Concealed Carry Clothes for Skinny People (Tips for 2023)

Concealed Carry Clothes for Skinny People

Photo by Ibro Palic / CC BY

Put your hands up! Now bend over and touch your toes! No, I’m not trying to trick you into some yoga but if your shirt rose above your pants revealing any part of your midsection during that then your clothes are probably not the best fit for carrying concealed.

And if you happen to be on the thinner side of body types then you’re probably already aware of the struggles that come along with finding the right clothing to properly conceal a firearm. Something else to be aware of is excessing printing: seeing the outline of the firearm through the clothes. Clothing that is too tight will almost certainly print.

In this article, we’ll go over some do’s and don’t as well as provide tips when deciding on what to wear when it comes to carrying concealed and you’re equipped with a thinner frame.

The Challenge of Concealing When You’re Skinny

If you’re an ectomorph, someone with a thin and lanky build, you tend to lack the curves or extra mass that makes concealing a handgun easier. Chances are you don’t have much of a gut to create an overhang over your waist, or tree trunks for thighs making it harder to spot anything sticking out from your waistline.

In short, any weapon on your person might stick out like a sore thumb. But there are things you can do to make concealment much more comfortable and easier in general.

Shirts and Jackets

Avoiding anything too tight fitting or short should be your first step and something you’ve probably already realized. As mentioned in the beginning of the article, there is a simple and quick test to see if your shirt or jacket is too short for concealment. Performing this test with your weapon holstered (and while at home) also helps to see if your clothing might snag or bunch up on your gun.

When it comes to t-shirts, consider buying a size larger to create a loose fit reducing the chance of printing.

Tucked Shirts

If you’re someone who likes to tuck in their shirt and are using a holster that accommodates this, make sure your shirt has some extra length to it. Tucking your shirt and leaving a small “puff” area around your waistline allows you to create a more natural look when concealing that you don’t have to worry about printing.

Another tuck option available for the trendier crowd is the half tuck, tucking in half or less of your shirt. The great thing about this option is you can just tuck the area right around your handgun and leave the rest of your shirt untucked with the same benefits as full tuck but with added ventilation.

Just make sure when you’re tucking in your shirt you create a small puffed up area to help conceal your firearm and reduce printing.

Practical tips to dress for carrying a concealed gun

Untucked Shirts

If your preference is an untucked shirt then you need to ensure your shirt is loose fitting, especially around the waist and long enough not to accidentally reveal your weapon. This may seem obvious, but it bears repeating and is extremely, extremely important.

As a fellow stick person, my preference lies with buttoned up collared shirts more commonly known as dress shirts. When untucked they fall far enough below the waist and with a properly worn holster have minimal printing. Choosing something other than a solid color design also helps to cover any possible printing that might happen.

Jackets and Hoodies

When weather permits, these are obviously your best options for helping conceal your carry weapon with minimal printing. Regardless whether you’re carrying in a shoulder holster or even outside the waistband, a jacket is going to help you conceal. The only downside is if you’re relying on a jacket for concealment and then move inside a building or someplace warmer, you could be stuck with your jacket on and this could in turn look suspicious or just plain weird.

However, it should be noted that even in warmer climates, you can wear lighter weight hoodies that are primarily used for sun protection to help concealed carry. These hoodies are generally about the same thickness as a t-shirt and made from similar material or even thinner materials. A quick Google search for “sun hoodies” will show you exactly what I’m talking about. Not only will they protect your skin from the sun but also make it a breeze to carry concealed.

3 Biggest Mistakes When Carrying a Handgun

Pants

Following the same rules as your shirt make sure your pants aren’t too tight or worn too low. A good belt is also essential. You’ll probably find that pants that fit perfectly before are now a bit constrictive when carrying concealed. Invest in pants at least an inch or two inches larger in the waist to comfortably accommodate your concealed carry weapon.

Pants that are too tight in thigh areas, aka skinny jeans, are obviously going to be a bad choice and print severely. Relaxed fit pants tend to work very well and leave minimal printing.

Always wear a belt when concealing as well. A belt will ensure your weapon is held against your body firmly and won’t flop around or move on you. Now you don’t have to run out and buy a specially designed gun belt to accomplish this but do make sure what you’re using is sturdy and thick enough to do what you need. Make sure your concealed weapon will always be held flat against your person and won’t tip over.

Preening

Preening in the context of concealed carry is the action of having to constantly fix your clothes to make sure your weapon is still concealed. Before going out into public with your choice of concealed carry garments, you need to perform movements to see who your clothes will react. This will not only show you any weak areas but also build confidence in the things that are working and ultimately reduce the urge to preen unnecessarily, which can be a tell you are carrying.

Walk around, crouch down, bend over, do whatever you see yourself doing and then some. But most of all make sure you are comfortable! Good luck!

  • Stephen Ball is a former U.S. Marine, blog writer, and gun enthusiast. He has 20+ years of experience hunting and handling firearms. He’s had the opportunity to work with nearly every caliber and model available on the market from 1911’s to P90’s. His favorite carry gun is the Glock 26.

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