History Main / SuppressedMammaries

* Jordan Todosey did this in ''Series/{{Degrassi}}'', where she was playing a [[UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} trans boy]]; Adam's shown binding (with an Ace bandage) onscreen. Later it's mentioned in-series that Adam gets a chest compression vest.

* ''{{Film/Aliens}}'': Jeanette Goldstein strapped down to play Vasquez, which is ironic since Vasquez is still ''[[BoobsOfSteel stacked]]''.

* It has become common among female cosplayers to use binders to conceal their chests for cosplaying male characters (or [[SweetPollyOliver Sheik]]).[[note]]Ace bandages (known outside the USA as elastic bandages, compression bandages, pressure stockings, etc.), while they have been used for this purpose, are not recommended, as they grow gradually tighter, and can break your ribcage; actual binders designed for that purpose are going to be a better option.[[/note]]

[[folder:Web Video]]
* In Rapidfire 3, [[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/loadingreadyrun/6637-Rapidfire-3-Episode-5 Episode 5]] by ''WebVideo/LoadingReadyRun'', a {{Cloudcuckoolander}} [[spoiler:and also AffablyEvil]] version of Creator/BobRoss was played by WebVideo/KateStark. In the ''Loading Time'' behind-the-scenes video, she can be seen taking off the compression bandages, shouting "'''NEVER AGAIN!'''" (though she did still enjoy the role otherwise).

* Even cisgender women with large breasts will sometimes wear garments that make their breasts look smaller ("minimizer" bras are a thing in larger cup sizes), often to keep them more contained, to make certain clothing fit better, and/or to avoid the [[DCupDistress sexualized attention that many large-breasted women get]].
* Tami Erin for her role in ''The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking'' (1988). It became obvious during a Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} interview promoting the movie, when she wore a tight aerobics leotard without the binding that Tami had fairly big boobies that her version of Pippi didn’t have.
* Happened to child actress Lina Leandersson during the filming of ''Literature/LetTheRightOneIn'' - she was a rare [[AvertedTrope averted case]] of DawsonCasting, being a 13-year old playing a 12-year old, but puberty hit her ''hard'' during the latter half of the shoot. She grew outwards so quickly the wardrobe department could barely keep up and the bindings used to keep her both age-appropriate [[spoiler: and ambiguously gendered]] are clearly visible during some of the outdoor shots.
* In ''Literature/TheRailwayChildren'' (1970), Sally Thomsett (Phyllis) had to have her breasts strapped down because she was [[DawsonCasting playing a much younger girl]]. In fact, this was such a big secret at the time that she wasn't allowed to smoke or drink off the set during filming, or for quite a while after that to keep up the pretense.
* Rumors of this being done deliberately in ''Franchise/StarWars'' are false. True, Creator/CarrieFisher's breasts were taped down to prevent bouncing under her costume, but she resorted to that expedient herself after Creator/GeorgeLucas told her that women couldn't wear bras in space! Lucas eventually got the HotterAndSexier he originally wanted with the notorious "metal bikini" slavegirl outfit in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi''. Fisher went on to relate the whole sordid affair in her candid (and screamingly funny) memoir ''Wishful Drinking''.
* When older cast members of the musical version of ''Theatre/{{Annie}}'' would start to develop, many did this in order to avoid being fired from their roles.
* WWE women's wrestler Wrestling/{{Bayley}} wears a more suppressed athletic top than the usual revealing women's wrestling garb, due to her persona being geared towards little kids and being very endowed up top.
* Music/JessicaSimpson began her career in show business as a Christian pop singer. During this stage of her career, she would often tape down her breasts for performances because her promoters felt that an attractive blonde with D-cup boobs wasn't the best image for a gospel singer.
* Creator/MaraWilson has written about being humiliated when she began to go through puberty during the filming of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad'' and was asked to wear undergarments to hide her developing body. This distressed her enough that it contributed to her decision to [[StarDerailingRole give up film acting]].

* Creator/JodelleFerland in ''Series/DarkMatter'' is [[DawsonCasting supposed to be]] a teenager, and thus she is always padded down and costumed in baggy, concealing clothing to disguise her large breasts.

* ''{{Film/Aliens}}'': Jeanette Goldstein strapped down to play Vasquez, which is ironic since Vasquez is still ''[[BoobsOfSteel stacked]]''.

* This happened to Creator/EvannaLynch in the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix fifth]] and [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince sixth]] ''Film/HarryPotter'' movies. While not overly endowed compared to other young actresses her age, she is noticeably bustier than her [[Creator/KatieLeung other]] [[Creator/EmmaWatson female]] [[Creator/BonnieWright castmates]].
** Creator/EmmaWatson is reported to have resorted to binding herself during some of the later ''Harry Potter'' movies, due to "growing up" faster than her character.
* In a rare non-age-related example, Creator/LindsayLohan's bust was digitally reduced for ''Film/HerbieFullyLoaded''.

* Averted with ''Film/TheHungerGames''. Creator/JenniferLawrence refused to tape her breasts down to play Katniss because she didn't want to send a message to young girls that they had to be ultra-skinny.

* Music/SelenaGomez in ''Film/RamonaAndBeezus''. While not too much bigger than the average teen actress her age, then 17-year-old Selena's large bust was a bit too big for the [[DawsonCasting 15-year-old she was playing]] and wore bras that made it look smaller.

* This was famously done to Creator/JudyGarland to make her look younger for the role of Dorothy Gale in ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' as she was 16 playing an allegedly 12-year-old girl.

A popular, often young, female TV star is fairly flat-chested, or at least not very "pronounced", in her most recent or well-known role... but then you see her in an awards show or otherwise live event, and my, has she grown.

Often a result of NotAllowedToGrowUp. See also ContractualPurity. Fits into RealityIsUnrealistic because television and film producers used to dislike showing girls ''in between'' childhood and adulthood (you were supposed to be either a sex symbol or not), though those standards have loosened from how they were in the 1950s.

* Done ForScience in an episode of ''Series/MythBusters'', where the myth tested was whether large breasts resulted in bigger tips. Kari did three tests with her [[UnusualEuphemism assets]] in different sizes; one with her breasts their usual size, one with her breasts temporarily "enhanced", and one fitting this trope, where her breasts were taped down to reduce them by two cup sizes. [[labelnote:Conclusion]] There wasn't a real difference in tips between small and normal breasts, but [[BuxomIsBetter larger breasts increased tips by 30-40%]] …from men ''and'' women.[[/labelnote]]

* Rumors of this being done deliberately in ''Franchise/StarWars'' are false. True, Creator/CarrieFisher's breasts were taped down to prevent {{Gainaxing}} under her costume, but she resorted to that expedient herself after Creator/GeorgeLucas told her that women couldn't wear bras in space! Lucas eventually got the HotterAndSexier he originally wanted with the notorious "metal bikini" slavegirl outfit in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi''. Fisher went on to relate the whole sordid affair in her candid (and screamingly funny) memoir ''Wishful Drinking''.

Faking a trim figure when the reality is more ballooned isn't as difficult as one might think, to the point that some [[HiddenBuxom exaggerations]] seen in modern anime and manga can reasonably be called TruthInTelevision. After all, the breasts are one the most malleable parts of the female form, so a woman that knows what they're doing can really pack it in; even something as simple as a bra and towel can make someone appear half as busty as they actually are. If a skilled actress is properly equipped, the audience will have no way of knowing what's really beneath those clothes. It takes a ''truly'' oversized pair of knockers to make this impractical, and that's more because of the lungs being compressed than any actual issues hiding the size.

Faking a trim figure when the reality is more ballooned isn't as difficult as one might think, to the point that some [[HiddenBuxom exaggerations]] seen in modern anime and manga can reasonably be called TruthInTelevision. After all, the breasts are one the most malleable parts of the female form, so a woman that knows what they're doing can really pack it in; even something as simple as a bra and towel can make someone appear half as busty as they actually are. If a skilled actress is properly equipped, the audience will have no way of knowing what's really beneath those clothes. It takes a ''truly'' oversized pair of knockers to make this impractical, and that's more because of the lungs being compressed than any actual issues hiding the skin.

* From ''Series/GameOfThrones'', Creator/MaisieWilliams. When the first season began filming in July 2010, Williams had just turned 13 but looked considerably younger, which fit her role as 11 or 12 year old Arya Stark. By the time they started shooting season 2 in July 2011, however, Williams was now 14 years old and puberty had started to kick in big time. While it helped that Maisie ''is'' fairly short (5'1"), she quickly became considerably more well developed than Arya could realistically have been given that only a few weeks had passed in the show's timeline, and thus she was almost always costumed in thick, padded shirts or tunics until she got a new, more dress-like outfit in Season 5.

* This happened to Creator/EvannaLynch in the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix fifth]] and [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince sixth]] ''Film/HarryPotter'' movies. While not overly endowed compared to other young actresses her age, she is noticeably bustier than her [[Creator/KatieLeung other]] [[Creator/EmmaWatson female]] [[Creator/BonnieWright castmates]].
** Creator/EmmaWatson is reported to have resorted to binding herself during some of the later ''Harry Potter'' movies, due to "growing up" faster than her character.
* In a rare non-age-related example, Creator/LindsayLohan's bust was digitally reduced for ''Film/HerbieFullyLoaded''
* Averted with ''Film/TheHungerGames''. Creator/JenniferLawrence refused to tape her breasts down to play Katniss because she didn't want to send a message to young girls that they had to be ultra-skinny.
* Happened to child actress Lina Leandersson during the filming of ''Literature/LetTheRightOneIn'' - she was a rare [[AvertedTrope averted case]] of DawsonCasting, being a 13-year old playing a 12-year old, but puberty hit her ''hard'' during the latter half of the shoot. She grew outwards so quickly the wardrobe department could barely keep up and the bindings used to keep her both age-appropriate [[spoiler: and ambiguously gendered]] are clearly visible during some of the outdoor shots.
* In ''Film/MyLifeAsADog'', pre-teen Saga is a tomboy and top player on the boys' soccer team. To prevent being kicked off the team because of her [[SweetPollyOliver female identity]], she has her friend Ingemar help her in wrapping a bandage around her chest.
* Tami Erin for her role in ''The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking'' (1988). It became obvious during a Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} interview promoting the movie, when she wore a tight aerobics leotard without the binding that Tami had fairly big boobies that her version of Pippi didn’t have.

* In ''Literature/TheRailwayChildren'' (1970), Sally Thomsett (Phyllis) had to have her breasts strapped down because she was [[DawsonCasting playing a much younger girl]]. In fact, this was such a big secret at the time that she wasn't allowed to smoke or drink off the set during filming, or for quite a while after that to keep up the pretense.
* Music/SelenaGomez in ''Film/RamonaAndBeezus''. While not too much bigger than the average teen actress her age, then 17-year-old Selena's large bust was a bit too big for the [[DawsonCasting 15-year-old she was playing]] and wore bras that made it look smaller.
* Viola in ''Film/ShesTheMan'' uses an Ace bandage to flatten herself to pull off her crossdress masquerade, [[spoiler: removing it only to shower and to [[Fanservice flash the stadium]] at the end of the movie]].
* Rumors of this being done deliberately in ''Franchise/StarWars'' are false. True, Creator/CarrieFisher's breasts were taped down to prevent {{Gainaxing}} under her costume, but she resorted to that expedient herself after Creator/GeorgeLucas told her that women couldn't wear bras in space! Lucas eventually got the HotterAndSexier he originally wanted with the notorious "metal bikini" slavegirl outfit in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi''. Fisher went on to relate the whole sordid affair in her candid (and screamingly funny) memoir ''Wishful Drinking''.

* This was famously done to Creator/JudyGarland to make her look younger for the role of Dorothy Gale in ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' as she was 16 playing an allegedly 12-year-old girl.

* Tami Erin for her role in ''The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking'' (1988). It became obvious during a Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} interview promoting the movie, when she wore a tight aerobics leotard without the binding.

Often a result of NotAllowedToGrowUp. See also ContractualPurity. Compare/contrast BigBraToFill, where the character has a big bust but the actress doesn't. Fits into RealityIsUnrealistic because television and film producers used to dislike showing girls ''in between'' childhood and adulthood (you were supposed to be either a sex symbol or not), though those standards have loosened from how they were in the 1950s.

* As the premise of ''Film/TheFlintStreetNativity'' is that the child characters are played by adult actors the female castmembers all had to do this in order to convincingly pass as children. Apparently they wore undersized swimsuits beneath their costumes.

* Quite a few pre-operative [[UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} trans men]] will bind their breasts to get a look that reads as male.

* Jordan Todosey did this in ''Series/{{Degrassi}}'', where she was playing a [[{{Transgender}} trans boy]]; Adam's shown binding (with an Ace bandage) onscreen. Later it's mentioned in-series that Adam gets a chest compression vest.

* Quite a few pre-operative [[{{Transgender}} trans men]] will bind their breasts to get a look that reads as male.

* It has become common among female cosplayers to use binders to conceal their chests for cosplaying male characters (or [[SweetPollyOliver Sheik]]). Same goes for quite a few [[{{Transgender}} trans men]] who want to bind. Ace bandages[[note]]Known outside the USA as elastic bandages, compression bandages, pressure stockings, etc[[/note]] are not recommended, as they grow gradually tighter, and can break your ribcage.

* Creator/ArielWinter in ''Series/ModernFamily'' started out flat-chested (it makes sense; she was 11 when the show started) and eventually grew past Sofia Vergara's famously curvy frame (Vergara, though, is 5'7", while Winter is only 5'1") . Similarly to Soleil Moon Frye, Winter revealed in August 2015 that she'd had a breast reduction in June that took her from 32F to 34D, citing negative media attention as as one of her primary reasons.

* This was famously done to Creator/JudyGarland to make her look younger for the role of Dorothy Gale in ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''.
* Creator/MaraWilson in "WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad". She was 11 when she started filming but during a break from filming, she turned 12 and started going through puberty, so she had to bind for those scenes.

* Creator/Mara Wilson in "WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad". She was 11 when she started filming but during a break from filming, she turned 12 and started going through puberty, so she had to bind for those scenes.