June. The sundress is right. The weather finally earned it. And somewhere between the hanger and the door, a thought lands that has no good answer yet: where does your carry piece go?
This is one of the most common questions in the WGOAA community, and for good reason. Dresses remove the waistband. They change the access angle. They introduce fabric variables that a standard IWB setup doesn't account for. The solution isn't to leave your carry piece home on dress days. The solution is to train for how you actually dress.
Here are three methods that work. Not three products to buy blindly — three approaches that solve different problems, for different body types, with different trade-offs you should know before you commit to one.
A belly band is a wide elastic band worn against the body, usually around the torso or waist, with an integrated holster pocket. It doesn't require a waistband. It works under nearly any dress cut. And it positions your firearm at the same access point you'd use with standard IWB carry — which means your draw stroke doesn't change substantially.
What it solves well: Versatility. A belly band works with A-line dresses, wrap dresses, shift dresses, and fitted silhouettes. It accommodates a range of body shapes without requiring additional gear.
What to watch for: Heat. In summer, a wide elastic band against the skin accumulates moisture quickly. Look for bands with moisture-wicking materials and ventilation panels. Clean your firearm more frequently when carrying this way. Sweat accelerates corrosion on metal surfaces.
Draw access: Practice lifting the hem of your dress and accessing your firearm cleanly before you wear this setup in public. Fabric snag is the most common draw interference with belly band carry under a dress. A few dry-fire repetitions in front of a mirror will show you exactly where your thumb catches and how to adjust.
Brands to consider: Crossbreed Belly Band, Dene Adams Tummy Tuck. Each has different width and retention configurations.
A thigh holster — or more accurately, a compression-shorts-style carrier — positions your firearm at the upper inner thigh. This method works particularly well for dresses with full or A-line skirts where reaching under the hem is practical.
What it solves well: Access under dresses with skirt volume. The draw stroke is a clear reach-under-lift motion, which can be made smooth and deliberate with practice. There's no waistband involved at all, and no printing through the bodice of the dress.
What to watch for: Chafing. Thigh holsters that strap directly onto bare skin can cause irritation over the course of a day. Compression-shorts-style carriers — which integrate holster pockets into fitted shorts worn beneath the dress — address this significantly better than strap-only designs. They also stay in place more reliably.
Sizing note: Thigh holsters hold compact and subcompact firearms most comfortably. Carrying a full-size service pistol at the thigh under a dress creates both print and access complications. If this is your summer carry method, it may influence which firearm you carry on dress days.
Dene Adams Original Concealed Carry Shorts are the most frequently recommended in this category. They function as compression shorts with a built-in holster pocket and look like typical athletic underlayment beneath a dress.
For more on thigh holsters specifically — when they work and when they don't — see our earlier guide on thigh holsters for women.
Not all dresses eliminate waistband options. Wrap dresses, skater dresses, and belted styles often have enough structure at the waist to support a lightweight IWB holster. If the dress has a defined waist — or if you're adding a thin belt or waist cincher — this method keeps your carry exactly where your hands already know to go.
What it solves well: Consistency. If you carry IWB every other day of the week, this method maintains the same draw stroke, same access point, and same muscle memory. Nothing changes except what you're wearing over it.
What to watch for: Print. Fitted dresses and lightweight fabrics show more than stiff denim does. Patterned fabrics and A-line skirts with structure at the waist obscure print significantly better than jersey knit or bias-cut silk. Dress fabric matters as much as holster choice.
When it doesn't work: Empire waists, halter necks, shift dresses, and maxi dresses with no defined waist — these silhouettes generally can't support IWB carry comfortably or accessibly. Know before you dress that morning.
Purse carry is a valid method for some situations and some women. It is not a reliable primary carry method for most, and here is why: purse carry separates your firearm from your body. In a sudden threat scenario, your purse may not be where you are. It may be set down, grabbed away, or simply out of reach.
If you carry in a purse, it should be in a purpose-built concealed carry bag with a dedicated, rigid holster compartment — not loose in a regular handbag. And it should be a secondary system, not your only one.
A belly band or thigh holster keeps your firearm on your body. That's where it belongs.
Whatever method you choose, wear the complete setup — dress, holster, firearm — and practice the draw before you leave the house. Not for speed. For access. Ask yourself:
Can you reach your firearm cleanly, without fabric interference?
Does the holster stay in position during normal movement?
Does the setup remain comfortable over a full afternoon?
If any answer is no, solve it at home. Not in the parking lot. Not when it matters.
The carry setup that works for women is the one you've actually practiced with, in the actual clothes you wear. Summer carry is no different.
If you're still building your carry confidence and want guidance on gear, draw practice, and real-world scenarios from women who actually carry — the Poised & Prepared guide is a free starting point written specifically for women who want to carry with calm and capability. Download it here.
This article is for educational purposes only. All firearms carry practices should comply with local, state, and federal laws. Always carry safely and in accordance with your training.