First seen in USCCA’s Concealed Carry Magazine

Benefits Of A Capsule Wardrobe (Concealed Carry Girl Version)

I was getting ready to meet a friend for coffee and was looking forward to wearing a newly purchased outfit. Once dressed, I clipped on my holster, only to find that my top didn’t conceal the firearm well enough. I stared at the outline of a gun under my shirt and weighed my options; I could either change clothes or leave the house without my gun.

I ransacked my closet looking for a new combination and tried pieces on one by one. You would think a wardrobe full of options would make this process easier! Instead, my closet (and now bedroom) felt cluttered.

At the last possible minute, I threw on an outfit I wore the day before. This was when I knew something had to change and I started planning for a capsule wardrobe. 

What In The World Is a Capsule Wardrobe?

The basic idea of the capsule wardrobe is to appreciate what you have and do more with less. To some, it means a collection of staple clothing items that never go out of style that are enhanced with seasonal or trendy pieces. Others consider it a small number of cherished, color coordinating items, that can be mixed and matched to create numerous outfits.

The benefits of a capsule wardrobe can include an organized closet, spending less on clothing, and versatility with the pieces you have.

I’ve never seen the capsule concept applied to conceal carry, but I think it can address many of the wardrobe dilemmas presented when carrying a gun.

For the woman who can afford only one holster, the capsule helps you style many looks around that holster. If you’re new to concealed carry and struggle with adequately hiding your gun, organizing your clothing into a capsule helps you make your concealment choices in advance and simplifies your daily choices. 

How Do I Start?

Purge

Starting a capsule wardrobe is a great opportunity to clear out items that just aren’t working anymore. If it doesn’t fit, is out of style, isn’t your color, doesn’t work for concealed carry, or hasn’t been worn for over a year, perhaps its time to say goodbye.

At a minimum, separate those items from the capsule clothing so you can focus on your concealed carry go-to pieces.

Identify the Season

It’s a good idea to identify the season and occasions your capsule should satisfy. My capsule was prepared for spring, which in Ohio can mean unpredictable temperatures, so I need items for both warm and cold weather.

For the occasion(s), I decided to plan around working at home, attending meetings, running errands, and going out to eat with friends. Going to the gym is another big part of my life, but for now, I’m not including that in my capsule.

From the remaining occasion and season-appropriate items, what colors show up most frequently? You may start to get a clue about what your color palette should be, but if not that’s okay.

Start choosing items

The next step is to start choosing items for each category. (For example, pants, holsters, shoes, etc.) It’s up to you to choose how many pieces to include in each section, but a typical capsule is around 30 pieces or under.

Begin with the area that inspires you most. Since I’m building a wardrobe around concealed carry, I’m starting with holsters.

What About Holsters?

You only need one holster to get started, but from my large collection, I’ll be cutting back to four: one for appendix carry, a thigh holster, and two concealed carry purses.

Appendix Carry

For appendix carry, I chose a Kydex holster with a Fabriclip made by Eclipse Holsters. What I like most about this holster is that it covers the trigger with hard material, and the Fabriclip attaches directly to my jeans, which means I’m not required to wear a belt.

Thigh Holster

I love wearing dresses in spring, so a thigh holster is a must. I prefer the shorts style over a band because it protects my inner thigh from chaffing. I chose a pair made by Dene Adams which also has a built-in trigger cover.  

Concealed Carry Purse

I’m also including two concealed carry purses made by Cameleon Bags. Even though my primary method of carry is on my body, I prefer all of my purses to have built-in holsters. This one is my current favorite.

The biggest reason is that when removing the gun from a soft holster in the restroom, a concealed carry purse provides a safe place to temporarily holster the gun.

It also covers my bases for unplanned situations or wardrobe malfunctions like spilling water on a white shirt, making it transparent. Plus, I can use it if an outfit doesn’t allow me to carry on my body.

And What About Pants, Shorts and Dresses?

Pants & Shorts

Since I’m opting to use a Fabriclip and no belt, supportive pants are a must. I selected two pairs of high-wasted jeans, both snug and sturdy enough to support the weight of my gun.

However, my white shorts are too flimsy and don’t keep the gun in place. I’m including them in the capsule for now, but I consider this a gap in the wardrobe because it doesn’t allow me to carry on my body. When you run into gaps, make sure to add those items to your shopping list. As you shop, always keep an eye out for concealed carry clothes.

Dresses

I think a dress is one of the easiest ways to conceal a handgun and I always look forward to wearing them when spring rolls around. I included three in this capsule that can either be dressed up or down.

• The first one is a blue cotton dress with a classic cut. It may look somewhat short, but the length completely conceals my gun, even when sitting.

• A white linen dress with puff sleeves, polka dots, and a tie back is one of my trendier pieces. I added it to brighten up the wardrobe and add some fun. It’s made from a breathable linen blend so I won’t get too warm when wearing the thigh holster underneath. Plus, it’s lined, which is another great concealment feature.

The first two dresses conceal just fine, but I think longer dresses are even more comfortable for carrying.

• I added a long, black and white checked dress with a slit on the side, which is meant to be worn off the shoulder, but can also be worn with the sleeves pulled up onto the shoulder.

Should I Limit Color?

Keep in mind that a consistent color palette will provide more versatility in your wardrobe and the ability to mix and match. As I decided on dresses and pants, a color scheme started to reveal itself - blue, white, and black.

With the addition of shoes and layers, the color tan joined the mix. And when finalizing purses and accessories, I added accents of pink.

What are Some Go-To Tops?

Next, choose tops to compliment your pants/skirts and accommodate your holster(s). I used concealed carry styling techniques that I’ve learned over the years.

First, I included a spandex tank top to wear under any or all of the shirts. It helps to compress the firearm closer to my body and reduce printing.

Second, I chose a shirt with a pattern, which can camouflage any bumps the gun may form. The patterned top I’m using is a delicate off-white lace shirt which I will layer over the tank.

Third, I chose a white sleeveless button-up for the heavy weight of the material and the fact that you can style it in different ways. Wear it untucked or tie the bottom in a knot.

Finally, I selected a blue poplin shirt that I often receive compliments on. Poplin is a stiff blend of cotton that is less likely to imprint. It came with a blue sash that when tied around the waist, forms a ruffle to better hide the gun. The sash can be styled a few different ways by tying it in a bow, a knot, or going without it altogether.

(*updated 07/2022) A newer option is the Concealment Camisole, which is a polished top specifically designed to prevent your gun from showing.

For more, check out Best Shirts for Women’s Concealed Carry

How Do Layers Fit In?

Use outer layers to aid in concealment and inject variety into your wardrobe. I’m using two knit cardigans in colors from my palette, one blue and one tan.

A jean jacket will be perfect for casual days and pairs well with sneakers, white shorts and any of the dresses.

A grey pullover sweater with pearl embellishments coordinates with the jewelry I plan to wear.

I could have stopped there, but decided to add one more piece, a grey blazer which will both keep me warm and add a touch of class to my outfits.

Are Shoes Important?

I found myself wondering, what is the maximum number of shoes you can have before your wardrobe is no longer considered a capsule? It was difficult to choose only four pairs, but I tried to include comfortable options to fit my needs.

I love heels and they’re required for the floor length flare jeans, so I included a pair of black strappy heels and some tan ankle strap wedges. More comfortable options include flat black sandals and a pair of white sneakers.

Updated 10/2024 - a bizarre experience lead me to view shoes from a new perspective. To help with your capsule selection, check out our Shoe Rating Scale for Self-Defense to learn how footwear can affect your ability to protect yourself.

What About Accessories?

Accessories can easily change the way an outfit looks without taking much space in your closet. Feel free to use as many as you’d like, or you can limit the items like I did.

I chose four pairs of earrings, a necklace, and two bracelets that fit into the theme of gold and pearl. I wanted gold jewelry to coordinate with the gold chain on my pink purse.

The pearls inspired me to include the grey sweater with pearl beads. I also added a pretty pink scarf for a pop of color around my neck or to tie on my purse.

 Outcome

After making my initial selections, I hung them together in my closet to “live with them” for a while. Over a period of two weeks, I made a few changes and finally landed on the collection I’m showing you today. When spring arrives, I’ll start living out of this section of my closet and I plan to write about it on my blog.

My estimate is that from 23 individual pieces of clothing I selected, I will be able to put together 40 combinations that look different enough for my liking. I’m happy with the versatility but the greatest benefit is that I can put an outfit together on a moment’s notice that is sure to conceal my firearm effectively.

Ready for Your Capsule Wardrobe?

If styling frustrations have ever caused you to leave the house without your firearm, why not try a capsule wardrobe? With a little forethought, dressing for concealed carry becomes simple.