Do you have any suggestions for good binder brands? I tried gc2b and their binders didn't really work for me, mainly because my chest tissue moved around a lot and after the first 5 minutes I had to readjust a lot, but I don't know if that's a common issue with all binders or specifically the one I tried. If it's an all-binders issue, do you have any other recommendations for alternative methods?
fam, i know EXACTLY what you mean regarding everything moving around too much in gc2b binders. 😫 I'm not sure if that issue is caused by the binder not quite being the right size, or if it's just how gc2b binders are shaped/constructed. Like maybe you and me are in the same boat and we just don't have the right shape for gc2b to work well with us.
I have not had personal experience with these brands, but I think some folks have had better experiences with binders from Spectrum Outfitters and Shapeshifters. Another brand I know of is Underworks, but I don't think they're recommended for anyone who isn't thin and/or small-chested bc they are tighter and more uncomfortable. (I haven't looked into them much myself, so I could be wrong but that was the general vibe I got.)
However, there is one other binder brand i DO have personal experience with—ForThem. I got one of their binders recently, and like.... I love it so very much???? They are only in the US, though. (for now?? maybe they'll be more widely available in the future? i couldnt tell ya)
hang on I'm about to ramble so let me put a cut in here before the post gets too long lmao.
ForThem binder review and discussion of TransTape under the cut! 😘
okay SO. I just went up to get mine so I can be accurate with my gushing.
here's the info printed on the inside of the binder:
The Binder; Size: Illusion
65% Polyamide, 35% Elastane, 100% recycled from waste.
Wash cold. Dry flat. Love forever.
Made just for you with love in New York City.
First, lemme tell you about the sizing—they only need one measurement. Just one. Glory hallelujah for that bc getting the measurements for my gc2b binders was a pain in the ass and confusing and I hated it. When you go to their site they have a questionnaire for you to go through to find your size and it's pretty simple. They even have a video showing you how to measure your chest. Easy peasy. And you can have them save your binder size for you to come get it again later when you're able to order.
Regarding colors—because of the way these are made, you don't really get to choose what color binder you get (mine is Forest, it's this pretty nice desaturated dark green) but you can go on a waitlist for specific colors if you want.
Oh, and their binders are reversible. One side has a scoop neck and the other has a vee neck. I tried the vee neck and personally didn't like it, the scoop neck feels more secure & it covers my chest better, but it's nice to have the option.
Additionally, these binders are only available as half tanks. I think I saw one person say they are shorter than the gc2b half tanks but I just compared it to one of my old gc2b half tanks and it's basically the same. The biggest differences between the two are the necklines and the thinner straps on the ForThem binder.
okay with all that out of the way I have to tell you about the fit & how it feels to actually wear it.
.....it's so good, y'all.
Being a half tank I was worried it would have the same issue I had with my gc2b half tanks where I could not raise my arms without my tiddies literally falling out of the binder (although to be fair my first two binders from gc2b were also too big). But I mean even with my more-correctly sized full tanks from gc2b, if I did anything or lifted my arms my chest would fall out of place and be weird and uncomfortable.
well when I got my FT binder and tried it on, that was the first thing I checked. and I could lift my arms and move all around and my tiddies stayed inside the binder where they belonged. it was honestly a miracle. I mean, it's not completely perfect—over time they do kinda get pushed to the middle of my chest kinda like a monoboob situation, but it's not nearly as bad as walking five steps in a gc2b binder and having to adjust everything.
it's also just so comfortable?? the material is very soft and nice. like on the site they went on about how lovely the material is and i was like yeah sure but then i got mine and THEY WERENT KIDDING. it is so fricking soft i cant get over it. also, I don't notice the seams at all when I wear it, and the armholes don't really annoy me either. I honestly forgot to take it off a few times bc it was so nice to wear. (don't do that, tho! 8 hours or less, depending on what your body can handle!)
as far as compression goes, I think it does a fairly good job. if I'm wearing it and I put my hands on my chest and try to smush it all even more flat, I can't get much flatter than the binder gets me. does that make sense?? idk, it does a pretty good job and when I have a shirt on it looks great! I look like just another tubby guy with an appropriate amount of man boob.
I think literally my only thing with this binder that could be a little better is that the bottom edge has a tendency roll up sometimes. but I think that's because of my bigger stomach tbh, and if I fold over the material between my chest & belly it's not noticeable but keeps it from rolling. 🤷🏻♂️
as a fat guy with C(?) cup tiddies, this binder works better for me than gc2b did, for sure.
aaaaaaaaand now that the impromptu FT binder review is over, you also asked about alternative methods!
so yes, I highly recommend checking out ForThem binders if you're in the US!
another method I've tried is using TransTape, and I also recommend that if you're interested!!! It's definitely not suited to everyone, though.
If you haven't heard of TransTape before, the gist of it is that instead of wearing a binder for part of the day, you apply tape to your chest to manipulate the tissue into a more masculine shape. You can wear it for multiple days, sleep in it, shower/bathe/swim in it, exercise in it, etc. It's honestly amazing.
But there is a pretty tough learning curve when it comes to application (and removal.) It takes time to learn how to get the look/shape you want, but if you keep at it it's definitely worth it.
on the other hand, removing the tape is a whole other thing, and is my least favorite part. 😩
Basically, to remove the tape safely, you have to use oil to break down the adhesive, which is messy and annoying and requires a lot of time and patience. if you do not remove the tape properly, you will have a lot of ouch in your future, specifically in the form of abrasions and torn skin and sores/blisters (although the former is also dependent on application). and the worst part is, if you have any wounds from removal you can't use tape again until it's healed because that would be begging for trouble. (and infection.)
I personally had just.. the most awful trouble with removal. at first I was too impatient and pulled on the tape too much and didn't really give the oil time to do its job, but then even with my very last attempt when I tried SO HARD to be patient and waited for much longer than the recommended time, I was left with really sore and irritated skin despite feeling like it was the best i'd done at removing it. 😔
it was just really upsetting after a while, and it's part of the reason why I have taken a break from trans tape. the other reason is financial—i'd used up all the tape i had, and i couldnt really afford to keep buying more. depending on what size tape you get it can be almost 20 bucks a roll, and since I use two different sizes my next order would have been a little over $40. the ForThem binder I was eyeing was only a little more than that, and I figured spending the money on something I only had to buy once that would last for ages if it worked for me would be better than spending 40 dollars every month or so on tape that didn't seem to agree with me. 🥲
now, I've kind of done trans tape dirty by talking about the negatives first (sorry trans tape) but it is genuinely my favorite binding method.
when I got a little better at applying it, it was amazing and I had just the best euphoria. I didn't have to think about my chest, I didn't have to wear anything under my shirt, I didn't have to feel my chest move and bounce around because it was good and secure under the tape. I even got to enjoy being shirtless in my room for a bit one night, and it felt so comfortable and natural and wonderful that I'm.... not gonna think about it too much more or I'll get sad lmao
I'm not sure exactly what my problem with the tape was. I don't know if I had some very slight allergy to the adhesive that got worse the more I used it, or if it had something to do with using too much tape on my chest than my skin could handle, or if maybe bc I have eczema in a few places the skin on my chest is also too sensitive?? I don't know. maybe someday I can give it another go and try to figure it out.
but my point is, the issues I had with the tape that are preventing me from using it might not necessarily be problems for you, so if you are interested and are able to, I recommend looking into this particular method of tiddy-taming!!
it doesn't work for everyone, but goddamn, when it does work it is so flipping good. 😫💔
Me 2.7 seconds after putting on a binder for the first time:
THIS WAS AN OPTION THE WHOLE FUCKING TIME?? THIS??? I SPENT TWO FUCKING DECADES FIGHTING WITH WIRES AND CUPS AND STRAPS, THINKING THAT WAS AS GOOD AS IT GOT, LONGING FOR ONE SIMPLE PIECE OF SECURE FABRIC AND IT WAS THIS THE WHOLE TIME????????!!
honestly I wanna rage that binders aren't in stores right next to bras and sports bras. This changed my life at 31 WHY COULDN'T I HAVE THIS AT 14?!
