THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 31, 1995 TAG: 9507290051
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Earle Swift, Staff writer
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
How does an urban sophisticate stay cool when all around town, tempers are rising with the temperature?
Simple: The fashion-conscious carry their own heat - and they do it with an ever-widening choice of stylish holsters that dazzle the eye while pampering the Python.
From bright-colored, kicky little fanny packs to butter-soft leather shoulder rigs, holsters are flying off gun shop shelves and into the wardrobes of Virginians who want to look chic while never turning the other.
With the help of style-savvy gun dealers, they're getting their way. Today's execs can add firepower to their power suits. Hostesses can knock 'em dead in seemingly demure cocktail frocks. And even the dourest society matron can smoulder allure with the butt of a combat-ready Ruger Redhawk peeking from her decolletage.
The latest rage comes courtesy of the Capitol, where this spring the governor and legislators cleared the way for practically anyone to join the in-vogue crowd carrying concealed weapons.
What was bad news for police and dowdy liberals is good news for city dwellers aiming to punch up drab ensembles, because the new law - which took effect July 1 - positively bulges with fashion possibilities.
Take the classic ``inside-the-pants'' holster, an adorable, palm-sized sheath that complements any belted outfit. Available in ready-to-wear black nylon, dark brown suede or traditional cowhide - and in a splash of shapes and colors through custom leatherworkers - it's all but invisible when clipped in the small of the back or just in front of the hip.
That makes the inside-the-pants models a perfect choice for summery fashions. Remember, ladies, that the battle for liberty can erupt at any time - even during mixed doubles!
The demure might prefer the fanny pack, a hot ticket to the season's youthful, active look. Sold in teal and other designer hues, the holsters feature quick-release front compartments that cradle your gun along with sunscreen, perfume and other warm-weather essentials.
``We're seeing an increase in shoulder holsters, inside-the-pants holsters and fanny packs - but especially the fanny packs,'' noted Robert, a consultant at a munitions boutique Norfolk stylemakers prefer. ``With these a person can blend in with his surroundings.
``This is not intimidating, and that's the idea - that this does not present a tip-off.''
Nor does the ankle holster, a must-have accessory that whispers intrigue. Donning one of these marvels says that you prefer to negotiate up-close and personal, whether in the boardroom or across the cozy marriage bed.
``The gun has to be very small,'' commented Willy, a consultant at another hotspot for heat-packing scenesters. ``But for someone who doesn't want to change the style of their clothes, and whose pants legs are cut wide enough, they work.''
There's much to be said for peek-a-boo delights that so scrumptiously blend elements of style with the element of surprise: Nervous grooms can strut to the altar confident that friends will forever hold their peace, and busy moms can deploy the kids at day care without inciting a panic.
Of course, some holster styles look so good it would be a shame to hide them. Ever-popular hip models, which simply clip to the belt, are easy to reach and oh-so versatile.
Cover them with an untucked T for understatement, or wear them high and proud outside a crisp, all-cotton button-down for a bolder declaration. Matching a big-frame revolver to a snug little crop top leaves no doubt that you're serious about the Second Amendment.
``They're much, much more comfortable,'' Willy observed. ``If you don't care whether people know you're carrying a gun, it's the way to go.''
Unless you're going the way of the shoulder holster, that is. Perhaps no other accessory so deftly melds the serious and playful, the elegant and expedient.
Worn under a tux, a shoulder holster invites you to wryly flash your Glock as you reach for the opera tickets. That little Walther will attract admiring glances as it pops into view from under a tweed jacket. And nothing guarantees gender equality like the tell-tale bulge of a Ladysmith in the jacket of your Donna Karan two-piece.
These ever-popular fashion accents combine sleek, sporty silhouettes and no-nonsense stopping power, traits you'll appreciate when confronted by impolite strangers or rights-trampling federal agents. Two styles - horizontal for pocket pistols, vertical for siege guns - suit almost every taste.
The fastidious may favor the forethought that goes into wearing a shoulder rig. Noted Robert: ``There are some people who would never think of wearing a nylon holster with a leather belt.''
Yes, there's a concealable holster out there to fit any situation and any budget - and most are a darling addition to any wardrobe.
Whether your style is smart or casual, remember:
Having bare shoulders doesn't erase your right to bear arms. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo-illustration by Paul Aiken
Model: Gabrielle Gerard, props by Bob's Gun & Tackle Shop, Norfolk'
by CNB