What is chest binding, and who is it for?

• Chest binding is a method anyone can use. Most folks use it for a more gender-affirming look; it is also great for cosplaying or medical reasons such as chest reduction surgery or for those suffering from gynecomastia (guy-nuh-koh-MAS-tee-uh — an imbalance of hormones to cause increased breast tissue in men). To go back further, chest binding was used as early as the Victorian era and across many different cultures, using constrictive cloth bands, corsets, and bandages to conceal the chest tissue. Back then, for example, it was desired for a presenting female to have a flat chest for fashion; during the wars, it was used to conceal identities or for cultural and religious reasons. While times have changed, so have our methods for safe chest binding and why folks use it. 
• In current times, chest binding is found more with the trans and non-binary communities for gender affirmation and expression. Other methods, such as body-safe tapes and compression tops, come in different styles and lengths and are much safer than older methods. 

How do you know what size/type of binder to wear?

• When you’re ready to measure yourself, it is important not to wear any barrier or other constricting tops. If needed, wear a loose shirt or tank top before measuring yourself. It’s easiest to use a fabric measuring tape and have yourself or someone else begin measuring. Stand straight with your arms out (if someone is measuring for you), and hold the tape snuggly against your back and at the widest point of your chest for the most accurate measurement. There might be some wiggle room for different sizes, and at She Bop, we always encourage you to try different sizes at our storefronts to ensure accurate size and fit. 
• There are a few brands out there for compression tanks, and at She Bop, we carry the brand Underworks and two of their styles: the Tri-Top, which is a cotton-lined, cropped tank, and the Double-Front, which is a full-length tank designed to compress from chest to abdomen to hips. Both are made from Nylon and Spandex, so each will have some flexibility and compression.
• When choosing a binder or other alternatives, consider what you would be comfortable wearing and for what activities. With binders, which are quite restrictive, we recommend only wearing them for about 6-8 hours (if you’re familiar with them and have worn them before, not first-timers); if you’re not familiar with them, only wear a binder for 1-2 hours at a time. There is an adjustment period, which can be uncomfortable for the wearer initially. You do not want to wear a binder during physical activities such as exercising, swimming, or even sleeping in them. Long wear during these types of activities can cause damage to the skin or even internal, and we want to avoid that at all costs.
• Unlike chest binders, TransTape can be worn for up to five days and can be worn while swimming, showering, sleeping, and engaging in other physical activities without the potential for damage.
  

Safety Concerns:

• When you first try wearing your new binder, take deep breaths and move around. There shouldn’t be any major restrictions to your body out of the ordinary and what to expect with a new binder. It should feel snug; as they are, you should feel compressed. We’re looking for a place where you can move and breathe comfortably without any issues or discomfort: no pinching or pulling. Skin irritation, swelling, and rashes are the signs to look out for. If you’re wearing an ill-fitted binder, you could experience pinched nerves or worse, so it is important to measure accurately and try them on when possible. 
• If you use tape, always do a test patch before applying it to the skin rather than a larger piece on more sensitive areas (uh-oh). Everyone’s body is different, and we can all react differently to the adhesive. If you notice a rash, itching, or pain at any point during your wear of the tape, for example, immediately remove it (safely with the removal oil) and discard its use.

How do I put a binder on?

• When you put on your binder, have it facing down (shoulders facing the floor). Roll the base of the binder towards the shoulders to make it shorter. Then, you can pull it on over your head and roll the binder down on your abdomen. You can then move your chest tissue around to find that smooth and flat effect. Some folks flatten their chest tissue, moving it towards their armpits or up their chest, whichever you find more comfortable to achieve a smooth look.
  Unfortunately, getting a full, smooth look will be more difficult if you're heavier-chested than smaller-chested folks. For those of us who are bigger-chested, there isn’t much room for the breast tissue to go to when wearing a binder. You will still be smoother and have a flatter chest, but it won’t be flat like a board. You’ll have what we call chest pecks! You’ll look more buff, and that is not a bad thing. As disappointing as it can be, it is something to note if you’re heavy-chested and understand that binders will be a temporary fix, not a permanent solution.

Caring for your binder:

• Caring for your binder is important. You don’t want to wash it often, as it will ruin its elasticity and structure. You should only wash it when it becomes smelly and not hold its shape best. Machine wash or hand wash on cold and allow it to hang dry or dry flat on a towel. The material will hold onto body odors and sweat. You could use a fabric spray to help freshen up the material if needed (that’s what I’ve done).

What is TransTape, and how do I apply it?

• We also carry the brand TransTape, an alternative to a compression top. TransTape is more flexible for the wearer and made with a blend of cotton, spandex, and medical-grade, latex-free adhesive.
• Along with the tape, we also suggest the Repairing Salve and the Removal Oil. The salve helps with possible skin irritation and can be used on chapped and dry skin or the bandage. The removal oil must be used for every tape removal as it helps dissolve the adhesive and prevent lesions and irritation. 
• Be sure to have clean and dry skin before applying. What’s great about using that is if you hate how it turns out, you can remove it and apply it again differently. Don’t be afraid to use too much tape! If this is your first time experimenting with TransTape, it will also be an adjustment period to figure out how to apply and move your chest tissue to achieve your desired look. Visit the TransTape website for video tutorial tips and tricks.

For Youth Binder Fittings, email us at Info She Bop to schedule an appointment.