When shooting, many people believe that the main goal is to hit their target in the center. In reality, a shooter’s main objective should be to create a safe shooting environment. This can be achieved by following the four universal safety rules and wearing your personal protective equipment. A shooter can also promote safety by wearing the appropriate type of range attire. These fashion tips for ladies will keep you safe while looking good on the range.
5 Fashion Items for Ladies Hitting the Range
For women shooters, especially, choosing the right clothing can help achieve a comfortable training session. From your head to your toes, let’s cover the best and worst apparel and other fashion components that ladies can wear while on the range.
Range Hairstyles
As you shoot, you release lead particles and gunpowder residue into the environment. This can adhere to your skin, clothing, and even your hair. However, fully covering your body and styling your hair back can prevent gases and other debris from sticking to you.
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Additionally, certain hairstyles can prevent your hair from obscuring your view. This allows you to focus on your surroundings without any distractions. Three recommended hairstyles that are secure and easy to manage include ponytails, braids, or buns.
For extra protection, it is also recommended that shooters wear hats to protect themselves from hot, spent brass casings hitting their heads. In my experience, I have found that wearing my hair up in a ponytail is the most comfortable option to wear with hats and other safety gear.
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Jewelry
For many women, jewelry can be either a simple accessory to an outfit or a way to make a statement. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are fun items to flaunt. However, that does not always mean they are safe to wear while shooting.
Jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, or earrings can easily get caught or tangled on clothing or equipment. This can result in a shooter getting distracted, creating an unsafe shooting environment.
Additionally, rings, especially bulky ones, can result in a poor grip on your firearm. This can be dangerous because an unsteady grip can contribute to increased muzzle rise, decreased accuracy, malfunctions, injuries, and even accidental discharge. For the best shooting results, it is recommended to be safe and leave your jewelry at home.
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Picking the Right Shirt for the Range
When picking a shirt to wear at the range, it’s important to choose one that does not expose your skin. Low-cut t-shirts, V-necks, tank tops, and baggy shirts are generally not recommended. This is because hot brass casings can burn bare skin and can sometimes end up down your shirt.
The best type of shirts to wear while shooting include crew necks and long-sleeve shirts. And for those who are temperature sensitive, especially in the warmer months, opt for shirts made from polyester blends or tactical fabrics. These materials are breathable, durable, and moisture-wicking, which can help provide a comfortable training session.
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Nails
Similar to wearing jewelry, having your nails done is a point of pride for many women. However, as someone who loves having my nails done, I quickly learned that long nails and firearms don’t mix well.
One disadvantage of having grown-out nails is that they can cause a poor grip, leading to decreased accuracy, lack of control, and risk of malfunctions. In addition, extended nails can also make it difficult to access the controls of your firearm, such as your magazine release, safety, and slide release. To promote safety, it is recommended to keep your nails short and trimmed.
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Range Shoes
When you participate in the shooting sports, you will quickly find that you spend a lot of time standing. As a result, it is essential to own a comfortable and supportive pair of tennis shoes or boots. These types of closed-toe shoes protect your feet from empty casings, fragments from targets, and uneven terrain in your surroundings.
Unless you are begging for an injury, avoid wearing flip-flops, sandals, or any form of open-toed shoes. Your feet will thank you in the long run!
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Final Thoughts on Range Fashion
Overall, wearing the proper range attire can boost a shooter’s confidence, enhance precision, and establish a safe shooting environment. Keep your hair up, avoid jewelry, cover your body, trim your nails, and wear closed-toed shoes. As a result, you can produce a training session that is fun, rewarding, and most importantly, successful and safe.