Women's Holsters
Most holsters are designed around a man's belt line, which is why so many women give up on inside-the-waistband carry after a week. This collection is built from what works with leggings, high-rise jeans and a shorter torso: belly bands sized down to a 24-inch waist, pocket holsters for small handguns, appendix options and off-body carry for the days when nothing else fits the outfit. You can also browse IWB holsters, ankle holsters or the full gun holster collection.
Shop more holsters
- All gun holsters, the full collection
- Revolver holsters for J, K, L and N frames and single actions
- Glock 19 holsters in IWB, OWB, optics-ready and light-bearing cuts
- IWB holsters, inside the waistband and appendix
- OWB holsters: belt, paddle and scabbard
- Leather holsters from DeSantis and 1791 Gunleather
- Shoulder holsters and chest rigs for long barrels
- Ankle holsters for backup and deep concealment
- Holsters for big dudes, comfortable carry on a bigger build
- Holsters for guns with lights or lasers
Why belt holsters fight a woman's frame
A traditional strong-side holster assumes a belt worn at the hips and a straight line from the waist to the ribs. Higher-rise pants put the waistband at the natural waist, and a curve between waist and hip tilts a strong-side holster so the grip pushes into your side. The usual fixes are carrying further forward, carrying lower on a band, or taking the gun off the waistband altogether. Everything below does one of those.
Belly bands
A belly band is an elastic wrap with a holster pocket sewn in, so it works with clothes that have no belt at all. Sticky Holsters makes them in Small (24 to 34 inch), Medium (32 to 42 inch) and Large sizes, with an extender if you sit between sizes. Mission First Tactical makes two belly bands that adjust from a 26 to a 52 inch waist. Wear it high under a tucked shirt or low on the hips under a loose top.
Pocket and small-gun holsters
If you carry a micro 380 or a small revolver, a pocket holster is the simplest concealed carry there is. Sticky Holsters cuts versions for micro handguns up to a 2.5 inch barrel, small handguns, small 9mm pistols and J-frame revolvers. They hold by friction and have no clip, so the same holster works in a jacket pocket, a front pocket or inside a waistband. The DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster is another slick-lined option for small autos and snub revolvers. For a backup gun or deep cover under boot-cut jeans, an ankle holster is another option.
Appendix and inside the waistband
Carrying in front of the hip avoids the waist-to-hip curve entirely, which is why many women find appendix carry the most comfortable IWB position. Look for a holster with adjustable ride height and cant, like the DeSantis Slim Tuck, so you can set the grip where it does not dig in when you sit. Kydex IWB holsters for compact pistols like the Glock 43 and 43X are well stocked here, and Glock 19 holsters have their own collection. If you prefer a softer feel against skin, see the leather holsters.
Off-body carry
Sometimes the outfit wins. The VersaCarry conceal carry purse is a canvas tote built for concealed carry, and the Bulldog fanny pack holster has a padded universal holster behind a full-length zipper and fits up to a 50 inch waist. The rule with off-body carry is simple: the bag stays on you or in your hand, and the gun only ever lives in its own compartment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most comfortable way for a woman to carry concealed?
It depends on what you wear most days. For jeans with a belt, appendix IWB is usually most comfortable. For leggings, dresses or work clothes without a belt, a belly band is the easiest place to start. Pocket carry works well for small pistols and snub revolvers.
Do belly bands work under leggings and dresses?
Yes, that is what they are for. Wear the band at your natural waist under a dress or at the hips under leggings and a longer top. Choose a band sized to your waist measurement so it is snug without squeezing.
Is purse carry safe?
Only in a bag built for it. A dedicated compartment keeps the trigger covered and keeps keys and makeup away from the gun. The bag also has to stay under your control at all times, which is the part most people find hardest.