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#gc2b
writing-with-olive · 2 years
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heyo just a psa: gc2b is not safe anymore. old binders from them are fine but new ones are way lower quality and will almost certainly mess up your ribs (think warping or breaks). don't get binders from amazon because they also tend to be dangerous. underworks seems to have maintained their good ratings, so if you need a binder consider going with them, and remember to always do your own research :D
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nonbinaryresource · 1 year
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Gc2b Binders No Longer Reputable
I've been away, so y'all may already be very aware of this, but I want to make sure it's stated on this blog because it's been The Brand for yeeeaaars: the quality of gc2b binders has been going downhill the past few years. People who bought from them prior and recently can attest to how poor the quality has become. The binders are just not the same. The material isn't comfortable and, more importantly, the fit just isn't good. People who've tried recent gc2b binders, even those who've been binding for years, are suffering from back and muscle pain, stiff shoulders, soreness, etc. regardless of fit. The material just doesn't seem to be suitable for binding anymore. It is also degrading really quickly and binders are wearing out in a matter of months. It is no longer worth it to buy from gc2b.
If you want some sources on this, check out the reviews here on trustpilot with people talking about this.
You'll want to keep your eye on brands that are still doing good work: Spectrum Outfitters (UK), For Them (seems to be a hate it or love it company; I know some who swear by them and others who feel they dont' really sell actual binders - just sports bras/lighter compression tops), Shapeshifters (good custom work and larger sizing), and Underworks (best budget brand).
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thefleshyougoveggie · 3 months
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to anyone who binds/ wants to bind:
my biggest tip for you is to find a sports bra (or more than one could be good tbh) that you are fairly comfortable wearing. bc if you’re constantly using a binder, even if you take binder break days (which are CRUCIAL!!!) you can still get back pain from wearing binders often:( so having a sports bra that you like and wearing that as much as possible and saving the actual binder/s for “special occasions”/suuuper dysphoric days is something i highly recommend!!!
i used to bind most days of the week with actual binders, and even tho they were good quality (and right size!) it’s gotten to the point where i have back pain most days & i’m wearing a sports bra most days!!
also please please PLEASE do not wear your binder for longer than you should (6/8 hours, absolutely max 12, it varies from person to person-if it hurts, TAKE IT OFF) and remember to stretch!!!
big hugs,
your friendly neighborhood transmasc (who has back pain😔)
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clownrecess · 1 year
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Cool kids take binder breaks
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alix-is-o-a-k · 8 months
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to tumblr’s trans people: I’m getting my first binder soon but I don’t know what brand to use. Which is your favorite? (I’m looking for something with a lot of compression)
If you’re cis and this shows up on your blog, PLEASE REBLOG FOR A BIGGER SAMPLE SIZE!
edit: I can’t change the poll, but after some research, it seems that gc2b’s binders are incredibly unsafe. Just want to put this here in case another trans guy is looking at this poll. Underworks seems to be the best option as far as I’ve seen from other people.
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positivelyenby · 1 year
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GC2B will (hopefully) addressing and fixing the problems with their binders! Remember they are not safe to buy rn until the problems with the sizing and fit are addressed and fixed.
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stil-yr-sand · 1 month
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how to bind w/o straps showing?
i want to wear a corset top but i also want to bind. are there strapless binders or binders that are spagetti straps?
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selfdemolishingdoll · 15 days
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First Binder
I got my first binder today. (GC2B) I bought it second hand from an online thrifting store. It's like a try-out binder. I don't like tight tops. So, I wanted to check if I feel comfortable in a binder. Without paying the full price for it. I'm not that happy with the compression. But it might be that I'm in between size S and M. I'll decide if want to but new binders after few hours. But I don't think that I'll buy from GC2B. Since the rumors says that the quality got cheaper.
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usbotthrills · 1 year
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Chest binder recommendations
I’ve been researching chest binder recently, so I’m putting together all the information here so that hopefully I can help someone whose not sure what to do? I know putting the information simply can help make it seem less scary so here we go.
‼️I have not personally tried all of these, lots of the information I’m getting is from others who have reviews them‼️
Spectrum :
Price : £38 / $43.10 / €44,95
- Pros : affordable, actually works for big chests, worldwide and discrete packaging, swim safe, labelled as ‘vest’ during transactions, breathable, ethical
-Cons : very frequently out of stock
Gc2b :
Price : £30 / $35 / €35
Pros: affordable, breathable , swim safe, worldwide shipping
Cons: delivery is expensive, processing is up to 15 business days, many people have said that it stretches out over time
Recently gc2b binders have been causing injuries and have been made very cheaply - I do not recommend buying them
For them :
Price : £79 / $89 / €90
Pros : comfortable, ethical, good customer service, low neckline (not visible when wearing looser shirts)
Cons : expensive
Note: doesn’t use normal size labels, instead you put your measurements in and it gives sizes with names like amethyst or ethereal
XUJI :
Price : £27 / $27 / €27
Pros : On Amazon (quick delivery), very affordable, free shipping
Cons : On website delivery is up to 30 days, doesn’t care as much about the customer, said to stretch out easily
‼️ IF YOU BUY THIS ONE DO NOT GET ONE WITH ZIPPERS OR A SIDE CLASP ‼️ - these will DAMAGE your ribs and are unsafe, please make sure to buy the ‘pull on closer’ one!!!!
Paxsies :
Price : £53 / $60 / €50
Pros : comfortable, good for sports, low neckline, offers discounts
Cons : Not one I’ve heard of? Not as affordable
Flavnt :
Price : £45 / $50 / €50
Pros : range of skin tones, ethical, worldwide shipping
Cons: currently sold out, international shipping takes a long time
Those are the ones I’ve found! I apologise if I haven’t included the currently you use, but you can exchange them here
Feel free to add any that you recommend or any comments, since I haven’t tried any of these yet and so can’t really give a full review
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sloppyytoppyy · 6 months
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my partner got me a new binder and it fits… beautifully. i haven’t had a chest this flat in a really REALLY long time, it’s the new gc2b 2.0 classic and as somebody with a large chest it works pretty well :3c i love them so fucking dearly t4t love is so pure and good
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feral-cockroach · 10 days
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buying my best friend a binder that (hopefully) fits is what makes having a job worth it
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omgcatboi · 1 year
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I'm seeing people recommend underworks again so I am just letting y'all know the underworks binders do NOT flatten nearly as well as other options but despite that they still managed to fracture my ribs. So keep that in mind when shopping. They are cis owned and it shows through the product. Ever wear a bra and go ' yeah. A cis man definitely made this. ' that's the exact feeling you get with under works. It may work if you have A or B cups, maaaaybe a low C cup. But if you're anywhere above that then just don't. They roll up all the time if you have a belly and they are extremely painful to wear because of that. It's literally like a huge thick and tight rubber band is constricting your ribs when that happens and you ARE at a higher risk of fracture when this happens. I had to wear them for almost a year before I tried GC2B which leaps over mountains with how much better even the too small sizes where in comparison to underworks. Even with the drop in GC2Bs quality, I still wear the new binder tank top from them as my old underworks binder sits unused for about a year now.
Please do not buy from underworks. There are plenty of trans owed placed to support. And also, underworks sucks so you're just shooting yourself in the foot to avoid supporting trans folk at this point when buying from them.
Usually, when the Quality is better, I don't mention the company being cis owned but it's so obvious through the product that... It's cis owned lmao.
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slithymomerath · 1 year
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Review of Spectrum binder vs gc2b binder
Tldr; I’m super happy with my Spectrum binder, would recommend. I like it better than my gc2b ones.
I’m a butch/nonbinaryish person who’s been wearing binders on and off for about 2 years. The binders in question are the Spectrum short binder size S and the gc2b racerback size M.
gc2b binders
Longevity
- Had them for about 1.5 years, wore them probably about once a week on average (rotated between 3-4 and didn’t wear them every day).
- On the one I had the longest (almost 2 years), the shoulder stitching broke. It’s wearable, but the shoulder seam unfolds and makes a weird lump, so I don’t wear it if my other ones are clean.
- The other ones are still in great shape and haven’t stretched out at all.
Comfort
- Pretty comfortable. I often wore them all day and didn’t have any problems. The complaints I wrote below are more or less nitpicks.
- The shoulder straps are made of binding fabric, not stretchy fabric like the back, so those could be a little uncomfortable.
- The seams could be a little harsh, the ones along all the edges and under my armpits running down the inside. Nothing crazy, they just gave me mild red marks sometimes.
- The bottom of the binder doesn’t conform to your rib cage like the band of a bra, it’s a continuation of the fabric panel that’s squishing your chest. For that reason, it would stay elevated at the height of my chest and you could see the edge of it pressing against my shirt. I didn’t like this, so I would pull the back of my binder up high so the front would be tilted down, if that makes any sense. It worked for the most part, but increased the discomfort of the straps a little. I think maybe I should’ve bought a size S instead, that might have resolved this problem.
Binding
- As good as I could expect, did the job, no complaints.
Spectrum binder
Longevity
- Unknown, I just got it today.
Comfort
- Really good. The straps are made of stretchy fabric, not binding fabric, and they’re incredibly comfortable. Since the chest part holds itself on because it’s tight, there’s basically no pressure on the straps. They’re nice and wide, and made of soft fabric. More comfortable than any strapped thing I’ve ever worn.
- The bottom of the binder is the same level as my rib cage! I don’t know if this is because I ordered a smaller size or because Spectrum has some design secret, but I have zero issue with the bottom edge lifting up away from my ribs. It doesn’t squeeze my ribs either, it just rests lightly against them.
- The seams don’t dig into my skin like the gc2b ones do. Very comfortable.
- It feels a little stretchier for breathing purposes. The gc2b one was fine, but this one is even better.
Binding
- Great, everything I could ask for, no complaints.
Verdict
I like my Spectrum binder better than my gc2b ones.
I decided to write this review because I read a lot of tumblr transmasc people’s reviews before deciding to buy this Spectrum binder. The tumblr trans community also alerted me that gc2b binders have gone downhill, which is the only reason I switched brands (although now I’m really happy I did). Thanks y’all! I hope this post can be helpful to another transmasc person.
Photo of me wearing a sports bra
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Photos of me wearing the Spectrum binder
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Sorry I didn’t include a whole set of front/side/everything comparisons. If you want more information about the binders, feel free to message me.
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beeish · 2 months
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Folks that bind their chests, what is the best brand of binder? Especially for people who are fat and have a large chest. I haven’t had one that fits in several years and would like to get one soon!
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caveat-canine · 3 months
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As someone who is trans, I know how annoying it is to hear "don't overbind you'll hurt your ribs!1!1" but PLEASE be careful.
I bind with a tank binder a size too large regularly, and still the past several months I've been dealing with horrible back/side/hip pain, and after two relocations of my 5th, 7th, and 8th ribs, have now been diagnosed with slipping rib syndrome. Weeks before top surgery. I know not binding is hell on its own, but please take care of your body.
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mg549 · 11 months
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2018 vs 2023 gc2b binder comparison: is the quality really worse?
tldr: no
so, id heard that gc2b's quality had declined to the point of their binders being unsafe, but i was needing a new one (since my old one was getting pretty worn after 5 years of wearing it nearly everyday and not following proper care of it either) and i would always rather replace an item with the exact same one than try something new. i was also Curious about the claims being circulated online! so i bought a new one, and. they are functionally exactly the same.
but there have been a few minor changes! but none that would affect quality now or in the long run.
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the paler binder on the left was recieved 8/30/18 and is a size 2xl. the more saturated binder on the right was recieved 4/19/23 and is a size 3xl. i will refer to them as "18" and "23"!
so lets start off with patterning! 23 has a slightly longer length than 18 (likely just bc i went up a size), and the neck is slightly more V-shaped compared to the very round U neckline of 18. the neckline and the straps also appear much smaller, but im pretty sure that's just because 18 has gotten very stretched out over the past 5 years of near-daily use.
the outer fabric on 23 is also much more saturated. when i first recieved it it was practically a bright yellow! but after a few washes its muted out to a more neutral skin tone shade. 18 was more saturated when first recieved, but was never as bright as 23 was when i first got it. after a few washes tho 23 looks about the same as 18 when new, so maybe earlier binders came pre-washed (either by gc2b or the fabric suppliers), or the fabric source for the outer shell changed to a supplier with a different dyeing process. 23's color might wash out a little quicker than 18's did. either way, the fabric is the exact same type and weave. 18 is much more stretchy than 23 is currently, but that is definitely caused by wear, and 23 will stretch out in time as well.
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next, lets compare the fabric and stitching of the binding area! 23 is on the left, 18 on the right. the fabric is exactly the same! the stitch used is also exactly the same, but 23 has a slightly larger stitch width, which shouldn't affect quality and may be caused by being a size larger than 18. the thread is slightly lighter in color.
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comparing the side seams, the patterning, fabric, and stitch patterns are all the same. again, the stitch width on 23 is slightly larger but otherwise the same.
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heres a closer look at the straps (18 on left, 23 on right). in this picture you can see the knit of the fabric, and they are indeed exactly the same!
also of note, the first year of owning the 2018 binder, the stretch knit fabric on the outside of one of the straps started to tear away from the seam. a quick handstitched repair fixed it and it has held ever since! seam rips can happen even from the "good" years of gc2b, bc its a knit fabric with a lot of stress being put on it. i would still say the quality is very good! the fact that the repair held and no other issues occured is a testament to that. any fabric garment is liable to wear, which is something to keep in mind when purchasing a binder!
so yeah! 2023 gc2b binders are of the exact same quality of 2018 gc2b binders. im confident that the new one will last me another 5 years!
#notsponsored
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