Saturday Style: June 11th

When it’s hot out, do you just want to grab a t-shirt or tank top and head out? But you have more chest than you would like and wearing a t-shirt isn’t that simple?

The summer means binder season. Of course you can wear a binder no matter the time of year. But the warm weather seems to be when binders are most on our minds. It was for me, anyway. I bought my first binder last summer and learned a few things in the process.

Here are perils to avoid and ways to do it right.

First, the hazards. You shouldn’t use ace bandages or duct tape. This includes using tape over other binding options. Most of us have at least tried one of these. They’re cheap and can usually be found around the house. The problems are that they are not breathable and restrict movement (which is the opposite of what you want in a binder). They can do permanent damage to your skin, spine, as well as crack ribs. So don’t do it. There are other cost effective options out there.

And while we’re talking about health, once you find a binding option that works for you, you should also find the right size (binders that are too small can cause all the same issues mentioned above) and give your body breaks by wearing a binder no more than 8-12 hours. You should never sleep in a binder.

One option to try is a sports bra. There are no bounce options if you have a larger chest, and sports bras with higher lycra content provide more compression. They’re easy to find and try on. They may not give the look you want if you have a larger chest, though. And some of us want to stay away from bras completely.

One of my friends recommended a compression shirt. They’re often made from wicking material that pulls away sweat, and won’t show the lines under a t-shirt that a sports bra might. They’re made for muscle recovery and can be a good option for those with medium to smaller chests. Again, they’re easy to find.

A quality binder is going to give a flatter look to any chest size as well as allow movement and breathability. There are many types and sizes of binders out there. And a variety of companies make them. The brand and type I heard again and again when asking around was Underworks’s Ultimate Chest Binder Tank.

One issue is that most binder companies only sell online, which can make finding the right size difficult. So, check the sizing charts on any website and if you’re considering Underworks keep in mind that you may need a size or two larger in a binder than you typically wear in a t-shirt.

I had to order and return two binders before finding the right size. Typically, I’m an XS or sometimes a S. I started at an XS but couldn’t even get it over my head. I returned it and ordered a S, but it was extremely tight and caused some minor bruising when I put it on and took it off. It wasn’t comfortable and would have been unsafe to wear. I tried a medium and it was the right one for me (I kinda felt like Goldilocks). I can get it on and off easily, and it flattens my chest the way I want it.

One solution to being able to try on a binder is checking out your local sex positive shop. After I bought my binder online a friend mentioned that Portland’s She Bop carries binders you can try on in the store. When I looked up them up, they carry Underworks as well.

If you’re looking for a binder that is specifically designed for trans men GC2B is another company that kept coming up in my research.

There are also trans and queer exchange websites where binders are sold or even donated when someone has surgery or a binder no longer fits. I commonly see people selling binders on Porltand’s Queer Exchange PDX Facebook site, for example.

Another option I want to throw out there is not wearing a binder at all. There is a movement in our community to not bind, for many reasons.

Admittedly, I bought a binder for the look. I do have a smaller chest and most of the time I feel comfortable not wearing a binder with patterned or larger fitting plain t-shirts. But I started to feel a little uncomfortable in white t-shirts, which is what I wear a lot of in the summer. When I looked at pictures of me in and out of my binder, though, I noticed there wasn’t much of a difference. Which has made me even more confident to not bind.

You should do what works for you. Bind or not bind. Sports bra or binder. Summer is hot enough. Find an option that is going to allow you to enjoy the sun while it’s here.

We’d love to hear about your experience and advice with binding, or not. Use the comments section to tell us your stories, so we can all be more informed.