How do I choose a Chest Binder? 

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 a chest binder is: a compression garment designed to flatten the chest, no more and no less. 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 Chest Binders exist? 

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

Soft Binder: perfect for long day wear, it feels like a more compressive sports bra that you forget you’re wearing. It provides medium compression, the ones we sell can be used for sports and swimming. 

Short binder: it provides high compression and because of that it is not recommended for use over 8 hours, or for sports. It is suitable for small and medium chest sizes, although some people with large size find it comfortable and flattening as well. It is perfect for extreme euphoria but it might feel a bit constrictive for some people.

Long binder: similarly to the short binder, but it creates a slimmer silhouette on the hips too. It has the same characteristics as a short binder, but often it is preferred by people with a larger chest tissue as it can feel more secure and stable.

Adjustable/Post-op/Limited mobility: this type of binder has adjustable opening straps over the shoulders and on the front of the chest. It can be used as a medical binder after top-surgery (please always follow the recommendations of your surgeon first), but it is also a great choice if you have difficulty with putting on and taking off a regular binder. The openings make the putting on/taking off part much easier.

Gym and athletic binder: they have slimmer cuts that make the mobility during exercise easier, without compromising on compression. Some people prefer them to regular binders for everyday wear as well. 

How do Chest Binders work? 

Binders achieve a flattening look working with stretching and non-stretching materials together to apply and distribute compression on your chest. 

An important part of their construction is the front panel, which is more rigid than the rest of the binder. It creates a more flat look by limiting how much the chest protrudes outwards, keeping it closer to the torso. All of the other parts work together to even the compression on the body, secure the binder in place and prevent bulging. Tightness and compression are not the only factors in creating a flat chest, all of the elements of the binder work together.

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 binder that works for you is to know your measures. In this section we have a simple guide on how to measure for a chest binder 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 Upper Chest: wrap the tape as high as you can reach under your arm. 
2. The circumference of your Full Chest: find the area where your chest is wider, generally at nipple height
3. The circumference of your Under Chest: wrap the tape over the ribcage just below your chest 
4. The circumference of your Waist: find the lower part of your ribcage, there you can measure the natural waist. 

It is best to take this measurements directly on the skin (without wearing anything that is already altering the shape of your chest), if that were to be not possible, you can do it wearing a light shirt, as long as the 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 chest binder! 

Now that I know all of this, how do I chose a chest binder? 

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 bind safely? 

Safety and comfort are always a priority when binding. Hopefully, once you have chosen the right binder for your preferences, use and body, and have identified the right size for you, most of the work is done. But there are some important things to pay attention to in order to bind safely. 

When you first wear your binder, make sure it sits comfortably on your body. Binders lose some of their compression over time, and are tightest at the first use, however you should pay attention to how it feels when you first put it on. If you feel any sharp pain, dizziness, breathing difficulty, take it off immediately. You can contact us for exchange and we can help you find a better size. 

If it's your first time binding, start slow - wear it for one hour, let your body rest, observe how you feel, and then gradually increase the time you spend wearing it. The rule of thumb is not to wear a binder for more than 8 hours. Soft binders and low compression binders are designed to be comfortable to wear longer, but always listen to your body. Worn out binders, soft binders and sports bras can be good middle-grounds to have some rest days. And never, ever, ever wear your binder to sleep. Your body needs rest, and while we can understand the temptation, the long term effect of excessive compression on your body are not to take lightly.

Chest binding can be very safe when done safely, just like anything else.  

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: