How obvious is binding?

[AdamLukeH]

I'm hopefully getting a binder in about a weeks time, but I'm not out anywhere yet.  I've been planning to just wear it while I'm out walking the dog, if I go into town (which I never do but might start doing if only to see if I pass/wear the binder), but I know that there might be times where my parents will see me in it/I won't want to take it off.  I dress in fairly baggy guys clothes most of the time other than when I'm working or at school, and have done my whole life, so tight clothing/unusual clothing won't be a problem, but I'd just like to know how obvious it would be if my breasts suddenly "disappeared" every now and then?  Or if someone I know sees me out while I'm wearing it if they'd notice.  I'm an A/B I think but I've never been measured so I'm not sure, I'm the right size for a XS Underworks 997 though according to their sizing list.

Also is there any suggestions on how I can wash it without my parents seeing as I don't do my own washing?  Would in the sink with regular soap do or would I need to find some clothes soap designed for handwashing or something to use?

[JohnAlex]

I think binding could be obvious to close family and friends.  Of course, distant friends and stranger, I don't think are staring at your chest to notice anything different, lol.

With me as well, I wear baggy clothes, which makes it even less obvious to family that I'm binding.  Plus, even if they do notice, they aren't going to say anything, because that's kind of embarrassing to be like, "yeah so I was staring at your chest, and I noticed your boobs aren't very prominent anymore. Care to tell me why?"
Yeah, I don't think anyone is going to say that to you.  And if they do, something is seriously wrong with them.  I'd reply, "stop staring at my chest, weirdo." even if it was my mom I'd say that

As for washing it, I think soap and water is find.  It's a tough material.  I wash mine with the rest of my clothes. 
However, I also got the 997 in black, intentionally because I knew that that way if anyone say it, it would just look like a tank top. a weird one.  So I could just tell them I like to swim in it.  I'm not worried if someone found it in the laundry.  although I do do my own laundry.

Best of luck!

[AdamLukeH]

I forgot to mention that my parents aren't exactly close family, other than when I'm a work when I'm definatly "female", I see them at meal times and before we go to bed, or before school.  So it's probably about two hours aday maxium most of the time.  The only times when it's more would be when they make me ride our horses with them, and with the wind pushing clothes against my chest I'd be too paranoid that they'd notice to bind, although they rarely look at me at all now I think about it.  At least not directly.  So maybe I shouldn't be so paranoid about it all

I wouldn't be so sure about that, one of the many lesbian teachers at our school commented to their (step?)-daughter that her friend's boobs were growing.  So people do stare and make comment without embarrassment.  Or maybe it's just the creepy ones like her...

I've also got it ordered in black, how much does it look like a tank top?  I don't ever wear them but if I could get away with it?

[Henri]

I wash my binder in the sink with Woolite, since it's sort of made for hand-washing things. I'm not sure if soap and water would work as well unless you have very sudsy soap, because what I usually do is mix in the Woolite with the water and then soak my binder in there for around 20 minutes. Don't know if soap would work in the same way or not.

[dmx]

Oh, ->-bleeped-<-, do NOT wash it with regular soap.

A binder, by its very nature, is pressed tightly to your skin for many hours at a time; it's hot, tight and sweaty..... if you're at ALL acne-prone, the soap residue can cause major chest and back acne. :/ gross.

Ha. So machine-wash it cold or yes get soap designed for that purpose.

As for how obvious it is, depends on size and density of your chest and the proportions of your body. Usually it's not noticeable or detectible under your clothes.

To people who've known you previously, though, yes they will be able to tell you're binding.

[AdamLukeH]

I'll look into getting something better to handwash with then for the school holidays when I can't use the school washing machines.  Hopefully won't be too expensive or hard to come across.

Also I just want to tell you something you already know.  If there is any chance that your parents will go nuts at you to a dangerous degree, if they find out what you're doing and who you are, then be extra extra careful and don't do it when they're around.  If there is any way to postpone that horribleness until you are less dependent on them, then that's definitely the way you want to go.  This may not be your family, but I feel obliged to say it. 

My school told them I was a lesbian last year and I don't think that was taken badly, atleast they were never bothered enough to mention it more than twice.  Once when I was crying and they thought it was because of it, once in an argument.  I'm hoping this means that they'll be fairly open minded about this sort of thing.  I think they'd possibly take it as an opportunity to get closer to me if they see it as me opening up to them more, but the sad thing is I'm not sure if I want that...

[LilKittyCatZoey]

Oh, ->-bleeped-<-, do NOT wash it with regular soap.

A binder, by its very nature, is pressed tightly to your skin for many hours at a time; it's hot, tight and sweaty..... if you're at ALL acne-prone, the soap residue can cause major chest and back acne. :/ gross.

Ha. So machine-wash it cold or yes get soap designed for that purpose.

As for how obvious it is, depends on size and density of your chest and the proportions of your body. Usually it's not noticeable or detectible under your clothes.

To people who've known you previously, though, yes they will be able to tell you're binding.

i agree normal soap on cloths bad idea!! i did for a bra i didnt want my parents to see and i had a horrible break out on my boob area its a real no go!!

[JohnAlex]

Oh I didn't even think of soap on skin, because my binder never touches my skin, I always where a thin T-shirt underneath it.

[AdamLukeH]

Ok I'll defiantly be getting some proper handwashing soap somehow. Failing that I'll have to come up with another plan to get it washed somehow in a machine. Or come out.
Thanks for the help though guys, I'd not have known that about the soap before.

[insideontheoutside]

I think it's more obvious to the wearer (like when looking in the mirror) than it is to the general public. Keep in mind that the large majority of the general public really have no idea what a binder even is.

[insanitylives]

Oh I didn't even think of soap on skin, because my binder never touches my skin, I always where a thin T-shirt underneath it.

^this.
Ive got a doublefront, can't stand how the fabric feels directly against my skin, so a shirt under works.

IME, people are stupid and don't notice. Been bidning 2yrs ish, not out to parents, and they've never commented.

[malinkibear]

My chest is pretty big on its own, a D cup, swelling at least a cup when it's that time of the month, so everyone's used to me having a big chest. It's a running joke in the family how busty the women are, and as far as my family knows, that includes me. I started binding a month or two ago, and while I think my mother noticed, nothing was said. My stepfather and brother haven't noticed a thing, though I wouldn't expect them to take a lot of notice of my chest. It helps that I've been abroad the last year, though.
I think since you're quite small up there in the first place, no one will notice. And besides - no one will say anything! Your business is your business, and when it involves tits, or lack thereof, your family will probably keep whatever thoughts they have to themselves.

[AdamLukeH]

Ok thanks. I don't suppose they would notice but I'm paranoid about things like that, especially as they don't tell me if they know something important. Ie that I'm "lesbian" or my grandad has diabetes. If you haven't been noticed then I doubt mine will unless they're particularly in an observant mood which is rarely.

Can I just say you look scareily like a cis-guy I know. Or used to.

[Sam-]

It's pretty noticeable, I think. It depends on your family though. My family is the type that jokes and talks about personal things all the time, and they'd definitely say something if they noticed my chest disappeared. But in some families that's too personal of a thing to bring up. Just use your best judgement.