Your location and plans can affect the type of holster you need because it influences what you wear. There are also places where you can and cannot legally carry a gun, so do a little research to know what is within your rights. 

AROUND THE HOUSE AND WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS

You should feel safe in your home, yet home invasions happen every day. Since we often let our guards down at home, being threatened in our own house can catch us off guard and in a vulnerable state. Being prepared may mean having access to a firearm through a quick-access safe, or it might mean carrying a gun on your body. The nice thing about wearing a gun in your home's comfort is that there is less pressure to avoid printing, so there is more flexibility with the type of holster you choose.

It is better to be safe than sorry out running errands because we never know when danger will arise. We don't want people to detect our firearm in public, so the type of holster you choose may depend on your clothing.

PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Choosing to conceal carry at work could potentially save your life and the lives of your co-workers. Make sure you’re aware of your company’s policy on firearms. If your place of employment allows concealed carry, you’ll need to conceal your firearm in a way that meets the dress code.

Business casual staples may or may not have belt loops, which can affect your ability to wear a Kydex holster. If your dress pants have belt loops, go ahead and try a belt and Kydex holster. However, if they don’t feature loops or perhaps the material is too thin to support the gun, a bellyband provides a way to carry over your appendix.

With dresses, a thigh holster or concealed carry purse comes in handy. Just remember, when carrying a gun in your purse, you should always keep the bag within your control. Click here to read the one thing you must never do if you conceal carry in a purse.

SHOPPING OR OUT TO EAT WITH FRIENDS

When out in public, you can’t assume everyone has good intentions. Make sure to turn on your situational awareness and stay in your group because there is safety in numbers.

There is a wide variety of appropriate clothes for this environment, giving you freedom when choosing a holster. 

DOMESTIC TRAVEL

When I conceal carry while traveling, I like to be comfortable, so I often wear jeans or leggings. With jeans, a Kydex holster, and with leggings, I'd wear a bellyband. Depending on how long my drive is, I may carry in a purse, so the gun doesn't feel uncomfortable when I sit for long periods.

Keep in mind that concealed carry handgun laws vary from state to state, so make sure to know the regulations for each state you'll be visiting or driving through. 

The method of transportation will also affect how you carry. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can fly domestically with unloaded firearms stored in the proper safety container in your checked baggage. To read more on flying with a firearm, click HERE.

Your security does not mean compromising on style or comfort. There are options for women to conceal a firearm that caters to the individualized needs of each woman. Considering what you typically wear on your lower half may direct you to a particular type of holster. Jeans allow you to use a belt and Kydex holster, and with a dress, you might choose a thigh holster or concealed carry purse. Of course, no matter the occasion or outfit, a bag offers versatility; it's an excellent backup holster if you ever need to take off your primary holster throughout the day. You can find safety tips for purse concealed carry here.

MOSTLY LEGGINGS, SWEATPANTS, OR PANTS WITHOUT BELT LOOPS

If you primarily wear leggings, sweatpants, or pants without belt loops, a bellyband worn at your natural waist or hips is a great option. 

MOSTLY SKIRTS OR DRESS PANTS WITHOUT BELT LOOPS

A belly band is an excellent solution for pants without belt loops and skirts. With skirts, you could also choose a thigh holster. There are two popular designs- a band worn around the leg or a pair of shorts. Thigh holster pockets are placed on the inside or outside of the leg. A pocket on the outside of the leg works well with a full skirt or loose skirt. With a tight skirt, a pocket on the inside of the leg will hide the gun best. The thing with thigh holsters is that you may need to take these off in public restrooms. A concealed carry purse makes a great backup holster when you need to take the gun off your person.

PRIMARILY JEANS AND PANTS WITH BELT LOOPS

A Kydex holster is an excellent option if you wear mostly jeans and pants with belt loops. A good Kydex holster allows for a smooth and consistent draw, easy re-holstering, and most importantly, the hard material covers your trigger to prevent accidental discharge. You could clip the holster pretty much anywhere on your waistline but never place the gun directly over your spine because this could cause injury if you were to fall and land on the gun.

MOSTLY DRESSES

For women who mostly carry in dresses, thigh holsters and concealed carry purses are popular. When in a dress, the outfit is usually formal enough to be accessorized with a bag anyway, making purses a very convenient way for dress wearers to conceal carry. 

No matter what your style is, there is a concealed carry option for you to feel safe and confident at the same time. If you're looking for a shirt to minimize printing, check out the Blurring Cami, explicitly designed for concealed carry to shield your gun.

TIGHT-FITTING SHIRTS

It can be difficult to conceal your gun inside a tight-fitting shirt due to printing, an outline of the gun showing through your clothing. Of course, you can always place the firearm at your side or back and add a roomy cardigan or jacket. Otherwise, you may want to use a concealed carry purse. Just make sure the bag has a separate pocket and built-in holster to secure the gun. 

FITTED, BUT NOT TIGHT

Shirts that are fitted but not tight are ideal for waistband concealment. With tops like this, go ahead and use a belt with a Kydex holster. If this combination creates a bump in the shirt, you may have better luck with a snug bellyband.

LOOSE AND FLOWY SHIRTS

A Kydex holster and belt is arguably the most secure way to holster your gun, and a loose shirt is one of the easiest ways to conceal. So, if you tend to wear loose and flowy shirts, I suggest this type of holster. If printing is a problem for you, use our "Racerback Blurring Cami," a concealed carry top for women, uniquely designed to decrease printing with eight fabric panels.

CROP TOPS

It can be tricky to conceal carry with a crop top. In this case, a bra holster or a concealed carry purse is the way to go.

Depending on the occasion, there will be different dress codes you may need to follow. Dress code alone doesn't dictate the type of holster you can use, but it is another piece of the puzzle that affects how women conceal carry.

LOUNGEWEAR/ SPORTSWEAR

This ultra-casual attire is often worn at home, the gym, and around town. Pants that fall into the loungewear or sportswear categories include athletic leggings, sweatpants, running shorts. What they have in common is they don't typically have belt loops. Depending on what activity you're doing, you may choose a belly band, a Kydex holster that clips to fabric, or a concealed carry purse. 

CASUAL

When the dress code is casual, jeans make a perfect base for wearing a belt and clipping on a Kydex holster. People prefer this method because Kydex offers excellent retention and easy access to draw the gun. 

BUSINESS CASUAL

Business casual is typical in the workplace or a professional environment where you might wear dress pants, skirts, or dresses. A concealed carry purse could be an option, but choose an on-body holster if you can't keep the bag in your control all day at the office. Take advantage of structured pieces like a blazer or crisp button-up shirt to conceal carry on your body. Some dress pants don't have belt loops, making it more challenging to wear a Kydex holster, but a bellyband is a great workaround. If you wear a skirt or dress, a thigh holster is perfect. 

SMART CASUAL/ DRESSY

This dress code is similar to business casual and may be worn in the office or during special events. It may be more appropriate to carry a concealed carry purse depending on the occasion. 

Each type of carrying method has pros and cons; it is all about what works best for you and your lifestyle. Here are some of the most common places to carry.

APPENDIX

Appendix carry is probably the most popular location to carry a gun. Place the firearm between your front pocket and the zipper on your jeans. One good thing about carrying in this location is that the gun is easily accessible to draw quickly. As with any carry method, handle the gun carefully, especially since the gun points at such a critical part of the body, your femoral artery. 

RIBS

A belly band or a bra holster allows you to carry a gun over your ribs, which is helpful when you want to wear a crop top. Some women choose to carry in this location because it is more comfortable. 

THIGH

Thigh carrying is handy for women who wear skirts and dresses. When purchasing a thigh holster, make sure it is tight enough to prevent it from slipping down your leg. 

PURSE

Many women prefer Purse-concealed carry due to its convenience. Some use it as their primary holster, while others carry the gun on their body and use the purse as a backup holster. Remember, always keep your bag with you to avoid getting into the wrong hands. If you choose to purse carry, use a purse designed for concealed carry with a separate pocket and holster for the gun.

Take time to consider which aspects of concealed carry are most important to you and fit in best with your lifestyle. Every woman has different priorities, so consider what you want most from your holster. 

A HARDCOVER OVER THE TRIGGER

It's always a good idea to have a hardcover over your trigger to prevent accidental discharge. With “soft” holsters such as a bellyband or thigh holster, there is a danger of the trigger being pulled accidentally through the material. Avoid this by adding a hardcover to a soft holster or choose a kydex holster attached to a belt . Click here to read more about how the holster you choose can affect whether you carry a bullet in the chamber and/or use a manual safety. Also, keep in mind safety starts with you. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot. Make sure to practice so you're proficient with your gun, and never become lax with your safety habits. 

HAVING A PLACE TO SAFELY STORE MY GUN WHEN I NEED TO TAKE IT OFF MY BODY TEMPORARILY (EX: IN A PUBLIC RESTROOM)

There may be times when it is not safe or practical to keep your gun on your body. For example, you may need to remove the firearm from your person to use the bathroom. Another situation may be trying on clothing in a dressing room. For these scenarios, consider carrying a concealed carry purse and privately switching the gun from your body holster to the special holster in your bag. As with any holster, make sure to practice drawing the gun from your purse so you are quick and smooth.

HAVING A WAY TO CARRY IN SKIRTS AND DRESSES

As previously mentioned, skirts and dresses do not need to be a limitation for concealed carrying. There are plenty of options, such as the thigh holster or concealed carry purse, that will allow you to feel safe even without a belt loop or waistband accessible. 

AVOID PRINTING/ SHOWING AN OUTLINE OF THE GUN THROUGH MY CLOTHES.

To stay the safest, the only one who should know that you have a gun is yourself (along with anyone you're obligated to inform, such as the police). To seamlessly conceal your firearm, avoid printed by using specialized concealed carry clothing or by wearing thicker, more flowy materials. In addition to minimizing printing, you should refrain from touching the gun. Although it's a natural reflex, keep your hands off the self-defense tool to avoid drawing attention.