Comments on The Breda Fallacy: what to wear

Mike W: I do actually have some bacon-flavored lip...

2010-08-02T09:24:20.811-04:00

Mike W: I do actually have some bacon-flavored lipgloss that I picked up at the SHOT Show last year. Sad to say, it's disappointing. Smearing bacon grease on your lips SOUNDS awesome in theory, but in reality it's just plain weird.

You guys are making me rethink my purse-carry. Thanks for the food for thought!

Thanks for posting about this. I mentioned over a...

2010-07-31T14:07:17.196-04:00

Thanks for posting about this. I mentioned over at JayG's that it's tough finding a good way to carry as a female, hence the fallback on the purse-carry, which several people have mentioned is less-than-optimal.

Yep, Comp-Tac sells the Galco contour cut belts II...

2010-07-31T10:51:03.655-04:00

Yep, Comp-Tac sells the Galco contour cut belts IIRC.

I avoid men's belts stiff enough to carry a gu...

2010-07-31T09:54:43.426-04:00

I avoid men's belts stiff enough to carry a gun because they're radically uncomfortable with curves. Strongly recommend that women with curves look for contour-cut belts, which are stiff enough to support the firearm but designed to conform comfortably to feminine curves.

Galco makes some nice ones that taper in the front; the belt buckle becomes standard-sized at 1 or 1 1/4 inches, while the belt remains rigid enough for comfortable gun support at 1 1/2 inches. The contour cut allows the belt to "flare" a little at the bottom edge, so it accomodates the hip curve.

You can get contour-cut belts from several custom holster shops (including Ted Blocker Holsters), but a lot of guys will try to talk you out of it because creating the contour cut belt uses more leather and takes more work. They'll tell you it's "not necessary" because they don't want to do the work. But if you've got curves, it's the only way to go. The difference in comfort has to be felt to be believed!

My late love was big on the Dr Pepper lipsmacker. ...

2010-07-31T05:36:04.401-04:00

My late love was big on the Dr Pepper lipsmacker. I carry and use one in her sweet memory.

I witness at least one purse snatching a week in our micro-metropolis. I feel I should carry rating numbers like an olympic judge. I always was like Major Smith in Where Eagles Dare. Gun on person. Not in purse.

I carry, my biggest distraction is my T Shirt Hell T Shirts.

Dr. Pepper lipsmaker? I'm shocked you're ...

2010-07-30T21:34:43.062-04:00

Dr. Pepper lipsmaker? I'm shocked you're not using something bacon flavored!

Your advice about a stiff gun belt is good, as is ...

2010-07-30T21:27:39.670-04:00

Your advice about a stiff gun belt is good, as is the advice about a mens belt. I don't wear a gun belt though, I settle for a good quality men's leather belt, one that is on the sporty or casual side usually. I find them stronger, in most cases, than dress belts. I can get some fairly nice ones for under $25 and some as low as about $15 at Sears or other stores that sell regular belts. I try to get belts that are all one piece of leather and have the buckle secured by stictching as opposed to a snap. Make sure to avoid composite leather belts (basically shredded leather glued together to form a belt), braided belts, cloth belts. Try to get a belt that is at least 1.5 inches wide for stability of the holster, and pay attention to those belt loops to make sure the belt will fit them (not too small nor to big).

As you pointed out, loose fitting tops are great for concealment, so are light jackets. Another option is wearing a prety blouse tucked in (well for you not for me, I wear a t-shirt) and wearing a button down shirt over that, leaving the buttons unbuttoned like a jacket but much better for hotter weather.

Doing the check of yourself to see how well your pistol is concealed, that you mentioned, is a very good idea.

As for the accessories, it may be true that some will never think a gal with a skirt, blue or sparkling purple nail polish and dangly earings may be armed but remember that guys are, shall I say - pigs, and they oggle women. So they may notice that odd bump on the hip.

If you go with a fanny or belly pack type holster make sure it is made to hold a pistol. Ones made to hold pistols usually allow for quick and easy draw.

All the best,
Glenn B

PS: listened to your show last week, the recorded version, it was very good - you and Bonnie can be proud. Will listen to your latest one this weekend. Hopefully I will get to hear a live one soon.

All the best,
Glenn B

Zercool, I meant a men's dress gun belt.

2010-07-30T18:14:53.135-04:00

Zercool, I meant a men's dress gun belt.

Profitable discussion here for the gun-chicks and ...

2010-07-30T16:14:47.994-04:00

Profitable discussion here for the gun-chicks and the guys as well. Lots of the top end holster makers have some excellent equipment for the women. Galco, Kramer and Mitch Rosen offer some neat choices.

I never really got sold on the "good gun belt" argument and repeatedly tried belts I picked up at the menswear department or the Western wear store which seemed as stiff as you could expect. Then I popped for a Mitch Rosen belt and became a believer. It DOES make a huge difference and it doesn't really scream "gun-belt" either.

OK, going to pimp for my friend Michael now that y...

2010-07-30T15:16:12.105-04:00

OK, going to pimp for my friend Michael now that you have mentioned belts and holsters.

If you ladies need a good belt or holster to carry your preferred bang stick go over to http://www.theholstersite.com/

Michael can custom make you belts, holsters and even purses so you can be stylish and well armed, all at the same time.

Ed, I'm seriously against purse carry, for the...

2010-07-30T15:11:43.043-04:00

Ed, I'm seriously against purse carry, for the simple reason that purse-snatch-ery would lose you both your wallet and your gun. Also, it's too easy to put it down "for just a second" and have a greenhorn get hold of it.

Now, waist pouches -- ala Fiona in Burn Notice -- are attached to you at all times, can be worn over dresses, shorts and jeans, and don't need to get unbuckled when you hit the porta potty. I highly recommend it.

How about the classic garter thigh holster and a s...

2010-07-30T14:36:25.083-04:00

How about the classic garter thigh holster and a short skirt? It's a great look and accessible as all get-out!

On the topic of belts: if you want to get a men...

2010-07-30T13:48:10.175-04:00

On the topic of belts: if you want to get a men's dress belt, by all means, do so - but be prepared to spend a chunk for a good one. The $14.99 1" dress belts at Sears or Bonton are pretty much junk and WAY too floppy to hold up anything heavier than an LCP.

Breda ... I've got a 1950's vintage swing ...

2010-07-30T13:21:38.620-04:00

Breda ... I've got a 1950's vintage swing coat pattern in that I want to try in a heavy linen for summer. (Now that it's almost over.) Thanks for the reminder. I think the open chambray shirt screams "Shoot me first" as loud as the belly bag. But that's just me.

I love my down vests during cooler weather.

2010-07-30T13:13:32.982-04:00

I love my down vests during cooler weather.

Hilariously offensive t-shirts (of the kind fit fo...

2010-07-30T13:12:41.804-04:00

Hilariously offensive t-shirts (of the kind fit for GBC chat) would probably work as a distraction too.

A shirt that had "cock" "balls" plastered on the front would be distracting.

But then that's not exactly the kind of distraction you were recommending...

Perhaps you should get Kathy Jackson to come on BB...

2010-07-30T12:45:13.694-04:00

Perhaps you should get Kathy Jackson to come on BB & Guns to discuss this .....

Purses, you've got purses! You can also addre...

2010-07-30T12:26:13.087-04:00

Purses, you've got purses!

You can also address the issue from the other side, rather than what to cover the gun, what gun fits under the cover. Lots of nice choices in the small 9mm like Kahr, Kel-Tec, the new Taurus, Walther, Sig that aren't mouse guns but don't way you down like the classics.

2010-07-30T11:59:09.076-04:00

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"Accessories can be a distraction - who would...

2010-07-30T11:36:29.601-04:00

"Accessories can be a distraction - who would ever expect that the lady with the dangly earrings and the purple glitter nailpolish is packing heat? Those scary guns are totally a guy thing anyway, right? This is one of the big advantages of being a chick who carries."

Of all of the advice I've read about concealed carry clothing, this one is new. Good thinking. (Not that I wear earrings...)