Women’s Concealed Carry Clothing: What To Look For

Picking your concealed carry set up can be intimidating and stressful, whether you are brand new to carrying or you’ve been doing it for years. Not only are you thinking of the responsibility of carrying a firearm, staying alert, and wondering if somebody is going to notice, you also have to figure out your wardrobe. And honestly, that can feel like a full-time job by itself. Different holsters, different brands, belts, bags… there are endless options.

Truly the best way to know what works the best for you is to just try different things and see how you feel. But while you’re in that process, here are a few things you can look for in the concealed carry clothes you choose.

• Accessibility

  Accessibility is arguably one of the most critical factors in carrying concealed, and it is highly dependent on how you train. Ask yourself:

  -Can you easily access your firearm in the event of an emergency?

  -If you choose to carry in an off-body bag, can you easily access and open the bag?

  -Is your gun at the appropriate height and angle to match how you have trained in the past?

  For example, wearing an in-the-waistband (or IWB) holster with high-waisted pants might mean that your hand will automatically go to the wrong place to grab your firearm in a high-stress situation. Train how you carry, and carry how you train. Muscle memory is a real thing!

• Obstacles

  Consider things that might slow you down or block your draw. When I first started my law enforcement career, one VERY cold day I wore a long trench coat and zipped it up. My Field Training Agent gently reminded me that if I am going to wear a trench coat, I needed to leave it unzipped so that I could reach my gun. In hindsight it seems so obvious, but I had never considered that before. So, learn from my mistakes. Here are some potential obstacles to consider:

  -Avoid tight or zipped/buttoned overshirts or jackets that are long enough to get tangled up when you try to access your firearm.

  -Make sure any purses or bags are not resting on top of your holster and restricting access.

  -Wear holsters that are easy to reach in your clothing. For example, if you are wearing a thigh holster with a tight skirt, are you confident that you can reach it?

  -If your holster has a retention setup, have you trained with that particular retention style? I will do another post on selecting a holster, but be aware of the retention styles that you are comfortable using.

  Don’t let a small obstacle become a major problem under stress.

• Hands

  Personally, I can’t use clutches. I will 100% set it down somewhere and forget it. But plenty of women are more responsible than I am and love using a clutch that they hold in their hand. Perhaps you are always holding your phone in your hands because women’s pants NEVER have big enough pockets (which, coincidentally, is one of the main problems that Her Carry is planning to solve with our signature pants line!). All of these things will delay your reaction time if any emergency kicks off. Even things such as gloves, if you haven’t trained while wearing them, can slow down your draw. So, until Her Carry finally releases our pants with pockets that actually fit daily essentials, consider holding your phone or clutch in your non-dominant hand.

  Other things to consider: holding children, pushing strollers, water bottles, walking around with your hands in your pockets, etc. There may not always be a perfect solution for your situation, but at least be cognizant of what is in your hands, and a plan in case of emergency. Stay tuned for a Her Carry Spotlight interview with a mom who can provide practical recommendations on carrying concealed while caring for children!

• Concealment

  Seems kind of obvious. I’ll write a whole blog post in the future about the anxiety you’ll feel the first time you carry concealed, but just know that you will be STRESSING. The more confident you are that your firearm is well concealed, even if you reach up, kneel down, sit, stand, or jump around, the less stressed you will be.

  Some easy concealment tips I personally use consistently:

  -An unbuttoned button-up shirt

  -A vest

  -A jacket tied around the waist

  -Peplum shirts

  -A cami underneath a looser top layer.

  Just make sure that you train your draw while wearing whatever setup you choose. Her Carry exists to make carrying concealed easier for women, so stay tuned!

• Security

  Nothing is worse than being in a restroom, pulling your pants down, and realizing your belt is about to flop over along with your firearm (ask me how I know). If you are carrying IWB, make sure you know how stable your waistband is. If you are carrying off-body, make sure you know how secure the clasp or closure is. You should be able to move comfortably without your gun and holster shifting, flopping, or drooping. Sturdy belt loops and waistbands go a long way in this.

  Not trying to yuck anybody’s yum, but I very strongly feel that my firearm is not secure in leggings or running pants with built-in, fabric “holster pockets” … even if they have a trigger guard. If I don’t have a real, solid holster, I don’t trust it. Yet again, this is one of the main problems Her Carry’s pants are designed to solve.

• Comfort

  Again… obvious, right? You need to be physically comfortable in the clothing you choose, but you also need to be mentally comfortable. That confidence comes from knowing that your firearm is well concealed, accessible, and secure.

• Style

  You should NOT have to sacrifice style to carry concealed. If you feel comfortable using an off-body bag and you find them cute, great! Personally, I am very hesitant about using those bags because I just don’t feel as confident in my draw.

  You do not need to wear giant, baggy clothes to conceal your firearm. Look around, do some research, figure out what feels good, and make it work with your style. And check back here at the end of 2026 to see when our Her Carry signature items are going to be released!

Final Thoughts: Figure out what you like. Wear it with your holster. Draw your gun. Sit, stand, and jump around. How do you feel after several hours? Are you still comfortable, secure, and confident? If not, find something else.

The great thing about this world is that all of us are constantly learning and evolving. If you’re stuck and can’t find anything that works, don’t hesitate to reach out to me (seriously, I would love to help!). Find my contact information at the bottom of the page or reach me at https://www.hercarryapparel.com/contact

New to carrying? Check out our post on your first time at the range:
https://www.hercarryapparel.com/blog/what-i-wish-i-knew-my-first-time-at-the-range