How do I choose a Tucking Gaff?

Finding the right product can be tricky: here we'll guide you into finding your perfect match to your needs. 

If you are here, you probably already know what tucking underwear and tucking gaffs are: compression garments designed to smooth out the pelvis area and support tucking. However, the human body is rarely simple, and when we talk about compression wear, we need to take into account the specificities of your body and what type of compression can work best for you. 

Just a trigger warning before diving in: here we talk about body parts that can cause dysphoria; we'll do it with the most care we can, but let us know if anything here is incorrect or could be worded better. 

What type of Tucking Gaffs exist? 

Gaffs can come in different forms, each has its pros and cons for different bodies. Let's start with a simple definition of the gaffs we selected on Gendernaut Store: 

Thong gaff: Can be made out of soft or highly compressive materials. Thong gaffs can be used with tucking, semi-tucking or (in some cases) no-tuck. The thong shape makes it especially recommended under tightly fitting clothes or any time you don't want your panties line visible. The smaller gusset (the part of fabric that stays between your legs) can require some time to get used to, especially if you are new to this type of underwear. They are generally safe to use during workouts and swimming - depending on the fabric. 

Hipster / panties gaff: This style of gaff is wider than a thong, providing full coverage and a wider gusset (the part of the fabric that stays between your legs). Thanks to their wider shape, they are easier to wear if you are new to tucking. They can be made out of soft or highly compressive materials. Hipster and Panties gaffs can be used with tucking, semi-tucking or (in some cases) no-tuck. 

How do Tucking Gaffs work? 

Gaffs and tucking underwear are specifically designed to create a smoother and flatter look.

Their design utilises both stretching and non-stretching fabrics to prevent bulges, holding the tuck in place and distribute the compression across the pelvic area, offering more compression than average underwear. 

Most gaffs use compression panels, using mesh fabrics, in the front - this is the area where the most compression is created. Because of their design, they create a vertical tension, that ensures that the tuck stays in place. The presence of compression panels and vertical tension also helps when you are semi-tucking or not tucking at all. 

They differ from wearing just tight underwear because of their specific construction, that creates the right type of controlled compression where needed and distributes that compression across the pelvic area, making them more comfortable and safer to use.

We recommend you to follow our suppliers guidelines on sizing, as they are the biggest experts on how their design fits different bodies and body shapes. Going down one size could make the binder feel tighter, but that does not mean that you get a flatter look. 

How do I take my measures? 

The first step in finding a gaff that works for you is to know your measures. In this section we have a simple guide on how to measure for a tucking gaff and finding the right size for your comfort and safety. 

Tools you need: 

• A measuring tape 
• Paper & Pen (or somewhere to record your measures)
• If you don't have measuring tape, you can mark your size on a string or anything else you can comfortably wrap around your chest, and confront that mark to a ruler. 
  

Standing, possibly relaxed, take your measuring tape or string and measure: 

1. The circumference of your Waist: find the lower part of your ribcage (you can notice that as the area that appears when bending to one side) there you can measure the natural waist. 
2. The circumference of your High Hip (or Hip): find your hip bone and wrap the tape around it; this is the area where most low-raise pants and underwear sit.
3. The circumference of your Lower Hip: raising one leg, find the low hip - the area where the hip and leg meet. Your measuring tape should go around and touch the bum when you take this measure. 

It is best to take this measurements directly on the skin (without wearing anything that is already altering the shape of your pelvis), if that were to be not possible, you can do it wearing light underwear, as long as it's not tightening and you don't tighten the tape or string when taking the measurement. 

Once you are done taking the measures, write them down - from now on it will be much easier to find the right size for your tucking underwear! 

Now that I know all of this, how do I chose a tucking gaff? 

Now that you know your measures, you can consult the size guides from our suppliers to find the right size, but which binder should you choose? Here are our recommendations: 

How do I tuck safely? 

Safety and comfort are always a priority when tucking. Gaffs can make it easier than other solutions (such as using tape or tight underwear) by creating the right amount of compression and making it easier to use the restroom. A quality gaff, that is designed and constructed properly and uses quality materials, is an important step.  
Tucking can be very safe when done safely, as with anything else. 

Especially if you are new to tucking, it is important to start slowly. Start by tucking for 1-2 hours and listen to your body, building up from there. Take as many breaks as you need, and consider taking break days where you don't tuck at all (a good pace is every 3 days) and avoid tucking for more than 8 consecutive hours. Stop immediately if you feel pain, both standing and sitting. 

Dysphoria can in some cases lead to wanting to tuck for longer then recommended, increasing the risk of discomfort or negative effects. Taking breaks, never sleeping tucked and overall limiting the time you are tucking is an important precaution to prevent irritation and pain.  

For this section, since we don't have a direct experience on tucking, we have consulted several guides that you can find here: 

origamicustoms.com/blogs/updates-1/the-101-guide-to-tucking-and-gaffing

untag.com/pages/tucking-guide

transsolidarityproject.org/tucking-guide

transhub.org.au/social/tucking/

At Gendernaut store, we decided to only select products that are highly recommended from the trans community and created by transgender & non-binary people, who have a lived experience of the products they make. It is highly important for us that what we deliver to you is made with your body, wellness and safety in mind. Let us know if there's anything you would like us to write about, any product you want us to bring and share with the community and if there's anything we can do better! 

✨ Elia 

Size Guides: