Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey everyone,
As I'm not out to any friends or family, I can't buy a binder as my mum likes to go through my stuff and I'm not prepared for her to find it. Does anybody know a safe way to bind without an actual binder? I'd like to be able to bind but I'm quite big chested which I hate so it's difficult. I want to achieve a male looking chest with a baggy t shirt but I don't know how to without an actual proper binder. Does anybody have any tips?
Joey :)

There is a very good pattern for a DIY binder from years ago on the forum somewhere.

I used it when I first started to bind around 4 years ago I think.

I modified the design to fit my large chest better. I took an old pair of jeans and cut off the legs into rectangles, so you have one as a front panel and one as a back panel. Then I poked holes through the edges with a pair of scissors, and laced it up on either side with some string the same way you would a corset, only you're corseting your chest rather than your waist. It worked pretty well. For extra compression I also cut the gusset out of a pair of those bum and tum lifting tights and cut the legs off to serve as armholes.

A more recent thing I had pretty good results with was using the same sort of tights, and sewing two wide straps of elastic to the top, and wearing it like dungarees, so the belly compressing part got pulled up over my chest and squashed it all down

The thing is though, having something like this lying around is only going to have the same issue as your mum finding an actual binder :P

Thanks for your reply. I like the jean idea and will try that next time I have some old jeans. I my mum finds it I'll just make up some sort of story or try and hide it haha. Thanks again.
Joey :)

I've just told my mother that my binders are undershirts, saying I sweat a lot. This was before she knew I was trans. I think if anything she just assumed it was a "corset", lol.

I don't think my mum would believe me on that one  :-\  Thank you though, it's something to consider in the future, maybe when I start university. I've heard of the bandages one but I've also heard that it's not safe. Does anyone have any comments on that?
Joey :)

Quote from: Joey4 on November 17, 2012, 07:45:46 AM
I don't think my mum would believe me on that one  :-\  Thank you though, it's something to consider in the future, maybe when I start university. I've heard of the bandages one but I've also heard that it's not safe. Does anyone have any comments on that?
Joey :)

Bandages = no.  It's pretty unsafe, painful and I only used to do it for two hours at a time.  I couldn't imagine doing a whole day like that.

I've heard of people using back braces/supports as binders, maybe that would work for you.  I don't know how well they work/safe they are as I've never tried, but maybe someone else could chip in there with that info.

To be honest whatever you have is going to look a little weird and it would probably be best to just get a proper binder and hide it well.  Inside a cushion, under a rug, pin it behind a cupboard/wardrobe, even inside a desktop computer would work.  I actually left mine on the bathroom floor once for about a week and no one touched it.

Well if you choose something without velcro and stuff and remove any *dubious* tags then it really doesn't look/feel that different to certain kinds of sports underwear. Then again I don't know how leery your mom is...

http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/index.php?cPath=74 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/index.php?cPath=74) Sports bras that bind!

Thank you all for your replies. Thanks for your hiding places Alex, I'll bear them in mind for other stuff I wanna hide haha. I may start to look into getting a proper binder but I can't afford much at the moment plus I'm not sure where to look in the UK. I've only ever used bandages for about ten minutes and it didn't work that well. My mum isn't as leery as I make out I don't think Clay. It's probably just me being too paranoid and overthinking things. Thanks for the link Sparrowhawke, I'm from the UK though so I can't buy stuff from there :-/ thank you all the same.
Joey :)

when I was (more)broke and couldn't afford a 'real' binder, i made my own with ace bandages. While wrapping them around yourself isnt a good idea, you can cut and layer them to make large panels (front and back) and then stitch them up the sides. I used 2 in total, with one being wider. I took two lengths and lined them up along the edge, and used a vertical looping stitch (totally not a technical term. I stitched it that way so that when it stretched the thread didnt rip, it went diagonal.) then i stitched another length along the middle the same way. It made a 12 inch panel with a stronger elastic in the middle. Repeat and sew along the sides. Tube-top style. It worked for the time, it was hot though. if you make one like this, measure the fabric while its stretched but leave a little stretch, so you know it wont be too tight. always make sure you can easily take a deep breath with any homemade binder. (I also used that jean pattern. works well, but you have to be careful not to tie it too tight) good luck man.

Cheers Jessman. I'll read through that description a few more times and try it (sewing isn't a great specialty of mine haha) I'm gonna try the jean pattern when I next get jeans, it sounds good. I won't be wearing any binder for long periods of time, it will just be for my own satisfaction of having one and being able to wear it when I want and feel comfortable in myself. Thank you for going into great detail about how to make one. It's appreciated.
Joey :)

If you can use a debit/credit card then you can order from lesloveboat, underworks or any other overseas company.  Obviously then you have to find a way to get the parcel if you're mother is going to be suspicious of what you're buying.  I hesitate to order anything like this online even though my parents never care what I buy -- the only reason why I won't buy a packer!

A while ago, someone said that he had used a device from Wal-Mart that cost very little. I think it was a waist cincher, or something like that. It was under ten bucks, if I'm not mistaken.

Don't use les loveboat. They come in packages marked "les loveboat". Yikes. OTOH, I don't think binders are that weird looking. Just are like undershirt-- or I believe the girl word is camisole (just giving it to you in case you need it. They don't look like much. The half size ones kind of look like sports bras.

--Jay J

Quote from: aleon515 on November 17, 2012, 09:45:16 PM
Don't use les loveboat. They come in packages marked "les loveboat". Yikes. OTOH, I don't think binders are that weird looking. Just are like undershirt-- or I believe the girl word is camisole (just giving it to you in case you need it. They don't look like much. The half size ones kind of look like sports bras.

--Jay J

Depends if his mom or he get's the package  :P.

I have a Champion (brand) bra (actually didn't know that's what it was until just now because I bought it at thrift store a couple months ago [I checked on Google what it could be]). It works better than the binder I have to bind. Though I'm not all that large (C/B).

I'm not sure which one it is, but I'm pretty sure it's one of the two of these:

http://www.championusa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product__11651__11501_22235?cm_vc=BraFinder (http://www.championusa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product__11651__11501_22235?cm_vc=BraFinder)

http://www.championusa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product__11651__11501_308915_34716?cm_vc=BraFinder (http://www.championusa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product__11651__11501_308915_34716?cm_vc=BraFinder)

There's no tags on the bra I have so I can't know for sure which one it is, and I don't know if these would work for you or not (or if you could even buy them from their site, but I'm sure they're sold at places like Walmart or some sport store or something).

I hope this helps. And they're just sports bras, so if you forget to hide it then it won't be a big deal because it's not the same thing as a binder.

Hope this helps!

Quote from: aleon515 on November 17, 2012, 09:45:16 PM
Don't use les loveboat. They come in packages marked "les loveboat". Yikes. OTOH, I don't think binders are that weird looking. Just are like undershirt-- or I believe the girl word is camisole (just giving it to you in case you need it. They don't look like much. The half size ones kind of look like sports bras.

--Jay J

I ordered from them in the summer and the package was simply blue only with my name and postal address.

@Jared, I ordered mine in April maybe. I got it thru the US post office (International mail). Once I had to pick it up (which I hated as it said Les Loveboat). The other also said this. Perhaps you ordered your's a different way.

Re: champion. Their sport's bras are very tight and are compression. There is also a new one out made by underarmour called "Gotta have it". I've heard good things. Stay away from anything that stays uplifts, separates, flatters and you might be able to have mom buy you one. :)  Compression or high impact is the good word (of course I don't know how old you are.)

--Jay J

Thanks for so many replies. I don't really have the money to buy stuff to be shipped overseas but it's good to know that Champion are good as I can get them over here. I'm quite big up top which I hate so I think it's going to be difficult whatever I try. Does anybody know any UK shops that sell them?
Joey :)

You can buy underworks binders from UK sellers on amazon. Some people like the underworks binders but I personally find them horrendously uncomfortable. Lesloveboat are my favourites but like others mentioned the packaging is far from discrete :P the cost of them is also an issue.

Is the big brother binder thing still going? I got a free t-kingdom binder from them when I first started transition and struggling for money

I think Champion and underarmour are international brands. Underarmour is really big in hiking and backpackers groups. I actually found out about them when I was doing a lot of hiking. Champion is all over the place here, not sure where to tell you to look for it there.

--Jay J

I'm going to look for some champion ones next time i'm in town. They do them in my local sports shop so all is good. Thank you all
Joey :)

Thank you for linking to the Champion product geoangelcandybutch. If you order from Amazon, it's only about $11 and should just come in a basic brown Amazon store box since certain styles ship from them. This is a great alternative to the expensive les loveboat and underworks binders. The picture looks like it really flattens things out.

I used a back brace.  Couldn't tolerate the pressure/constriction from normal binders, and the braces worked with my build.

Something like http://www.easyliner.com/back-brace2.php (http://www.easyliner.com/back-brace2.php) or the top one at http://www.pushstore.com/listproducts-L0001/Lower_Back_orthopedic_braces.html (http://www.pushstore.com/listproducts-L0001/Lower_Back_orthopedic_braces.html) only simpler and cheaper from a drug store.

If I could ask oozol, how big is your chest? I am having a lot of sensory problems with binding (I have Asperger's). This might be a good solution for me. I wear layers which has it's limitations.

--Jay J

Jay J, I couldn't tell you for sure, but I think I was a 32C at one point, might have been bigger by the time I had surgery.  It probably worked well because the tissue was softer and not fibrous.  I did wear it over an undershirt, though, to keep velcro and the edges of the brace from rubbing against my skin (probably similar sensory issues to yours), and a shirt over that, so it was still 3 layers all told

Not a problem about posting links. Wish I thought of Amazon when looking up the type of sports bras though! If I was on my computer currently I would link to some. Though with Amazon make sure you're  buying directly from Amazon and not a different seller because packaging may be different that way.

About back braces: I've heard that if you're going to use them that you have to be super careful. I've heard from folks that they're not supposed to be used for binding. So just be careful.

Folks should also be aware: what may work for one person won't always work for another.

Geo, whoever told you that was probably thinking of a different type of back brace. The ones I'm referring to have more "give" than traditional, made-for-the-purpose binders, despite being made of a thicker elastic and softer material, and simply wrap once around the body, and are fastened with velcro at the overlap in front (with additional velcro sewn in if the end flap doesn't have enough to hold it fully in place).  Most importantly, you can take the full, deep breaths that you aren't able to in many of the usual binders -- it's like wearing a T-shirt compared to the Tri-top (and the riding up and pinching that happens with the Double Front never happens), for instance.  It still constricts (it IS a binder) and it does get hot and uncomfortable eventually, but it's not dangerous.  And yes,  whether or not it will work for you depends on your body structure (as I described).

ETA: Also, easy to take off. If you're having any kind of issue, you can just reach under your shirt, detach the velcro, and remove it in seconds.

Quote from: ozoozol on November 30, 2012, 07:50:46 PM
Geo, whoever told you that was probably thinking of a different type of back brace. The ones I'm referring to have more "give" than traditional, made-for-the-purpose binders, despite being made of a thicker elastic and softer material, and simply wrap once around the body, and are fastened with velcro at the overlap in front (with additional velcro sewn in if the end flap doesn't have enough to hold it fully in place).  Most importantly, you can take the full, deep breaths that you aren't able to in many of the usual binders -- it's like wearing a T-shirt compared to the Tri-top (and the riding up and pinching that happens with the Double Front never happens), for instance.  It still constricts (it IS a binder) and it does get hot and uncomfortable eventually, but it's not dangerous.  And yes,  whether or not it will work for you depends on your body structure (as I described).

ETA: Also, easy to take off. If you're having any kind of issue, you can just reach under your shirt, detach the velcro, and remove it in seconds.

I just wanted to say what I've heard! I've learnt it's better to tell folks information you've heard just in case.

My statement of "remember not everything works the same for everyone" wasn't in regards to what you said! I just wanted any one reading to just remember everyone is different and everyone's bodies are different and stuff. Some folks do tend to forget that and think "oh this works for them, maybe it'll work for me too" (I used to think that and realized it doesn't work that way).

Understood :) carry on!

Quote from: ozoozol on November 30, 2012, 06:42:45 PM
Jay J, I couldn't tell you for sure, but I think I was a 32C at one point, might have been bigger by the time I had surgery.  It probably worked well because the tissue was softer and not fibrous.  I did wear it over an undershirt, though, to keep velcro and the edges of the brace from rubbing against my skin (probably similar sensory issues to yours), and a shirt over that, so it was still 3 layers all told

Well you might have been a similar size. I just was wondering if it work with someone who didn't have a very very small chest. Sounds like it is worth a try. Might try the cheap ones first. They are made of Neo, which gets hot, but if they work nicely I could try the more expensive one. Sensory stuff does sound similar. Sounds like we were twins switched at birth. :)

--Jay J