I Tried It
Heres how it stacks up to a regular chest binder.
Trigger warning: This piece contains a brief mention of suicidal ideation.
A few weeks before Pride month,Target released a line of queer and trans-inclusive undergarmentsas a collab withTomboyX.
Growing up a transgender person in Oklahoma was isolating and lonely.
I was depressed, anxious, and, at my lowest points, even suicidal.
As a teenager, I didnt have the language to explain how I felt about my body and gender.
Oklahoma, an infamously red state, isnt welcoming toward transgender people, particularly youth.
By giving transgender youth access to gender-affirming clothing, Target is quite literally saving lives.
My mental health would have vastly improved had I been able to wear compression tops as a teen.
With that in mind, I wanted to try the new binder for myself.
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Why Use A Chest Binder?
Chest bindingrefers to the practice of wearing compressive garments/materials to reduce the appearance of breasts.
This is common among transgender and gender non-conforming people.
I am non-binary specifically, agender, which means I dont have a gender.
Because of this, I experience pretty crippling gender dysphoria, because Ive always had larger-than-average breasts.
By the end of middle school, I was a DDD.
Now, at age 24, I fluctuate between a 32F and a 32G.
It made me feel so much better about how I presented in public.
Its an exciting style, because binding can be incredibly uncomfortable, sometimes making you feel claustrophobic and overwhelmed.
The lines include gender-affirming clothing, swimwear, and undergarments for LGBTQ+ people,byLGBTQ+ people.
The TomboyX Compression Top, in particular, received massive amounts of support on social media.
Folks across the internet praised Target for supplying such a highly needed product.
First Impression
I ordered thePride Adult TOMBOYX Compression Topin black from Targets website.
I have a petite frame, so this is just a bit bigger than my actual measurements.
For this reason, I tested the top both in an air-conditioned environment and outdoors.
The XS top was way too small for me, however.
It wasnt accommodating of my chest at all and was, frankly, uncomfortable.
It was clear that breasts my size were not meant for this top.
Most importantly, the compression actually worked, and my chest was far less noticeable.
The fabric is super light and breathable, which I really love especially since Oklahoma summers are famously humid.
I also liked how smooth the fabric felt.
Targets compression top provided better compression compared to my regular sports bras, although not as much support.
This has been a common problem with many of the binders or chest compressors Ive worn.
Similar Products
Two binders I wear frequently areGC2B’s Nude No.
4 HalfandUnderworks' Power Chest Binder Top.
However, Target’s fabric is much more comfortable and breathable overall.
However, there are some sizing issues with this top.
Its a much more comfortable alternative to a chest binder.
If you have larger-than-average breasts, though, definitely try before you buy.
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