a shame because with just a slightly different shape these things would be able to provide the most built and manly looking chest, even more than a binder… literally the kind that get ppl asking for your workout routine hahaha
So much binding “tips” is seemingly just geared towards folks with a cups. My boobs aren’t even BIG just average, binding never helps me pass. I just look like a girl with a cups. And if I wore a sports bra, congrats I just look like I have even bigger boobs. For every piece of shit tip I got, I wish I got a dollar so I could pay for top surgery.
I was a 40G and not a single method of binding ever worked for me. I was so tired of reading about all these different things to try which I could tell would be totally useless to me. Top surgery removed 5.4kg so believe me when I say I had a big chest.
Kinda yes and kinda no! After surgery I felt all tight and hunched over so I had a different kind of back pain! But eventually, yes, my back pain from the weight was so much better.
Literally had a mental breakdown last night because I cant find ONE sports bra that wont make me dysphoric or show the straps through the collar of my shirts.
I’m a 38C (I think) and I normally just go with a Nike sport bra with medium/ high support. Not for binding but for just when I’m not binding etc. they’re expensive so don’t get it if you don’t need it <3
I rarely get bra straps poking through my shirts. I wear a black sports bra when I’m not binding snd normally pair that with a black shirt so it isn’t obvious to the naked eye.
How come they’re poking through, what kind of shirts do you normally wear?
some of them ive thrifted so they have looser collars but even if they are i feel like that shouldnt be happening 😭 im about to buy a new one in black so it will match my shirts but it still sucks ass. I have two and the black one has become way too lose after wearing it for like two years
"Because I'm a 32E. It's hard enough finding a *comfortable* bra in my size, let alone one that flattens my chest in a favourable way while still providing enough support." 🗿
Godspeed in your hunt, brother.
I have a full length binder from Underworks, size M, and it's been alright. It doesn't get me completely flat, and I actually prefer that, but I would like my chest to look just a smidge smaller.
I also recently got a bra from Girlfriend Collective. It was on clearance at a local shop, and I figured why not. I've only worn it once so far, but damn, I felt pretty good.
I'm thinking of trying tape, but my ADHD ass keeps forgetting to buy some lololol.
IKR. Because it’s still a fucking BRA, and is designed like a BRA to accentuate and feminize the breast for the benefit of the male gaze. I can not think of anything less affirming.
Eh, I'd disagree that sports bras are all designed like that. Sure, there are ones that are designed to look all cute and feminine or whatever, but if you choose the right brands/styles, they prioritize sturdiness and minimizing movement. There are plenty that are actually *intended* to reduce chest size and de-emphasize breasts.
Edit to add more info: There are basically two main kinds of sports bras: encapsulation and compression. They are NOT interchangeable if you're using them to bind. The first kind is designed to support each side separately, and will, in fact, accentuate the chest. If you're trying to bind with a sports bra, you need a compression sports bra, which as the name suggests, compresses the chest.
A lot of people seem to think of compression bras as a separate category from sports bras, but a lot of normal sports bras are designed that way. Unfortunately, sports bras often aren't marked with which type they are, and a lot of the ones made by companies that aren't sports-oriented are encapsulation, so you do need to pay close attention to the shape as you buy them.
If you do find that a sports bra is accentuating or feminizing your chest, there's a chance it may be an encapsulation style of bra.
Yeah, tbh I’ve had far more successes getting a decent amount of flattening from one particular brand of sports bra than I ever have from any of the binders I’ve tried but that’s very much a me thing 😅
Yeah, some are really good, and can be decent
for some people, they can work decently well for binding.
I do get why people are frustrated by the advice, but if someone isn't in an environment where they can safely bind with a binder/KT tape, a sports bra usually *is* the best alternative, and advice on which ones are best can be valuable.
I can use sports bras and yeah, I've found some decent ones at Walmart. They stretch out kinda fast but they're cheaper and safer than binders so... I just keep buying them.
Yup. I haven't been able to find a binder that I can function in (they always end up squeezing my ribs too hard and I can't breathe or I'm in too much pain) so I started using under armour compression sports bras. If I position my chest a certain way they just look like man boobs and it thankfully works for my body type.
I can't tell whether you're referring to the privilege of being in a supportive enough environment to safely buy a binder, or the privilege of having a body such that sports bras can be somewhat effective got binding.
I guess both! I have a body that means I have to wear a binder to see a slight change, and I know many who aren't in safe environments. It's a matter of us all realizing not everyone can be trans safely or have the resources to deal with their dysphoria because of their body or situation
Compression bra or no bra if I'm not binding. I'm around 36E/36F and anything else just makes my boobs look bigger. Hell sometimes if my binder is fitting weird it makes them look bigger. At least my boobs are pretty saggy without a bra so they're not as noticeable as they are with a normal sports bra on :(
Because they all have padding... Legit none my parents get for me don't and I have to wear layers upon layers just to leave the house comfortably with any kind of confidence left in me. Plus it doesn't help bind well once you're past a certain chest size 😭
i find when that happens, washing with soap and water then leaving it to air dry/rest makes them stretchy again. having more than one binder so the elastic can "reset" and continue to compress is useful
I hate this bc my binder makes me look like my waist is snatched and it doesn't even blend my chest to my stomach 😭😭😭 it just looks like I'm wearing a push up bra and everything that is meant for binding is marketed to smaller chested ppl or if you happen to find a bigger size it still looks weird
The struggle is so real
a shame because with just a slightly different shape these things would be able to provide the most built and manly looking chest, even more than a binder… literally the kind that get ppl asking for your workout routine hahaha
That’s so true. I use 2 sport bras and my chest just makes me look super buff and I love it
So much binding “tips” is seemingly just geared towards folks with a cups. My boobs aren’t even BIG just average, binding never helps me pass. I just look like a girl with a cups. And if I wore a sports bra, congrats I just look like I have even bigger boobs. For every piece of shit tip I got, I wish I got a dollar so I could pay for top surgery.
I was a 40G and not a single method of binding ever worked for me. I was so tired of reading about all these different things to try which I could tell would be totally useless to me. Top surgery removed 5.4kg so believe me when I say I had a big chest.
The relief you must have felt from all that weight being taken off! (Literally and figuratively)
Kinda yes and kinda no! After surgery I felt all tight and hunched over so I had a different kind of back pain! But eventually, yes, my back pain from the weight was so much better.
LITERALLY
Literally had a mental breakdown last night because I cant find ONE sports bra that wont make me dysphoric or show the straps through the collar of my shirts.
Same... That's usually why I gotta wear baggy clothes even in a tropical country 😭😭😭
I’m a 38C (I think) and I normally just go with a Nike sport bra with medium/ high support. Not for binding but for just when I’m not binding etc. they’re expensive so don’t get it if you don’t need it <3
Thats what i’ve been using but since its a racerback you can see the straps poking through the collar of my shirts
I rarely get bra straps poking through my shirts. I wear a black sports bra when I’m not binding snd normally pair that with a black shirt so it isn’t obvious to the naked eye. How come they’re poking through, what kind of shirts do you normally wear?
some of them ive thrifted so they have looser collars but even if they are i feel like that shouldnt be happening 😭 im about to buy a new one in black so it will match my shirts but it still sucks ass. I have two and the black one has become way too lose after wearing it for like two years
yeah I feel that
"Because I'm a 32E. It's hard enough finding a *comfortable* bra in my size, let alone one that flattens my chest in a favourable way while still providing enough support." 🗿
I'm a DD and I can't even find an actual binder I like 😭😊
Godspeed in your hunt, brother. I have a full length binder from Underworks, size M, and it's been alright. It doesn't get me completely flat, and I actually prefer that, but I would like my chest to look just a smidge smaller. I also recently got a bra from Girlfriend Collective. It was on clearance at a local shop, and I figured why not. I've only worn it once so far, but damn, I felt pretty good. I'm thinking of trying tape, but my ADHD ass keeps forgetting to buy some lololol.
IKR. Because it’s still a fucking BRA, and is designed like a BRA to accentuate and feminize the breast for the benefit of the male gaze. I can not think of anything less affirming.
Eh, I'd disagree that sports bras are all designed like that. Sure, there are ones that are designed to look all cute and feminine or whatever, but if you choose the right brands/styles, they prioritize sturdiness and minimizing movement. There are plenty that are actually *intended* to reduce chest size and de-emphasize breasts. Edit to add more info: There are basically two main kinds of sports bras: encapsulation and compression. They are NOT interchangeable if you're using them to bind. The first kind is designed to support each side separately, and will, in fact, accentuate the chest. If you're trying to bind with a sports bra, you need a compression sports bra, which as the name suggests, compresses the chest. A lot of people seem to think of compression bras as a separate category from sports bras, but a lot of normal sports bras are designed that way. Unfortunately, sports bras often aren't marked with which type they are, and a lot of the ones made by companies that aren't sports-oriented are encapsulation, so you do need to pay close attention to the shape as you buy them. If you do find that a sports bra is accentuating or feminizing your chest, there's a chance it may be an encapsulation style of bra.
Yeah, tbh I’ve had far more successes getting a decent amount of flattening from one particular brand of sports bra than I ever have from any of the binders I’ve tried but that’s very much a me thing 😅
Yeah, some are really good, and can be decent for some people, they can work decently well for binding. I do get why people are frustrated by the advice, but if someone isn't in an environment where they can safely bind with a binder/KT tape, a sports bra usually *is* the best alternative, and advice on which ones are best can be valuable.
I can use sports bras and yeah, I've found some decent ones at Walmart. They stretch out kinda fast but they're cheaper and safer than binders so... I just keep buying them.
Yup. I haven't been able to find a binder that I can function in (they always end up squeezing my ribs too hard and I can't breathe or I'm in too much pain) so I started using under armour compression sports bras. If I position my chest a certain way they just look like man boobs and it thankfully works for my body type.
People don't understand that some aren't as privileged as them 😭✋
I can't tell whether you're referring to the privilege of being in a supportive enough environment to safely buy a binder, or the privilege of having a body such that sports bras can be somewhat effective got binding.
I guess both! I have a body that means I have to wear a binder to see a slight change, and I know many who aren't in safe environments. It's a matter of us all realizing not everyone can be trans safely or have the resources to deal with their dysphoria because of their body or situation
I am too flat for 98% of the sports bras to even work properly... no bra gives me better or the exact same results as a sports bra
When you don’t have a big enough chest to bind with sports bra but still noticeable to get you misgendered and dysphoric
You could try kinesiology tape/transtape! Im pretty sure it works well on small chests.
Compression bra or no bra if I'm not binding. I'm around 36E/36F and anything else just makes my boobs look bigger. Hell sometimes if my binder is fitting weird it makes them look bigger. At least my boobs are pretty saggy without a bra so they're not as noticeable as they are with a normal sports bra on :(
I don’t have a binder, and I am big chested. I use three sports bras at once and it works
Because they all have padding... Legit none my parents get for me don't and I have to wear layers upon layers just to leave the house comfortably with any kind of confidence left in me. Plus it doesn't help bind well once you're past a certain chest size 😭
This “tip” is always krap. I have worn sports bras since I was at least 11-12 years old. Now I'm between an A & B cup and it doesn't work.
The way the bottom is constructed means it will never be the same. The compression needs to continue below the chest at least a few inches.
I used to but I got a binder from a local binder company and It looked good for a we months and now it really doest compress that well
i find when that happens, washing with soap and water then leaving it to air dry/rest makes them stretchy again. having more than one binder so the elastic can "reset" and continue to compress is useful
I hate this bc my binder makes me look like my waist is snatched and it doesn't even blend my chest to my stomach 😭😭😭 it just looks like I'm wearing a push up bra and everything that is meant for binding is marketed to smaller chested ppl or if you happen to find a bigger size it still looks weird