issue 09 / volume 41 Binding the rules » How to: chest binding Kayti Barkved The Phoenix hether you're FtM trans, gender fluid, non-binary, or just feeling like changing your gender expression, chest binding is one way to dispel gender dysphoria or try ona new gender identity. While there is no completely safe way to bind your chest, there are ways to make the experience less dangerous and a little more enjoyable. First things first: if at any time when you are binding, you feel short of breath, lightheaded, or uncomfortable, you must remove your binder at once! Remember that while you are binding, you are, in essence, compressing everything in, which can impact your chest cavity (and all the stuff inside it) and thus, your breathing. Binding should be limited to eight- hour periods (at the most) at a time, and most importantly, folks who like to bind frequently must remember to take a day off every now and then. There can be longterm repercussions associated with extended binding from pesky back pain and rashes, to extreme changes in spinal alignment, deformation of the ribs, and permanent damage to breast tissue. Even if you're considering any sort of top surgery later on, over- binding now can lead to a more : difficult surgery if your breast : tissue, ribs, lungs, or spine are : damaged. If you want to bind, : you need to know your bra : size—and don’t contemplate : buying a size smaller to make : the bind tighter, it is harmful : to your body and will result in : a poor fit. Binding on a budget The best cheapie for the binding initiate is control-top : pantyhose with the legs cut off, : or trimmed and turned into a : form of tank top straps. Men’s : compression sports shirts made : of Lycra or spandex (cis men : with gynecomastia use these) : area little less expensive for : the experienced experimenter, : and can work for smaller- to : medium-sized chests. These : can be found at sporting goods : stores, or even at Walmart. For : bigger chest sizes, back braces : found at drug stores turned : and fastened backwards can : bea great alternative. The only : downside is that the neoprene : fabric that they are made : out of isn’t very breathable. : A moisture wicking shirt : underneath this can cut down : on wetness. Binding as a long term : investment The best binders are made specifically by trans-conscious : companies like Underworks— : they have a fantastic online : selection of full torso-length : binders, like the community : favourite, the Ultimate Chest : Binder Top, about $30. Other : companies, like Taiwan’s Esha, : offer colourful cropped binders : : with zipper, Velcro, and pull- : over styles. If you’re looking : to inform yourself even more : before you purchase, check out : ChestBinders.wordpress.com: : they have many informative : reviews (often with pictures) : on the various binders out : there. Binder beware Know your bra size and : don’t buy smaller sizes to make : the bind tighter—it can lead : to injury and will result ina : poor fit. The best way to put : ona binder is to step into it : inside out and ease it up over : the hips before pulling it on : over the chest. Nipples should : be rearranged, pushed out : towards the armpit to get rid of : the “mono-boob’” effect. Lady : Gaga may have popularized : this with her drag persona, : but please do not use ACE : (tensor) bandages to bind! : They chafe the skin terribly : and can compress and hurt : breast tissue, and potentially : fracture a rib, even from just : one use if they are wound : too tightly around the chest. : Cheaper binders can be found : on eBay, sold for $5 or less. This : might sound appealing, but : these too are more than likely : to cause harm. They are usually : constructed entirely out of : binding material, which has : an all-over compressing effect, : much like ACE bandages. A : true, proper binder has its : binding material in the front, : and a spandex or breathable : material in the back. life & style // 17 By Kayti Barkved Listed: 10 awesome things about Adult Halloween Sophie Isbister Life & Style Editor Mlifeandstyle @theotherpress.ca was never a huge Halloween fan as a kid. A born procrastinator born to procrastinators, I would have lofty ideas for a costume but no good follow-through, causing me to spend the spooky October holiday alternating between a witch and a princess. Every year. And growing up in rainy Vancouver meant that I often even had to cover up the cutest costume with a big waterproof jacket. So it makes sense that Halloween wasn’t my favourite. Until I grew up and experienced Adult Halloween. Here are the best things about it: 1. Alcohol. 7. Hedonism. 2. Truly scary costumes. 3. Truly sexy costumes. 4. Coat check (so you can show off those sexy costumes). 8. Realizing that you can just buy candy at the store and don’t need to go begging door- to-door for it like some kind of rail-riding hobo. 5. All the dark, spooky, scary party music | never liked as a kid. 9. Realizing that you can buy discounted candy at the store on November 1. 6. Handing out candies and appreciating the costuming genius of kids who aren't terrible procrastinators. 10. Realizing that you don’t even like candy, costumes, dubstep, or coat check, and just staying home. Ahhh, adulthood.