How to put on a binder

The basic pullover binder is put on like a regular tank top, arms put through the armholes and pulled over the head. The back of the binder might get rolled up very tightly while you're pulling it on, sometimes so tight you might need to take the binder off, straighten it and try again. Once you have the binder on, take a moment to feel the fit, roll your shoulders, straighten your back, and arrange the breast tissue.

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Binder with front closure are put on kind of like a vest, arms in first and then closed in the front. It might take a bit of practice and dexterity, but front closure means the binder can't get rolled up like pullovers can. It tends to be easiest to start closing the binder from the bottom up. Once you have the binder on, take a moment to feel the fit, roll your shoulders, straighten your back, and arrange the breast tissue.

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The best way to arrange your chest under the binder varies. A smaller chest may need little to no arranging, whereas larger chests, chests of people who have breast fed, chests that have been squished under binders for years, etc. may settle differently. Chest size and firmness both play a big role in this.

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Generally I would advise against pulling the tissue "up and centre" like you would with a bra, because this gives you a mound in the centre of your chest, or might even give a push-up effect. The best way to arrange your chest is to let the tissue sit in the area the breast attaches to the chest, just below armpit level. Squishing and stretching the tissue for extended periods of time may cause damage that, on top of being bad by virtue of being damage to your body, may make mastectomy difficult or impossible.

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Binder wear and safety

• A binder in the right size does not cause pain or discomfort and allows normal breathing.

• You should not wear the binder for extended periods of time without breaks (8 hours is an oft-repeated rule of thumb) and you should never sleep with the binder on.

• Avoid physical exertion while binding.

• Try not to wear a binder at all for one day a week.

• Squishing and stretching the tissue for extended periods of time may cause damage that, on top of being bad by virtue of being damage to your body, may make mastectomy difficult or impossible. Arrange your chest so the tissue sits in the area the breast attaches to the chest, just below armpit level.

• When you do wear a binder for several hours, like for a full work day, try to roll your shoulders, straighten your back and take really deep breaths every once in a while. Pay attention to how your body feels about how long you bind.

• Take the binder off immediately if you experience dizziness, pain, shortness of breath, or other such discomfort.

• Do not wear a binder if you have asthma of spinal problems or abnormalities; if you have a skin condition, rashes, irritation or inflammation; or if you are ill or unusually exhausted.

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Will it make my chest completely flat?

Unfortunately, binders can’t make the breast tissue disappear or sink into your chest – they can only compress and distribute the tissue across your chest. Just how flat a binder can make your chest depends on breast size and firmness, and the overall effect depends on your body type and size.

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How you arrange the breast tissue under the binder makes a big difference, too. 

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Why does my chest look weird when I’m wearing it?

That’s probably to do with how the tissue sits under the binder. One common mistake for people used to wearing bras and sports bras is to pull all the tissue up and centre, forming a mound in the middle of your chest. This technique can also result in a “push up” effect.

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Another “weird” formation is where your silhouette has bump in the upper chest, then a concave curve at armpit level and another bump in the lower chest. This usually happens because all the breast tissue has been pushed down – try arranging it a bit higher. Generally, the most “natural”-looking and unobtrusive technique seems to be to arrange the tissue just under the armpit level so that each nipple sits in the middle pointing forward – but bodies are so different this won’t work for all either. Remember to be careful about stretching the tissue, as it can cause damage.

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Can I exercise in it?

Maybe. With extreme caution; I recommend not to. Do also bear in mind that since Muunne binders have a loosely fitting hem, the binder can travel up or the breast tissue can slip out during jogging or running or other vigorous exercise. A binder is not a sports bra.

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That having been said, I’m working on a “sports binder”, or an exercise top with an emphasis on compression rather than enhancement. Stay tuned.

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Can I swim in it?

Technically yes, but same cautions as with wearing it for exercising apply. If you do swim wearing a binder, rinse it out carefully right after and let it dry fully before wearing again.