Firearms and Fashion

In a chaotic world where it seems that we, as individuals, loose a little more control every day, it's important to maintain control where we can. One matter over which we retain control is how we accessorize our ensembles. For me and, if you are a Lady Shooter, for you, too, it is possible and important for your gun leather to match your shoe leather.

Allow me to explain. When you have an important meeting at work or in your personal life, don't you take pains to make sure every part of your outfit matches or coordinates with every other part? Of course you do! Part of being a professional is looking professional and that means looking coordinated.

As shooters we know what a confidence booster being a good shot can be. As holders of a license or permit [depending on your state of residence] to legally carry a concealed handgun, we also know how confident we feel in situations that previously might have frightened us. I know, for me, it's the knowledge that I have the skill and the ability to protect myself.

I want to combine these two areas of confidence: fashion and firearms. For years, I watched my husband get ready for work in the mornings. He'd pick out his clothes, shoes or boots and a belt that matched the footwear. Then he'd go into the gun room and select the handgun he was going to carry that day and a holster to match the other leather he was wearing.

Why, Ladies, should WE not do exactly the SAME thing every morning? What's that you say? Most gun stores and other shops that sell gun accessories don't sell holsters in the same array of colors as your shoe and belt wardrobe. Ladies, Ladies, don't fret! I have some Scathingly Brilliant Ideas!

First of all, most retailers are sensitive to consumer demand. If we stay silent about our desire for a red holster to match those Divine Jimmy Choos we just bought or the electric blue Fluevogs we ordered last week and how we Desperately NEED a holster in blue to match the shoes and belt... they will get the message. They already know how much we spend on guns. They are gonna find out with a few keystrokes on their computers how much we spend on shoes. Once they realize how much money there is to be made from selling holsters in colors OTHER than basic black and boring brown...they will start finding leather-workers to supply them until the major manufacturers get a clue.

OR you could find your Own leather-worker. Try a saddle maker or boot maker that does custom work. Bring a couple of your favorite holsters with you and the shoes or belts you want to match. If they think they can do it, they will tell you. If they can't they may be able to tell you another craftsman in your area to try.

The important thing is to not give up hope. Look how long it took Smith and Wesson to make the Lady Smith. Look how long it took the NRA to start marketing a magazine directly to its female members. But once the people who make goods for sale wise up to the fact that women shooters have different needs than men shooters, they will start making products for us. We just need to make them aware of what we want to buy.