Binders for Beginners: How to Bind Safely to Help Chest Dysphoria
First things first: you do not have to bind, nor do you ever have to. You do not have to be dysphoric to try out binding, and you do not have to use a binder even if you do experience dysphoria.
Next, who am I? I am Liz, a transgender, non-binary person who experiences chest dysphoria — hi! I use they/them pronouns. I had top surgery in March of 2021 after binding for two years. I came out as nonbinary in 2017 and quickly realized a majority of my discomfort in my body was stemming from gender dysphoria, and being perceived as a woman by society.
Finally, you are not alone. There is a vast network of non-binary people, and we as a community contain multitudes. There are many genderqueer folks who never want to bind, or get top surgery. There are many folks that do. And there are folks who choose to do hormone-replacement-therapy (HRT), and some that don’t. There is no one way to be queer, trans, or non-binary.
If you are wondering if you may be non-binary or trans, I’d recommend you read this articles first:
If you made it this far, chances are you’re looking for a way to minimize the curve or “bump” of your chest. The goal being to look more flat. I’d also like to share a reminder that no chests are entirely flat, and this is especially important for fat and plus size people to remember when they are looking into binding. Our bodies are meant to have rolls and stretch and that is entirely normal, and human. Binding is about redistributing the fat of your chest to create a flattened and more sculpted effect.
Let’s dive in! What you need to know about binding safely to alleviate chest dysphoria:
Research your options first! Reading this article is a great place to start. I’d also recommend joining groups like the Transgender and Nonbinary network on Facebook, or reading reviews of binders by trans folks, like this review by The Lingerie Addict on three different binders. In this article I’ll be discussing three options: trans tape, binders, and binders in a corset style.
As we discuss binders and binding, I’ll be using some specific vocabulary like chest, tissue, and sculpting. I do this on purpose because the idea of “looking more masculine” is inherently transphobic. Masculinity and Femininity do not have a look, or body type — and as trans people we push back against those gendered expectations everyday. I will also be talking about dysphoria as most people seek out information on binding to alleviate their gender dysphoria.
What is dysphoria?
Dysphoria is the feeling of discomfort in your body or gender presentation. Some people experience gender dysphoria, and some never do. There is no requirement to experience dysphoria to be trans or nonbinary. For more information about dysphoria start here: Gender Dysphoria
Trans tape is an adhesive (traditionally in a color that matches your skin tone) designed to flatten your chest but manipulating the tissue to the side and into your armpit to create a more sculpted look — as if you have defined pectorals. This is ideal for folks who want to wear their shirts open, go out shirtless or even go to the beach without wearing a swim-top.
Trans tape is not as effective in larger chests due to the amount of tissue that needs to be compressed. The dangers of trans tape regarding removal also increase depending on how much you use, and is not designed to be layered directly over the nipple without a barrier such as a bandaid between the two to protect the delicate skin there. Read the FAQ on trans tape here before purchasing and/or using for the first time.
A binder is, simply put, a piece of clothing that is designed to compress your chest. They come in a variety of sizes, but each piece includes instructions on how to put it on, how to wear it, how to take it off and how to size it accordingly. There are many places to purchase a binder, and many queer and trans-owned shops that create binders with queer folks in mind .
Click here to read my list of the best places to buy a binder from!
The dangers of binding: binding for too long, or compressing your ribcage and lungs for an extended period of time can affect the skin of your chest, can cause bruising on the ribcage and lead to shortness of breath. Always always take breaks from binding and as a rule, if it hurts — stop immediately and give your chest a chance to breathe.
Corsets
Corsets are an alternative to a binder (traditionally a full tank top style or a half style, much like a crop top that only compresses the top half of your chest) which creates an all around flat look on the torso but can alleviate the pressure on your shoulders. It is still imperative to take breaks from binding when using a corset but can be a fun alternative, especially if you’re interested in binding for cosplays!
And finally, binding is one thing that can assist in alleviating dysphoria, but it’s not for everyone. And chest dysphoria is not the only form of dysphoria people can experience. If you are experiencing dysphoria and looking for resources, I recommend this excellent article on Radical Self Care for Body Dysphoria from Autostraddle.
If you read this article, and it helped you, please know you are not alone! There is a vast community of transgender, genderqueer and non-binary people just like you who are navigating an overly gendered cisgender-heteronormative society everyday. It isn’t easy, but you are never alone.
If you need support, please contact Trans Lifeline, the first and only lifeline run by trans people for trans folks.
USA (877) 565–8860
Canada (877) 330–6366
