Q&A for How to Make a Binder

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  • Question
    Would I be able to use old leggings instead of tights?
    S A T O B A B E
    Community Answer
    Leggings can be used, just be aware that legging material is a little more thicker and may be harder to stretch or move.
  • Question
    Why am I using wikiHow for this? I could just use a site that is dedicated to giving safe advice on binding.
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    wikiHow is here to help anyone on the planet learn how to do anything. You know what would be great? If you read some other sites, did some research, then came back to improve this article with your knowledge. It really does help.
  • Question
    All of my friends are boys and I am often mistaken for one. I keep feeling peer-pressured to look more masculine. Is binding my answer?
    Marvalyn Willard
    Community Answer
    Only wear what you feel comfortable doing. If you want to appear more masculine, then wear a binder. But if you're doing it for other people, it's not worth the hassle and stress. Don't feel peer pressured to change your identity; do it on your own accountability.
  • Question
    I've heard that it can be dangerous to bind with layers of sport bras, is that true?
    Agent Walrus Zohar
    Community Answer
    As long as you don't wear more than two sports bras at a time, you should be perfectly safe. However, if you experience any discomfort (trouble breathing or moving around, rashes, itchy skin, sore chest and/or ribs), take off one or both of the sports bras you are wearing, and never sleep in your binder/binding method, and never bind your chest for more that eight hours at a time. Hope this helps!
  • Question
    Do you use a binder in place of a bra?
    Community Answer
    Binders are usually used to flatten a chest. Bras are used to support and/or accentuate them.
  • Question
    Is it safe to wear more than 2 sports bras at once?
    Marvalyn Willard
    Community Answer
    No, don't wear more than 2 sports bras at once, because that could put pressure on your ribs and possibly fracture them.
  • Question
    Are these choices available for minors?
    Rengokusimp
    Community Answer
    Yes, they are. I tried it (I'm a minor not even a teen) and they work! Just do what the thing says and you can bind your chest.
  • Question
    How do you hide that your binding your chest from a transphobic family?
    Nico
    Top Answerer
    Wear baggy clothing, hoodies/sweaters, or layers to cover up the fact you're binding. Or, just wear regular clothes, and if one of your family members ask why your chest is so flat, tell them you're wearing a (fancy) sports bra.
  • Question
    How can I make sure no one can see the binder under my shirt?
    Jordan McEvoy
    Community Answer
    Try to avoid wearing a white shirt. White shirts can be seen through, and show the binder, or sports bra that you are wearing. If you do not want to give up wearing white shirts if you wear them, try layering them, or wearing something over it.
  • Question
    Once you use the binder and you take it off, does it make your chest flatter without it on?
    Community Answer
    No. Binders only work when they're on your chest. When it's off, your chest will go back to normal.
  • Question
    Could I make a binder out of an old shirt?
    Anime_fan_101
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is possible. Just wrap it as tightly and as flat as you can without causing discomfort. Then tie it in front, then tuck the tie into the bind between your breasts.
  • Question
    My friend owns a binder already, but because of quarantine he is unable to get one that fits better. How would I go about making him one so he doesn't feel so dysphoric?
    Anime_fan_101
    Community Answer
    Ask him what size leggings he wears or would wear and get some, then use the first method and take the sleeves off. You now have a binder for him. If this doesn't work, try making him a binder out of old shirts he or you don't need anymore.
  • Question
    How do I wash it without anyone noticing?
    Anime_fan_101
    Community Answer
    If you do your own laundry, then this shouldn't be a problem. If not, just tell whoever washes it (if they ask, don't make a big deal out of it) that it is just a fashion thing you made up and wanted to try. Or, if you feel comfortable telling them the truth, go ahead and tell them.
  • Question
    I wear a sports like bra but it's too loose to compress my chest size and I still want to wear a binder. Would I wear both or only one? If both, which would go on top?
    Anime_fan_101
    Community Answer
    Try wearing only the binder instead of both, especially if the bra has padding. If the bra does not have padding, then you could try both with the bra under the binder. Choose whichever way is most comfortable for you.
  • Question
    I tried using the tights, but they ended up being too stretchy and didn't flatten my chest at all. Can I wear it over a tight sports bra to get the feeling of wearing a binder instead of a bra?
    Anime_fan_101
    Community Answer
    This may help, but if it doesn't, try using leggings, they are a little harder to stretch out.
  • Question
    For the tights, I have the head part cut, but is the sleeve part optional? I want to say it's just a "style of clothing that I made up" for my grandparents, that way I can wear it without questioning.
    Anime_fan_101
    Community Answer
    Yes, the sleeves are optional. Just make sure (if you want to have some sort of straps) that you can fit your head through and decide from there where to cut the sleeves off.
  • Question
    How can I bind my chest without a binder?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    You actually have a few non-binder options if you're trying to flatten the appearance of your chest. A super simple one is to wear a compression shirt that hugs your body tightly and flattens your chest. You can also wrap a neoprene back brace around your chest and tighten it as much as you want to until you're happy with your appearance. Be careful not to tighten it so much that you can't breathe well. Another option is to put on a bunch of flat sports bras. Layer them on top of each other to flatten your chest. Use tight-fitting ones that you can still breathe in.
  • Question
    Is binding bad for your breasts?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    It can be. If you use unsafe materials or you bind your chest too tightly for too long, it can lead to permanent deformation of your breasts, scarring, and can even affect your breathing. However, if you want to simply flatten the appearance of your chest, there are safe ways of binding your chest that won't have any long-term negative effects. One way is to simply layer sports bras that are flat and don't have cups. Layer the bras on top of each other and try to use ones that fit a little tighter, but aren't so tight that it's difficult for you to breathe. There are even companies that make vest-like binders that go halfway up your torso to help compress and flatten your chest safely.
  • Question
    Can I make my own chest binder?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    One simple way is to use an old pair of tights! Take a pair of scissors and cut the legs off of the tights, leaving about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) of the legs on both sides. Then cut a hole in the crotch that's big enough for you to put your head through. Then, stick your head through the hole you made and slide your arms into what were the legs of the tights. Pull the waist part over your chest to help flatten it out and you're all set. It can also be helpful to wear a sports bra underneath your DIY binder.
  • Question
    I am a transgender male, and I go to a Catholic school that makes me have my feminine name, wear a skirt, and not wear a binder. School starts soon and I am dreading it, what should I do?
    Nora Cunningham
    Community Answer
    Ask your friends to call you by a different name (not your parents if you haven’t come out, but when you do, you can ask) and ask if you would be able to get uniform pants. Wear a binder anyway, if a teacher or student asks you if you are wearing a binder, just say it’s a sports bra.
  • Question
    I haven't come out as non-binary to anyone yet, but I'm binding right now. What should I say if someone asks about it?
    Nora Cunningham
    Community Answer
    You could just say that it’s a sports bra, but most people don’t even notice, and if they do, they need to get a hobby.
  • Question
    I am in school and if I come to school with a flat chest, I am afraid someone will ask me about it?
    Community Answer
    Many won't even notice. And if they do, it would be a weird thing to ask about. It's highly unlikely anyone will ask.
  • Question
    I am scared that if i start binding then my mom will notice and I am not out to her. Is it possible for me to bind without her figuring out I am transgender?
    Noa
    Community Answer
    I'm sure many won't even notice, unless you make a big fuss about it. But if someone questions it and you don't want to explain it, you could say it's a sports bra.
  • Question
    I'm happy, I have tights! Thanks I've been wanting to bind for a while now and now I can, but what would happen if I bind for more then 8 hours?
    Noa
    Community Answer
    If the binder is really tight, it might start to feel uncomfortable, or maybe even hurt a bit. But keep observing how you feel and take the binder off if you start to feel really bad. And also, try stretching after wearing it, especially for longer time,
  • Question
    Will binding help with my dysphoria?
    Community Answer
    It's different for everyone, but it can make a significant difference in making you feel better.
  • Question
    How do you know if you should bind? I am afraid of having second thoughts about it and regretting it.
    Alexander
    Community Answer
    If you have second thoughts about it, that's normal. If you know you feel that a binder is what you've been wanting for a while, then get it without any regrets. Regrets tend to come and go, but something that would really make you regret is not getting one when you've really wanted one.
  • Question
    What's something that is easy to hide and to make?
    PhoenixAce13
    Community Answer
    I use old sports bras. I hide them under my bed and in my dresser. My parents don't suspect a thing!
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