not sure if my new tri top is too small??

[st12141992]

hey guys i just got my first binder its a beige tri top. My bust measurement was a 34, and under the bust was a 29, so the average 31.5, the size for the small is 31-33. So I ordered the small but its kind of uncomfortable, it feels like it restricts my breathing a little bit, will I get used to this or do I need a bigger binder? This is my first binder so I'm not sure what the deal is. Also anyone have tips for getting it off? I can step into it and get it on okay but taking it off is a real pain the ass. Thanks guys

[AdamMLP]

That sounds pretty normal to me to be honest.  Think about it, you're compressing all your chest into a much smaller space so you're obviously going to have some effects from that.  When I first got mine I thought it might be too small and kept checking the size range but realised that it was okay.  I don't wear it often anymore but when I do the only time I notice it is when I'm doing something physical, or weirdly, smoking.  They do stretch out a bit so it will get slightly looser after a few uses.

Get out of it the same way as you get in otherwise you run the risk of getting stuck and that's not too fun.

[Ayden]

That sounds pretty normal to me to be honest.  Think about it, you're compressing all your chest into a much smaller space so you're obviously going to have some effects from that.  When I first got mine I thought it might be too small and kept checking the size range but realised that it was okay.  I don't wear it often anymore but when I do the only time I notice it is when I'm doing something physical, or weirdly, smoking.  They do stretch out a bit so it will get slightly looser after a few uses.

Get out of it the same way as you get in otherwise you run the risk of getting stuck and that's not too fun.

^This. Especially the getting stuck part. The first time I tried to take off a sweaty binder - oh dear. I ended up yelling at my friend who was staying with me and she had to help tug it off. I don't think we have ever laughed so hard afterwards and I think she cracked a rib when she walked into the bathroom and saw me. They always feel a little uncomfortable at first, especially if you are not used to it. It should be a little more snug that a sports bra. If it start hurting or you get dizzy/lightheaded and really can't breathe, then its too small. But a little discomfort is normal - every new one I get ends up with my ribs being a little tender for the first few days while it sort of breaks into my body shape.

Like Alex I mostly feel it when doing something physical now. I get the feeling it when I smoke too - so I'm using that as an excuse to slowly quit.

[TwoSpirit]

There are a few things I do, to try to reduce the discomfort, though the reduction is minimal.

First, with a new binder, if it's absolutely just too tight, I will take it and stretch it over the back of a chair and leave it there for a day or two. That helps, as long as the chair isn't so wide that it ends up tearing the binder.

Another thing I do, especially in the hot summer, when those damn things just drip in sweat within a few minutes, is I put on an A-shirt ( a small tight one) underneath the binder. This makes it easier to get off, and I just pull on the A-shirt underneath from behind and over my head and it takes the binder off with it. I usually take off my binder that way too, even if I am not wearing an A-shirt underneath. Just grab a hold of the bottom of the binder from the back and pull it over my head.....if that makes any sense?

Good luck with it; once I had a binder so tight, I struggled and fought with it to get it on. Once on, it was so tight, it was provoking an asthma attack, which I don't get very often. I struggled and struggled to get it off, but couldn't and eventually passed out with it still on me. When I came to, I still couldn't get the damn thing off me, so I ended up having to cut my brand new binder    off of me. I bought a size larger next time around.

[insideontheoutside]

As someone else said, the whole point of these things is to compress your chest (and it isn't at all like what a bra feels like on) so it is going to feel a little unnatural at first. But if you're actually unable to take a FULL breath, I'd say it's too small.

Actually, that might be a good tip for measuring ... take the fullest breath you can and hold it while measuring and see what that is.

[anibioman]

sounds normal they feel a bit suffocating at first but they lossen up and you get used to it. to take it off cross your arms in front of you and grab the opposite edges and pull it over your head.