Dress For Safety Not Just Comfort

Dress for safety? Yes! Pay attention to what you wear, and dress for safety. Wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable, low profile and appropriate for the weather. This may not be the most fashionable choice but it is the safest. Where you are going and who you will be with will obviously be factors to consider when choosing what to wear, but remember that your choices will make a difference in not only how criminals may view you, but in how you can react during any emergency situation where you may have to move or run to get to safety.

Shoes are especially important when you dress for safety, as running to escape to safety can be the most important thing you can do to keep yourself safe and unharmed. This is one I go around and around with my wife and daughter, who both like flip flops and don’t get why I refuse to wear them. I never have and never will. I like footwear that I can at least do something in. Of course I wear shoes that match the occasion, but I make sure that even in my dress shoes, I will be able to run, jump and do what I have to in.

Dress for Safety Means Shoes Too!

This was illustrated very well at a recent Active Shooter Response course I was teaching to a group of teachers. One teacher came in t-shirt, shorts and flip flops, not realizing that the training involved running, barricading and fighting. He had a pair of boots in his office, and he wore those for the day so that he could better participate. However, he received a lot of comments on his “fashion.” The boots didn’t really go with his shorts. Oh well, he could do everything and enjoyed the class.

Another point I want to make is that looking too “tactical” may make you stand out in situations where you would rather blend in. You need to assess where you are going, what you will be doing, and potential threats you may face. And don’t go to overboard with this. Just be reasonable. Do you want to be wearing a tie during a fight? No. Why give someone something to strangle you with? Does that mean never wear a tie? Of course not. While I don’t wear a tie every day like I used to for work, I still attend various events where a tie is the appropriate attire and I wear one. The good thing is the likelihood of getting into a physical encounter during one of these events is very small, and if I had to I could get my tie off very quickly. You have to use some common sense and balance with everything. But I do want you to realize that what you wear can make a difference if you find yourself having to run, jump, move, carry someone, or fight.

Again, when you dress for safety, you must balance fashion with function. The choices you make are yours, just know that they can make a difference in a self-defense or emergency situation.

Don’t just dress for safety, live a safe life by learning to stay safe and defend yourself when needed. Become a Survive and Defend member to have access to information to ensure just that! Stay safe! Become a Member!