Concealment Vests

[bryang]

That's great, LT, you defiantly have a beautiful family and she sure does a good job with the sewing.

-geo

[longtooth]

Thank you sir & I am so prowd of Mom sometimes I nearly bust.

[toddlinder]

longtooth, thanks for the pictures, it certainly does give me some more options. rok, that was a good link - thanks guys.
- Todd

[KBCraig]

The only people that think GUN when the see a vest are already carrying guns of their own.

Yup. Everyone else just thinks you're eccentric, or a plain ol' dork.

KB you scoundrell, you know I cover w/ a vest all the time.

I almost wrote an exception for you, but wordiness would have ruined a good one-liner.

Folks, LT is neither dorky nor eccentric (at least by our standards). He's really mastered the idea of blending in. Instead of looking really out of place by wearing a safari or photography vest, he's more of a "Larry the Cable Guy dressed for church" kind of guy. Except Ma hems his non-sleeves.

There's a lot to be said for "dress around the gun". Personally, I opt for looking like a middle age guy wearing oversized club shirts over tees (I carry OWB). Without a seamstress in the family, it's easier than LT's style, but the brushpopper/Carhartt look sure blends better in East Texas.

Everyone can find a style of dress that will accommodate concealed carry within their lifestyle parameters. Sometimes it means staying more dressed up than usual, sometimes it means being more casual than usual. Sometimes it means adding accessories you normally wouldn't. Be creative!

Kevin

[longtooth]

I knew I would love your response.

This last paragraph folks is the best advice you will get on cover. I wish I had wrote this. I may do just that on the other board I mod & would take credit for it except they would know I aint quite that sharp...

KB wrote
Everyone can find a style of dress that will accommodate concealed carry within their lifestyle parameters. Sometimes it means staying more dressed up than usual, sometimes it means being more casual than usual. Sometimes it means adding accessories you normally wouldn't. Be creative!
That is the key.

Thanks KB & hope to shoot again soon my friend.

[Crossfire]

...he's more of a "Larry the Cable Guy dressed for church" kind of guy...

Now that's just funny right there. I don't care who ya are!

[longtooth]

Yea, 1st time I have been called that too.

OH well, we really never know how others see us. I guess.

[fratermus]

The only people that think GUN when the see a vest are already carrying guns of their own.

Yup. Everyone else just thinks you're eccentric, or a plain ol' dork.

Probably.

I wore out a Banana Republic photog vest and currently have an Eddie Bauer. In both cases, people ask me: "Where did you get that? How much did it cost?"

I guess it's suboptimal to attract attention and perhaps the people around me are eccentric dorks, but not everyone hates vests. Maybe I just don't watch enough "QE for the Straight Guy" and my fashion sense is uncalibrated.

[The Annoyed Man]

I have a photog/fishing vest, and have worn it for cover, but the problem is that they don't really look good on me. They tend to accentuate the "horizontal" nature of my build over the vertical. In other words, they make me look fatter than I already am.

[mr.72]

There are certainly groups or sets of people who look perfectly normal in a vest, even around Austin.

Like, Kinky Friedman

no really I am kidding. There are some folks who look pretty normal in a vest and will not attract any extra attention at all.

However for many people, the addition of a vest to their wardrobe would mean instant-dork-status. For me it would, and would invite all kinds of questions about whether I have a stain to cover up on my shirt or maybe I am out of laundry.

[CWOOD]

I really like LT's modified Wrangler shirt vest.

In Texas, a nice leather western style vest works very well with an IWB if you wear (or even don's) jeans and boots.

One choice that I have used A LOT since I got it, even in this hot summer, is the Woolrich Elite Lightweight Vest. You can Google them and even find them on ebay. Price ranges from $45-60 depending on the source. They are VERY well made, Scotchgarded, and comfortable. They have a vented back, a reasonable number of pockets, velcro to keep pockets open OR closed. They make a heavier version, but the lightweght version has been great for my puposes.

The bullfrog skin vest mentioned earlier looks nice too, for those who want to dress up a bit more without the western theme.

I have never, to my knowledge, attracted unwanted attention as a result of wearing a vest.

[casingpoint]

Your only realistic hope of comfort in 100 degree weather is a mesh vest. Plenty of pockets here inside and out in a garment that screams worker guy, not gun. Obviously go brown for that low key appearance, although looking like a construction hand is a valid subtrefuge in an urban environment.
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/iCat/ ... asp?page=9
http://www.benmeadows.com/search/vests


The famed Filson Cruiser vest above is great for fall/winter weather, available in tan:
http://www.benmeadows.com/search/vests/8984/

[Mike1951]

That would work fine for you little fellers!

[KBCraig]

There are certainly groups or sets of people who look perfectly normal in a vest, even around Austin.

Like, Kinky Friedman

Did someone just suggest that Kinky Friedman looks "perfectly normal"?

Just kidding, I supported his run, even though I oppose his populist policies. I just wanted to see someone bust up the status quo.

no really I am kidding. There are some folks who look pretty normal in a vest and will not attract any extra attention at all.

However for many people, the addition of a vest to their wardrobe would mean instant-dork-status. For me it would, and would invite all kinds of questions about whether I have a stain to cover up on my shirt or maybe I am out of laundry.

Yeah, that's what I meant. For some styles, a vest (usually leather) goes quite naturally. Usually those vests are a bit snug for concealment, though.

[CJATE]

Slacks and a tie are standard in my industry as well, I step it up to a suit (lose the tie in summer), Full size 1911 IWB tucked, never (ever) and issue.