What Clothes Do Private Investigators Wear?
February 12, 2021 - Reading time: 9 minutes
Private investigators are often depicted in films and television programs, and if Hollywood movies are anything to go by, then the average private investigator is typically a chain-smoking middle-aged man donning a trench coat. Of course, the reality of any modern detective agency could not be any further from this type of stereotype. However, as many people might never be in a position where they decide to instruct a private detective, they might have little understanding about private investigators and how we operate.
Private investigators are usually required to blend in with their environment; if a private investigator is working in one of London’s business districts then they will need to wear business attire such a suit in order to blend in. For surveillance work in urban or suburban areas, agents will typically wear normal street clothes and try to remain as unnoticeable as possible. If surveillance is taking place in a rural area then perhaps a wax jacket and wellington boots are more appropriate. The key is to blend in and match the surrounding environment, as well as to present a reasonable excuse for the agent to be in the location of the assignment.
If surveillance is taking place in a shopping mall, for example, then the agent will need to look as though they are genuinely shopping – taking steps such as carrying shopping bags can help to make the effect more convincing. On the other side of the coin, if surveillance is taking place in a small village or a rural location, then posing as a dog walker might help the agent to blend in and not look out of place. By dressing appropriating and using suitable props, we can ensure the best likelihood of success in each case.
There are also times when a detective might choose to disguise themselves overtly, rather than covertly, in order to better fit in. From posing as a dog walker, a courier, or workman, there are countless different professional disguises which can be used depending on the circumstances and nature of the assignment. Virtually any occupation or hobby could be used as a cover for a detective conducting surveillance.
If utilizing a disguise is more likely to produce a successful outcome during a surveillance assignment, then it may be a path that is considered by the agent, depending on their preferences and what they think is most likely to produce the best possible outcome.
Typically, a private detective conducting surveillance will aim to blend themselves in with their surroundings as much as possible. The goal is to fit into the crowd and not present any visual features which could make the agent more memorable. The correct attire would all depend on the circumstances and the location of the assignment. Whether or not it would be appropriate to use any form of disguise would also depend on the circumstances and location, as well as the detective’s preferred methods.
In some cases, if a detective is conducting surveillance from the comfort of their vehicle, then it doesn’t really matter what clothes they wear, as they might expect to remain out of sight for the duration of their assignment… Though a competent agent will remain prepared to exit their vehicle if doing so is necessary and likely to benefit the case.
What type of clothes should private investigators not wear?
What type of clothes should private investigators not wear? Bluetooth ear pieces, clothing with camouflage patterns, any type of “tactical” gear such as tactical pants, any clothing which carries insignia linked with law enforcement or military. Suffice it to say that both trench coats and fedoras would be strictly off-limits for any detective that is tasked with conducting surveillance – besides from maybe the occasional fancy dress party.
The goal is to avoid clothing or accessories which hint at your occupation. Even small accessories such as paracord bracelets (which are popular with law enforcement/military) or Bluetooth earpieces can act as subtle clues and should be avoided.
Do private investigators wear suits?
Yes, some private investigators do wear suits during their day-to-day business of meeting with clients, organizing assignments, or writing reports. For court appearances or other formal occasions, a suit would be a likely outfit for a private detective. During a surveillance operation however, it would be wise to wear clothing which is most appropriate for the setting, and this may or may not be a suit depending on the circumstances.
Whether or not a detective wears a suit would be a matter of company policy in most cases. In general however, people that wear suits on a day-to-day basis within a detective agency are more likely to be staff that are tasked with meeting clients face to face or acting as a representative for the company. Agents that are tasked with conducting surveillance generally do not wear suits unless the occasion calls for it… In many cases, formal clothes such as a suit would be more of a hinderance during undercover surveillance work.
Hiding hidden cameras inside clothes
During certain investigations the agent may decide that using a hidden camera could benefit the case. A competent private detective will be able to hide hidden camera equipment inside items of clothing or accessories which could be incorporated into any outfit in their wardrobe.
Modern hidden camera and recording equipment is small and discreet enough to be incorporated into virtually any outfit or style of clothing with relative ease. Private detectives are usually equipped with the best and latest in camera technology, and choosing an outfit capable of concealing camera equipment is never usually an issue.
Changing clothes during surveillance
There are some cases where during surveillance it is beneficial to change items of clothing. Typically, if “on foot” surveillance is taking place for any prolonged period in multiple different locations, then changing items of clothing could help to make the agent less noticeable.
If the subject is being followed on foot through multiple different shops, for example, then some detectives would seek to alter their clothing or appearance to try and ensure that the subject does not remember or notice them. Accessories which obscure the face, such as sunglasses or hats for example, are thought by some to help make their faces less memorable, but these accessories should only be used where they are tasteful and appropriate... Dark sunglasses at night for example, might draw attention to the agent when their aim is to remain unnoticed. The goal is to “not make yourself look like a private investigator”.
Do private investigators wear bullet proof vests?
We should make clear that information which is published by PrivateInvestigators-UK obviously relates to the United Kingdom only. For a private investigator working in the UK, there should be no need for them to wear a bullet proof vest or a stab proof vest while conducting surveillance assignments. During surveillance the objective is to collect evidence in the form of images/video while remaining unnoticed by the subject… If an agent feels that they are likely to become noticed and potentially attacked whilst conducting surveillance, then frankly they are not doing their job properly.
Surveillance assignments, when conducted properly and by trained agents with the right experience, have a very low risk of going wrong or resulting in an outcome where violence is used towards the investigator. However, if that same investigator is also involved with work such as close protection (security, or even process serving in some cases), then they might decide that wearing protective clothing such as a bullet/stab proof vest would be a good idea. This would be a matter of personal preference or company policy in some cases.
What type of cars do private investigators drive?
Just as private investigators typically wear clothes which blend into their environment, detectives usually take the same approach with vehicles. Surveillance vehicles can be either covert civilian vehicles, or in some cases they might be more overt and adopt the method of hiding in plain sight. If you are interested in the subject of surveillance vehicles, then read our blog post What type of cars do private investigators drive? for a more comprehensive answer to this question.
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