Please read this page and the FAQ section carefully before filling out the application form.

• Before you request a binder, you’ll need to know your size! See the Measuring and Sizing Guide below on how to properly measure for the correct size.  This is a very important step, DO NOT SKIP IT, or assume that you know your size before requesting one.  Different manufacturers and different styles of binders all have different dimensions and can vary!  Do not rely on clothing size or past binders for your size, you must measure and enter your measurements on the form!
• Complete the application form. Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a summary of your request and be added to the list for shipping. Be sure to save your email!
• Please contact us within 2 business days if any of the information in your confirmation email needs to be corrected or changed or if you need to cancel the request at binders@outmaine.org.
• We will send out a binder as quickly as we can.  Due to COVID, we may have times when we are not in the office as frequently as in the past, so there may be a delay when shipping your binder. We appreciate your patience.  If there are urgent circumstances that require expedited shipping, please be sure to email us as soon as possible.
• When we are preparing to ship your binder, we will be using the name and mailing address that you have entered in the form.  Please ensure that you have double checked that all of the information is correct.  Our binders ship in plain packaging without any branding and are ususally small enough to fit inside a mailbox without any issue.  Some binders may not fit in a small Post Office box and may require that you pick up the package from the customer service desk.
• You will receive an automated shipping notification email from USPS when your binder ships that will include your tracking number. Tracking numbers can take up to 24 hours to fully activate and the USPS site may list the package as “pre-shipment” until it activates. Be sure to save this email.

Step 1: Prepare

• Get a flexible measuring tape- if you don’t have one, CLICK HERE to download a printable ruler and measure with a string
• Do not wear a bra or any other compression products and take the measurments while standing.

Step 2: Take your measurements

TIP: Each chest measurement should be taken all the way around your torso. The measuring tape should not compress your chest tissue but should touch your body. If the measuring tape is not touching your body – it’s too loose.

(1) Underarm measurement: Take this measurement around the top of your chest, just above where your breast tissue begins. The measuring tape should lay just below your armpits and at the beginning of your breast tissue. Write this number down as your first measurment.

(2) The largest part of the chest: Take this measurement while standing, around the torso and chest where the most breast tissue is (usually around the nipples, but this will vary person to person). This will most likely be your largest measurement.  Write this number down as your second measurement.

(3) Underbust measurement: Take this measurement directly under your breast tissue, around your ribcage, where you would measure your band size for a bra.  Write this number down as your third measurement.

(4) Shoulder width: Place the measuring tape at the point of one of your shoulders. Then stretch the tape to the point of your other shoulder. Don’t wrap the measuring tape all the way around your shoulders for this measurement–just point-to-point. It should go just behind your neck in a straight line, from shouldertip to shoulder tip.  Write this number down as your fourth and final measurement.

Step 3: Find Your Size

Compare your largest chest measurement (of the 3 measurements you took) and your shoulder measurement to the sizing chart. If your chest and shoulder measurements do not align with the same size, choose the larger of the two sizes. For example: If your largest chest measurement is 35″ (Medium) and your shoulder measurement is 20″ (Large), you should request a Large Binder.  If your chest measuremnt is 38″ (Both Large & XLarge) and your shoulder measurement is 17″ (Both Medium & Large), you shold choose an XLarge Binder.

• Duct tape/ packing tape/ any kind of tape
• Ace bandages 

It’s important to stay away from these practices because they can cause issues including scarring, fluid build-up in the lungs or even broken ribs. It can also hurt your ability to move properly.  Ace bandages actually get tighter every time they stretch (i.e. when you breathe) and breathing is important. Ace bandages can also easily come loose and have to be redone, and don’t hide very well under thin clothes.

We are not, nor do we claim to be, healthcare providers or medical experts in any capacity. We simply do not have the resources to provide any recommendations whatsoever for individuals with pre-existing conditions or specific unique situations, as that would be outside the scope of our ability to support.

As much as we empathize with the challenges faced by many people in our community, we encourage anyone with medical conditions to work with your healthcare provider to determine if a binder is an option for you.

Yes. This study examined chest binding among trans-masculine and other gender diverse individuals and demonstrates the importance of this practice for improving life satisfaction and perceived safety, despite physical health sequelae resulting from binding. This study also reveals a paucity of resources available to adolescents and young adults regarding safe binding practices. The full study is available here.

It is important to wash your binders regularly, especially in the warmer months, to get rid of all the sweat, germs, and oil that can transfer from your skin. This will also reduce the risk of rashes and itchiness.

Most binders are made of elastic materials that can easily wear down if washed in hot water and put in the drier.

Most binders will come with washing instructions but in general here is how to wash a binder.

You can either wash your binder on a delicate or gentle cycle, in cold or warm water with materials of similar weight. If your binder has clasps, close the clasps to prevent them from catching on to other things. You can also handwash your binder in the sink with a little detergent and warm water. Rinse it thoroughly to make sure you get out all the soap, and then hang it to dry.

Hanging your binder is generally better than putting it in a drawer because it helps maintain its shape.

• It is not recommended to wear a binder during exercise, a sports bra will provide easier breathing, help prevent lightheadedness and overheating.
• It is not recommended to wear a binder at night. You really should give your body a break and not wear one for more than about 10 hours a day. 
• Long-term binding can cause damage to your skin, breast tissue, and ribs. So give your body a rest once in a while.
• It’s super important for a binder to fit correctly to prevent damage to your body.

We will not release the names of any individuals applying to this program for any reason. We very much value your privacy.

We guarantee you’ll receive a binder in the size you request, but we can’t guarantee the style, color, or manufacturer of the binder. Some may be gently used donated binders and others may be new.  What we can ship will depend on what we have available in your size.  We ask for preferences so we can match your request as closely as we can and will do our best to find a binder that matches as many of your preferences as possible.  If we do not have one available that matches what you’ve requested, we will choose one that is as close as possible.  We will prioritize length choices and then colors, in that order.  You may receive a binder that is not in the color or length that you’ve chosen, but we will ensure that we ship the size chosen or verified.

Before you make your request, you need to measure yourself using the guide above. Please keep in mind that these garments are sized and graded for compression purposes, so they are designed to fit snugly in order to compress and flatten. Do not intentionally go down in size; you will not be able to put your binder on.

We will try to fill requests as soon as we can, but it may depend on the number of requests and what we have available for binders.  You will receive a confirmation of your request via email when you make the request and an email from USPS when your binder has shipped.  If there are any delays with your request or any additioanl information that we require in order to process your request, we will email you.  Otherwise, we ship binders approximately once per week.

You will receive confirmation of your request once the application is submitted.  You will then receive an email with the details of your application.  Please review both of these carefully and email binders@outmaine.org if any of the information is incorrect or needs to be changed.  If we do not hear from you within 2 business days with any changes or corrections, we will assume that the information on the request is correct and process your binder for shipment.

We want to ship your binder to an address where you can safely receive it.  When you fill out the application, provide the address where you want us to ship the binder and also provide your email address so we can communicate with you to confirm shipment. 

We can ship a binder to any valid address in the United States.  This can be your mailing address, a friend’s or neighbor’s, a relative’s, your school (with permission from a teacher or school counselor/admin staff) or a PO Box.

If your mailing address or email has changed, please send an email to binders@outmaine.org with the following information:

• Name on the original request.
• Email on the original request.
• New email.
• New address.
• Anything else you would like us to know.

To cancel a request, please send an email to binders@outmaine.org with the following information:

• Name
• Email (email used when requesting a binder)
• Reason for cancellation
• Anything else you would like us to know

If a binder is tried on but not “worn” it can be exchanged ONCE per year, as long as it is mailed back to us, at your expense, in the condition in which it was received.

Once it is received, we will notify you that you can complete the request for a replacment binder.  We can only do this once per binder request, per person, per year. We emphazise the importance of measuring correctly as this is the number one reason that people return or request additional binders.  We rely on donations for our binders and as such, we want as many youth to benefit from this program as possible.  Please be sure to measure using the instructions on our webpage before completing the request form.

Thank you for your generosity! We accept new and gently used clean binders. All sizes, styles, and colors. More information on how to donate can be found here.

If you have a question that is not answered in the FAQ’s please email binders@outmaine.org.