New website, new ordering setup, new HALLOWEEN LIMITED EDITIONS. Re-adding products every weekend for the rest of 2020.
Highly recommend if your in need of a binder and have EDS! Ligit every binder I tried before dislocated my ribs, I bought a sports bra from them and took an inch off my bust size and it’s the most comfortable chesticle prison I own. Was even able to do dance lessons and ride my tricycle in it with no issues!
transForms! is a newly born retailer of chest binding compression shirts designed for transmen, ftm, genderqueer, transmasculine, & gender variant people who need to find quality chest binders at an affordable cost.
We want your input!
We are in the process of manufacturing new prototypes for our trans-inspired shape wear and our goal is to offer the best quality compression fabrics available on the market. We are dedicated to creating comfortable compression garments that will give results.
Based in Western MA, transForms! is a trans-inspired initiative.
Follow us on Tumblr to stay in touch about the latest news as we develop our website, add new products, and create a generally awesome store just for transpeople.
Despite yet another trying year, we are still here, still queer, *AND* still dedicated to serving our beloved community. And we owe so much of our survival and continued growth in 2021 to… YOU!
Thanks to your support, gc2b was able to celebrate multiple milestones this year, including launching our first-ever nonbinary binder. Your purchases also helped us raise over $67,000 for local organizations and artists.
It is because of you that we look to 2022 with genuine hope. Happy New Year!
Despite yet another trying year, we are still here, still queer, *AND* still dedicated to serving our beloved community. And we owe so much of our survival and continued growth in 2021 to… YOU!
Thanks to your support, gc2b was able to celebrate multiple milestones this year, including launching our first-ever nonbinary binder. Your purchases also helped us raise over $67,000 for local organizations and artists.
It is because of you that we look to 2022 with genuine hope. Happy New Year!
“This digital drafting tutorial guides you to create a custom chest binder based on your own measurements. The easy to follow tutorial includes instructions for how to create a crop top length binder with several style and finishing options. The two binder styles addressed in the tutorial are most similar in fit to Underworks and GC2B binders. An add-on for full length binders will become available in the future.”
It’s taken him over a year to design this tutorial, and it’s really thoughtfully written. The tutorial requires some knowledge of sewing stretch knits, but I think it’s doable if you have never drafted before. It’s on sale for the month of April for $10 usd, and then will go up to $15.
There just are straight up not that many DIY binder tutorials in the world, and a lot of them are badly constructed. I’m Insta-friends with Noah, and I’ve watched his process as he created this binder AND had other people test-sew it so it could be the best it could be! Definitely worth your money! :D
so after a discussion in the hs2017 network chat, i thought i’d give you a brief outline of/ instructions on how to use the system i’ve worked out to keep my binders tidy and also ensure that i’m not breaking my back when i carry my backpack to school each day!
1. have binders for every subject you’re taking, and then one more! you’ll need a binder for every subject, and then dividers for each. since i’m taking six AP classes and band, i’m using six 1.5″ binders and a single 1″ binder! all of these stay at home in my cupboard, and none comes with me to school. each binder is organized slightly differently– as the classes vary– but most follow a similar format, which is as follows:
plastic page protector at the front for the syllabus
dividers for homework, tests, notes, and graded work, but this varies
ex: physics has homework, tests, notes, and labs
ex: english has essays, notes, and dividers for each book
a section in the back for extra graph/ruled paper
2.set up the extra binder! for me, it’s the one pictured above, which is a casemate 1″ d-ring binder from walmart. it’s really important that this has inside pockets in case you receive non-hole punched sheets! the binder covers all my classes, and includes:
a plastic page protector at the front for my schedule (not pictured)
3. actually using the system!! i carry with me the one inch binder and leave all the others at home, chiefly so i don’t destroy my back. in the one inch binder, i assign each subject a number (usually in order of my class periods), and store the relevant information from the current chapter i’m covering in class so i don’t have anything more than what i need with me. when i’m finished with that chapter, i bring the relevant pages home and properly file them in the subject binder.
it really helps to keep you organized, since you have to stay on top of your work and know what you’ll need and when! it also saves your back, since you only bring exactly what you need that’s relevant for the current unit, and nothing else. obviously, this won’t work for everyone, but i’ve been doing it since sophomore year and it has yet to fail me.
good luck with this school year, and i hope my tiny tutorial helps you to stay organized!
t*rfs also like to twist the fact that there’s little long-term medical research into transitioning (for both trans women and trans men) in order to abuse and frighten trans men into detransitioning (which, btw, often leads to the suicidal depression that dysphoria causes and transitioning alleviates!)
like that popular post about how binding even with a good binder will fuck you up for life and make it impossible to have top surgery later on? written by a crypto-t*rf who thinks trans men are lesbians
the number of replies/tags that say something like “i’ve been terrified to bind and/or thought i’d completely fucked up my chance of getting top surgery because of that post” is horrific tbh and if you cis people actually gave a single shit about trans people you’d stop circulating shit like that
So wait. What’s the truth? Will binding fuck up your chances of getting top surgery?
no, it won’t. here’s an email from my GP, who’s been working in the Fenway Health system (which focuses on LGBT healthcare and research) for over a decade:
transcription:
Binders worn too tight or for too many hours in a day can certainly cause some chronic rib/chest pain; they may even cause some scarlike thickening of the tissue under the skin - usually at the margins where the breast folds down against the chest wall in general. This can be uncomfortable, too. But none of this translates into making top surgery a problem. Not at all.
None of the surgeons I’ve sent patients to have ever remarked about this and nothing in standard practice or the general literature suggests or supports that conclusion.
God okay so I’m going to say this now; PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not risk your health or anyone’s in the form of getting a “cheap” binder of ebay or where ever. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save your $4-$10 dollars for those cheap ebay ones and put it towards a gc2b binder. Or if you want an Underworks go for that but I highly suggest gc2b. They’re about $40 (with shipping) and will last you WAY longer than any cheap ebay one. They are MEANT for lasting you. I wash mine many times week, wear it daily, Wear them daily. I have two. Had them for almost a year now. But I cannot urge you enough to PLEASE save up your pennies for a PROPER SAFE binder. Binders you can breathe in, binders you can move in, binders that don’t crush your ribs, binders that are comfortable, binders that are safe.
This isn’t a safe binder:
It uses clasps and not compression.
This is a gc2b binder; made by trans people for trans people:
These binders have no clasps but uses spandex to compress you safety.
Measure your chest before ordering to make sure you don’t get one too small or too large.
Add-on (07/16): YOU CAN BIND NO MATTER WHAT YOUR GENDER ID IS. IF YOU GOT TITTIES, AND WANT TO FLATTEN THEM??? Bind! With proper binders. Below is a copy and paste from a FTM website so that’s why it’s heavy on the transgender and FTM phrases. But you can be a cis-women, agender, non-binary, transgender! This is literally for everyone who wants to bind!
UPDATE (07/12)
I wanted to add more information on where you can buy binders and info in general about binders
If you can’t afford a binder, don’t despair! Used binders are often passed on by post-op trans men or those whose binders may no longer fit. There are a few programs available that help distribute donated second-hand binders:
In A Bind – Started in 2012, to date In a Bind has provided safe compression garments to over 1500 youth in need. Trans* masculine and genderqueer youth living anywhere in the USA can apply to receive a free binder. In a Bind depends on donations. Recently had top surgery? Go up or down a size? Find a style that works better for you? Donate those binders you’re no longer using!
MORF Binder Exchange – Since February 2011, MORF has been providing free binders to trans* masculine people in the UK and around the world. The free scheme (all you pay is the postage) has so far redistributed hundreds of binders. In 2014 alone, over 280 binders were sent out.
If you still remember your old bra size, you can find out your binder size by using theBra to Chest Size Converter Tool. If you don’t know your old bra size, you can measure yourself the old-fashioned way:
Take a snug measurement of the fullest part of your chest using a tape measure (best if measured while clothed) and write that number down onto a sheet of paper.
Measure underneath your chest where the crease is and write that number down as well.
Add those numbers together and divide the sum by 2. This number will differentiate your size not only from brand to brand but from binder to binder as well.
Selecting a binder brand and style can be difficult: there are so many options that it can be overwhelming! Plus, there aren’t very many reviews of binders other than those about Underworks’ and T-Kingdom’s more popular models. After buying your binder, help make the experience easier for guys in the future by contributing your review to one of the review sites listed below.
Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however it’s inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.
Lastly, consider the location of the company you’re buying from. Buying from a company that’s closer to you can save you a significant amount of money on shipping costs.
How to Put On a Chest Binder
It might seem silly, but you’re probably going to need some help figuring out how to put on your new binder, particularly if you purchased one of the longer styles.
Put your binder inside out and upside down.
Step into your binder and pull the bottom of it up, ideally to your belt line. The binder should still be inside out and upside down.
Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder (the end closer to your feet) up to your shoulders.
Put your arms through the sleeve holes and adjust your chest to your needs. You may need to pull the bottom of the binder out from underneath itself if you don’t want it folded under. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.
Don’t be disappointed if you look in the mirror and it looks like you have one big boob in the middle of your chest. You just need to adjust your chest. Reach in from the neck hole and push your chesticles down and out. You’re basically pushing your nipple toward your armpit to achieve the flattest looking chest possible.
FTM Chest Binding Tips
Very important: When binding, you should not by any means feel as though you can’t breathe or like you’re going to pass out from a lack of oxygen.
Binders aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath.
Depending on the size of your chest, you may need to layer clothing on top of the binder to get optimal chest flattening. You’ll find that some of the shirts in your closet require you to layer more than shirts in your wardrobe.
You can swim in your binder. Just wear a sleeveless or sleeved T-shirt over it. Don’t worry if your binder seems less effective after a swim, this isn’t permanent. Simply wash it and it will go back to normal.
Your chest will look bigger than it really is when you look down at it. Check in the mirror for a more accurate side view.
Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If you’ve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.
Conclusion
Chest binding, as cumbersome as it may seem, can be very freeing for transgender men. There’s a plethora of quality FTM chest binding products available for body types of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of what you use for binding, please remember to put your health first. Now that you’re armed with all the information you need to find the right binder for you, go forth and feel more comfortable in your skin!
FTM Chest Binder Reviews
Chest Binder Reviews Site: Written reviews of various chest binding products. Binders are rated for effectiveness, comfort, and discreetness.
Binder Reviews’ YouTube Collab Channel: This is a collab channel dedicated to providing reviews of a wide variety of chest binders on different sizes and shapes of people.
Hudson’s Guide to FTM Binding: Includes a complete list of other products you can use for chest binding, such as compression garments and sports bras.
FYI Binding Tips: The Butchelor has some useful tips on how to put on a binder, how to keep it from rolling up, and how to wash a binder.
Do you have any tips about binding? Want to share your experience with a particular binder brand or model? Do you know of other binder manufacturers, particularly those outside of Asia and the US? Please leave your comments below.
Shop for MyFarrahitems on RedBubble… Farrah Fawcett drawing exclusively for MyFarrah.com! Celebrate all things Farrah with super cute A-line dresses, totes, T-shirts and more!
TomboyX is collabing with Target to put out discreet half binders in stores for Pride season. These will be moderate compression without a lot of branding, so it will look like a sports bra to those not used to seeing binders. A great option for young people who may be figuring things out, for cosplayers, and men with gynaecomastia and uncomfortable with how they look. Ladies and theydies with bigger chests won’t be totally flat, but it gives you an easier silhouette to improve on. Spread this information as you will. ]
also important that OP left out - they have packing underwear too. looks like compression tops (the binder-like items they’re selling) are $25 and packing underwear is $15. the sizing goes up to 4x.
I wear the compression tops basically as normal bras. as someone with a large chest in comparison to my small frame they are the most comfortable bra/etc I’ve ever worn because they actually fit the parts of my body correctly, since the focus is not on fitting my chest but compressing it. I think the amount of compression may be close to that of someone who layers 2 sports bras—Im not anywhere CLOSE to flat but it’s better than a single sports bra.
also, I’m not hugely into exercise but they don’t make my ribs hurt or make it difficult to breathe.
They’re easy to use in a ring binder. You could easily get one for notes, reminders, more notes, and as flags for pages (and insert some lil notes heh)! Sticky notes are one of my favorite stationeries. ♡
Book with feet: not possible. It did occur back in the day, I can assure you, although not that often. When medieval binders knew that the object they were processing would be placed on a lectern, for example in a chained library, they often added tiny feet like the ones seen here. They made sure that the lower edge of the binding and the bottom part of the pages would not be damaged by the rough wood of the lectern - notice the shiny bottom of the feet. It was a simple trick to extend the half-life of the book, although it looks kind of funny from our modern perspective.
Pics (my own): Leiden, Universiteitsbibliotheek, BUR Q 1, c. 1100 (pics 1-2) and BPL 67, 9th century (pic 3). More about these feet in this blog I wrote recently.
TomboyX is collabing with Target to put out discreet half binders in stores for Pride season. These will be moderate compression without a lot of branding, so it will look like a sports bra to those not used to seeing binders. A great option for young people who may be figuring things out, for cosplayers, and men with gynaecomastia and uncomfortable with how they look. Ladies and theydies with bigger chests won’t be totally flat, but it gives you an easier silhouette to improve on. Spread this information as you will. ]
also important that OP left out - they have packing underwear too. looks like compression tops (the binder-like items they’re selling) are $25 and packing underwear is $15. the sizing goes up to 4x.
I wear the compression tops basically as normal bras. as someone with a large chest in comparison to my small frame they are the most comfortable bra/etc I’ve ever worn because they actually fit the parts of my body correctly, since the focus is not on fitting my chest but compressing it. I think the amount of compression may be close to that of someone who layers 2 sports bras—Im not anywhere CLOSE to flat but it’s better than a single sports bra.
also, I’m not hugely into exercise but they don’t make my ribs hurt or make it difficult to breathe.
Target has made some shit moves in the past with regards to queer stuff (theft of design from an independent queer artist, anyone?), but this seems potentially okay.
We simmer in our anger, we keep it close. We use it to power us out of bed in the morning, hold it behind our teeth. Stay close together, protect each other; make, create, write, yell, sing. We’re sending three more free binders out into the world. We hope they power you too.
Thethree winners of this giveaway will each receive one $50 Shapeshifters crop top binder. (That’s your choice of these.)
It got chilly up here, shapeshifters. Last week there was a heat wave so bad we couldn’t sleep; this week the gardens are frosting over. We’ve opened all the studio windows to get some of this crisp autumn air in.
It’s a time for honey and apples, a moment for hot tea and quiet evenings. The leaves are just starting to turn, schools are back in session, and we’re holding our September giveway.
Thefour winners of this giveaway will each receive one $50 Shapeshifters crop top binder. (That’s your choice of these.) Thank you always for all your support, your signal boosting, that time you told a friend. It means so much to us.
