by Jan Wolbrecht | Jun 7, 2025 | Guns and Politics
Why Buying American-Made Products Matters—And How It Affects You
In the middle of political debates and shifting policies, one topic that keeps resurfacing is tariffs. Back during the Trump administration, “trade wars” became headline news. But what does all this talk about tariffs really mean for you—the everyday consumer—and for small American businesses like mine?
Let me break it down with a little real talk and a lot of heart.
What Is a Tariff, Anyway?
At its core, a tariff is a tax on imported goods. That means when you buy something made overseas—whether it’s a handbag, a tech gadget, or clothing—it likely comes with a hidden surcharge. It’s similar to a customs fee. That fee goes to the U.S. government, but the cost often gets passed along to you, the buyer.
So when people talk about tariffs, they’re really talking about leveling the playing field between products made here in the USA and those manufactured abroad under very different conditions and standards.
Why Tariffs Exist: A Tool for Economic Strength
According to Thomas Industries, tariffs are designed to address unfair trade practices, reduce trade deficits, and stimulate sustainable economic growth. They also help protect American jobs by offsetting the lower production costs often found in countries with lenient labor laws, low wages, or government subsidies.
In plain English? It’s about supporting American workers and bringing jobs back home.
The Personal Side of Manufacturing in America
When I first started Incognito Wear IX, my mission was simple: help women carry with confidence and style. But making that dream a reality meant navigating the tough world of U.S. manufacturing. It wasn’t easy. I went through multiple manufacturers just to get one product right.
But I’ll tell you this—it was worth every step.
When I found a factory here in the U.S. that could deliver the quality, care, and consistency I needed, it wasn’t just a business win—it was a values win. Because every time someone purchases one of our concealed carry fashion pieces, they’re not only getting a product that solves their daily carry challenges—they’re supporting jobs, families, and freedom here at home.
The Real Benefits of Buying American-Made
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Jobs for American Workers – More demand for U.S.-made goods means more American jobs. It’s that simple.
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Safer Working Conditions – Thanks to U.S. labor laws, workers here have protections that aren’t always guaranteed abroad.
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Higher Quality Products – American-made often means better-made. It’s not just patriotic—it’s practical.
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Economic Growth – Every purchase fuels our economy and helps small businesses thrive.
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Ethical Manufacturing – No child labor. No sweatshops. Just honest work for honest pay.
Why It Matters to Concealed Carry Clothing
As a Made in America concealed carry clothing brand, I care deeply about the Second Amendment, self-reliance, and safety. But I also care about ethics and quality. When the price is similar—say, a shirt made in China versus one made here in the USA—the choice is clear. You’re not just buying a product. You’re backing a cause.
You’re choosing to support:
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Freedom
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Family
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Function with fashion
That’s something we proudly stand for at Incognito Wear IX.
Made in the USA Is More Than a Label
Made in America
Being American-made isn’t just a sticker or a slogan. It’s a commitment—to integrity, to craftsmanship, and to each other. When you choose to buy products that are manufactured in the U.S., you’re helping keep that commitment alive.
You’re standing for jobs, independence, and the idea that we don’t have to rely on anyone else to take care of our needs. We can do it ourselves—with style, strength, and purpose.
Never be a victim because of style.
by Jan Wolbrecht | May 24, 2025 | Fashion Friday Concealed Carry style & Tips, Guns and Politics
How Incognito Wear IX Was Born – Discover the Inspiring Story Behind Incognito Wear IX in a Candid conversation between Jan Wolbrecht and Host of The Good Neighbor Podcast, Stacey Risley
What happens when a city girl steps into the firearms industry and redefines what it means to dress for self-protection? Fashion for ladies does not make it easy to carry a weapon concealed. That’s why I started designing and manufacturing American made clothing to empower women to never be a victim.
Tune in as Jan Wolbrecht shares her powerful journey —how Incognito Wear IX was born. The lack of stylish, functional concealed carry clothing led her to design her own. Out of personal necessity and a passion for self-reliance, she founded Incognito Wear IX—a lifestyle brand empowering others, especially women, to stay armed, fashionable, and incognito.
by Jan Wolbrecht | Apr 29, 2025 | Fashion Friday Concealed Carry style & Tips, Guns and Politics
When it comes to fashion, and specifically concealed carry for women, finding the right clothing isn’t just about style—it’s about comfort, access, concealment, and confidence. Every body is different, and understanding how to dress for your specific body type can affect how (and where) you carry and what you wear. Let’s start with understanding what are the basic body types are so you can better understand how to dress for concealment without compromising your look
Typically, they’re are 4 or 5 body types, and we need to know our body shape. Most women fall into one of these categories:
- Apple: Carries weight around the midsection
- Pear: Wider hips with a smaller waist and bust
- Hourglass: Balanced bust and hips with a defined waist
- Rectangle: Straight up and down with minimal curves
- Inverted Triangle: Broad shoulders and narrower hips
If you’re not sure which one body shape is right for you, measure your breast, waist and hips to determine the relationship and pick which one feels most aligned with your measurements. If all three of your measurements are about the same, you’re likely rectangle shape. Understanding your body shape will help you pick the most flattering styles for you, thus creating an air of confidence. When a woman knows how to dress for her body and her clothing fits right, she’s going to be viewed as classy and chic.
While carrying at the waist is ideal, and that can be where most women hold their weight, it poses one more challenge for women to overcome in concealed carrying. How you decide carry is a personal choice – of course, on body is preferred, but what works for you and having the necessary defense tools available if you need them, and when you need them is whats important for your safety.
Concealed Carry Tips for Each Body Type
Apple Shape
- Challenge: Carrying at the waist may feel uncomfortable.
- Solution: Opt for belly bands, or underarm holsters.
- Clothing tips: Flowy tops, structured jackets, and darker colors around the midsection can help with concealment.
- Try: Incognito Wear IX’s Trinity Tunic Top
Pear Shape
- Challenge: Carrying at the hip can be tricky due to curves.
- Solution: Try appendix carry or thigh holster. Three o’clock position isn’t your friend
- Clothing tips: A-line tunics and peplum tops can create balance.
- Try: Incognito Wear IX’s 505 Tank top holster, or Abigail concealed carry dress
Hourglass Shape
- Challenge: Can print easily around waist and hips, especially with fitted clothing
- Solution: Consider more structured clothing, appendix carry
- Clothing tips: Use belts and high-waist pants to define your silhouette.
- Try: Incognito Wear IX’s Crossover Concealment (our Signature top)
Rectangle Shape
- Challenge: Holsters may shift due to less waist definition.
- Solution: Opt for belly bands
- Clothing tips: Add dimension with ruffles, draping, and layers.
- Try: Incognito Wear IX’s Strix Bellyband with silicone stay put grippers
Inverted Triangle
- Challenge: Minimizing shoulders, not under the arm carry
- Solution: Try waistband or thigh carry.
- Clothing tips: Balance broader shoulders with flared skirts or wide-leg pants.
- Try: Our newest upcoming design, Kerry concealed jumpsuit (Pre Order only)
Best tips for minimizing imprinting are:
- Layers: Cardigans, vests, or light jackets or even an opened button up shirt can add dimension and help mask printing and add color.
- Ruffles and/or gathers: Adds interest and creates an uneven surface to mask printing
- Color Blocking: Use color to your advantage and uplift your mood too. This distracts the eye
- Textures: Mixing textures is another way to create an uneven surface so your firearm goes undetected
Additionally,
- Practice your draw: Practice drawing from your outfit in front of a mirror or loved one. You want to make sure you know what its going to take to clear your garment(s)
- Holsters: Not all holsters will work with every outfit. Rotate either holster or carry location / position based on what you’re wearing. If your sitting all day, you may want to carry under the arm or lower leg or perhaps off body. Whatever you decide, always use a holster that covers the trigger completely. If you carry off body, Please use a concealed carry purse with a special pocket for only your firearm.
We believe by choosing clothing that lets you move freely and feel powerful is a key to successful concealment because when you feel confident, you move differently.
At Incognito Wear IX, we design fashion-forward concealed carry clothing for every body.
Never be a victim because of style.
by Jan Wolbrecht | Apr 13, 2025 | Guns and Politics
The Second Amendment Foundation shares an update from The White House on cutting CDC staff, who have absolutely nothing to do regarding our Second Amendment! After all, what business does the Center for Disease Control have to do with our Constitutional right to bear arms???
One should ask the question “why” is the Centers for Disease Control involved IN ANY WAY with our Second Amendment rights? Surely it’s by “design” and globalist agenda against the American people to utterly destroy America! Secondly, we should address the issue of this made up term “gun violence”. A firearm is an inanimate object and therefore, incapable of any action on it’s own! Most reasonable thinkers understand this is nothing more than manipulation of repeating such a term to make it effective and enhance their cause.
However, if we applied the same principal to car violence, we’d have every automobile manufacturer throwing darts at those who say any car accident, is “car violence” and must stop! I say it’s past time to stand up against this RHETORIC and shout our a BIG THANK YOU to SAF!
Here’s their post and update:
“BELLEVUE, Wash. — April 7, 2025 — While the gun prohibition lobby is lamenting reported reductions in staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Second Amendment Foundation is applauding the Trump administration cuts, which will hopefully take the CDC out of the gun control arena, at least for the foreseeable future.
“With these reductions,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “the government is no longer treating gun ownership as a communicable disease.”
The staff reductions, announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have caused tremors within the gun control community. Critics are complaining the cuts will undermine the federal government’s ability to combat so-called “gun violence” research.
“Ever since the CDC inserted itself into the gun rights debate,” Gottlieb observed, “the agency has spent millions of dollars to promote the notion that gun-related violence is a public health issue, and they’ve mostly gotten away with it, thanks largely to their allies in the media treating everything they say as gospel. But it’s not a ‘health crisis,’ it’s a crime problem, and the antidote is not restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners, which CDC research invariably seems to suggest, but instead restricting the freedom of violent repeat offenders.
“One complaint we’ve heard is that these cuts have ‘decimated’ staff responsible for so-called ‘gun violence research and prevention,’ but so far all of this research does not appear to have prevented a single violent crime,” he stated. “Instead, we see declarations that more research is needed, while anti-gunners use CDC data to erode Second Amendment rights. That sounds like a perpetual ‘make work’ effort to keep the public funding flowing while gun owners are essentially treated like plague carriers, or lepers.”
**If you like this post and would like to support the SAF, please do so by click the link. Thank you SAF on the great work to protect our Second Amendment rights!
by Jan Wolbrecht | Mar 4, 2025 | Guns and Politics
International Women’s Day is March 8, 2025 and to celebrate all you strong and empowered women – we’re celebrating some strong women shooters who’ve paved the way and has helped each of us with their passion for firearms.
| Sometimes we tend to take things for granted… and we forget our history of those who’ve gone before us. Once upon a time, women didn’t have many rights, we couldn’t even vote. But thankfully for some strong women in 1848.
In 1848, we already had some outspoken women activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. They were early on the scene to demand civil, social, political and religious rights for women proclaiming that all men and women were equal.
Now, that sounds familiar, like a line taken from our Declaration of Independence! (“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men were created equal and endowed by their Creator…). For those who need clarifying that the use of “men” is for mankind. Silly but necessary these days to have to say that… but I digress. |
| Back to Celebrating Women and those like Abigail Kincaid (1911-2006). “A competitive target shooter for over 50 years, she invented a trigger guard which revolutionized the world of shooting and gun safety. Her dedication to competition shooting led her to train with other greats like Annie Oakley and compete in matches all over the world.”
What an impact Abigail Kincaid has made to the shooting sports! She even has a dress named after her, Abigail concealed carry dress, and our Strix Bellyband includes a built in trigger guard for safety. |
| We’d like to shout out other great women. like Julie Golob, Kim Rhode and Lena Miculek, who do so much to for the shooting sports and for women shooters alike. It’s great to celebrate these women because if they can do it – it shows that you can as well.
We are all on a personal journey for our safety and to uphold the importance of our Second Amendment rights.
Celebrating women who carry so you’re never be a victim because of style. Please enjoy saving on American Made concealed carry clothing this Women’s day weekend, March 7-9,2025. Save 15% off most of site when you use discount code “womensday”. |
by Jan Wolbrecht | Nov 9, 2024 | Guns and Politics
In August, Gun Owners of America had it’s first G.O.A.L.S Summit in Knoxville, Tn. This event focused on Gunowners Rights, Women gunowners, safety, concealed carry and security from vendors across the US. We were there too and met some great folks with like minds.
Here’s one such interview from our booth with David from the Assorted Caliber Podcast
