The Specialized Clothing Issue Always Seems To Come Up. - Page 2

Moonglum · April 9, 2021, 10:54 PM

About five years ago I decided I wanted to simplify my life. One of the things I decided to change was how I dressed. I went and bought 5 pairs of Wrangler Cargo pants and 5 camping shirts. I picked Wranglers because the phone pocket gave me a way to put my phone in the same place every time and because the cargo pockets were big enough to be useful without being too big. They actually worked so well I went out and bought 5 more pair in black for work.

I don't have to worry about what I'm going to wear. I grab the next set of clothes in my closet and roll.

Over the years I've noticed that wearing a uniform at work makes me anonymous. People notice the uniform, not me. I've actually run into client employees away from work and watched them try to figure out where they knew me from. I don't wear a uniform when I'm not at work but my clothes are similar enough that people really have no reason to to give me a second look. I'm a generic, middle aged, overweight, white guy in cargos and a fishing shirt. There are a million of me, nothing worth a moment's notice.

As for shoes, I have a 25 year old pair of Vasques hiking boots. They even have red shoe strings. Again, ubiquitous

TunnelRat · April 9, 2021, 11:23 PM

I had one more thought about clothing and being memorable. In one course I took we did a scenario in a shoot house where there was a home invasion. Each student went through it separately, but we were all recorded and watched the results together at the end (honestly I found this a great idea that isn’t always done with scenario based training, but I learned just as much if not more watching others as I did going through it myself).

At the end of the scenario was an interview similar to that of a responding officer. Part of the point was to see the impact adrenaline might have had on our memories and why when giving a summary you want to be careful of making very definitive statements. We were asked to describe our attacker. All 12 or so of us could remember the color of the attacker’s shirt. No one could remember his pants and at best we had a rough idea of his height (the attacker’s face was under a helmet due to UTM pistols). Now this is different than just observing a person because when we saw the actor he was already a threat, but I was still a bit surprised at how tunnel vision we had all become.

The instructor who had been a police officer for decades and a training officer for much of that said remembering just the shirt color was very common. He stated some criminals were actually smart enough to take advantage of this and would wear a different colored shirt under their main shirt. If/when the criminal fled they would shed the outer shirt and at least avoid the main part of the description.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JERRYS. · April 10, 2021, 12:32 AM

you either want to be gray or you don't.

Moonglum · April 10, 2021, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunnelRat

The instructor who had been a police officer for decades and a training officer for much of that said remembering just the shirt color was very common. He stated some criminals were actually smart enough to take advantage of this and would wear a different colored shirt under their main shirt. If/when the criminal fled they would shed the outer shirt and at least avoid the main part of the description.

I have read in a couple of biographies that Jesse James did the same thing. The gang would be dressed in ragged clothes while robbing the bank/train. Then they'd ride away and change into suits and ties.

dyl · April 10, 2021, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Over the years I've noticed that wearing a uniform at work makes me anonymous. People notice the uniform, not me. I've actually run into client employees away from work and watched them try to figure out where they knew me from.

Do you mean you wear a company uniform, or the clothes you've chosen?

Moonglum · April 10, 2021, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyl

Do you mean you wear a company uniform, or the clothes you've chosen?

I wear a company uniform at work but I have some leeway. I have to wear a company issued uniform shirt with the company logo and the "Private Security" patch but the handbook only specifies "Black Cargo Pants" for my pants.

The black Wrangler Cargos are an approved substitute for the company issue pants

Brit · April 11, 2021, 07:13 AM

Quite some time ago, I was driving through Virginia. Dropped by a friends place of work. He was an Instructor at the FBI Academy.

Everybody, Instructors, and students were wearing 511s! I bought a pair in tan.
I have worn them ever since. Size 38X30. Still at age 85, wearing them. With a neat white beard, and hair. My wife of 28 years, a seamstress, (a retired accountant too) stitches a seam right down the front of the legs. Looks like they were freshly just ironed. By the way still the same size 38X30.

Same 1" belt, a Frequent Flier no metal anywhere. Kydex outside the belt holster at around 3-30pm. On the offside, a $13.00 single Glock mag pouch, for the Glock 17 magazine, for a mag change for my Glock 19 night sighted pistol.

A Surefire very bright flashlight is next to that magazine. I don't like lights on pistols. Living in Florida a short-sleeved shirt, or Guyabara look local, no one seems to link the combination with LEO. 85-year-old Cop? Yea right.
Coupled with a very lovely older Lady on my arm. Like all CCW licensed people, I hope, I carry every day. Back to the 511s, I have black and green ones as well. On our last trip to Italy/England/Ireland, quite a few 511 type pants there also. Coach drivers liked the 511 Vests also.

Last but not least, a folding 3" Benchmade clipped to my pocket.

WESHOOT2 · April 15, 2021, 01:41 PM

Quote:

you either want to be gray or you don't.

FWIW, I wear jeans. I normally wear a white button-down-collar shirt. I always wear a cover garment; got two.

Nanuk · April 15, 2021, 03:09 PM

I kinda like the Captain America suit.

Moonglum · April 15, 2021, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanuk

I kinda like the Captain America suit.

What about your Spider-Man Jammies?

dyl · April 15, 2021, 11:47 PM

Quote:

I have worn them ever since. Size 38X30. Still at age 85

Brit, you are the oldest person I know of that wears 511 pants. And usually the folks I meet in their 70's - 80's have a fondness for Buck knives and Case knives. Either the buck 110 or a little slip joint knife in a pocket.

JustJake · May 3, 2021, 05:37 PM

Quote:

you either want to be gray or you don't.

True, ... and you'll never do that wearing tacticool Mall Ninja duds.

Moonglum · May 4, 2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyl

Brit, you are the oldest person I know of that wears 511 pants. And usually the folks I meet in their 70's - 80's have a fondness for Buck knives and Case knives. Either the buck 110 or a little slip joint knife in a pocket.

He's living out his super hero fantasies

CDW4ME · May 4, 2021, 12:20 PM

Its almost always summer weather in FL; I wear cargo shorts with a untucked shirt everywhere.
Glock 23 + spare mag, wherever.

ojibweindian · May 5, 2021, 07:23 AM

Since forever, during the summer months I wear tucked dress shirts, jeans, sneakers, and a light weight sport coat that covers a full sized 9mm or 45 ACP in an OWB holster.

This also is my attire when not carrying.

During the winter months, I swap out the sport coat for something a bit heavier.

JustJake · May 5, 2021, 09:03 AM

Quote:

during the summer months I wear tucked dress shirts, jeans, sneakers, and a light weight sport coat that covers a full sized 9mm or 45 ACP in an OWB holster.

Sonny Crockett pioneered that carry-style back in the mid-'80s with a 5" 10mm Bren Ten and later, with 5" 45acp S&Ws.

Never sweated a drop at all in Miami's summer heat.

ojibweindian · May 5, 2021, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJake

Sonny Crockett pioneered that carry-style back in the mid-'80s with a 5" 10mm Bren Ten and later, with 5" 45acp S&Ws.

Never sweated a drop at all in Miami's summer heat.

I'm not anywhere near as sexy as Sonny =D

But, even here in Alabama, it's not terribly uncomfortable. And I much prefer to sweat a little bit and shave mucho time off my draw.

Nanuk · May 5, 2021, 03:22 PM

moon, spiderman works.

Kevin Rohrer · May 8, 2021, 02:27 PM

For Winter wear, I have 2-pair of CCW jeans that have a pocket on each side made for a spare magazine, which works well. I also bought a 3/4 length jacket that hides an OWB holster.

For Summer wear, I wear 5-11 style shorts that have a mag pocket built-in, along w/ a t-shirt and a Hawaiian shirt overtop. Easy peasy.

Wear the gun and holster you, and dress to conceal --Me

Carl the Floor Walker · May 8, 2021, 02:59 PM

Fortunately for the guns I EDC, I have never had to dress around the gun. I wear Tee Shirts and loose shorts in the hot Balmy days of Summer. I do not like the look of Tactical clothes. I wear most of my shirts outside of pants so any shirt is fine. I refuse to wear heavy cotton cargo pants in the summer for any reason. I like very light nylon moister wicking shorts and I do NOT want to wear a belt period. I want to wear light, travel light. I do not believe in dressing around a EDC. The only things I do seek out are minimum weight. My keys, wallet and even Knife are minimalist.
In winter/Fall easy. I just wear about any normal clothing. Typically jeans that fit perfectly. I would never buy a pair of pants one size too large for any carry reason. I do wear a belt but it is a slider belt.
Carry light, shoot fast.

And do not forget your hat. Keep the Sun and Rain OUT of your line of sight. Just ordered another one.

DaleA · May 8, 2021, 05:47 PM

And just to join in the fun here's my contribution. An add from Midway for "Assault Pants". Their term, not mine. $48 marked down from $60.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#in...ZFjblBJvhpdQKq

Red Devil · May 8, 2021, 09:54 PM

Live in PROPPER 100% cotton ripstop BDU's.

Khaki/OD, OD/Khaki, blouse and trousers, alternating. (wear'em as solids in the shop when they get ratty and changed out for new.)

Swap in 6-pocket BDU shorts in the Summer.

Red

Moonglum · May 10, 2021, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rohrer

Wear the gun and holster you, and dress to conceal --Me

What does this mean? What word is missing?

TunnelRat · May 10, 2021, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl the Floor Walker

And do not forget your hat. Keep the Sun and Rain OUT of your line of sight. Just ordered another one.

I feel like that hat is as much of a tell or more so than wearing the 5.11 pants and the polo shirt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Carl the Floor Walker · May 10, 2021, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunnelRat

I feel like that hat is as much of a tell or more so than wearing the 5.11 pants and the polo shirt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I could care less. And the American flag would be the same. I am proud of both. If every person that wears a Blue line support hat or a American flag means they are a "Tell" for carrying a gun or a White Supremist then they can go to hell in a Basket.
If that is a means nothing but a "Tell" to you, then you will have to live with it. My God the world is going insane!!!!!!!!!

April 9, 2021, 10:54 PM	#26
Moonglum Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2015 Posts: 468	About five years ago I decided I wanted to simplify my life. One of the things I decided to change was how I dressed. I went and bought 5 pairs of Wrangler Cargo pants and 5 camping shirts. I picked Wranglers because the phone pocket gave me a way to put my phone in the same place every time and because the cargo pockets were big enough to be useful without being too big. They actually worked so well I went out and bought 5 more pair in black for work. I don't have to worry about what I'm going to wear. I grab the next set of clothes in my closet and roll. Over the years I've noticed that wearing a uniform at work makes me anonymous. People notice the uniform, not me. I've actually run into client employees away from work and watched them try to figure out where they knew me from. I don't wear a uniform when I'm not at work but my clothes are similar enough that people really have no reason to to give me a second look. I'm a generic, middle aged, overweight, white guy in cargos and a fishing shirt. There are a million of me, nothing worth a moment's notice. As for shoes, I have a 25 year old pair of Vasques hiking boots. They even have red shoe strings. Again, ubiquitous __________________ Skating On Thin Ice

April 15, 2021, 03:09 PM	#34
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	I kinda like the Captain America suit. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

May 4, 2021, 12:20 PM	#39
CDW4ME Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 1,321	Its almost always summer weather in FL; I wear cargo shorts with a untucked shirt everywhere. Glock 23 + spare mag, wherever. __________________ Strive to carry the handgun you would want anywhere, everywhere; forget that good area bullcrap. "Wouldn't want to / Nobody volunteer to" get shot by _____ is not indicative of quickly incapacitating.

May 5, 2021, 03:22 PM	#43
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	moon, spiderman works. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

May 8, 2021, 02:27 PM	#44
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	For Winter wear, I have 2-pair of CCW jeans that have a pocket on each side made for a spare magazine, which works well. I also bought a 3/4 length jacket that hides an OWB holster. For Summer wear, I wear 5-11 style shorts that have a mag pocket built-in, along w/ a t-shirt and a Hawaiian shirt overtop. Easy peasy. Wear the gun and holster you, and dress to conceal --Me __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

April 9, 2021, 11:23 PM	#27
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,213	I had one more thought about clothing and being memorable. In one course I took we did a scenario in a shoot house where there was a home invasion. Each student went through it separately, but we were all recorded and watched the results together at the end (honestly I found this a great idea that isn’t always done with scenario based training, but I learned just as much if not more watching others as I did going through it myself). At the end of the scenario was an interview similar to that of a responding officer. Part of the point was to see the impact adrenaline might have had on our memories and why when giving a summary you want to be careful of making very definitive statements. We were asked to describe our attacker. All 12 or so of us could remember the color of the attacker’s shirt. No one could remember his pants and at best we had a rough idea of his height (the attacker’s face was under a helmet due to UTM pistols). Now this is different than just observing a person because when we saw the actor he was already a threat, but I was still a bit surprised at how tunnel vision we had all become. The instructor who had been a police officer for decades and a training officer for much of that said remembering just the shirt color was very common. He stated some criminals were actually smart enough to take advantage of this and would wear a different colored shirt under their main shirt. If/when the criminal fled they would shed the outer shirt and at least avoid the main part of the description. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

April 10, 2021, 12:32 AM	#28
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,968	you either want to be gray or you don't.

April 11, 2021, 07:13 AM	#32
Brit Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 1,934	Quite some time ago, I was driving through Virginia. Dropped by a friends place of work. He was an Instructor at the FBI Academy. Everybody, Instructors, and students were wearing 511s! I bought a pair in tan. I have worn them ever since. Size 38X30. Still at age 85, wearing them. With a neat white beard, and hair. My wife of 28 years, a seamstress, (a retired accountant too) stitches a seam right down the front of the legs. Looks like they were freshly just ironed. By the way still the same size 38X30. Same 1" belt, a Frequent Flier no metal anywhere. Kydex outside the belt holster at around 3-30pm. On the offside, a $13.00 single Glock mag pouch, for the Glock 17 magazine, for a mag change for my Glock 19 night sighted pistol. A Surefire very bright flashlight is next to that magazine. I don't like lights on pistols. Living in Florida a short-sleeved shirt, or Guyabara look local, no one seems to link the combination with LEO. 85-year-old Cop? Yea right. Coupled with a very lovely older Lady on my arm. Like all CCW licensed people, I hope, I carry every day. Back to the 511s, I have black and green ones as well. On our last trip to Italy/England/Ireland, quite a few 511 type pants there also. Coach drivers liked the 511 Vests also. Last but not least, a folding 3" Benchmade clipped to my pocket.

May 5, 2021, 07:23 AM	#40
ojibweindian Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 1,198	Since forever, during the summer months I wear tucked dress shirts, jeans, sneakers, and a light weight sport coat that covers a full sized 9mm or 45 ACP in an OWB holster. This also is my attire when not carrying. During the winter months, I swap out the sport coat for something a bit heavier.

May 8, 2021, 02:59 PM	#45
Carl the Floor Walker member Join Date: June 3, 2017 Location: South Posts: 1,422	Fortunately for the guns I EDC, I have never had to dress around the gun. I wear Tee Shirts and loose shorts in the hot Balmy days of Summer. I do not like the look of Tactical clothes. I wear most of my shirts outside of pants so any shirt is fine. I refuse to wear heavy cotton cargo pants in the summer for any reason. I like very light nylon moister wicking shorts and I do NOT want to wear a belt period. I want to wear light, travel light. I do not believe in dressing around a EDC. The only things I do seek out are minimum weight. My keys, wallet and even Knife are minimalist. In winter/Fall easy. I just wear about any normal clothing. Typically jeans that fit perfectly. I would never buy a pair of pants one size too large for any carry reason. I do wear a belt but it is a slider belt. Carry light, shoot fast. And do not forget your hat. Keep the Sun and Rain OUT of your line of sight. Just ordered another one. Last edited by Carl the Floor Walker; May 8, 2021 at 04:24 PM.

May 8, 2021, 05:47 PM	#46
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	And just to join in the fun here's my contribution. An add from Midway for "Assault Pants". Their term, not mine. $48 marked down from $60. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#in...ZFjblBJvhpdQKq

May 8, 2021, 09:54 PM	#47
Red Devil Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2010 Posts: 274	Live in PROPPER 100% cotton ripstop BDU's. Khaki/OD, OD/Khaki, blouse and trousers, alternating. (wear'em as solids in the shop when they get ratty and changed out for new.) Swap in 6-pocket BDU shorts in the Summer. Red

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search