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yirico — Open Chest Binding Tutorial

Published: 2011-02-05 23:17:15 +0000 UTC; Views: 67189; Favourites: 797; Downloads: 382
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Description This is my Open Chest Binding Tutorial that many of my friends requested I make~

In case I wasn't clear enough, for Step One place the tissue/gauze over your nipple. This will really help when taking off the tape.

For Step Two, try to pull the tape to flatten your chest as much as possible WITHOUT pulling your skin uncomfortably.
The binding isn't comfy at all, but excessive pulling can cause chest pain and redness inbetween your breasts.

For Step Three, it is optional because just pulling the tape to the side can be enough for most people.
I like to reduce shadow underneath my breasts for pictures so I like to pull upwards and to the side to achieve that look.

For Step Four, I use the turned over duct tape, but double sided tape works better.
Either way, just make sure that the fabric of the shirt you are using does not crumple when you put it against the tape. This will make the shirt look weird. Smooth the fabric over the tape and make it look more natural.

When removing, there will be some pain. Watch your skin when taking off the tape SLOWLY. I pull my skin in the opposite direction to reduce pull and it also reduces pain.
I've been told that baby oil also works well with removal, though I have not tried it myself.
Keep in mind that you have tiny hairs on your skin which can be pulled out when removing tape.

......Liek mai Alois Kimono?~ |D
(it's almost done~)

I would like to point out that, yes, this does hurt when taking off. I don't suggest using this method for normal cosplays (closed shirt) since duct tape can be rather painful and tedious to work with.
Also, I have experimented with other tapes and determined that Duct tape works the best for me.
But take note that some people are allergic to it and I suggest experimenting yourself before automatically using duct tape and causing yourself unneeded pain.

This method works for many people, but depending on your cup size the results may vary.
I myself am a C-D cup and require a little more tape and pulling in certain directions to acquire the correct look.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me~

You can use heavy duty sports tape that is designed for your skin too! It allows your skin to breathe and you sweat less, so the adhesive will last longer.

This is a wonderful technique though. My twin sister used this years ago for my open-shirt Sasuke cosplay.

Um, it helps if you take a hot shower and then the adhesive on the tape will wear off. You'll still have to peel slowly but for the most part it will just come off.

NEW WARNING: DO NOT LEAVE DUCT TAPE ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I have known this for a long time and the warning is because DUCT TAPE EATS SKIN.
It has also come to my attention (with the help of and my own recent personal experiences) that with the prolonged wear of duct tape you may get blisters. I accidentally forgot about how long I had been wearing my binding for while at Anime Expo this year and I suffered the consequences. Some of the skin on the edge of where the duct tape was located had ripped off skin and caused blisters to form. PLEASE be careful and make sure that you do NOT leave on the duct tape binding for long periods of time, how long that is, I don't know. I only know that when I first ripped my skin I had the duct tape on for about 11 hours, give or take a few hours. This is much too long, I've realized. Try and limit this binding to ONLY open chest cosplays and please be sure to take caution when removing!! I love you all and don't wish to see any of you going through the pain I'm going through now (no it's not severe in the slightest, but it does get uncomfortable on occasion.)
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Comments: 247

KaneUchiha In reply to ??? [2012-09-25 07:08:07 +0000 UTC]

uncomfortable how? u mean how the boos are positioned?

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yirico In reply to KaneUchiha [2012-09-26 18:56:22 +0000 UTC]

The pull.

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KaneUchiha In reply to yirico [2012-09-30 07:42:34 +0000 UTC]

oh.....i seee....but i binded my chest some time ago..and the pull isnt that awkward...but i really wount know since its different with tape

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jazajazz [2012-07-06 21:38:30 +0000 UTC]

This is awesome I can now where more open tops and have my higher buttons undone. Thank you

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CarmenIF In reply to ??? [2012-07-05 19:10:07 +0000 UTC]

Alois.... :3

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Doteruna In reply to ??? [2012-07-02 02:06:24 +0000 UTC]

i forgot to add im a c cup

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Doteruna In reply to ??? [2012-07-02 02:06:04 +0000 UTC]

im doing a gunzi cosplay from togainu no chi, as some of you know he wears a long red hoodie that is completely open in the front, flapping around. would this still work or should i try using the ace bandage method?????

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ArcticFoxKit In reply to Doteruna [2012-08-27 21:28:08 +0000 UTC]

NEVER use Ace Bandages, they aren't ment for chests and compress the more you breath. This can send you to the hospital. Insead, you need to buy a chest binder.

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yirico In reply to Doteruna [2012-07-02 03:38:06 +0000 UTC]

This method will still work, I'm a Kau cosplayer so I know many Gunji's (the link to the other tutorial in the artist comments was my Gunji at ALA 2011 showing how she did her open chest binding). Just be sure to tape down the jacket part covering your chest against the tape holding your breasts to make sure that the jacket doesn't open to show your binding!
and in relation to your cup size, I'm a C-D cup and I manage to get myself very flat with this method, so I'm sure it will do you some good!!
Hope that helps! let me know if you have any other questions~

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Doteruna In reply to yirico [2012-07-03 15:52:19 +0000 UTC]

Ahahaha great, thanks a lot!!! And may I just say good job as cosplaying Kau, how did you manage the eye-coverings???? Cool!

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yirico In reply to Doteruna [2012-07-04 03:14:35 +0000 UTC]

Oh I used a sheer black fabric and layered it so that I could see through it pretty well in the light but in pictures you an't see my eyes, haha

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Doteruna In reply to yirico [2012-07-04 20:11:22 +0000 UTC]

smart

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Sinuzaki In reply to ??? [2012-04-26 03:10:44 +0000 UTC]

You had me at you being a cup C or D. I myself am ranging around C, and worried I'd never be able to do this. You have proven me wrong

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yirico In reply to Sinuzaki [2012-04-26 04:17:39 +0000 UTC]

Oh I've seen plenty of people who are C cups do open chest binding successfully (including myself, of course)! I'm glad this could be of some help!

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Kurai-Ryora [2012-04-13 22:04:48 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the tutorial! I plan on doing a Natsu cosplay soon, and just for cosplay meets or just whenever I want to. I don't plan on doing this type of binding for more than about five or six hours at a time. Any ways, this was REALLY helpful. Thanks again!

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yirico In reply to Kurai-Ryora [2012-04-15 21:07:20 +0000 UTC]

Glad it's useful!

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BlackRaven73 [2012-04-04 19:47:34 +0000 UTC]

Thx for this one. Need it for my soon to happen Shanks Cosplay. But I hope I find something else than Duct tape.

You talked in a lower comment about a binding vest. May I ask where you got it from and if you haven any tips with the sizes?

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yirico In reply to BlackRaven73 [2012-04-06 19:57:57 +0000 UTC]

Sports tape and medical tape work well as an alternative for some people~

Oh, mine isn't a typical binding vest.. I just don't know what else to call it. It's more like a girdle in the sense where it's meant for an overweight man to wear on his stomach and I just wear it on my chest.

for a binding vest (several of my friends have them) I suggest buying from underworks ( [link] ) and buying a little bigger than you need (DO NOT GO SMALLER! This could result in the possibility of breaking a rib... or you just wont be able to get it on haha)

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LucaDoodleDoo [2012-03-31 00:58:05 +0000 UTC]

Hm. First, please understand that this is NOT meant to be rude or anything of that sort. I am an FtM transgendered person myself (born female, but with a male brain - I do what I can to pass off as a natural male as much as possible in real life, not just cosplay). Since I do this sort of thing pretty much every day, I must say....this deviation worries me.

Duct tape is NOT a good way to bind! It does not move with your body, it can cut into your skin, and it causes all sorts of bad things when removed, including removing skin. Ace bandages are Just As Bad! They tighten with movement, and can become too tight very very easily. Binding for more than 9 consecutive hours, or binding too tightly, can cause a whole slew of problems, including:

Bruising, fracturing, and deforming of ribs
Lung/breathing problems
tissue injury
Back issues
Low blood flow
decreased lung capacity

As well as other problems. Binding can be done, but it must be done safely, and definitely Not with duct tape or Ace bandages.

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yirico In reply to LucaDoodleDoo [2012-04-02 03:28:02 +0000 UTC]

read the artist comments kthxbye

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disposablexteens [2012-02-27 18:17:18 +0000 UTC]

The thought of having to do this myself is extremely daunting but your tutorial was a lot of help. The tissue/gauze idea is really awesome, otherwise I'd get extremely paranoid that the tape would rip my nipple off or something silly like that, haha.

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yirico In reply to disposablexteens [2012-02-29 04:49:46 +0000 UTC]

I was paranoid for the same reason LOL

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tokitoki-chan [2012-01-24 02:16:56 +0000 UTC]

oh my gawd you're amazing TwT thank you so much~

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yirico In reply to tokitoki-chan [2012-01-27 01:57:57 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!~

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ArtByKosshi In reply to ??? [2012-01-22 06:03:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the tutorial! I will have to try this...
I've tried Ace bandages but they always loosen and tend to almost fall off o.x
Tape ftw!

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yirico In reply to ArtByKosshi [2012-01-23 04:45:35 +0000 UTC]

I recommend not using this method for closed shirt cosplays!
And I used to use ace bandages until I got my binding vest, those things slipped like crazy and never worked well for binding, yikes!

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ArtByKosshi In reply to yirico [2012-01-26 03:09:34 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the tips! I'll save money for a binding vest~

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yirico In reply to ArtByKosshi [2012-01-27 01:54:21 +0000 UTC]

Sure thing!

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tatsuhi In reply to ??? [2012-01-04 05:36:30 +0000 UTC]

just a question but do you ever have breast pain afterwards? Like pain in the breast like what you would feel in the center if you pulled to hard.

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yirico In reply to tatsuhi [2012-01-04 06:53:48 +0000 UTC]

Yes, this happens if you pull too hard (like you said). It shouldn't be too painful (more like a slight ache that goes away rather quickly)
If it's extremely painful you should consider lessening the pull from the tape or taking breaks after a certain amount of time by removing the binding completely before putting on the binding again.

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tatsuhi In reply to yirico [2012-01-04 07:35:25 +0000 UTC]

its more of a 4 ish on a 1-10 scale. I was just wondering because my right breast felt sore afterward. I figured it was probably just I pulled a little to hard(out of practice and all that) but I figured I would ask someone who has more experience. Thanks

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yirico In reply to tatsuhi [2012-01-04 22:08:50 +0000 UTC]

As long as it's not too bad I'm sure you're fine! Just lessen the pull and see how it goes~
I remember when I hadn't cosplayed in a loooong time and I put on my normal binding and it hurt a little, I think it might just be normal when you haven't worn binding in a while.
And you're welcome!

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tatsuhi In reply to yirico [2012-01-04 22:39:51 +0000 UTC]

yeah, I am sure. Random pains are always just a tad disconcerting. Also I am just curious but how can you stand to use duct tape? I can't even stand the hospital grade medical tape. Props go to you I suppose

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yirico In reply to tatsuhi [2012-01-05 22:45:01 +0000 UTC]

I completely agree..
I guess I'm just used to it! I've tried other tapes and duct tape just seems to work best for me. I also have oily skin so I think other tapes don't stick as well to that type of skin. Not sure, but I've become wary of open chest binding with duct tape simply because it eats at skin and I hurt myself because of it :C

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tatsuhi In reply to yirico [2012-01-06 00:28:53 +0000 UTC]

ow! It EATS skin?! O.o

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yirico In reply to tatsuhi [2012-01-06 08:27:13 +0000 UTC]

There's a chemical in it that eats skin over time.
I was one of the few dumb enough to leave it on too long..

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tatsuhi In reply to yirico [2012-01-06 09:00:15 +0000 UTC]

ahh, that sounds painful. D:

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yirico In reply to tatsuhi [2012-01-07 09:03:49 +0000 UTC]

yeah but at least now I know better!~

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tatsuhi In reply to yirico [2012-01-07 16:04:26 +0000 UTC]

yeah, its just a shame you learned it that way.

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SleepyInsomniac7 In reply to ??? [2011-12-14 02:43:08 +0000 UTC]

awesome! what's the longest time to leave the duck tape on since it eats your skin? just wanted to know but this is awesome, THANKS! XD

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yirico In reply to SleepyInsomniac7 [2011-12-17 23:25:51 +0000 UTC]

I'm not sure about the actual time frame but I recommend not leaving it on for long periods of time. If you're doing this for a convention I suggest taking breaks where you take off all binding for maybe an hour to let your skin breathe or even just use a different tape

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SleepyInsomniac7 In reply to yirico [2011-12-18 01:21:19 +0000 UTC]

lol k thanks. maybe I'll get that tape lets my skin breathe and not get all sweaty

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yirico In reply to SleepyInsomniac7 [2011-12-23 22:02:32 +0000 UTC]

Sounds like a good idea!

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Sutato In reply to ??? [2011-12-12 02:54:15 +0000 UTC]

This is really helpful. Thanks. I hope it works out for me~

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yirico In reply to Sutato [2011-12-17 23:24:28 +0000 UTC]

I hope so, too!!

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HalloweenStar669 In reply to ??? [2011-11-27 21:31:21 +0000 UTC]

I'm cosplaying as a character that has an open shirt (Luffy 2YR) I'm a little nerves on parting my chest this way, but I hope if I do it right! Thank you for putting this up! It saves me lots of trouble xD

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NiaNomster In reply to ??? [2011-10-28 13:46:32 +0000 UTC]

Thankies! :3
when i saw you at AX i was wandering how you did that!! I was like, "i know she's not a boy, so what magic did she preform" xD

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yirico In reply to NiaNomster [2011-10-29 01:20:38 +0000 UTC]

I was told that people got very confused at my gender, haha, always nice to hear when crossplaying!~

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NiaNomster In reply to yirico [2011-10-29 01:24:53 +0000 UTC]

haha xD
yes it is nice to hear ^^

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NaruHinaGaara In reply to ??? [2011-10-23 14:04:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, this really helped.

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