No matter how you spin it, clothes also have to be right for the utility.
For example, you wouldnt wear a bathing suit to go skiing.
What I feel most comfortable and confident in wearing oftentimes doesnt lend itself well to concealed carry.
Carrying a handgun concealed for self-defense can be difficult. Alexo Athletica and Springfield Armory created a variety of great clothing choices for women to address this.
Summer months are harder than winter, when I can hide a slight bulge under flannels and jackets.
If anything, modern-day events are a warning to expect the unexpected.
Other times, I could conceal a handgun, but not get to it easily.
On the trail is a bad place to rely on police response alone for help. Be ready to rescue yourself with the right tools. Alexo Athletica and Springfield developed a line of clothing that helps women defend themselves.
Too many layers and not enough practice with technique make you slow on the draw as well.
Baggier clothes are often better, but I felt unattractive and self-conscious in most of what I tried.
Frankly, Im not a girl whos crazy over clothes.
The DeSantis Flextech pocket holster design benefited from decades of experience with cops and armed citizens alike.
This carried over when I started carrying concealed.
That changed when I found out about the Alexo Athletica x Springfield Armory Readywear collection.
I immediately reached out to get some to try out for myself.
The right t-shirt can make for an excellent cover garment when involved in outdoor activities. Alexo Athletica’s Flowy Tee is just such a shirt.
Here are my thoughts on the pieces I reviewed.
DeSantis Flextech Holster
The cornerstone of this line is the ambidextrous DeSantis Flextech pocket holster.
It pairs with the double pocket system in Alexo pants for additional trigger guard protection and a smooth draw.
These full-length leggings offer four pockets for carrying a defensive handgun in addition to a cell phone, keys and other tools.
It took a bit of getting used to at first.
The key is to insert the holster fully into the pocket before adding the firearm.
Ensure the rubberized exterior is facing outward so as to catch against the pocket fabric.
When combined with the DeSantis Flextech holster, the author found the Hellcat carried easily in the Alexo Athletica leggings.
Overall, this is a great minimalist system.
I carried my Springfield Armory Hellcat and practiced drawing from each of the pants I received with no issues.
The holster stayed intact in the pocket and the gun came out smoothly each time.
In the author’s testing, the Lounge Pants proved a looser fit option for carrying defensive weaponry.
MSRP is $29.
Jean shorts, sure.
Alexo leggings, absolutely.
The Alexo Athletica Ladies Performance Jacket offers protection from the elements and provides concealment.
The material dries quickly and has some moisture-wicking properties.
Though the material is a bit heavy to the touch, its very lightweight when worn.
The Springfield Flowy Tee is offered in red, blue and white.
It also didnt just hang on the body, but rather moved with you.
Slight natural wrinkles further cloaked my pistol.
MSRP is $29.
Generally, marketing copy isnt 100% accurate.
In this case, it is.
They had substance, yet still allowed a full range of movement.
My Hellcat stayed intact through jumping, running and a variety of other physical tests.
If you like loose-fitting leggings, these arent for you.
Look to the Terry Lounge Pant instead.
MSRP is $99.
Each of these double pockets provides hiding places for a variety of items and flexibility in how you carry.
These are high waisted, but otherwise unrestrictive.
I worked out on an elliptical with my Hellcat stowed in the right kidney carry pocket.
No such issues with the kidney carry pocket.
MSRP is $79.
Springfield Terry Cowl Hoodie
This hoodie is the counterpart to the Terry lounge pant.
Otherwise, one should be careful not to flash everyone in the gym.
For this reason, Alexo recommends layering with an active tee or sizing up.
MSRP is $69.
The jacket fell to my hips, still allowing me to conceal with the jacket zipped and unzipped.
Reflective strips on the front and back provide extra protection in low-light.
Thumbholes vanish within the sleeves and the neoprene first hits the skin with a sort of cooling sensation.
MSRP is $99.
Springfield Breezy Moto Jacket
The Springfield Breezy Moto Jacket is my favorite piece in the collection.
While not featuring a dedicated CCW pocket, it is the perfect in-between jacket with mesh panels spread throughout.
It is incredibly lightweight and has two main side pockets and an incredibly handy chest pocket.
Zippers secure all the pockets as well as adorn the sleeve edges, allowing them to be rolled up.
MSRP is $129.
Conclusion
This collection, above all else, makes a point.
Being active only changes the way that you carry, not if.
Concealed carry clothing also doesnt have to be unflattering and uncomfortable.
Review what you have and consider access to the gun, retention, comfort, and situation.