#binding tips

[thefrontbutches]

i taped my chest for the first time the other day and the results were much better than i’ve had with any other form of binding but the tape was super itchy!

i also wasn’t able to remove it with oil and it damaged my skin, and even with some oil i found afterwards it left adhesive on my skin.

i’ve ordered some oil and adhesive remover that i can use next time, but i was wondering if anyone on here had any tips for protecting my skin or preventing the itchiness?

i already take an antihistamine every day 🤷

i’m probably not going to do it again until next month when i have a concert booked and will be away for 3 days as to let my skin heal 🥴

[starskipper]

Hi! i have more binder care information for fixing some fit and quality issues

the gc2b specific issues are: around 2020 gc2b binders decreased in quality and now their binders fall apart easier. the weak points are the thread and the manufacturing errors where the fabric is cut to short to reach where the stitching is supposed to hem it. and then the issue where gc2bs binders have bigger armholes so they dont compress sidefat and they end up digging into that fat instead and getting painful, one of the big reasons some people dont wear gc2b(spectrum outfitters doesnt have this issue, usually gc2b and spectrum are neck and neck and for alot of people this plus gc2bs quality decrease is the tiebreaker).

and general binder issues: when people sit or bend over the binder might press hard on their lower ribs or tummy causing lots of pain, and for some people the binder rolls up and presses even harder, and again thats a big reason some people cant wear binders. last thing most binders are to delicate to be washed in the washing machine(again gc2b because of the falling apart thing)

i made two guides to fix those issues by altering the binder so it doesnt dig in, mending the spots of the binder that came apart, fixing the manufacturing errors in the binder, and also reinforcing the binder so it can stand up through more and will last longer.

(i still wouldnt recommend washing them but if youre going to its better to have them reinforced, and also put them in a mesh bag or a pillowcase like you would with stuffed animals and delicates, because binders are delicate.)

(i was updating them as i was learning and working through the binder so the information isnt like a bullet list or anything super short, but the information is all there) altering mending, reinforcing, fixing errors in a binder

I made this a official post cause I can’t go into everyone’s inboxes (plus I can just spread it easier this way)

@our-transgender-experiences @big-sister-blog @bigbroadvice @trans-joy-is I always forget who I can tag that’ll answer I’ll come back to this

[harkenizalone]

Tips for appearing more masc From an AFAB Fem-Aligned NB Spec who likes cross dressing & LARPING PT 1: Hiding your boobage

-Flannel & other complex patterns can trick brains into not seeing the shape as easily, making your chest look flatter

-big Baggie hoodies & jackets help, even if unzipped, since it’s a similar thing to wearing funky patterns

-Wearing a sports bra with less under support, it presses the boobs a bit flatter without pushing them up (although you might get back pain from lack of support)

-kinda “smooth” your boobs down in a shirt & tuck the shirt into your waistband tightly, holds them a bit flatter

-Wearing something that draws attention away from your chest (ex: bright shoe laces, jewelry, gloves, hair accessories, etc)

-Wearing a loose shirt

-Loose shirt BUT ALSO bunch the shirt up over your abdomen/waist area, this makes your waist look thicker, leaving less contrast between the size of your abdomen and chest, making breasts less noticeable

[thefleshyougoveggie]

to anyone who binds/ wants to bind:

my biggest tip for you is to find a sports bra (or more than one could be good tbh) that you are fairly comfortable wearing. bc if you’re constantly using a binder, even if you take binder break days (which are CRUCIAL!!!) you can still get back pain from wearing binders often:( so having a sports bra that you like and wearing that as much as possible and saving the actual binder/s for “special occasions”/suuuper dysphoric days is something i highly recommend!!!

i used to bind most days of the week with actual binders, and even tho they were good quality (and right size!) it’s gotten to the point where i have back pain most days & i’m wearing a sports bra most days!!

also please please PLEASE do not wear your binder for longer than you should (6/8 hours, absolutely max 12, it varies from person to person-if it hurts, TAKE IT OFF) and remember to stretch!!!

big hugs,

your friendly neighborhood transmasc (who has back pain😔)

[our-trans-youth-experience]

hi! asking around in hopes to get more reach

I’m an afab large boob haver. I am also a non binary person, and I get dysphoria from them. I’m not out to my parents, and don’t plan to come out at the moment, so I can’t ask for a binder. Does anyone know and good bras that aren’t super uncomfortable(I am autistic with sensory issues so it’s especially important for me) that flatten the chest to some notable degree?

idk abt the uncomfortable part but i've worn sports bras my whole life and they flatten a bit so

[punkrockchildwithcoolsocks]

Ok, I'm feeling anxious and sad about too much shit so here's all the binding with body tape tips I can think of right now:

- I use transtape generally cause I like it but KT type tape works also

- using a skin prep before you put it on your body REALLY helps (I use witch hazel but it's just about getting the surface level oil off your skin where you are going to apply)

- cover your nips with paper towel squares or whatever you have that is soft and dries easily

- getting a flatter appearance is all about lift, you need to be lifting your bits up before moving them to the side whether that means just holding it up while you apply a strip sideways or just applying a strip vertical first. (This goes for binding in a binder as well lift those bitches up and over after you have it on)

- I personally apply a strip vertical first to lift and then a sideways strip to flatten

- DO NOT stretch the tape very much ok, I know the company says no stretching and then every tutorial by someone on YouTube says stretch it anyway but oh my gawd don't stretch it so much alright. Just smooth it down with your other hand while you're pulling it over the area of application (stretching will cause skin to stretch and be uncomfortable and the tape will come off slowly while wearing)

- leaving it on for 6 days is my hard limit because it gets uncomfortable at that point and that's also pushing the limit of the tape

- please do not do what I do and actually use oil to take it off, let it soak for like 10 minutes and it should just peel off

- REAPPLY the oil after you've taken it off and the sticky that's left on your skin will come off with gentle massage and hot shower water

- don't use soap on the sticky left on your skin until you've used the oil to get the most of it off or else you'll end up like I used to be with very red irritated skin

- Last and not least I know it's terribly hard sometimes but you need to take breaks from binding in general if you want your tissue and skin to stay healthy/viable for top surgery

(obviously there's a limit and like it's not everyone's experience but if you want best results later you gotta take care of yourself ok)

Alright, I hope that helped literally anyone, I've never seen all these things gathered in one place and this would have helped me in the beginning :)

Cheers and have a happy life living as a trans person

[dodgeryy]

Binding methods for competitive dance?

(Costume top is lined spandex and sleevemess and I'm a 32DDD) Wanted to try tape but I'm worried have too much boob? A good compressions sports bra brand recs also is slay. But really excited to serve masc this season so any help is so much appreciated!!!

I usually don't bind at all or use little clothing illusions when I'm feeling masc bc I have massive booba. this season I asked for the men's costume/uniform and would love any reliable binding ideas pease. Also this is for winterguard specifically but low key rlly niche

[birdiebinds]

Jazz up your hand bound book with a magnetic cover!

This is how I layer my magnet sheets to end up with a magnetic cover. Using Adhesive magnetic sheets, adhere the sheet to the bookboard, then glue your bookcloth or paper cover down as you would normally. Then using printable magnetic sheets, print your changeable cover design, and you're good to go!