HOMEMADE GAFFS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW & AVOID

If you’re searching for homemade gaff tips, you’re not alone. People look this up for all sorts of reasons. Cost, privacy, urgency, dysphoria. And sometimes because they don’t yet know what options exist. 

I want to start by saying that wanting a flatter, more affirming silhouette is completely valid. But it’s also important to talk honestly about safety, because not everything labelled as a “solution” online is safe for your body.

I wrote this article to talk about why homemade gaffs can be risky, what to avoid and what safer alternatives look like if you’re waiting for proper tucking underwear.

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

You might be looking for a homemade gaff because you need something now. Maybe you’ve got an event coming up. Maybe dysphoria has hit harder than usual. Maybe you can’t afford a gaff right now or you’re worried about someone finding a parcel. 

All of those reasons are real and they deserve compassion.

But urgency is also when people are most vulnerable to bad advice. And unfortunately, there’s a lot of that around online.

A proper tucking gaff is designed to do something very specific: apply balanced compression in the right places, using fabrics that are breathable, stable and safe to wear for extended periods. 

Most homemade solutions simply aren’t designed with the body in mind.

Common problems with DIY gaffs include uneven pressure, restricted circulation, slipping, chafing and pain. Household materials, elastic, tape, bandages or improvised constructions can all cause real harm; especially if worn for more than a very short time. 

Discomfort is one thing. Pain is a warning sign. If something hurts, pinches, goes numb or feels wrong, it’s your body telling you to stop.

Tighter is not better. And pain is never part of safe tucking. 

You might also like: Tucking & Lingerie: Your Questions Answered.

DIY VS TEMPORARY ALTERNATIVES

There’s an important difference between making a homemade gaff and using a safer temporary alternative while you wait for proper shapewear. I wouldn’t recommend making anything from scratch. However, some people do use short-term stopgaps when they don’t yet have access to a gaff.

If you’re in that position, the key word is temporary. These are not replacements for purpose-made tucking underwear and they’re not something to rely on long term.

Some people temporarily use well-fitting, supportive underwear they already own or swimwear bottoms designed to stay in place. Fabrics with good stretch and structure tend to be more stable, while very slippery materials can move around and become uncomfortable. Breathability matters too. Anything that traps heat or moisture can cause irritation quickly.

Again, these are not recommendations to “hack” a solution. They’re harm-reduction conversations for people who are waiting, struggling with access, or figuring things out.

ACCESS MATTERS AND SUPPORT EXISTS

For anyone who can’t afford or safely get hold of a gaff, it’s important to know there are support options. For anyone US-based, Point of Pride runs a Free Femme Shapewear programme that provides specially designed compression underwear to trans femme people who need it. 

The programme is open year-round, ships discreetly and is completely free, including international shipping. If cost or access is a barrier for you right now, this is a helpful resource while you’re waiting or figuring out your next steps.

PURPOSE-MADE TUCKING UNDERWEAR EXISTS

Gaffs exist because bodies deserve care. Proper tucking underwear is designed to hold everything comfortably in place without forcing, flattening without pain and staying breathable throughout the day. The difference between improvised solutions and a well-designed gaff is night and day. 

It’s about appearance, yes, but more important is how your body feels after wearing it.

A good gaff should feel supportive, not restrictive. Secure, not suffocating. 

You should be able to move, sit, walk and breathe normally. If you’re constantly adjusting or bracing yourself, something isn’t right.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SAFE GAFF

When you are able to access a proper gaff, there are a few things that really matter. 

Fit comes first. Always follow sizing guides and never size down in the hope of better results. 

Fabric matters too. Breathable, stable materials that hold their shape over time are essential. And design matters. Tucking gaffs made by people who understand trans bodies tend to be far more comfortable and reliable.

Most importantly, listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

I know how frustrating it can feel to wait. If you’re in that in-between space (waiting for a donation, saving up or figuring out what’s safe for you), please be gentle with yourself. Wanting relief now doesn’t make you reckless. It makes you human.

You deserve solutions that support your body, not fight it.

SUPPORTING YOU SAFELY

At Gaff and Go, everything we do is rooted in lived experience. As a transgender lingerie brand, our tucking underwear is designed to offer comfort, security and peace of mind. No shortcuts, gimmicks or unsafe fixes. 

We believe that everyone deserves access to garments that make them feel affirmed and protected. If you’re exploring tucking and want a safer, longer-term option, we’re here when you’re ready. And if you’re not there yet, that’s okay too. Your safety always comes first.