What is a binder?
A binder is an undergarment used to compress one's breasts, and give the appearance of a flat chest.
Why would someone wear a binder?
Binders are most often used by transgender men who experience gender dysphoria from having breasts. They are also often used by non-binary, or even sometimes cisgender individuals who would like to hide their breasts. These gender-affirming garments are used by a variety of people to look more like how they feel.
Are binders safe?
So long as you are using a properly sized binder from a reputable brand, yes, binders are safe to wear.
What are the dangers of improper binding?
Improper binding can lead to damage to the ribs and lungs, often in the form of bruising. In severe cases, improper binding can result in being unable to get top surgery, or even continue to bind.
Are there alternatives to binders for binding?
Yes! Some people use trans tape, or sports bras.
Before anything else, double check the care instructions for your binder. If the brand for your binder of choice says that you are able to throw your binder in the washing machine, then go ahead. Some binders can even be safely thrown in the dryer. If you find that it must be hand washed, or you cannot find any information on care instrucitons (which usually means you're going to have to hand wash it), then continue onto the rest of this section if you're not sure how to hand wash a binder.
Additionally, do not put a binder in the dryer unless you know for sure if it is safe. If a binder is not meant to go in a commercial dryer, this can mean that it will shrink. If a binder shrinks, then it can compress in a way that it is not meant to.
Before you begin washing your binder, make sure that you have everything you need.
Soak the binder in hot water and detergent. The hotter the water is (so long as you are not burning yourself) the better. Clothes are primarially cleaned through friction, so you're going to have to swish around, massage, and rub the fabric binder against itself. Spend a few minutes doing this before ringing out the binder.
Drain the dirty water, and replace with clean water. Continue ringing out and rinsing the binder until the water runs clear. Once the water is clear, ring out the binder as much as possible, so that it isn't dripping.
Hang the binder to dry. Make sure to wait to put it away or put it back on until it is completely dry. When clothing doesn't have a chance to properly dry, it can get musty, resulting in a bad smell and unhygenic conditions.
amor sensory - based in Australia
binder me - based in Poland
cantiqla - based in The United States
esha taipei - based in Taiwan
etsy - GenderBenderLLC - based in The United States
flavnt - based in The United States
gc2b - based in The United States
gender gear - based in Canada
iguana trend - based in Poland
man sculpture - based in The United States
morris designs - based in The United States
my double design - based in The United States
nouvelle inc - based in The United States
origami customs - based in the unceded traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka (located in The United States)
peecock products - based in Singapore
rebirth garments - based in The United States
shapeshifters - based in The United States
sock drawer heroes - based in Australia
spectrum outfitters - based in The United Kingdom
sweat it out - based in The United States
t kingdom - based in Taiwan
tomboyx - based in The United States
underworks - based in The United States
untag - based in The Netherlands
ur basics - based in Canada
wivov - based in The United States
your open closet - based in Canada
dcats - free binder program based in USA
FTM Essentials
genderbands - free binder program based in USA
Point of Pride - free binder program based in USA
Transgender Teen Survival Guide - Binding FAQ
Trans Guy Supply
TransHub: Binding
Trans Lifeline: Binding Guide
WikiHow: Make-a-Binder
YouTube Video: spectrum binder VS gc2b binders - cc