It is time once again for my company's annual holiday party. Suit required. I had to buy a new suit because I outgrew the old one. Middle-age spread, don't you know. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, the suit is very snazzy looking -- my wife says I look great <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> -- but fits me like a glove. I had to remove my mobile phone from my belt to get the jacket to drape properly <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> . Now I'm having to rethink my whole gear setup for that evening.

I have a plan in mind (a shoulder bag will hold my phone and first aid supplies), but I was wondering, for those of you who will find yourselves wearing suits during holiday events, how do you intend on equipping yourselves, bearing in mind that dress slacks won't hold much more than a SAK Classic before bulging and sagging.

-- Craig

I used to carry everything in a handbag or purse. Then I got reprimanded by a couple of listers for not carrying my PSK actually on my person, i.e. in my pants. So now I do. But I also still carry my handbag or purse.

In the end, who's to say that pants are foolproof either? Maybe we should all be taping this stuff to our various limbs at the start of every day.

Maybe you should look into concealed carry chestbands or undershirts and clump your stuff in the hollow of your waist. (Hurry, before it vanishes completely.)

Or maybe a stylish but slightly lumpy cummerbund. Or a broad, burgundy sash terminating in a silk possibles pouch.

Probably best to change your lifestyle and occupation to one where BDUs are acceptable.

Bear

Funny you mention it because Im sitting at my desk pondering the exact same predicament. I wear a suit probably twice a year on average so my gear setup is not designed for it. Our xmas party is this Friday and I'll be dusting off the suit for it yet again. Heck I carry a CRK fixed blade knife (with a micro kit in the handle) most days because I rarely even tuck in my shirt and it hides nicely under an untucked button-down shirt. It's perfectly legal but I still conceal it as a 'favor' to the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER..

Believe me if I could find a way to comfortably carry it with a suit I would, but in reality I'll probably have to substitute the large sebenza for the shadow and just toss my windmill lighter and n-cell mini led light in a pocket then cell phone and keys will go in the wife's purse. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I use the layered approach. Some stuff on my person, more stuff in my shoulder bag. For instance, if there was a fire and we had to leave quickly, and we were not allowed to collect our things first, I could still get home. I keep spare keys in my wallet for both my car and house. I will also have either my SureFire E1e or E2e clipped to the inside of my front dress slacks pocket. Depends which one feels best in that position. My PrincetonTec Eclipse 2 will be in one of the pockets of my suitcoat.

My wife's purse is out of the question. The big one she normally carries gets downsized into a cute little one for dressy events.

Last year was my first time at the holiday party and I didn't want to stand out as unusual, so I pretty much abandoned all but critical gear. No shoulder bag. Not much room in suit. Not much room in dress coat.

Anyway, since this year will be my second year at the holiday event, I'm wearing my EDC neck lanyard under my dress shirt, provided my wife gives me the thumbs up on not looking like a nerd. I'm also taking my shoulder bag, although I'm reducing the amount of gear I usually carry. If anyone asks, I'll say it contains first aid and emergency gear. And it will.

A few well-chosen goodies will be at the very bottom, however, underneath the aspirin, motrin, migraine meds, bandages, tape, gauze, instant ice pack, Pepto-Bismol tablets, mobile phone, etc.

I plan to have my trusty Victorinox Midnite MiniChamp II on my person. I feel bloody naked without it. It has lots ot handy tools and is PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. friendly.

-- Craig

How about one of those hidden travel pouches. The kind that velcro to your ankle or your waist?

There are those belts that allow you to zip them open and hide your passport, money, etc.

I would think the ankle pouch would be the largest carrying capacity and would not effect the fit and drape of any suit since suit pants tend to have a fuller leg cut.

Whenever I go out to a nice party or date my outfits can in no way accomodate the stuff I want to carry. Slinky dresses don't come with pockets! Once I tried to strap a knife to my leg for a formal ball, but it wasn't cool like when they do it in the movies. So I use a dainty evening bag, and my fiancee can hold the other stuff in his pockets.

Even my jeans are so slim-fitting that a Bic lighter makes a funny bulge. I'm thinking about getting some type of Maxpedition case to clip onto my pants, but for now I have to use my handbag and just keep my knife, lighter, and multitool in my pockets. That's all that can fit without wearing through the material.

Maybe I should just rethink my wardrobe.... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ankle pouch? I've never seen them this side of the pond., But what a good idea. The ones that tie around your waist are inconvenient and uncomfortable to use.
I might just add an ankle pouch to the long list of Christmas presents I intend to give to myself <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Thanks for the idea

Globetrotter has quite a few pouches to choose from and also ship to the UK.

http://www.globetrotter.de/de/shop/detail.php?mod_nr=ec_34022

(If you need help ordering, PM me.)

I used an Eagle Creek (IIRC) ankle pouch : OK for discretion and style !
And you can stash a lot of gear in it.
but :
- I really hate velcro .... after a few weeks of daily use, it's almost useless ....
- if you intend to carry it during summer, you have to wash it frequently as it makes you sweat quite a bit and soon it stinks !
( and now, I have one calf slimmer than the other ! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)