Concealed Carry for Women: Guns, Holsters, and Wardrobe

Women are the fastest-growing segment of new gun owners and concealed carry permit holders. But most firearms and holsters were designed with men's bodies and clothing in mind. This guide addresses the unique challenges women face when carrying concealed — and the solutions that work.

By Dwight Ringdahl — GunExpos.com

Why Women's Concealed Carry Is Different

Women face distinct challenges that most carry guides overlook:

  • Smaller hands — Many popular firearms are too large for comfortable grip and trigger reach
  • Different clothing — Tighter fits, thinner fabrics, no belt, and varying waistlines make traditional IWB carry harder
  • Different body shapes — Hip-to-waist ratio, bust line, and torso length affect holster placement
  • Off-body carry considerations — Purse carry is common but has tradeoffs

These aren't insurmountable challenges — they just require different solutions than the standard "Glock 19 in a Kydex IWB" advice.

Best Concealed Carry Guns for Women

The best gun for any woman is the one she shoots well, carries comfortably, and can manipulate confidently. That said, certain firearms have features that tend to work well for smaller hands.

Top Picks: Micro-Compact 9mm

  • Sig Sauer P365 — The gold standard. Small grip circumference, 10+1 capacity, light trigger pull. The P365 fits smaller hands exceptionally well.
  • Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ — Designed specifically for ease of use. Easier slide to rack, easier magazine to load, and grip safety. Available in 9mm and .380. This is the best choice for women who struggle with slide manipulation.
  • Springfield Hellcat — Aggressive texture helps with grip, 11+1 capacity in a tiny package.
  • Glock 43X — Slim frame, 10+1, Glock reliability.
  • Ruger MAX-9 — Budget-friendly micro-compact with good ergonomics.

Top Picks: Revolvers

  • Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight — 14.4 oz, .38 Special, no hammer to snag. Simple operation.
  • Ruger LCR — Exceptional trigger for a revolver, 13.5 oz, available in .38 Special and .327 Federal.

What to Avoid

  • Full-size pistols for primary concealed carry — Too large and heavy for most women's clothing
  • Very small .380s (like the Ruger LCP) — Extremely snappy recoil makes them unpleasant to practice with
  • Heavy revolvers — A steel-frame .357 is great at the range but punishing to carry all day

Key Features to Prioritize

  • Grip size — Must fit your hand naturally with proper trigger finger placement
  • Slide effort — Can you rack the slide easily and confidently? (The M&P EZ series excels here)
  • Weight — Under 20 oz loaded for comfortable all-day carry
  • Trigger reach — Your trigger finger should reach the trigger face without straining

Holster Options for Women

On-Body Carry (Best for Security)

Appendix IWB (AIWB) Surprisingly effective for many women. The holster sits at the 12–1 o'clock position, above the pubic bone.

  • Works well with mid-rise and high-rise pants
  • Conceals effectively under most untucked tops
  • Fast draw and excellent retention
  • Recommended: PHLster Enigma (beltless system), Tier 1 Concealed Axis Slim

Strong-Side IWB (3–4 o'clock) Traditional IWB position on the strong-side hip.

  • Requires a belt (or the PHLster Enigma)
  • Works best with stiffer pants or jeans
  • Recommended: Vedder LightTuck, Tenicor Velo

Belly Band A wide elastic band worn around the midsection.

  • Works with dresses, skirts, yoga pants, and athletic wear
  • No belt required
  • Versatile positioning (appendix, hip, or cross-draw)
  • Recommended: Can Can Concealment Hip Hugger, Crossbreed Belly Band

Thigh Holster Worn on the inner thigh, concealed under a skirt or dress.

  • Effective for dresses and skirts where waistband carry is impossible
  • Requires practice drawing from under clothing
  • Recommended: Dene Adams thigh holster, Can Can Concealment thigh holster

Bra Holster A holster that attaches between the breasts or under the arm via the bra band.

  • Deep concealment under any top
  • Very slow draw
  • Limited to very small firearms
  • Recommended: Flashbang bra holster (for specific body types and firearms)

Off-Body Carry (Purse Carry)

Purse carry is popular among women but has significant tradeoffs:

Advantages:

  • Works with any outfit
  • No printing or comfort issues
  • Large enough for a comfortable-size handgun

Disadvantages:

  • Slower draw — Must reach into the purse, find the gun, and draw
  • Theft risk — Purse snatching puts your gun in criminal hands
  • Separation risk — If you set the purse down, you're unarmed
  • Access by children — A purse left on a counter or floor is accessible to kids

If You Choose Purse Carry:

  • Use a purpose-built concealed carry purse with a dedicated gun compartment
  • Keep the purse on your body at all times (cross-body strap)
  • Practice drawing from the purse regularly
  • Never let children access the purse
  • Recommended brands: Gun Tote'n Mamas, Concealed Carrie, Cameleon Bags

Wardrobe Strategies

Tops That Conceal

  • Patterned and printed tops hide printing far better than solid colors
  • Flowy or draped fabrics conceal without clinging
  • Structured blazers and cardigans cover hip carry effectively
  • Peplum tops drape over the waistline perfectly

Bottoms That Support

  • Mid-rise or high-rise jeans and pants provide the best waistband support
  • Size up 1 inch in the waist for IWB carry
  • Sturdy denim conceals better than thin leggings
  • A quality gun belt (or the PHLster Enigma) prevents sagging and shifting

The PHLster Enigma System

The Enigma deserves special mention. It's a beltless chassis that works with any clothing — including dresses, skirts, leggings, and athletic wear. The holster attaches to a leg strap system instead of a belt. This is the single most versatile carry solution for women.

Training Recommendations

  • Take a women-focused CCW class — Many ranges offer women-only courses with female instructors
  • Practice drawing from your actual holster in your actual clothing (dry fire, unloaded)
  • Shoot at least 200 rounds through your carry gun before relying on it
  • Practice weak-hand shooting — You may need to shoot one-handed
  • Join a women's shooting group — A Girl & A Gun, The Well Armed Woman chapters exist nationwide

Finding the Right Gear

  • Gun shows — The best place to try holsters, handle firearms, and compare options. Find one at our show directory.
  • Women-focused retailers — The Well Armed Woman (thewellarmedwoman.com) specializes in women's carry gear
  • Local ranges — Rent before you buy. Shoot several options before committing.

The most important thing is to carry consistently. The best gear is what you'll actually wear every day. Start with a quality micro-compact, a comfortable holster, and practice regularly.