Does Fashion Matter?
I have a strong opinion as someone who has built a brand by showcasing the intersection of fashion and firearms. To me, style matters very much. I believe that as long as you’re being safe, fashion and firearms can coexist. I sought other opinions, too, but first, let’s have a short history lesson.
Although it may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to guns, fashion has been a part of firearms culture since the beginning. If we look at leather holsters, for example, we can see an evolution dating back to the 1800s. Western gun leather started with pommel bag holsters and scabbards for carrying guns while on a horse. These ranged from simple to ornate in design.
Belts and belted holsters came next, often seen with shiny metal fasteners and beautiful scrollwork. We can’t forget that they often carried their ammo on cartridge belts back then, which was mainly for function but added a little form as well.
As the years passed, gun leather was used for shoulder, hip, and pocket holsters. We saw women’s carry purses come into play. Ultimately, the modern outside-the-waistband and inside-the-waistband holsters we see today are a result of this, so you could say fashion has been part of the firearms world for a while.
Leather Holsters & Belts
I called Mike Barham, the media and PR manager for Galco Holsters, to get insight into leather holsters in what seems like an increasingly Kydex-focused market. Founded in 1969, Galco has built a reputation as the premier gun-leather crafters in the firearms industry. The company’s products have even been featured in several blockbuster movies, including “Die Hard,” “The Expendables,” “Face/Off,” and more.
I asked Barham what he thinks drives someone to buy a beautiful but expensive premium leather holster these days. Referring to both guns and holsters, he summed it up perfectly: “There is a tremendous amount of pride of ownership.”
Barham says, “There is a strong demographic of people who like 1911s or other legacy-type guns, who are also attracted specifically to leather holsters.” It’s hard to imagine putting a custom-made 1911 or revolver in anything but premium leather, so Galco has been able to tap into that market successfully.
Galco launched its MasterBilt line two years ago, and it has taken off. Barham says these holsters are made strictly by Galco’s best artisans in the Phoenix, Arizona, facility. I can’t think of anything more American than that. They also make belts, slings, purses, ammo carriers, and more.
I was curious about leather versus Kydex when it comes to sales, so I asked Barham, and it turns out they sell more holsters, in both materials, for modern polymer, striker-fired pistols. Although Kydex accounts for roughly 35 percent of Galco’s sales, leather holsters are still very much in play.
Modern Kydex Holsters
Next, I called Roger Barrera, the founder of QVO Tactical, to discuss modern Kydex holsters. He started QVO in 2013 when he found himself altering LEO department-issued gear. He has since left law enforcement to run the company full-time with his business partner, John Rodriguez.
QVO is known for its signature fabric-over-Kydex style. I asked Barrera about the thought process behind offering over 100 patterns and colors versus a few plain tactical options. He said, “This is America, and what’s great about here is we can have whatever we want.”
I couldn’t agree more.
I got one of their holsters last year for my Glock 43. When I looked at the company’s color and pattern chart, I felt like I was looking at the Cheesecake Factory menu, but in a good way. It took me a good hour to settle on a combination because there were so many good choices.
Barrera says he modeled QVO after a sneaker company, thinking that most people have at least three to five pairs to match different outfits and purposes.
“In other countries, it’s not normal to show off your guns, but we do here because it’s our God-given right,” said Barrera. “Why not also customize them to our personalities, aesthetics, and other things we like?”
Echoing a theme that came up in my conversation with Barham from Galco, Barrera referred to cowboys back in the day and the custom leather belts and holsters they used to house their stylish firearms. He’s offering today’s version of that by selling holsters that match your everyday carry and range outfits.
Bags & Purses
Purse carry has been popular with women for decades. More recently, it has seen a resurgence. That’s especially true of fanny packs, which both women and men carry.
Most women who carry off-body are looking for a bag that fits their personal style. They want it to be high quality and to look trendy, like something you’d buy at Nordstrom, not the local gun store.
The best concealed carry purses are made from high-quality materials and feature a trendy design, which is similar to those found in stores like Nordstrom. The Cakes Concealed Madeline bag is an excellent example of this. Right off the bat, you notice it doesn’t scream, “Hey, I’m carrying a gun in here!”
Founder Tamkin Collins struggled with on-body carry and eventually decided she wouldn’t change her wardrobe. Instead, she decided to try off-body carry, but she couldn’t find a bag she liked, so she made her own.
Many CCW bags treat the carry part as an afterthought. Instead, Cakes designs around the gun. Collins says, “My goal was to create a purse that wasn’t necessarily a purse. It’s more like an on-body holster system because it’s worn on your chest and not intended to be taken off or set down somewhere.”
Echoing a sentiment that I noted from Barrera above, Collins said, “We're Americans here. We're going to create a solution.” If my Instagram feed is any indication, the Cakes Madeline is the new it bag and has provided many women with a safe, discreet carry method.
Body Armor Clothing
Body armor hasn’t been an accessory that screams fashion until now. Civilian is a new company producing stylish body armor clothing. Their current lineup includes stylish hoodies and T-shirts with lightweight body armor vests sewn in underneath. Looking at these shirts, you’d never be able to tell that someone was wearing body armor.
I talked to founder Kami Kirschbaum to get some insight into Civilian. After growing up in Detroit and Pittsburgh, and tragically losing a friend to a crime that involved a firearm at the age of 15, she felt called to create Civilian.
Kirschbaum said, “The majority of Americans these days are looking for a solution that feels less militant.” Civilians' products are notably more stylish than other body armor, and everything about their brand feels high-end.
I asked about the decision to create something more upscale rather than follow the current armor trend. Kirschbaum replied, “The tactical choices exist, and if you want that, you can find it. We’re designing for civilians.”
Kirschbaum quickly pointed out that Civilian hoodies and T-shirts are level NIJ IIIA, the same standard as many other body armor products on the market. The company did not sacrifice quality and performance for fashion. Instead, Civilian combined the two.
Along with the clothing, Civilian sells beautiful slash-proof scarves. The company designed them to protect without being seen. Like their other products, the scarf screams high fashion, so you can wear it without feeling tactical or standing out.
Conclusion
There will always be shooters who prefer to keep things utilitarian. That doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t enjoy merging our style with firearm ownership. Accessories give us a chance to tap into fashion and personalize our experience.
As long as you prioritize safety, there’s no reason not to have a little fun with it.
