Teddy Talk

The Clothes Make The Man

 

Note: The author is a former Marine infantryman. He presently works for a professional consulting firm providing services to governmental agencies and large commercial clients.  He is an experienced shooter who has served as a stage judge and range officer in several NTIs. 

 

 

  Not too long ago, I accepted an offer at a new place of employment.  Meeting new people, learning different office guidelines and entering a fresh environment brought me an opportunity to make conscious decisions about how much of my personal life I would reveal to my new acquaintances.  Because I assume the responsibility of providing for my own safety, I chose to be armed.

 

  I am persuaded that carrying a weapon is an intimate, private decision and should not be revealed to others flippantly or carelessly, if even at all.  Facilitating this choice dictates attire that permits the carry of my effects discretely.  I would prefer a business suit but formal wear deviates from the decorum of my office.  In my environment, a suit jacket would look just as out of place as a blaze orange hunting vest.  My challenge was to find a discreet cover garment that allowed me to blend in with my coworkers.  I work amongst scientists and field engineers who wear either slacks or clothing suitable for field work.

 

  I spent months searching retail clothing stores, browsing the internet, and turning over rocks with no success.  So many of the products I’ve seen on the market produced for like-minded individuals in our community look like a piece of gear.  They might look great at a firearms class but they don’t blend in with casual office attire.  A great variety of manufacturers offer concealment vests and they all look very much the same.  They obscure our tools but they don’t mask that we have them.  With the increasing number of individuals obtaining permits and the popularity of that type of vest among these people, I believe they draw rapid attention to anyone schooled in what someone uses that vest to accomplish.  I came to the decision that if I wanted this garment, I would have to fabricate it myself. 

 

  Basically, I wanted a flat vest of neutral color – no bulky pockets, no “D-rings”, nothing to make it look like gear.  I wanted something that looked casual, like clothing attire.  None existed.  Not to be denied, I acquired a sewing machine and set to work.  I selected some nice wool and pure cotton materials in basic prints and neutral colors.  I began with a McCall’s pattern, altered it for appearance, added 2 inside pockets and through about 4 trial and error runs, developed it into a final product which satisfied my tastes.  What I ended up with was a lined, waist length vest that looks enough like a fashion accessory that I feel doesn’t compromise its intended use.

 

  I believe I have successfully achieved my desired goal.  I have carefully chosen my entire wardrobe to achieve as much obscurity as reasonable.  Although in my capacity I don’t do field work for my employer, my coworkers have commented that I appear as if I do.  And no one has ever pried deeply into why I continually wear vests.

 

  Finally, I have concluded over this past year, it’s not so much the clothes that conceal my decision, but my behavior and interaction with my coworkers.  I don’t announce my involvement with ATSA’s activities or fly any flags proclaiming passion for the Second Amendment.  I don’t leave copies of “Guns and Ammo” lying around on my desk (truthfully, I don’t even read that crap – but you know what I mean).  I avoid the “water cooler discussions” about hunting.  I don’t entertain conversations about related topics that might turn into questions I would rather not explore.  Rather I steer small talk with my coworkers toward my passion for economics, philosophy or even my dogs (most often those dialogues end quickly; many perceive these themes as rather dry).   Since I have so many different vest patterns, I have been asked where I find them.  I proudly respond that I make them myself.  Most would assume that a man who sits in front of a sewing machine would have little interest in firearms.  In short, I try to craft my existence so as not to arouse suspicion.  For the most part, we can effortlessly conceal our tools from the general public; it is those we must interact with for 40 hours a week (or more) that make our task difficult. 

 

  I look forward to a company producing attire that could conceal our tools discretely.  If those clothes existed, I would buy them.  Until then, I’ll make my own.  If you come out to the NTI next summer, stop by and see me.  I’ll be happy to talk with you about my concept.  Maybe together we can spread the word to the vest manufacturers, and see some real “concealed carry” garments.