Anonymous asked: I have been thinking that I might want to experiment with binding, but I’m feeling really confused and new about it. I am a cislady and I dress fairly femme, and I’m not sure how reducing my books would affect the fit/look of my clothes. I also have ABSOLUTELY no idea where to start/how to go about it. And I don’t know how to respond to people asking me about it. basically I just feel really lost.

Can I just say that I <3 you? You summed up the human experience so beautifully in this question. 

Fit of your clothes: If you are wearing cislady clothes, there may be some extra room in the chest area. Some lady clothes are built for larger racks, or meant to enhance the look of them knockers. For others, it doesn’t really matter what your blinkers look like, because it will just hang.

(from: shopbop.com)

This top is totally cute and femme, and would look great on a variety of chest sizes.

Modcloth may as well have called it the “Look at my boobs dress.” Aside from the fact that part of it is see-through, you might be left with some unfilled cups.

I’ve become more comfortable with the idea of wearing lady tops once I started binding, because they now fit in a way I’m comfortable with. I’m less concerned with only buying shirts that hide my chest. I’m confident you will find things that look great if your current collection doesn’t work for you.

Brands and binding safety: I’ve tried a few different brands, and the Underworks Tri-top Chest Binder works the best for me. I’ve heard less awesome things about T-Kingdom, although one reader on Autostraddle wrote, “it was nice to have the velcro when i first started binding because it made it easy to put on and to adjust tightness while i was getting used to binding.” I also recently tried the Buckle Elastic Chest Breast Binder at sohoeva.com and it was kind of a joke. Did nothing for me.

Chestbinders.wordpress.com also has pages of comprehensive binder reviews.

Binders should feel a little too tight when you first try them, and then adjust over the next few days. But if you can’t breath it’s too tight! Ace bandages are dangerous, and you want to make sure to take your binder off at night to give those books some time to breath. If you live in an area where you can find a trans friendly health care provider, you should find one who you feel comfortable talking to about binding. Just google the name of your city + trans friendly health care provider. (You don’t have to be going through a transition to see these doctors. It is just the easiest wording to find what you are looking for on the web.) 

Responding to people about it: Changing the subject, or “I don’t like talking about my undergarments,” seems good to me. But seriously you guise, you never have to say anything. People often think they have a right — especially with women and trans* folk — to talk about their bodies. As if your body is their’s to comment on and approve of. If you want to bind, that’s enough reason to bind. You need no other reason, and you never have to talk to anyone about it. If someone asks you where your headers went, you can tell that that’s an inappropriate question. Like, even if it’s your best friend.

People like to try to understand our gender choices, and their need to understand can make us feel like we shouldn’t do anything we can’t explain. Talking to people you trust is great, but people you trust will accept whatever explanation you want. “I’m binding because I want to,” should be all you have to say in order to get their support.

I’m really proud of you. Embarking on binding for the first time can be totally overwhelming, but just keep looking for ones that fit. Hopefully you have some queers in your community to talk to about it too. You’re gonna be great, kid!

- Sonia

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Hay Boston: hairdids and nails today! woooo!! If you still need the address, email me: sonia@qwearfashion.com.

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Anonymous asked: do you have any recommendations for reasonably priced and reputable binders?

I’m actually interested in finding someone to guest blog on the topic; not just on recommended brands, but safe binding practices. Anyone up for it? Email me: sonia@qwearfashion.com! Until then, here’s a post I did a while back that covers everything I know on the subject.

I just started binding full time with Underworks Tri-top Chest Binder. I found myself in-between the medium and large, so I’m wearing the large. I’m not sure if $30 + shipping is what you’d consider reasonably priced. Hope to get you some more information soon! - Sonia

Anonymous asked: Hey guys! I love everything you blog about and I finally have been able to find a style that helps me express who I am and makes me feel truly comfortable. My problem is my rather large...bust? lol I was just wondering if you guys have any suggestions on how to tame the twins so to speak.. I love to wear button down shirts, ties, suspenders and what not, but i find it difficult because of my chest. any suggestions? Again thanks for having such an amazing blog!

Oh, those things. Flattening sports bras are your friend. Some qwearlings recommended a bunch a while back. If you are still feelings like they’re in the way, binding is also an option. Here is some information of safe binding. And guess what? This talented seamstress and lovely person is also offering to make binders for young people who can’t afford them.

Tailoring works wonders on men’s button-ups, and it’s not nearly as expensive as you may think. Find button-ups that fit in the shoulders and chest, and then have a tailor make adjustments. It will most likely be too long, so they can bring it up the length. And if the sleeves are too wide they can make those smaller too. This is usually all I get done for my shirts, and I love the boxy look they give me. This Ralph Lauren boys’ shirt I tailored for $30 remains one of my favorite shirts. Additionally, tailors can take it in on the sides below the chest to create a slimmer fit. More info that type off shirt tailoring here.

As for suspenders, try experimenting with different width suspenders and placement on your shoulders. If you bring them farther out on your shoulders they will make room for those guys. Check out the Qwear Suspenders Guide for more info.

Thanks for all the sweet words!

Anonymous asked: Do you have any bra/sports bra recommendations? I find that sports bras that fit my (rather large) torso are not as tight as I’d like in the boob area, and normal bras, even t-shirt bras irritate me because they’re like “here, world, let me present this stuff to you!” Do you know of any bras that just hold things in place inconspicuously?

Under Armour Endure Sports Bra: Darla writes,”I am a lesbian with a HUGE bust and a very petite build, I have always had trouble hiding my bust to achieve a slightly more ‘butch’ look. I have found these sports bras made by under armor that work quite well. My real bra size is a 30DD (odd right?) but I buy the small C’s and they work quite well.I know a little on the pricey side but its a good investment and a good way to bind without injury.

Title Nine: I’ve heard several good reviews about Title Nine, but they discontinued the frog bra, which a lot of trans men loved. Autostraddle recommends their Booby Trap Sports Bra. Has anyone tried anything else from there?

I wear City Sports Under Armour Active Bras, but they don’t flatten me as much as I’d like.

Autostraddle has a huge list, but as it’s for everyone and not just boob-hiders, not all their notes mention the compression involved. They also recommend that you measure your boobs, but that’s the last thing I’d recommend for people with chest dysphoria. No need to put yourself through that sort of trauma; trying on sports bras will do just fine to figure out your size. Here’s what I found helpful (also prolled through the comments):

Champion Powersleek Sports Bra: Has a clasp so you can get a smaller size without having to pull it over your head.

Fila Sport Seamless Performance Sports Bra: Is seamless and will provide a smooth look under your shirt.

Freya: Lots of people say the love it, but none mention compression. Has anyone tried them?

Other tips:
Try getting a size too small.
Some people have recommended wearing two, others say that it’s not the best idea. Li commented on Autodtraddle’s post: “Two sports bras is not effective for reducing bounce and side-to-side motion (which a good sports bra will do), and it also makes it more difficult to breathe because your chest is constricted.” 

Let’s crack the code on the best sports bras to flatten! Please comment!

Also check this out for information on safe binding.

Anonymous asked: I wanted to know if anyone wears actual chest binders, not ace bandages, but ones like t-kingdom, underworks or double-t? I've been wearing double-t for about three years now and although i can report no physical changes i do worry about the long term implications of wearing them. I wear mine all day, as in i put it on when i dress on a morning and take it off before bed. I'm not FTM so they're not going anywhere lol, i just feel more confident and comfotable without them on show :)

Please chip in with the comments folks! I’m not a binding expert, but one thing I can tell this anon is that many of our readers bind, whether they are FTM, genderqueer, or just don’t like their boobs. 

From my research and what I’ve heard, ace bandage binding is really dangerous and should be avoided all together. They are made to gradually get tighter every time they are stretched, which is what happens when you breath. Binding with ace bandage can hurt your ribs and lungs and weaken your chest muscles over time. 

The general info I can find is that binding with the right kind of materials is fine as long as you take it off at night. http://transguys.com/features/chest-binding is my favorite resource on binders and health. Go Ask Alice has some great advice on what materials to use and health risks to look out for, though I disagree with them condoning ace bandage binding at all. Sadly, binding for several years at a time can lead to health risks, which is why you might want to become familiar with sports bras, save binding for days when you are wearing less layers and it’s more obvious, or consider top surgery. Top surgery is not just for FTMs! Gender is complicated and we have to do the best with the resources we have.

I cannot recommend Autostraddle’s article on breast binding because they recommend Ace Bandages and do not mention health risks. However, the comments offer some solid advice. The majority of readers speak the most highly of underworks as opposed to T-kingdom One reader wrote on their experience: 

don’t use ace bandages! it is uncomfortable and dangerous! i tried ace bandages at first because i was poor, but i quickly realized i needed something better. it was too frustrating having to rewrap many times throughout the day and it wasn’t very comfortable. that’s when a friend recommended t-kingdom binders to me. they are much more comfortable than ace bandages.

t-kingdom binders are ok. i’ve had the m690 and the m1700. it definitely does its job, but i have had people notice i was wearing “something that wasn’t a bra or a shirt” when they hugged me. the material of the binding part is not very soft and the section where the velcro is can feel lumpy. it also does not breathe very well. after binding with these for the last 2 years, i am sick of the loud velcro rip when i have to adjust it or take it off. it was nice to have the velcro when i first started binding because it made it easy to put on and to adjust tightness while i was getting used to binding.”

http://chestbinders.wordpress.com also has pages of comprehensive binder reviews.

If you live in an area where you can find a trans friendly health care provider, you should find one who you feel comfortable talking to about binding. The one resource I can find that claims to have a database - The World Professional Association for Transgender Health - is not working for me when I enter Boston, and I know that the Boston area has many good providers, so your best bet might be to google the name of your city + trans friendly health care provider. Please comment if you have any more info.

Anonymous asked: how can i hide my boobs?

You could wear a sports bra, or if you want to be completely flat, you could bind. This site has some good info: http://transguys.com/features/chest-binding.