Winter shirts for concealed carry

TomNJVA · November 20, 2015, 03:01 PM

Having recently moved from New Jersey (ugh) to the mountains of southwestern Virginia, I finally have some handguns and have begun to carry concealed. I had no problem in the warm weather, even carrying my fat SP101 OWB, because I have a lot of tailless short sleeve shirts that look good untucked and cover well. My issue as the weather cools is that all of my long sleeve shirts have tails and look tacky untucked. So far I have not been able to find tailless long sleeve shirts.

So long as I am wearing a coat I have no problem, but when I take the coat off, say in a restaurant, office, or theater I am now showing. Even though we are an open carry state I would rather stay concealed. So I am looking for other options that would cover and not be too warm when indoors.

My wife suggested a sweater or sweater vest which sounds pretty good if light enough. I would like something more stylish than denim, perhaps a nice leather vest may work. I am wondering what others here wear for cover in the winter when the coat comes off.

TomNJVA

wogpotter · November 20, 2015, 03:41 PM

I have several of those "quilted shirts". They do a good job of both covering & hiding printing through, much better than cotton or flannel.

BigJimP · November 20, 2015, 06:40 PM

Eddie Bauer - and others - make a number of vests in Tall sizes that give you a little more fabric for concealment...and they're in a number of high tech fabrics that breathe.

A seamstress...can change the tails on a shirt easily ...and its not expensive ( I think they call it "surging"...where it cuts it and sews the seam at the same time ../ or at least I bought a surger for my wife a few yrs ago, and I think that is what it does )...

DXL ...specializes in clothes for big guys / and since I'm built like a "buffalo" its where I shop for Tall and larger sizes.. I'm only 6'5" and 290 or so -- but they have a lot of options for golf or active wear in my size and bigger...and they have an online store as well...

dahermit · November 20, 2015, 07:22 PM

The best "shirt" to cover your gun for concealed carry is called, "pocket carry" as in a M36 S&W and an inexpensive, but very effective Bianchi pocket holster. As a matter of fact, I carry this combo in my right had pocket year around. It does not print in my cargo shorts or in my cargo pants. It does not flop around when I walk. I would not carry any other way.

Slimjim9 · November 20, 2015, 07:49 PM

Long sleeve polo?
http://www.lapolicegear.com/lapg-lsp...r-ls-polo.html

adamBomb · November 20, 2015, 08:03 PM

Get a holster that allows you to tuck your shirt in or a bellyband holster. There are tons of options available. For example:

http://aliengearholsters.com/alien-g...waistband.html

Bob Wright · November 20, 2015, 08:48 PM

I opt for a leather vest, from your nearest western store, or order from Shepler's or Drysdales. These are comfortable for me even in the summer time, as temps here seldon exceed 100 degrees.

This one is in tan leather, but I have a selection of brown and tan smooth leather and sueded. Also try the tall size, as it will cover more. This one lets my holster show a little, but its dark leather and is not too conspicuous.

Bob Wright

ripnbst · November 20, 2015, 10:00 PM

I carry IWB which helps a ton but lately my zip up woolrich fleece vest has been getting lots of use.

Moonglum · November 21, 2015, 11:49 AM

In Colorado I can usually get away with a fleece vest or a light pull over that I don't have to take off

JC57 · November 21, 2015, 12:56 PM

http://www.untuckit.com/

Tailless dress shirts.

Slimjim9 · November 21, 2015, 05:14 PM

The untuckits look good but dang, $80-100 per?!? I got 4 of those LAPG shirts and 2 pair of pants for less than a c note.

**Aguila Blanca** · November 21, 2015, 06:16 PM

I wear vests a lot. If anyone asks, my excuse is that I need the pockets.

Depending on where you're going and how informal you want or need to be, in cool weather I often wear a button-down oxford shirt buttoned and tucked, and then I throw a denim or flannel shirt (with tail) over that and wear it unbuttoned -- sort of a long-sleeved vest. Same excuse: "I need the extra pockets."

j357 · November 21, 2015, 11:39 PM

Quote:

This one is in tan leather, but I have a selection of brown and tan smooth leather and sueded. Also try the tall size, as it will cover more. This one lets my holster show a little, but its dark leather and is not too conspicuous.

Bob, with all due respect, your outfit is great, but the revolver is quite conspicuous.

j357 · November 21, 2015, 11:53 PM

Tom, I would suggest you look at a couple of medium to heavy weight chamois flannel shirts along with learning to dress down into tails out on the outer layer. I wear these like a jacket over a Tshirt and sometimes a Tshirt/polo combo. Money talks with heavier flannels, especially if you have a long reach, look for Lands End, Am Eagle etc, to keep the sleeves the right length after washing.

Bob Wright · November 22, 2015, 10:02 PM

j357 said:

Quote:

Bob, with all due respect, your outfit is great, but the revolver is quite conspicuous.

I've looked and looked at that photo, still have yet to see my revolver. My holster is showing, but no gun is in sight.

Bob Wright

Limnophile · November 23, 2015, 07:00 AM

I have a tailless Woolrich Shirt Jac that works well for three season -- fall, winter, and spring -- here in the Pacific NW. It is a canvas-type cotton with a flannel lining, but as cotton is rotten out here, one with a fleece lining would be better.

TomNJVA · November 23, 2015, 09:28 AM

Thanks all for your helpful suggestions! I'll start shopping online as soon as I get back from vacation. Also I will be buying a much smaller and lighter carry gun, a SCCY CPX-2, which should help with concealment.

TomNJVA

Moonglum · November 25, 2015, 12:20 PM

Go to Goodwill right after Christmas. I've found Cabella's stuff with the tags still on them for next to nothing

Nathan · November 25, 2015, 05:55 PM

Duluth Trading makes my tactical gear, except for my belt.

Big Shrek · November 25, 2015, 07:40 PM

Also look at Motorcycle jackets, most have quick-open internal pockets,
and outer pockets you could easily drop a SCCY into

And Use a Pocket Holster, two reasons...
Dust Bunnies & other FOD...
Even if you do print a little, holster masks what it is, other than "Something" in yer pocket.

Deaf Smith · November 25, 2015, 10:10 PM

Tom,

I just wear a long sleeved shirt and a sleeveless vest. Vest can be quilted or not.

Deaf

TomNJVA · November 26, 2015, 08:05 AM

Yes that's my primary option. I was shopping vests yesterday.

TomNJVA

AK103K · November 26, 2015, 09:39 AM

Lots of nice, lightweight fleece type "shirts" available these days. Im wearing one right now, 1/4 zip pull over thats actually lighter than some of my canvas button up shirts.

Depending on how dressy you want/need to get, lots of nice sweatshirts around now to, and around here Carhartt's and Moonshine Attire are big.

Most of the online shops, L.L. Bean, etc, have some really nice stuff. Even Walmart has some nice stuff, and usually a lot cheaper. Lots of choices if you look around.

Trick is, get out of the "one coat" habit and learn to layer. You'll find your warmer too.

dahermit · November 26, 2015, 09:55 AM

Quote:

This one lets my holster show a little, but its dark leather and is not too conspicuous. Bob Wright

Uhhh. Bob, he wants if for "concealed carry", not "almost concealed".

Bob Wright · November 26, 2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Uhhh. Bob, he wants if for "concealed carry", not "almost concealed".

The gun is concealed. No one can look at that photo and describe the gun I'm carrying, if any at all.

(Sure everybody who has followed my post here and elsewhere know exactly what I'm carrying.) But the point is, any police officer would have to ask if I were armed. And anyone else, who cares?

Bob Wright

November 20, 2015, 03:01 PM	#1
TomNJVA Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2014 Location: Floyd, VA Posts: 242	Winter shirts for concealed carry Having recently moved from New Jersey (ugh) to the mountains of southwestern Virginia, I finally have some handguns and have begun to carry concealed. I had no problem in the warm weather, even carrying my fat SP101 OWB, because I have a lot of tailless short sleeve shirts that look good untucked and cover well. My issue as the weather cools is that all of my long sleeve shirts have tails and look tacky untucked. So far I have not been able to find tailless long sleeve shirts. So long as I am wearing a coat I have no problem, but when I take the coat off, say in a restaurant, office, or theater I am now showing. Even though we are an open carry state I would rather stay concealed. So I am looking for other options that would cover and not be too warm when indoors. My wife suggested a sweater or sweater vest which sounds pretty good if light enough. I would like something more stylish than denim, perhaps a nice leather vest may work. I am wondering what others here wear for cover in the winter when the coat comes off. TomNJVA __________________ In NJ, the bad guys are armed and the households are alarmed. In VA, the households are armed and the bad guys are alarmed.

November 20, 2015, 03:41 PM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	I have several of those "quilted shirts". They do a good job of both covering & hiding printing through, much better than cotton or flannel. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

November 20, 2015, 07:49 PM	#5
Slimjim9 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2015 Posts: 783	Long sleeve polo? http://www.lapolicegear.com/lapg-lsp...r-ls-polo.html __________________ Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.

November 20, 2015, 08:48 PM	#7
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	I opt for a leather vest, from your nearest western store, or order from Shepler's or Drysdales. These are comfortable for me even in the summer time, as temps here seldon exceed 100 degrees. This one is in tan leather, but I have a selection of brown and tan smooth leather and sueded. Also try the tall size, as it will cover more. This one lets my holster show a little, but its dark leather and is not too conspicuous. Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

November 21, 2015, 05:14 PM	#11
Slimjim9 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2015 Posts: 783	The untuckits look good but dang, $80-100 per?!? I got 4 of those LAPG shirts and 2 pair of pants for less than a c note. __________________ Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.

November 20, 2015, 06:40 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Eddie Bauer - and others - make a number of vests in Tall sizes that give you a little more fabric for concealment...and they're in a number of high tech fabrics that breathe. A seamstress...can change the tails on a shirt easily ...and its not expensive ( I think they call it "surging"...where it cuts it and sews the seam at the same time ../ or at least I bought a surger for my wife a few yrs ago, and I think that is what it does )... DXL ...specializes in clothes for big guys / and since I'm built like a "buffalo" its where I shop for Tall and larger sizes.. I'm only 6'5" and 290 or so -- but they have a lot of options for golf or active wear in my size and bigger...and they have an online store as well...

November 20, 2015, 07:22 PM	#4
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	The best "shirt" to cover your gun for concealed carry is called, "pocket carry" as in a M36 S&W and an inexpensive, but very effective Bianchi pocket holster. As a matter of fact, I carry this combo in my right had pocket year around. It does not print in my cargo shorts or in my cargo pants. It does not flop around when I walk. I would not carry any other way.

November 20, 2015, 08:03 PM	#6
adamBomb Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2015 Location: coastal NC Posts: 645	Get a holster that allows you to tuck your shirt in or a bellyband holster. There are tons of options available. For example: http://aliengearholsters.com/alien-g...waistband.html

November 20, 2015, 10:00 PM	#8
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 1,552	I carry IWB which helps a ton but lately my zip up woolrich fleece vest has been getting lots of use.

November 21, 2015, 11:49 AM	#9
Moonglum Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2015 Posts: 468	In Colorado I can usually get away with a fleece vest or a light pull over that I don't have to take off

November 21, 2015, 12:56 PM	#10
JC57 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Posts: 375	http://www.untuckit.com/ Tailless dress shirts.

November 21, 2015, 06:16 PM	#12
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	I wear vests a lot. If anyone asks, my excuse is that I need the pockets. Depending on where you're going and how informal you want or need to be, in cool weather I often wear a button-down oxford shirt buttoned and tucked, and then I throw a denim or flannel shirt (with tail) over that and wear it unbuttoned -- sort of a long-sleeved vest. Same excuse: "I need the extra pockets."

November 21, 2015, 11:53 PM	#14
j357 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2009 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 283	Tom, I would suggest you look at a couple of medium to heavy weight chamois flannel shirts along with learning to dress down into tails out on the outer layer. I wear these like a jacket over a Tshirt and sometimes a Tshirt/polo combo. Money talks with heavier flannels, especially if you have a long reach, look for Lands End, Am Eagle etc, to keep the sleeves the right length after washing.

November 23, 2015, 07:00 AM	#16
Limnophile Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Location: Issaquah, Washington Posts: 1,032	I have a tailless Woolrich Shirt Jac that works well for three season -- fall, winter, and spring -- here in the Pacific NW. It is a canvas-type cotton with a flannel lining, but as cotton is rotten out here, one with a fleece lining would be better.

November 23, 2015, 09:28 AM	#17
TomNJVA Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2014 Location: Floyd, VA Posts: 242	Thanks all for your helpful suggestions! I'll start shopping online as soon as I get back from vacation. Also I will be buying a much smaller and lighter carry gun, a SCCY CPX-2, which should help with concealment. TomNJVA __________________ In NJ, the bad guys are armed and the households are alarmed. In VA, the households are armed and the bad guys are alarmed.

November 25, 2015, 12:20 PM	#18
Moonglum Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2015 Posts: 468	Go to Goodwill right after Christmas. I've found Cabella's stuff with the tags still on them for next to nothing

November 25, 2015, 05:55 PM	#19
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Duluth Trading makes my tactical gear, except for my belt.

November 25, 2015, 07:40 PM	#20
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Also look at Motorcycle jackets, most have quick-open internal pockets, and outer pockets you could easily drop a SCCY into And Use a Pocket Holster, two reasons... Dust Bunnies & other FOD... Even if you do print a little, holster masks what it is, other than "Something" in yer pocket. __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

November 25, 2015, 10:10 PM	#21
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Tom, I just wear a long sleeved shirt and a sleeveless vest. Vest can be quilted or not. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

November 26, 2015, 08:05 AM	#22
TomNJVA Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2014 Location: Floyd, VA Posts: 242	Yes that's my primary option. I was shopping vests yesterday. TomNJVA __________________ In NJ, the bad guys are armed and the households are alarmed. In VA, the households are armed and the bad guys are alarmed.

November 26, 2015, 09:39 AM	#23
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	Lots of nice, lightweight fleece type "shirts" available these days. Im wearing one right now, 1/4 zip pull over thats actually lighter than some of my canvas button up shirts. Depending on how dressy you want/need to get, lots of nice sweatshirts around now to, and around here Carhartt's and Moonshine Attire are big. Most of the online shops, L.L. Bean, etc, have some really nice stuff. Even Walmart has some nice stuff, and usually a lot cheaper. Lots of choices if you look around. Trick is, get out of the "one coat" habit and learn to layer. You'll find your warmer too.