Concealed carry can feel more difficult for women than men…and I don’t mean the actual carrying part.
Basic principles are the same, but concealment? We’re talking apples and oranges.
The old formula of “jeans and a sturdy belt” doesn’t work for us because we don’t always wear jeans or even real pants, for that matter.
Women wear various outfits, and we need various ways to pull off concealed carry. Also, we want to look cute and keep our style, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
Thankfully, this is easier since concealed carry is growing and more products are hitting the market.
Let’s look at some must-haves that will help you conceal without changing your entire wardrobe.
Table of Contents
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Holsters
IWB Holsters
An IWB holster doesn’t need to be made just for the ladies, but a few things can make it more female-friendly.
Of course, all bodies are different, but women tend to be smaller and curvier. We also wear more form-fitting clothes, so a big bulky holster won’t cut it.
Look for a minimalist-style holster, meaning no extra Kydex poking out. Features like adjustable ride height and a Mod-Wing also help with concealment.
A standard polymer clip works when you wear a belt, while an UltiClip can attach to just about any fabric.
Lately, my go-to is the DCC Monoblock. These metal clips work with or without a belt, making my holster more versatile.
Bra Holsters
Flashbang has been making bra holsters for over a decade, and they’ve got it down.
The Kydex shell tucks underneath your bra band, and the attached strap loops around to keep it in place. They offer the straps in different lengths to accommodate just about any type and size of bra too.
I tried it out for a review last year and found it safe and useful when you don’t want to carry it inside the waistband or off-body.
Learning how to draw from this type of holster is important because it is unique. And, of course, you’ll want to practice before you take it out into the world.
Pro tip: spend a few extra bucks to get the “Teddy” version. The soft material feels great against your skin.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Thigh Holsters
I honestly hate traditional thigh holsters, but I know women who swear by them while wearing dresses and skirts, so it’s a personal preference.
If you want to carry this way, choose a quality brand like Dene Adams.
Recently I tried a pair of Dene Adams Outer Thigh Holster Shorts.
They’re much more comfortable than a typical thigh holster, but the concealment is tricky. I’ve found they work best with a micro-compact gun and dress made of thicker or textured material to prevent printing.
Belts, Bellybands, and the Enigma
Gun belts that women actually want to wear are tough to find.
To hold up the weight of your gun, the belt needs to be rigid and sturdy. The problem is, we don’t want to wear a thick belt with a giant, bulky buckle because that presents its own printing issue.
The best I’ve found so far is the Specialist Belt by Mastermind Tactics. It’s thin and light but sturdy and stiff.
The buckle is very low-profile and doesn’t stick out or print. And the closure is Velcro closure which makes it easy to adjust.
I’d prefer something cuter, but it’s usually covered when I wear it.
Bellybands are a versatile option. My caveat is that you pair it with hard trigger protection. If you can pull the trigger through the material, it’s not a safe option.
I like the Crossbreed Holsters Liberty Band because you can wear it with the Kydex holster you already have at home.
It has a little ridge where the clips can grab onto so your holster doesn’t shift around. This one also double wraps so everything stays tight to your body.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
And I’d be remiss to leave out the Enigma, which is kind of in its own category. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I wear mine a lot.
The Enigma attaches to your body instead of your clothes so that you can wear it with a ton of different outfits.
Concealed Carry Purses, Totes & Bags
I’ve never liked concealed carry purses because they usually don’t come in cute, trendy styles. And I’m sorry, but safety or not, I want to look good and maintain my style.
Chameleon Bags are a rare exception that I love. They offer everything from backpacks to large purses to sling crossbody styles.
The Skylar is perfect for an everyday bag. It’s a sling, so you can keep your hands free. It’s also easy to whip around and draw from after practicing.
For a night out or just a dressier style, check out the Kylie. The stud details and gold chain are super cute.
Its strap is long enough to wear crossbody, which is my preferred way when carrying off-body. This bag has a dedicated pocket in the back for your pistol, leaving the front compartment with tons of room for everything else.
If your style icon is Sporty Spice, like me, fanny packs are a good option. When worn crossbody, I think they’re the least-bad choice for off-body.
I like the SOCP Tactical Fanny Pack by Vertx because of the dedicated zipper pocket in the back for your firearm.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
It comes with a Velcro strap to hold a regular holster, but I like using the Kydex Modular Holster by Crossbreed. The front pocket has tons of room for everything else, including a giant iPhone.
And if you can’t find a concealed carry bag you like, you can always pick up a modular system like the Purse Defender by Crossbreed Holster.
It comes with a Velcro insert and a Velcro-backed holster, and they offer several sizes to fit in almost any bag.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Just make sure you keep it in a dedicated pocket and follow all the other rules of off-body carry.
Concealment Clothing
Alexo Athletica Carrywear Leggings
If you’re a leggings girly, consider picking up a pair from Alexo Athletica.
The Carrywear leggings have right and left pocket holsters on both the front and the back. Don’t forget to add a trigger guard because soft holsters are a safety no-no.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Instead of putting my pistol in one of the built-in holsters, I wear it IWB by clipping my Kydex holster to the waistband.
And it works great because the waistband is thick and sturdy enough to hold up to 23 ounces. These leggings also have pockets on the legs for your phone, wallet, etc.
We have a full review on Alexo’s line if you want more info!
Vakandi Apparel EDC Leggings 2.0
Leggings with belt loops are the ultimate combo for women who carry.
With these, you can wear your normal belt and holster just like you would with jeans. They’re great for the range or everyday wear.
These leggings are nice and thick. The waistband includes a double belt loop system to accommodate different belt widths, plus a lower loop for clipping a carabiner with keys, pepper spray, etc. They also make bike shorts which are awesome for summer.
I’ve tried several pairs of Vertx and 5.11 Tactical pants, and while they were ok for the range, I didn’t find they made any difference for everyday concealed carry. Even the ones supposedly designed for women didn’t seem to fit my short, curvy body very well.
So, you don’t need concealed carry-specific clothing, but some of it, like the leggings above, may help.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting out or are struggling with concealed carry, it can feel more difficult as a woman. But it doesn’t have to be.
We can still wear cute outfits, keep our personal style, and stay safe. Having different options, like multiple holsters, can help. Don’t be afraid to try new and different things.
What’s your go-to gear, ladies? Let us know in the comments below. If you’re on the hunt for a new gun, make sure to check out the Best Handguns for Women or head over to our Women category to explore more women-centric topics.
The post Best Concealed Carry Gear For Women: Holsters, Bags, & Clothing appeared first on Pew Pew Tactical.
Concealed carry can feel more difficult for women than men…and I don’t mean the actual carrying part.
Basic principles are the same, but concealment? We’re talking apples and oranges.
The old formula of “jeans and a sturdy belt” doesn’t work for us because we don’t always wear jeans or even real pants, for that matter.
Women wear various outfits, and we need various ways to pull off concealed carry. Also, we want to look cute and keep our style, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
Thankfully, this is easier since concealed carry is growing and more products are hitting the market.
Let’s look at some must-haves that will help you conceal without changing your entire wardrobe.
Table of Contents
Loading…
Holsters
IWB Holsters
An IWB holster doesn’t need to be made just for the ladies, but a few things can make it more female-friendly.
Of course, all bodies are different, but women tend to be smaller and curvier. We also wear more form-fitting clothes, so a big bulky holster won’t cut it.
Look for a minimalist-style holster, meaning no extra Kydex poking out. Features like adjustable ride height and a Mod-Wing also help with concealment.
A standard polymer clip works when you wear a belt, while an UltiClip can attach to just about any fabric.
Lately, my go-to is the DCC Monoblock. These metal clips work with or without a belt, making my holster more versatile.
Bra Holsters
Flashbang has been making bra holsters for over a decade, and they’ve got it down.
The Kydex shell tucks underneath your bra band, and the attached strap loops around to keep it in place. They offer the straps in different lengths to accommodate just about any type and size of bra too.
I tried it out for a review last year and found it safe and useful when you don’t want to carry it inside the waistband or off-body.
Learning how to draw from this type of holster is important because it is unique. And, of course, you’ll want to practice before you take it out into the world.
Pro tip: spend a few extra bucks to get the “Teddy” version. The soft material feels great against your skin.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Thigh Holsters
I honestly hate traditional thigh holsters, but I know women who swear by them while wearing dresses and skirts, so it’s a personal preference.
If you want to carry this way, choose a quality brand like Dene Adams.
Recently I tried a pair of Dene Adams Outer Thigh Holster Shorts.
They’re much more comfortable than a typical thigh holster, but the concealment is tricky. I’ve found they work best with a micro-compact gun and dress made of thicker or textured material to prevent printing.
Belts, Bellybands, and the Enigma
Gun belts that women actually want to wear are tough to find.
To hold up the weight of your gun, the belt needs to be rigid and sturdy. The problem is, we don’t want to wear a thick belt with a giant, bulky buckle because that presents its own printing issue.
The best I’ve found so far is the Specialist Belt by Mastermind Tactics. It’s thin and light but sturdy and stiff.
The buckle is very low-profile and doesn’t stick out or print. And the closure is Velcro closure which makes it easy to adjust.
I’d prefer something cuter, but it’s usually covered when I wear it.
Bellybands are a versatile option. My caveat is that you pair it with hard trigger protection. If you can pull the trigger through the material, it’s not a safe option.
I like the Crossbreed Holsters Liberty Band because you can wear it with the Kydex holster you already have at home.
It has a little ridge where the clips can grab onto so your holster doesn’t shift around. This one also double wraps so everything stays tight to your body.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
And I’d be remiss to leave out the Enigma, which is kind of in its own category. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I wear mine a lot.
The Enigma attaches to your body instead of your clothes so that you can wear it with a ton of different outfits.
Concealed Carry Purses, Totes & Bags
I’ve never liked concealed carry purses because they usually don’t come in cute, trendy styles. And I’m sorry, but safety or not, I want to look good and maintain my style.
Chameleon Bags are a rare exception that I love. They offer everything from backpacks to large purses to sling crossbody styles.
The Skylar is perfect for an everyday bag. It’s a sling, so you can keep your hands free. It’s also easy to whip around and draw from after practicing.
For a night out or just a dressier style, check out the Kylie. The stud details and gold chain are super cute.
Its strap is long enough to wear crossbody, which is my preferred way when carrying off-body. This bag has a dedicated pocket in the back for your pistol, leaving the front compartment with tons of room for everything else.
If your style icon is Sporty Spice, like me, fanny packs are a good option. When worn crossbody, I think they’re the least-bad choice for off-body.
I like the SOCP Tactical Fanny Pack by Vertx because of the dedicated zipper pocket in the back for your firearm.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
It comes with a Velcro strap to hold a regular holster, but I like using the Kydex Modular Holster by Crossbreed. The front pocket has tons of room for everything else, including a giant iPhone.
And if you can’t find a concealed carry bag you like, you can always pick up a modular system like the Purse Defender by Crossbreed Holster.
It comes with a Velcro insert and a Velcro-backed holster, and they offer several sizes to fit in almost any bag.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Just make sure you keep it in a dedicated pocket and follow all the other rules of off-body carry.
Concealment Clothing
Alexo Athletica Carrywear Leggings
If you’re a leggings girly, consider picking up a pair from Alexo Athletica.
The Carrywear leggings have right and left pocket holsters on both the front and the back. Don’t forget to add a trigger guard because soft holsters are a safety no-no.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Instead of putting my pistol in one of the built-in holsters, I wear it IWB by clipping my Kydex holster to the waistband.
And it works great because the waistband is thick and sturdy enough to hold up to 23 ounces. These leggings also have pockets on the legs for your phone, wallet, etc.
We have a full review on Alexo’s line if you want more info!
Vakandi Apparel EDC Leggings 2.0
Leggings with belt loops are the ultimate combo for women who carry.
With these, you can wear your normal belt and holster just like you would with jeans. They’re great for the range or everyday wear.
These leggings are nice and thick. The waistband includes a double belt loop system to accommodate different belt widths, plus a lower loop for clipping a carabiner with keys, pepper spray, etc. They also make bike shorts which are awesome for summer.
I’ve tried several pairs of Vertx and 5.11 Tactical pants, and while they were ok for the range, I didn’t find they made any difference for everyday concealed carry. Even the ones supposedly designed for women didn’t seem to fit my short, curvy body very well.
So, you don’t need concealed carry-specific clothing, but some of it, like the leggings above, may help.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting out or are struggling with concealed carry, it can feel more difficult as a woman. But it doesn’t have to be.
We can still wear cute outfits, keep our personal style, and stay safe. Having different options, like multiple holsters, can help. Don’t be afraid to try new and different things.
What’s your go-to gear, ladies? Let us know in the comments below. If you’re on the hunt for a new gun, make sure to check out the Best Handguns for Women or head over to our Women category to explore more women-centric topics.
The post Best Concealed Carry Gear For Women: Holsters, Bags, & Clothing appeared first on Pew Pew Tactical.
