How do I know if I’m wearing the right size binder?

Q: How do I know if I am getting the right size binder?

A: Getting the proper size is one of the most important parts of binding in a healthy way.

It’s important to take your measurements and reference the company’s size chart when you purchase a binder? Binder companies size their garments differently so always re-measure because a large in one brand might be a med in another brand.

There are a lot of companies selling cheaply-made products and the sizes are inconsistent so make sure that you are buying through a reputable binding company. Reputable binder companies will have size charts and will offer instructions about how to take your measurements, assistance determining your size or other tools for matching you to your healthiest binding option. Check out the Binder Finder tool to learn more about which companies have size ranges that fit your body.

When a binder is properly-sized, you may still notice that taking a full, deep breath requires more effort than usual but taking a deep breath should always be possible. Like any article of clothing, it will be tightest when you first begin wearing it and will stretch to a more comfortable fit.

Wearing a properly fitting binder should not be painful though it might make you sore initially and it should not make it difficult to breath in normal activity levels though you may feel overall tightening that lingers in your chest even after you remove the binder.

Looking for the perfect binder?

Our Binder Finder tool catalogs 52 characteristics of binders and reputable companies that sell each style. If you need especially large, small, or custom sizes, you can see which sizes each company makes.

How long can I wear my binder?

Q: How many hours can I wear my binder?

A: Common sense and my clinical experience lead me to recommend binding for as few hours as possible each day. (For this section, “binding” means wearing your full-compression binder.)

Prioritizing the hours that you are in public for binding and switching to looser, less compressive options at home are best practices. So, let’s frame the discussion differently: it’s not about a “magic number,” it’s about balance, with as much off-time as possible and a commitment to self-care routines.

If you’ve done your research on binding practices, you have probably heard the recommended guideline is to bind for no more than eight hours per day. I have never found the origin of this recommendation and I suspect it was a common sense recommendation that caught on and now appears all around the internet. The research shows that the number of hours binding is less predictive of pain than the number of consecutive days of binding which means that taking days off from binding is more important than limiting the hours in a single day. The only binding method that is ever safe for 24 hour binding is kinetic tape binding because it does not compress the ribcage at all.

The occasional longer-than-usual day in a binder will most likely cause soreness, but it is rare that it causes a client ongoing pain. This soreness should be addressed with stretching and self-massage daily.

Being realistic is key to sustainable healthy binding and limiting yourself to 8 hours can be a serious challenge if you work 12-hour shifts, have a long commute, or have 10-hour school days. It is of paramount importance to keep yourself safe physically and emotionally, and it’s your job to get creative in structuring and planning your days to give your body the rest it deserves.

If your life requires long stretches of binding, here are some suggestions:

• Plan to take a 15+ minute break after four to five hours of binding to rest, breathe, and stretch
• Wear the lowest compression binder that alleviates your dysphoria
• Try kinetic tape binding which can be worn for 3-4 days at a time without harming the body
• Wear a binder with a zipper, velcro, or clasps so that you can discreetly release the binder during a long day if you need a short break
• Change out of your binder for your commute home or as soon as you are in a situation that no longer requires you to bind.

Find the right binder

To find companies that offer low compression binders, kinetic tape binding, and binders with quick release closures, visit our Binder Finder tool which catalogs 52 characteristics of binders and reputable companies that sell each style.

Is it normal to only bind sometimes?

Q: When your gender is fluid, is it normal not to wear a binder every day? Some days I am more comfortable wearing normal bras. Is it normal to be genderfluid?

A: Absolutely! Being genderfluid is a glorious way to move through the world.

Binders are tools for you to find the expression that feels the very best to you. Some days it’s the tool you need and other days it’s not. It’s common for people whose gender presentation is fluid to have different preferences for their chests from day to day or week to week. Your gender is yours to define. Be you, whatever that looks like on any given day!

How do I safely make my chest look smaller?

Q: I often feel like my binder doesn’t really make my chest as small as I want it to be. My binder feels kind of like a sports bra but maybe a bit more. Is there a safe way to get my chest to look smaller that is not harmful?

A: Yes, the great thing about binding now is that there are so many options. Much like other clothing, styles fit some bodies better than others.

It can take some trial and error to find the binder that gives you the best look for your chest. There are a variety of binder styles out there with a range of compression. Binders that use a non-stretch panel across the front often create a flatter appearance because it distributes the tissue differently than elastic fabric. Kinetic tape binding moves the tissue towards your armpits and depending on the size and density of your chest tissue, can accentuate the flat surface in the center cleavage of the chest, giving the entire chest a smaller, flatter appearance.

Keep in mind that sometimes getting the right binder means adjusting our expectations of “flat” chest. For example, you may achieve a flatter overall look through more of a barrel-chested look than a board-flat look.

A common mistake is assuming that if you wear a smaller binder, you will appear flatter. This is an understandable assumption but wearing the correct size will actually allow the space for the chest tissue to be distributed more evenly and achieve the flattest chest silhouette.

Get help finding the right binder

If you want assistance evaluating which binder suits your particular needs, I offer 1:1 coaching where we can discuss your body type, measurements, lifestyle concerns, and more to identify binders on the market that will best meet your needs.