I have it nice right now, wearing a uniform daily that has three pen slots on the arm, but I'm wondering how I'm going to be able to carry around a pen "at the ready" when I get home and wearing a jeans and tshirt? I'd prefer not to have to carry around a pen pouch and be fumbling to open my little pen purse when I need to write something, especially when say a store clerk is holding out a ballpoint for me to sign a credit slip or something.

How do you guys do it?

What I do is carry a cheapish solid metal pen, today it is a Cross Century II, and have if clipped in the side of my jeans pocket. This is really only a summer problem for me as the rest of the year I would be wearing a jacket or a gilet with an inside pocket so no trouble.

Either that or you could go posh and wear a polo shirt with a pocket instead of a T-Shirt

I cant carry pens in my pant pockets, I always manage to get the lids off. Now I mainly carry my pens in my shirt pocket, and sometimes in the leg pockets of cargo pants.

I buy t-shirts with pockets. Mostly from Land's End.

It dosent matter if your pens are in a case. The 2 things that might happen at a store:

1. The lady or man will look at you and roll his or her eyes. You will never see them again, and you wont care. You like to protect your pens.

2. The lady or man will start a conversation, and in this you will find out that their grandparents were K. Parker. Then they will give you all of the Parker prototypes that they have in his or her house

Very simple.

I generally go about with a small backpack or a shoulder pouch to keep track of my cell phone, garage remote, wallet, keys, pens, et al. No matter what time of year, I seldom carry pens in my pockets. This is just my personal quirk.

I work in a hospital and scrub pockets are too small to hold a larger size fountain pen. I use one of the ring-top pens on a chain around my neck. Today I am using a duofold with a nice flex nib. Never had a problem and it tucks out of the way without a problem. I just choose a larger size pen with a ring top.

Personally, my methos differs depending on the outfit. 9 times out of 10, I'm wearing a collared shirt complete with pocket. Pen goes there. If the shirt has no pocket, it gets clipped to the plackard on my shirt, right between the buttons. If I AM wearing a t-shirt, (let me tell you, it's rarer that a blue moon) the pen goes either in a pen case, (they can be tasteful, if you find the right one like a Piquadro) or in my Journal Bag. I prefer to keep the pens on my person though...

I'm not sure there's a good answer to this question. I usually put my pens in my jeans pocket, but that can cause problems so I hardly ever do that with a fountain pen for fear of wrecking it. If I'm wearing a button shirt I'll clip it between the 2nd and 3rd buttons, even if there is a pocket because the pen might catch on something like a seat belt or fly out of it at an un-opportune time.

People dressed differently when fountain pens were still a necessity - men always went out with dress shirts and a suit coat unless they were laboring, and even then they often wore button-down cotton shirts with pockets in them. Perfect for pens.

I would like to see a belt-clip cell phone holder with a place to put a pen - now that would be 21st century!

You wear a t-shirt that has pockets on it, and clip the pen into the pocket.

As for Headache Corp.'s comment: "I would like to see a belt-clip cell phone holder with a place to put a pen - now that would be 21st century!"

They make such things. Duluth Trading sells phone pouches that hold pens and other tools, and NiteIze does too.

Usual disclaimer applies.

Otherwise, if the shirt doesn't have a front pocket, I don't wear it.

Well, a pen in the shirt pocket, or a cell phone clip just wouldn't cut it for me I'm afraid......not cool enough and just a little over the nerdy line for me. , Ok call me shallow Hal, but it is what it is. I guess my best bet is going to be something resembling a checkbook with penholder, or a single pen case in the pocket....not sure yet. Ok, so I'm somewhat of a nerd, but the world doesn't need to know that.

Don't panic yet. You may eventually outgrow the influence of peer pressure and be independent enough to wear whatever you want. In the mean time look at how your peers carry their small "stuff" like iPods, cell phones, PDAs, cameras, keys, cigarettes and accessories, etc. and follow their lead. It might be that a small backpack or messenger bag would be cool enough. Another possibility is a pocket cigar case. Some single or double slot designs are quite compact yet still offer strength. Whether the "51" shares space with a real cigar is optional.

While I've never seen any point in wearing a t-shirt under a loose tropical shirt, I see a lot of younger men (and a few older ones) wearing lightweight shirts unbuttoned over t-shirts. Depending on the pattern, a pen in the pocket may not be noticeable.

Bill

I don't think it's peer pressure at all, I've never really thought of myself as conformist. It's more a matter of self awareness and knowing how you don't want to look or be perceived, stemming of course from actual encounters with this type.

I knew my last post would probably be taken with slight offense, and there are some that are completley content (sometimes blissfully unaware) of their appearance....and that's their choice.....usually.

I myself extremely enjoy pens and everything that goes along with them, but will not succumb to looking like a pocket protector wearing, fax machine on the belt, day plan carrying, man purse holding, kind of guy. Therefore, I'm searching for the best way to carry my favorite pen daily and still look cool....as shallow as that my sound to some.

Some great suggestions above in previous posts! Thanks much!
Jim