I've scheduled my initial interview for Monday, and in these past few weeks have already begun to clue in on the very same things all of you are touching on. Situational awareness isn't paranoia, it's 'extended' common sense. My wardrobe is evolving too and I'm not even a 1/10th of the way into actually carrying. I saw this list somewhere on some similar kind of forum and thought it was a thoughtful way to critque your own carry style to best avoid giving those around you 'too much information'.
How to spot CCW (Unreferenced quote from a post on another forum, thanks to whomever is responsible)
- Pulling down a shirt or jacket.
- Odd or inappropriate clothing for conditions. Vests/jackets in hot weather for example.
- Fanny packs when pants have plenty of pockets.
- Fanny packs that obviously have something heavy in them.
- One arm kept close to where a holster probably would be. This arm doesn't swing freely with walking motions. Shoulder holsters generally have this "tell" more often than waist holsters because shoulder holsters tend to flop around a bit.
- Hitching up trousers often. There is a reason those pants keep falling down. Could be suspenders are needed or it could be something heavy on the belt or in the pocket keeps dragging them down.
- Exceptionally long pant legs with one leg where the material doesn't "flow" as well as the other when walking. Indication of a possible ankle holster restricting the pant leg's motion.
- Elbow checking gun.
- Belt at an angle. Possible weight pulling it down.
- Sagging pants or jacket pockets.
- Reluctance to remove a jacket when inside a building.
- One arm furtively holding a shirt from riding up when reaching for something.
- Shoulder going up before exiting a car as the gun is either reholsterd, checked for positioning, or clothing adjusted.
- Keeping one side of the body at a slight angle away from the person in front of them.
- Sudden "ramping up" of awareness level when a stranger gets too close to the gun side.
- Changing positions to keep one side away when approached by a stranger.
- Swinging wider than necessary to get through a door.
- Taking an advantageous position in a room when there are plenty of other places available.
- Constantly scanning the area showing a high level of awareness and alertness but without any signs of fear.
- Keeping attention on a shady character but without any signs of fear or apprehension.
- A hand goes into a pocket, and stays there, when a shady character is spotted.
- Even how a person walks can be an indicator. Heavy weights on one side cause a slight lean that goes unnoticed by the person carrying.
- Hugging with arms under the other person's arms forcing their arms away from bumping a gun.
- A dull "thud" if something is bumped into.
- General demeanor............... Ever notice the mannerisms and vibes projected by an off duty cop? Concealed carriers have a somewhat similar but lesser degree of confidence and situational awareness that shows.
- And even the smell of leather... unless a person is wearing a leather garment of some kind the smell of leather can indicate a holster.