Your chest does lots of important work (including breathing), and contains a lot of important organs. When binding, it’s important to make sure you’re doing it in a way that won’t do any short or long term harm to your body. The most important part of binding: safety Don’t worry though, you’ll get the hang of it in no time at all. Taking it off for the first time is another skill, and is also worth having someone you trust nearby to call if you get stuck or are having trouble. Bear in mind that they will loosen a little with wear. You can always go up a size and still get the same effect. Maybe take a photo to compare how you look without a binder.Ī binder will feel tight the first time, so how tight is too tight? If you can breathe comfortably, that’s a good sign it’s not too tight, Assess if it is the kind of tight you can get used but make sure you let the bar very low. Check yourself out in a mirror from different angles and try a shirt on over the top to see how you look when dressed. Unless you have very tall friends who like to be in your personal space, looking down isn’t going to tell you much how your chest looks in a binder. Depending on your body shape, binding can sculpt your chest to look flat, or more like pecs. It’s difficult to do this without touching your chest, so if that’s hard for you, try using a t-shirt over your hand. You may want to flatten your chest towards the armpits and at similar positions to each side.
Arranging your chest to sit how you want it to is part of binding. Once the binder is on, you will probably want to make some adjustments. It may be a bit awkward but needing the emergency services to rescue you is more awkward. As a tip, try not to let the binder roll up on itself.įor that first time, having a trusted person nearby is recommended. You can only know what works for you by trying it. You can either step into it and pull it up or you can pull it over your head. There is no substitute for trying one on though but make sure you read store return policies as you may need to return a poorly fitting binder for a different size.Īctually getting into a binder can be somewhat difficult and is definitely a skill that improves with time. If you are ordering online, avoid guessing and be sure to use a tape measure or a piece of string with a ruler to figure out your size, according to the instructions. Different brands provide very specific measurements for choosing your size. It is very important that you get the correct size. Different designs suit different people and bodies, and what works for you will also depend on what you feel good in. They come in different lengths too: above the belly, across the belly or down to the waist. You can even get swim binders made out of waterproof material that stay opaque in all conditions.
#Ftm chest binder skin#
They come in either plain colours to match different skin tones or in fun patterns.
Binders generally look like singlets or tank tops that are made out of a combination of tough and stretchy material. 1.Tops that are specifically designed to be binders are best, but if you can’t get your hands on one a tight sports crop tops that don’t restrict breathing or blood flow can suffice. Here are my suggestions for some of the most comfortable, versatile, and well-made binders you can buy. That's why it's so important to find a binder that fits you well, and to keep a close eye on your body while you're binding. However, researchers also cautioned folks that binding can cause health problems, including "pain in different parts of your body, to shortness of breath, to bruising or other skin changes." That makes binding the number one way I shift my body to a more traditionally masculine shape - and I'm just one of many trans people who do the same.Ī 2016 study - the very first on chest binding - done by a five-person team at The Binding Health Project found that half of the 1,800 respondents bind their chests seven days a week.Ī report from the study revealed conclusions from the survey and research, saying, "Based on our preliminary analysis, for most participants, binding was a positive experience and led to improvements in mood and self-esteem, minimized gender dysphoria, anxiety, and depression, and helped them to feel in control of their bodies." I'm assigned female at birth (AFAB) and have so far been unable to pursue any kind of medical transition, like hormones or surgery. In recent years, trans awareness has been spreading and binder companies have been flourishing, so I want to share my list of the best binders you can buy.
#Ftm chest binder how to#
Like many transgender people, when I first Googled "being transgender," plenty of the links were about how to bind your chest.
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