thoughts on gunfighting. He stated that what he learned from the most proficient gunfighters was that the winner was usually the man who took his time. He went on to clarify that “I do not wish to be understood for the time to be taken was only that split fraction of a second that means the difference between deadly accuracy with a six-gun and a miss.” Later, emphasizing that one must learn to be slow in a hurry. When we speak of concealed carry clothing, we are equally emphasizing the pursuit of clothing that gives you that split fraction of a second that allows you to draw down with accuracy. As Wyatt Earp stated, “Fast is fine, but accuracy is final.”
The Right Concealed Carry Clothing Fit
Assessing the right fit for your tactical concealed carry clothing revolves around finding the right size that allows you to transition your firearm from the holstered position to the firing position with ease. If the clothing is too tight, it may constrict or slow down the draw. If the clothing is too loose, the extra fabric may hinder the draw and get caught up.
That’s why we recommend using dry fire drills when you purchase the clothing to see if the fit is right for you. No, you don’t have to do this in the department store as drawing your firearm over and over again in the mirror is likely to draw some unwanted attention. Rather, take the clothing home beyond just trying it on and attempt to use it for its intended purpose. We emphasize this because we love the novice or entry-level shooter. You may have just Googled concealed carry clothes (concealed carry clothes) and found us. Welcome to the community and we are glad you are here. Everyone has to start their journey towards knowledge somewhere.
Comfort is an Essential Element of any CC Clothing
The next element that is often, unfortunately, overlooked is that the clothing must be comfortable enough so that you have an incentive to wear it. Military clothing isn’t designed with comfort in mind as there is nothing comfortable about military life in general. However, among the civilian population where one might encounter just one gunfight in their entire lives, if that, one has to play the odds.
This means more days than not, you must have your everyday carry (EDC) by your side if you hope to be ready for the day that most people dread. It’s a numbers game, and if you only take CC into account a dozen or so days out of the year, you’re going to lose that lottery when it matters most. Find CC clothing that is practical, built for the intended purpose and comfortable enough that you actually want to wear it.
Best Fabrics and Colors for Concealed Carry Clothes
The color can be somewhat of an aesthetic choice and who are we to judge if you want to go to the roughest parts of the city wearing a pink jacket with sequins on it. However, we will state that military style colors such as olive drab, desert tan, and black do tend to make one look like a prepared and menacing individual. We tend to embrace this approach across most of our shirts and products. You can play stupid games and mess around with such a man, but don’t be surprised when you win stupid prizes. The most surefire way to win a gunfight is to ensure no one steps to the challenge from the start.
Beyond that you’re going to want to consider clothing made of durable, elastic, and high-quality fabrics. You want something that you can wear over and over again that holds up under any form of duress. Snagging your firearm on a tear in your shirt or jacket when attempting to draw down on the bad guy is less than helpful. Save your low-quality t-shirts for working in the garage. When you hit the streets, you want to look and feel your best while having confidence in your gear.
Seasonal Concealed Carry Clothing Tips
Depending on where you live in the United States, the climate can range from extreme hot summers to relentlessly brutal winters. Good tips for concealed carry clothing are regional. As such, you’re certainly going to want to match the clothing to the climate. The team here at M-Tac are no strangers to brutal winters as of late and as such, not offering cold weather options seems like madness.
It is true that it is easier to conceal a firearm with thick winter clothing, but remember, speed and accuracy of the draw is the goal. The dirtbag trying to rob you is not going to wait for you to remove multiple layers of clothing before accepting the fight on “fair terms.” Anyone looking for a fair fight in gunplay just has poor tactics. As such, be sure you can still access the firearm in an orderly fashion. As it pertains to summer, you still want to be able to carry, and it doesn’t matter what time of year it is in Miami, it’s still hot out. Grab CC clothing options that will keep your body and your head cool in a fight.
Concealed Carry Clothes for Men vs. Women
It is a discernible truth that there are plenty of badass women in the United States who are as equally or more prepared for a gunfight than any man. Whereas women are known to appreciate and embrace style more than men, the tactical advantages of concealed carry clothing for women are the same. Women tend to choose clothing that has a tighter fit, but would do well to consider the firearm itself in the appearance. There is nothing “concealed” about printing a .44 Magnum-shaped protrusion from your skimpy tank top. Then again, that might be enough to keep the creeps at bay, and concealment is an afterthought. The choice is yours. Women, choose the style that best suits you, and just remember the purpose and design of a concealed carry outfit. Concealed carry clothing for men or women boils down to the same essentials.
Matching Concealed Carry Outfits to Carry Position
At the end of the day, we don’t care how you choose to carry your EDC so long as you do. If you’re a guy who fancies the shoulder holster, so be it. Just know that one only works with some form of outer garment like a blazer or jacket. If you ankle carry, so be it. Just know that if you fancy a good pair of skinny jeans, you might have a hard time getting the firearm out in time. Clothes for CCW should match your carry position.
Appendix and strong-side hip carry are the most common approaches we see. What you want to focus on here is ease of access and avoiding the printing of the outline of a firearm. The shirt should fit loosely at the beltline. You’ll want a sturdy belt that is easily adjustable so that you can accommodate the firearm with whatever pants you choose to wear. You may also want to consider a pant size larger than normal, but just don’t overdo it as winning a gunfight with your pants around your ankles is no easy task.
Quick Checklist: Best Clothes to Wear for Concealed Carry
As we start to wind down this article, let’s recap the basics. You want concealed carry clothing that allows you to transition quickly and accurately from the holstered to the shooting position. You don’t want to become flustered and panicked by any unnecessary delay as that will affect your accuracy. This means whatever clothing you choose, you must put in the time at the range to practice with that same clothing. This is your concealed carry clothing. There are many like it, but this one is yours. Train with it.
Pick clothing that matches the season in which you may intend to fight. The best concealed carry clothing in the world does you no good if it's the middle of summer in the hot, humid South and your fleece jacket is hanging in your closet. Match the climate and the threat. Avoid tight-fighting clothing that will not only constrict your draw but will also highlight to the world that you are carrying a firearm through printing. Finally, just be sure you choose high-quality clothing that you will actually wear. If you can pull that off and you train consistently, you’ll be ready to gift the bad guy a permanent dirt nap when he decides to test your readiness. You didn’t ask for it, but you were ready for it.
Concealed Carry Bags and the Decision to CC
Without a doubt, we consider the greatest CC mistake people make is to decide to conceal carry when they are not comfortable with the firearm itself. If you are frightened or nervous about having a firearm on your hip, then you probably shouldn’t carry one on your hip until you are ready. That doesn't mean to not carry a firearm, but choose an option with which you are comfortable. All the while, keep training until you are comfortable that you can safely carry and deploy the firearms when needed.
For many, this will mean a concealed carry bag where the firearm is with you and simply not at the ready. Yes, you lose some speed with the draw, but you can still practice calmly reaching into your bag when the threat presents itself and pouring down accurate fire. Most bad guys don’t train like the good guys. Your accuracy can prove final even if he draws first. Fast is fine, but accuracy is final.
Concealed Carry Clothing Safety and Legal Notes
Finally, just a few quick notes, and we’ll leave you to shop. We’re not lawyers here at M-Ta,c and we’re not going to tell you which states in the United States allow concealed carry and which do not. You have to do your own legal research on the ever-changing gun laws in the United States. However, we do sell products to every State in the blessed union. Every American has the inherent and inalienable right to self-defense, however you choose to exercise that. We’re just here to support you along the way. Keep training, friends, and stay frosty.
