Tightening your chest is often the ideal way to feel more comfortable in your own body. For many, a flat chest reinforces identity or helps the public to read us correctly. A binder, or puller, is an undergarment that makes the chest flatter. A contraption we wear to deny our feminine curves. A type of bra or tank top that makes it so we don't have to bandage our breasts with uncomfortable and, most importantly, unhealthy bands. How to wear or not to wear a binder? Which one is right for you?
A binder is not just for trans men
As many believe, the binder is not just a tool for trans men and non-binary people. Many other people who don't identify as such at all also tighten their chest to make it look flatter. A binder is also worn by cis women who aren't entirely comfortable with feminine features. But genderqueer, trans or cis - it doesn't matter how we identify, what matters is that we feel comfortable.
Binder golden rules
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No more than 8 hours
If your binder chest is not yet kissed, it's a good idea to start slowly. Try it for the first two hours, take it off again and gradually increase the time to four to six hours until you are comfortable. The more breaks and time without the binder, the better. Pulling off for longer periods can cause discomfort such as back pain, irritated skin, or breathing problems. Remember, it's only a binder after all, so always take it off at night to give your lungs a natural supply of oxygen.
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Never use tape or other bandages
Wrapping your chest with tape is not only a major inconvenience, but it can also restrict your ability to breathe and move properly. Elastic medical bandages in particular are designed to constantly tighten, so they get tighter as you breathe and can hurt.
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If it hurts, get rid of it.
Pain is always an indicator that something is wrong. If you can't, don't break it over your knee. Try other alternatives like compression shirts, sports bras, or other camouflage clothing. Health first.
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A binder is not a sports bra
So it should never be used for sports for health reasons.
Size and length guide
Looks like a tank top that you normally tuck into your pants. And mind you, it's not for nothing that its compression properties are said to be almost magical. A long binder doesn't just compress your chest, but also your hips or stomach, so you feel like your body has shrunk several sizes.
Usually extends above the belly button or just below the breasts. Looks like a sports bra but is much tighter. There is no shortage of comfort though, you can wear it daily just like the long version.
Binders vary even more depending on whether you want one with or without seams, black, white, or flesh-colored, and also how tight it is. Count on the fact that if you have bigger boobs, they will always be a little visible anyway. To be sure which binder is THE ONE for you, check out the size chart which will be happy to decide for you. And if you're still not sure, we'll be happy to help you choose.
How to wear it correctly?
Is this the front or should it be more in the back? With a binder, it's sometimes hard to tell at first glance how it belongs. Here's a little trick - unless it's a waist binder, you can orient yourself by the cutout at the arms. On the back, the armholes are cut deeper to give the shoulder blades room to move. Plus! Usually, the binder has a double fabric in the front as opposed to the back. And how do you put it on? First, you put your arms through the straps, pull it over your head and roll the fabric down over your chest.
TIP
To make the binder effect even better, once it's on, you can adjust the bust under the fabric. Often you just need to push it down diagonally toward the underarms. For larger breasts, we recommend pushing the breasts diagonally up and to the side towards the armpits.
How to take good care of the binder?
All our underwear and swimwear are machine washable at 30 degrees. Unfortunately, the material is not suitable for tumble drying. We do not recommend using too much washing powder either. Do not swim in the pool or the sea in UNTAG (before Danaë Trans-Missie) binder. Prolonged contact with chlorine or sea salt does not do the material any good, it could lose its elasticity. However, this does not apply to Dykka binders, in which you can safely swim in salt or chlorine.