Buying the Right Binder for Me
One of the more safe ways to bind is with a binder that you can buy online. There are, however, two basic types of binders. One type is the half tank binder, pictured below.
Another type of binder is the full tank binder, also pictured below.
These pictures, both taken from the GC2B website, are the way the safest binders on the market look. There are multiple different colors of binders to chose from depending on the websites you look at but they should all give the same affect.
Choosing the website to buy your binder from can be a challenge. The most common websites are GC2B, Underworks, T-Kingdom, ForThem, and many other places. Generally, many people buy GC2B and there are many videos comparing GC2B binders to others and they generally tend to give a better bind. (EDIT: there has been a lot of debate about the quality of GC2B going down in recent years. Personally, I haven’t noticed much but the last one I bought was 2 or so years ago) But, ultimately, where you buy your binder is up to you.
Once you have your website chosen, now you need to decide what type of binder you want. Here are questions to ask yourself before you chose the type of binder.
Do I want a full tank or a half tank?
There really isn’t much difference between the full tank binder and the half tank binder. They accomplish the same thing the best they can except one is slightly more expensive and has more fabric. Personally, I have found that the full tank binder rides up and does not act like a tank top no matter what you do. Even if it is tucked in. So, because of my experience, I recommend the half tank binder. But, in my research I have found that full tanks seem to fit people with larger chests better than half tanks.
If you buy a full tank, you can always cut off the bottom half to make it a half tank. I did this with mine because the the rolling up problem it had.
Do I want a binder that has a zipper?
No, you do not. These binders tend to be more unsafe and cause more health problems. Don’t buy a binder with a zipper.
Do I want a binder that clasps together?
Just like the answer to the previous question, no you do not. These binders are also more unsafe. Don’t buy a binder with clasps.
There are many colors to chose from on some sites. If you want to be more discreet about your binder, I would recommend a nude binder that you think will be closer to your skin tone or a plain black or white one. I am not sure what websites do and don’t have skin tones but I know for a fact that GC2B has these. You may also want a colorful binder if you are not worried about discreetness. It all depends on your personal preference.
Should I buy a more expensive/cheaper binder?
Just because a binder is more expensive does not mean it is better for you. Be careful. Don’t buy a cheaper binder either because cheaper binders tend to be ones with zippers or clasps and, once again, those are not safe! Think about safety, not price.
Now that you have chosen your website and type of binder, you must find your size. For this, you will need some type of tape measure and, preferably, a mirror. To measure your chest you should take off any clothing on the upper part of your body for the most accurate measurement. (disclaimer: this measurement system is taken from GC2B. If you can’t tell I really support them.)
To measure your chest, you should measure around the part with the most breast tissue. Usually this is around the nipples, so you should most likely be measuring this over your nipples. Make sure you wrap the tape measure all the way around your chest (DO NOT WRAP IT TOO TIGHTLY! This will result in a binder that is too small. Make sure it is not too loose either, it should be straight around the chest and should not curve.) and look in the mirror to take not of how many inches/centimeters your chest all the way around is. If this measurement has a fraction greater than 1/4″ then you should round up. (EX: if your measurement is 37 1/2″ round up to 38″)
Depending on the website this may be the ending of your sizing adventure and all you need to do is check the sizing chart. If you are in between sizes, it may be safer to buy the bigger size.
Some websites recommend taking more measurements than just this- ones that will double check your size. Make sure you check the websites sizing chart and/or guide just to make sure your are getting the right size.
And there you have it! Here is a guide to finding the right type of binder for you. I hope this helped!
