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OC Appearance

Keens

Regular Member
Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
298
Location
Colorado
I'm just wondering what you guys think about appearance while OC? Are there less hassles (LEO, MWAG calls, uninformed citizens?) OC'ing while looking well groomed and dressed well? Reason I ask is because my normal day to day appearance is pretty ratty. I'm an auto tech, so it's hard staying clean lookin. Shave maybe once a week, don't comb my hair, wear sandals, t-shirt and shorts, you get it. I'm more comfortable dressing like this than slacks and nice shoes and shirt. I'll keep my post simple and hope to hear back!
 
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mahkagari

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
1,186
Location
, ,
I'm just wondering what you guys think about appearance while OC? Are there less hassles (LEO, MWAG calls, uninformed citizens?) OC'ing while looking well groomed and dressed well? Reason I ask is because my normal day to day appearance is pretty ratty. I'm an auto tech, so it's hard staying clean lookin. Shave maybe once a week, don't comb my hair, wear sandals, t-shirt and shorts, you get it. I'm more comfortable dressing like this than slacks and nice shoes and shirt. I'll keep my post simple and hope to hear back!

Page through the threads and those in the General forum as well. This topic comes up regularly and there are lots of opinions in them to consider.
 

M-Taliesin

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
1,504
Location
Aurora, Colorado
Howdy Amigo!
Speaking for myself, I wear whatever I normally would. That being said, I've upscaled my attire somewhat when I am not bumming. Usually, however, I am found in a tee shirt and jeans with sneakers on my clod bustin' stompers.

Still, I'll wear a polo shirt and slacks quite often as well, with a pair of shoes that are a bit dressier than sneakers.

All in all, I believe it is a matter of personal preference.

Blessings,
M-Taliesin
 

thebigsd

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
3,535
Location
Quarryville, PA
Appearance matters to a lot of people whether you are OCing or not. It is sad that someone wearing a suit is better perceived than an auto mechanic. I wear what I would normally wear. Sometimes that's my yardwork clothes, sometimes a suit. I think it is more about the manner in which you conduct than what you wear.
 

Keens

Regular Member
Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
298
Location
Colorado
Page through the threads and those in the General forum as well. This topic comes up regularly and there are lots of opinions in them to consider.

Thanks! I'll do that this weekend. It is time consuming for me right now as I only have an iPhone for Internet to dig that far into the forums.
 

rushcreek2

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Messages
909
Location
Colorado Springs. CO
This is a topic that deserves further discussion whenever it is brought up.

PERSONNALY - I "dress for" OC. This usually translates into "Dockers", and a selection of those "free-breathing" golf/polo shirts.

That is my PERSONAL choice. Perhaps because I spent 21 years of my life wearing a uniform, and striving to present as "sharp" an image as I could. I did this because I realized that perception is at least 95 % of reality- in the eyes of those with whom you interact , or approach.

Obviously it depends upon the particular context of one's OC.

At the present political juncture - we OC'ers must " RE-market" our right to bear arms in public.

The "market" is accustomed to the LEO stereotype - thus the occassional peculiar glance, or inquirey regarding whether you are a LEO.

In my own OC experience - most folks perceive me as LE. That doesn't make me a very effective proponent for the right to bear arms, but it does expose the average citizen to the SIGHT of at least ONE MORE armed law-abiding citizen.

I have never been questioned, or detained by LE, or questioned by a store manager regarding my OC.

I will say this. There are going to be businesses that would rather we NOT OC on their property.

One is the Goodwill Store on Constitution & Powers in Colorado Springs. They have placed a "NO Display" sign at the entrance. Therefore, I CC when there.

This is why I say it is IMPORTANT how we present ourselves. We want the general public, business operators - to be at ease with our presence.
 

Beau

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2007
Messages
672
Location
East of Aurora, Colorado, USA
My normal attire is Jeans and a t-shirt. Sometimes I tuck my shirt in. Sometimes I will just tuck my shirt behind my pistol. If I am going someplace upscale, e.g. any restaurant nicer than Denny's I will wear a polo or a "nice" t-shirt.
 

GvdM

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
43
Location
Colorado Springs
In reality I mostly side with Rushcreek2 on this, I tend to be in dockers, a button shirt and generally try to dress to the social norms of where I am. When I wear jeans and a t-shirt I am always clean and neat. The biggest thing is hygiene, I think, along with a good demeanor. The way you present and carry yourself goes a long way in winning the approval of others.
 

Motofixxer

Regular Member
Joined
May 14, 2010
Messages
965
Location
Somewhere over the Rainbow
Welcome aboard,
If you follow the link below in my Signature about New to OC, one of the first things is a guide to OC. You will find some some similar answers and useful info in there as well as lots of useful links in my New to OC thread.. I also linked the guide HERE
 
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since9

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
6,964
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
I will say this. There are going to be businesses that would rather we NOT OC on their property.

One is the Goodwill Store on Constitution & Powers in Colorado Springs. They have placed a "NO Display" sign at the entrance. Therefore, I CC when there.

Goodwill across from Chapel Hills Mall put up their own sign this spring. It says "No open display of firearms." I have no problem CCing on those occasions where I determine CCing would be more appropriate, but I will not frequent a store where they choose to infringe upon my right to keep and bear arms.

This is why I say it is IMPORTANT how we present ourselves. We want the general public, business operators - to be at ease with our presence.

I agree wholeheartedly. If we dress as slobs, we'll be perceived as slobs with guns. If we dress professionally, we'll be perceives as armed professionals.
 

Mo

Banned
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
159
Location
usa
....perception is at least 95 % of reality- in the eyes of those with whom you interact , or approach.

Agree. Appearance matters a LOT.

If anything, a slobby appearance is hurting the impression of OC.

Yes, its your right to carry. The next step is to gain acceptance from the general public. Unkempt hair and beards, ratty clothes and a big flabby gut hanging out is going to be the cause of ridicule.
 

Keens

Regular Member
Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
298
Location
Colorado
Goodwill across from Chapel Hills Mall put up their own sign this spring. It says "No open display of firearms." I have no problem CCing on those occasions where I determine CCing would be more appropriate, but I will not frequent a store where they choose to infringe upon my right to keep and bear arms.



I agree wholeheartedly. If we dress as slobs, we'll be perceived as slobs with guns. If we dress professionally, we'll be perceives as armed professionals.

I very much agree! I did my first "big city" OC yesterday (talk about that soon) and dressed well with nice pants and a golf shirt. Most people thought I was either LEO or just simply a LAC.
 

Keens

Regular Member
Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
298
Location
Colorado
Agree. Appearance matters a LOT.

If anything, a slobby appearance is hurting the impression of OC.

Yes, its your right to carry. The next step is to gain acceptance from the general public. Unkempt hair and beards, ratty clothes and a big flabby gut hanging out is going to be the cause of ridicule.

I will save my ratty appearance for work where I can't carry anyways. Now, when I OC, I will look presentable. I'll actually shower, shave, comb my hair and wear nice clothes. Best to look like a professional armed citizen!
 

Mo

Banned
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
159
Location
usa
I will save my ratty appearance for work where I can't carry anyways. Now, when I OC, I will look presentable. I'll actually shower, shave, comb my hair and wear nice clothes. Best to look like a professional armed citizen!

Hey Keens,

I'm sorry, but I want you to know that what I said wasn't directed towards you personally. I didn't mean to sound like I was directing the word "ratty" towards your profession.

Just to clear things up on that regard. :)

I appreciate you execising your rights.
 

mahkagari

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
1,186
Location
, ,
I agree wholeheartedly. If we dress as slobs, we'll be perceived as slobs with guns. If we dress professionally, we'll be perceives as armed professionals.

And if we dress as respectable everyday citizens.... ;)
 

wrightme

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
5,574
Location
Fallon, Nevada, USA
This is a topic that deserves further discussion whenever it is brought up.

PERSONNALY - I "dress for" OC. This usually translates into "Dockers", and a selection of those "free-breathing" golf/polo shirts.

That is my PERSONAL choice. Perhaps because I spent 21 years of my life wearing a uniform, and striving to present as "sharp" an image as I could. I did this because I realized that perception is at least 95 % of reality- in the eyes of those with whom you interact , or approach.

Obviously it depends upon the particular context of one's OC.

At the present political juncture - we OC'ers must " RE-market" our right to bear arms in public.
The "market" is accustomed to the LEO stereotype - thus the occassional peculiar glance, or inquirey regarding whether you are a LEO.

In my own OC experience - most folks perceive me as LE. That doesn't make me a very effective proponent for the right to bear arms, but it does expose the average citizen to the SIGHT of at least ONE MORE armed law-abiding citizen.

I have never been questioned, or detained by LE, or questioned by a store manager regarding my OC.

I will say this. There are going to be businesses that would rather we NOT OC on their property.

One is the Goodwill Store on Constitution & Powers in Colorado Springs. They have placed a "NO Display" sign at the entrance. Therefore, I CC when there.

This is why I say it is IMPORTANT how we present ourselves. We want the general public, business operators - to be at ease with our presence.

That says it.

"Normalizing" is a PR battle.
 

Keens

Regular Member
Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
298
Location
Colorado
Hey Keens,

I'm sorry, but I want you to know that what I said wasn't directed towards you personally. I didn't mean to sound like I was directing the word "ratty" towards your profession.

Just to clear things up on that regard. :)

I appreciate you execising your rights.

Mo, its all cool. It didn't bother me at all. Some of us may have dirty jobs, like me, but at least I clean up and make myself presentable when I OC.
 

rushcreek2

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Messages
909
Location
Colorado Springs. CO
The Second Amendment wouldn't be ratified by the original 13 Colonies if the vote were taken today.

The worst infringement is perpetrated by some of those 13 states.

Regarding the Goodwill stores - Perhaps the concern regarding customers displaying stems from their back-room "help" being largely acquired through the criminal justice system.
 

Gunslinger

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
3,853
Location
Free, Colorado, USA
Your age has a lot to do with it. I've been asked if I was a State Trooper in NH, OSI in CO and even a Federal Agent in VA. All while dressing conservatively, and CCing in gun stores! Go figure...as to OC, I wear what I wear, generally a T-shirt and shorts in the summer; long sleeved something and jeans in the cooler, but not yet coat, weather. Attitude has more to do with it than clothes, imo. A smile is still a good presentation.
 
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