The Best Tips To Style Your Binder
Somedays, you decide to align yourself with your values, to feel comfortable in your skin, and to allow yourself to evolve as the never-stagnant organism you are. That is how I felt, over a month ago, when I finally decided to buy my first binder.
As a queer person and a genderqueer person—someone who is never entirely sure where and how all these things fit—existing in a body is tumultuous, restrictive, and altogether confusing. A binder (a piece of fabric that does its best to smooth out and neutralize my chest) will not answer all the curiosities and desires that swirl around my brain. But at least when I need to quiet them, having a binder is valuable.
Before purchasing my first binder, I had heard horror stories—”...painful, constrictive, literally panic attack-inducing; thick, clunky, and impossible to style”—that kept me from owning one. I was curious about the binders made by the Brooklyn-based brand For Them, and after doing my research, I felt that the one I chose from their collection would be comfortable, thinner, and generally easier to wear.
So far, the binder has exceeded my expectations. However, finding ways to feel comfortable and illuminate my style while wearing it is a continuing exploration.
Here’s what I’ve learned…
What to Keep in Mind About A Binder
Thick straps – Binders need additional shoulder fabric to stay up on your body and ensure good, safe compression without hurting your back.
Double-layered fabric – Binders come in all shapes and sizes but tend to have either multiple fabric layers or a single thick layer. This means they might feel heavy under other layers of clothes.
Compression – Aside from gender euphoria and body celebration, the effect of a binder is to provide chest compression. Binders can and often will feel compressing or constricting to some degree. Consider how you feel when your body is experiencing constriction.
Styling Tips
Wear what you want! – Never change your style because you’re afraid your binder will be visible or uncomfortable. The outfit you don’t want to wear will always be uncomfortable.
Consider comfort – Binders are often thick and compressive, so think about how you can find comfort in other ways in your outfit. Loosely fitting clothes or thin, light layers might help you ease into the sensation of compression.
Flaunt it! – If chest compression is new for you but something you’ve been waiting for, it’s time to show it off. Don’t be afraid to wear the clothes that make your body feel like your own!
Anyone can wear a binder – Gender is evolving, illuminating, and never stagnant. You don’t have to identify a certain way (i.e. more masc) to wear a binder. And you can wear your binder one day and take it off another day. However you identify, this choice is for YOU and does not require defense, explanation, or justification. Wear your binder how you want, with what you want, and as expressively as you want.
Show it off, when and if you want to!
You do not need to hide your binder – we have done enough hiding in our lives. Don’t be afraid to wear your binder visibly, openly, and proudly. And give yourself grace and peace when you’d like it to be more private. This is your experience, your expression!
If you’re reading this article and beginning to feel elation thinking about how you might wear a binder, I’m so glad you found it. I’m proud of you. And I’m excited for you.
You deserve to feel whole in your skin, celebrating your many evolutions. Your entire existence is your expression, and your gender is just one aspect of your existence.