by Daniel Dermont

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: January 19, 2010

So you want to flatten out your chest. Unless you have a extra few grand waiting to be spent, you're going to have to bind. Binding is a process by which a person squishes down their breasts to give the appearance of a male contoured chest under clothing. While you can get away with not binding during winter (instead wearing extra layers of bulky tops), the warmer months aren't usually so forgiving.

First, you will have to determine your chest size. If you have a smaller chest (A or B cup, generally) or have been binding long enough to break down breast tissue, then you have a wider variety of options. If you're on the larger or "perkier" side then you'll either have to endure large amounts of pain or cough up the cash for a purposely manufactured binder.

Now, how much money do you want to spend? Medical tape is relatively cheap, but if you're using it on a daily basis the costs will add up rather quickly. Sports wraps (such as ACE bandages) are inexpensive and last longer, but can also be harmful to your health. Compression bras and tight sports bras are inexpensive, reusable, and slightly healthier, but will only work on smaller chested guys. Purposefully made binders are the best of these options, but can also be the most expensive, running around $30-$35 (US) per binder.

Let's start with medical tape. I have used medical tape with great success, particularly when I wanted something that would keep my chest relatively flat without the lines that binders give. If you want to wear your shirt partially open (and you're VERY small in the chest) then this is your only option. Keep in mind, though, that you'll have to keep an eye on your shirt to make sure that [a] the tape doesn't show through the arm holes and [b] it doesn't fly completely open.

First you will want to purchase a roll or two of tape. I use one roll of 2" wide paper tape and another roll of 1" wide cloth tape. Take a strip of the paper tape and tape a horizontal line from the inner edge of one breast over to just under your armpit, being sure to pull your breast to the outer edge of your body as you go. I usually do one in the middle (over my nipple), one just above and one or two just below that, and then have a friend help me get one last one at the very top while my arm is down. If you don't get that last tape strip in, then you end up with a bulge of tissue under your shoulder. Repeat this process on the other side and use four vertical strips of the cloth tape (two on each breast) to keep

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