Why “Dressing Around the Gun” Is a Flawed Concept in Handgun Concealment

Article by: AP @Tradecraft USA

In the world of concealed carry, the phrase “dress around the gun” has long been treated as gospel. It suggests that individuals should select clothing that accommodates and obscures the shape of their firearm such as loose-fitting garments, patterned shirts, cover layers, reinforced belts, and so on. But this approach, while well-intentioned, fails to consider a critical truth: human beings are hardwired to alert to contrast. In the real world, concealment is not just about hiding an object—it's about blending in. And dressing around the gun often does the exact opposite.

Understanding Contrast: The Brain’s Alarm System

Contrast is the difference between an element and its surroundings—a shift in color, pattern, movement, or behavior. When something stands out from the baseline of a setting, it becomes conspicuous to the eye and compels the mind to investigate further. It's a survival mechanism, the same instinct that makes us spot motion in the brush or notice a figure walking the wrong way in a crowd. This principle is especially true for concealed carry: if the way you look or how you act deviates from what is normal for the environment, you become a walking alert.

So, what does this mean for someone who is trying to keep their handgun hidden? It means that if your mode of dress creates even subtle contrast—by trying to accommodate a firearm rather than blending in with the environment—you are drawing attention to yourself. And attention is the enemy of concealment.

The Baseline and the Break

In most settings, people dress and behave in ways that align with the environment, whether shaped by climate, social norms, or group style. This creates an unconscious sense of "normal" that others intuitively recognize. When someone introduces elements that don't fit—such as tactical clothing in a casual setting, extra layers in warm weather, or unusual body language—it sends warning signals that something is off. These deviations stand out because they break the visual and behavioral consistency people expect to see.

When someone "dresses around the gun," they often resort to tactics that inadvertently increase contrast. Some of common examples of these actions are as follows:

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