This is a perspective from a newbie and I thought I'd share.
Before I had my permit, or any holsters, I had huge concerns about how I would CC. People told me I had to dress around the gun. That idea made me depressed. It's hard enough to find attractive clothes that make me feel good.
Further, I like form fitting, tailored, curve-hugging clothes. I often wear stuff that doesn't have big belt loops (or sometimes no belt loops at all.)
I'm also short waisted, which I've read doesn't help.
In reality? I haven't had much problem. I haven't felt too horribly compromised.
What's working well for me is:
- small 9mm (Kahr PM9) that has a single stack, so it's also thin
- Galco Underwrap Belly Band (sometimes)
- very thin IWB kydex holster with a clip (no belt needed. I can't wear it on yoga pants, but I haven't found another pair of pants that it won't work with)
- Smart Carry (so far, only useful when I don't care how I look. So if I'm in sweats or yoga pants and doing chores around the house, it's a good method because it doesn't require any support from my clothing.)
The only real problem I've had is the dress I wore yesterday. I ended up not carrying. Perhaps the belly band would have worked.
But for most of my clothes, one of the above works.
I get to wear cute clothes and keep my gun on my body.
It's way easier than I imagined with way less compromise or sacrifice.
I'm not dressing around the gun. I've found solutions.
Before I had my permit, or any holsters, I had huge concerns about how I would CC. People told me I had to dress around the gun. That idea made me depressed. It's hard enough to find attractive clothes that make me feel good.
Further, I like form fitting, tailored, curve-hugging clothes. I often wear stuff that doesn't have big belt loops (or sometimes no belt loops at all.)
I'm also short waisted, which I've read doesn't help.
In reality? I haven't had much problem. I haven't felt too horribly compromised.
What's working well for me is:
- small 9mm (Kahr PM9) that has a single stack, so it's also thin
- Galco Underwrap Belly Band (sometimes)
- very thin IWB kydex holster with a clip (no belt needed. I can't wear it on yoga pants, but I haven't found another pair of pants that it won't work with)
- Smart Carry (so far, only useful when I don't care how I look. So if I'm in sweats or yoga pants and doing chores around the house, it's a good method because it doesn't require any support from my clothing.)
The only real problem I've had is the dress I wore yesterday. I ended up not carrying. Perhaps the belly band would have worked.
But for most of my clothes, one of the above works.
I get to wear cute clothes and keep my gun on my body.
It's way easier than I imagined with way less compromise or sacrifice.
I'm not dressing around the gun. I've found solutions.