By Marcie Young | Contributing Writer
(Images from Pexels and Pixabay)
Is it possible to be fashionable while keeping yourself protected? Unfortunately, for many women, the choice seems to be one or the other.
This article will discuss why it seems complicated for a woman to carry while having great fashion and will give several solutions.
Why Fashion is so Difficult When Carrying
Fashion for women inherently makes it more difficult for you to conceal while carrying. One example is the infamous women’s jeans. They are tight and have no pockets, meaning that holsters do not work well for them. Even if you’re carrying for competition shooting, or rimfire shooting there are still very few options.
Not only that, but women’s clothes tend to be tighter. As a result, there are much fewer places to conceal a gun so that you can use it at a moment’s notice. In addition, many people will notice there’s a gun-shaped bulge if you try to hide it underneath your shirt, meaning that you don’t exactly have a concealed carry situation going on.
The truth is that most holsters were made with men in mind. While these tides are turning, many see men as the protectors and women as meek. However, there are many times when women need to protect themselves, especially when the man is the aggressor. Again, times are changing, but many still hold this outdated view, with some even then wondering how women can protect themselves.
Luckily, there are many ways you can carry as a woman and make it work. Here are some options.
Thicker Clothes
You can carry a gun without people noticing by wearing a thicker shirt. Sweaters or baggy over-shirts come to mind when searching for ways to conceal your gun. You could hide a holster underneath them and access it whenever you need to use it. Of course, this can be a problem during the summer, when temperatures can be too muggy for you to wear.
Joggers also offer thicker space along the legs so you can conceal carry while being comfortable and looking stylish
Wearing Men’s Clothes
As long as you account for size, you can wear jeans and other clothes meant for a man if you want to carry them. Even tighter jeans intended for men can allow you to hide more than compared to shorts designed for women. Plus, they have pockets, which is always a positive in our books. So while some clothes aren’t as fashionable, they can allow you to conceal carry much better than some clothes intended for women.
Fanny Packs or Purses
Another way you can conceal it is with an item that most women carry: a purse or a fanny pack. You can purchase these with hidden compartments, which can be excellent if trying to conceal a firearm. Many make it so that the gun is easy to access should you need it.
With that said, we should mention that buying a gun for a purse that wasn’t intended to conceal carry can be challenging, as taking it out might be difficult at first. However, when you’re faced with an emergency, time is of the essence.
Belly Holsters
Many women are choosing to have a holster they wrap around their stomach, which can make it easier for them to pull out a gun at a moment’s notice. It’s designed as well to look discreet, meaning that you don’t have to worry about someone noticing. This method can be a little uncomfortable for some, so try it out before you commit to it. For many women, this method is a little more on the mixed side.
Women’s Clothes Designed for Gun Owners
Many entrepreneurs are designing women’s clothes that are fashionable and allow for concealed carry. Online shopping allows for various niches, including women who want to conceal carry while looking great.
These stores tend to have clothes with concealed carry built-in. For example, you can find fashionable flannel with a carry pocket that no one will notice. Likewise, you can purchase purses with a concealed carry pocket in there.
Buying clothes intended for concealed carry is your best option. If you believe these clothes are not affordable, many stores also offer affordable shirts. For example, this concealed carry shirt looks great for only $19.99.
Conclusion
When choosing a gun to purchase you must remember that you need to conceal them when you’re out in public. It takes only one bad guy to ruin your day, and you want to be fashionable while protecting yourself. With more women concealing than ever, the market has luckily responded to this need by having clothes specifically for women that allow you to conceal with ease while keeping your look going. Plus, it would also make sense to look into what conceal carry insurance is and whether you would need it.
As a woman, you no longer have to worry about conceal carrying. Instead, you can do so affordably and fashionably, keeping yourself and your family safe. So yes, you can do both in these exciting times.
Author Bio
After doing her BA from ASU, Marcie Young held various jobs in different industries. She is now passionate about growing her blog where she writes about various topics related to gun safety, firearms ownership, and self-defense. She is a strong advocate of the Second Amendment after a horrible experience she had on the streets.
