Plus sized binders... do good ones actually exist

[ethereal-ineffability]

I've been looking around for a couple years now and I appear to have the most rotten luck. I do have one binder, a full-length one from underworks that I bought after I finally got the sense to give up ace tape, but it only really flattens me if it's under a big coat or something, not to mention how it rolls up after a while. I'm kind of sick of it and I've had it for over two years now anyway so I'm looking for a new one, preferably one that isn't full-length so it doesn't roll up on me all the time. But here's my problem.

I have a 40" chest and it sucks. I keep hoping that there actually are binders that work for people my size, but all I keep hearing from everyone is that if I can't fit into an A or B cup I'm basically screwed. I also have a couple guy friends just a little skinnier than me who've ordered binders that looked legit before and I keep waiting for them to come in before ordering mine, only to find out that I was right in doing so because it either doesn't do anything or there's something else wrong with it (the site has a horribly inaccurate measuring system, velcro rubs against them too much, nothing at all like it looked... ect). This has happened multiple times and I'm starting to doubt that good binders for people that aren't lucky enough to already have a near flat chest actually exist. I was really hoping that with a community this big somebody could prove me wrong and point me to one that actually works and won't kill me? That is, from actual personal experience with said binder working on them or a close friend? That would be great... and at this point I think I'd be willing to pay near anything for it, short of what it would cost to get top surgery of course

Also I would like to find a compression shirt or binder specifically made for swimming that would work on me but I don't think I should be pushing my luck here... and if somebody also knows where to find compression shorts or something that might even slightly lessen the girth of a butt the size of mars that would be great too.

[Nygeel]

I use the 997 and I think I'm larger around the widest part of my chest (but maybe a 38 below?). It also binds my hips and stomach. I feel it's better for me than the tri-top because where it sits is easier on my back.

Edit to add: these are from underworks

[MacG]

I wear a large 997 from underworks. It does inch up after a few hours. I pull it down as far as it will go and it sort of binds my hips. I'm only 5'4" so maybe that's why it's bearable.
I'm large chested and overweight, and I get flat enough to just wear a loose button down.

[Daydreamer]

I use the Air M pull over from Loveboat and it works well for me. I was surprised to find that I fit on the size chart. My chest is 42" and I thought I was cutting it in the size department, but I was at the minimum for my size (My binder size from them is 2XL and in inches it's I believe 42.5 to 45.5). I was concerned that being overweight would be a problem, but it hasn't for the most part.

What I love about the Air M is that the back is mesh, so its well ventilated and sweat isn't a problem; especially in the summer when it can be muggy and hot. As far as swimwear goes, both Underworks and Loveboat sell stuff. Because I'm cutting it really close with sizing, I don't think I'd be going the route of Loveboat again; so I plan on investing in Underworks.

[Frank]

I'm unsure of how measurements work but I took a measure around my chest the other day to size for an Underworks binder and probably cheated it down to a 36 inch so I could buy a medium binder (for extra compression.) Had to stretch that thing for twenty minutes before I could squeeze into it and then it cut under my arms so badly you'd have thought someone knifed me but without the blood. That incident aside, I actually like the Underworks Tri-top. It squishes everything down enough I can apparently at least pass at an all male job in only a T-shirt. 

[wheat thins are delicious]

I'm unsure of how measurements work but I took a measure around my chest the other day to size for an Underworks binder and probably cheated it down to a 36 inch so I could buy a medium binder (for extra compression.) Had to stretch that thing for twenty minutes before I could squeeze into it and then it cut under my arms so badly you'd have thought someone knifed me but without the blood. That incident aside, I actually like the Underworks Tri-top. It squishes everything down enough I can apparently at least pass at an all male job in only a T-shirt.

If you get an underworks binder, any binder for that matter, you should get one that fits properly and not get a poorly fitting one in order to try for "extra compression" because all you are going to end up doing is hurting yourself. 

[Nygeel]

If you get an underworks binder, any binder for that matter, you should get one that fits properly and not get a poorly fitting one in order to try for "extra compression" because all you are going to end up doing is hurting yourself.

I just made this after reading that.

[Frank]

I'm well aware all I'm doing is hurting myself. I'm only wearing it long enough on the job to get by until I can get a custom button up shirt with the logo on it, my boss is picky about that.

[ethereal-ineffability]

Yeah I guess I shoulda mentioned that I'm 38" just below the biggest part of my chest and 5'3", though I dunno if that really helps anything.

@Daydreamer, That sounds pretty much perfect but does it actually flatten you all that much? One of my friends recently bought a binder from lesloveboat and said that it basically did nothing so I'm hesitant to buy from them even though I love how their binders look much more than the ones from underworks

The reason I really want to narrow my focus to tri-top binders if I can is partly because the full length ones ride up but also partly because I feel like it might make me look more even all around if that makes sense? I'm not really concerned with my waist, if anything sometimes my waist helps me look more natural (sometimes I'd rather be perceived as fat than feminine, basically), whereas I feel like my full length binder kind of binds my waist too and negates some of that effect basically making it useless... I might be completely up for another full length binder if my chest measurements were actually a little closer to my waist measurements (my waist is 34"... and then my hips are 44". You can guess what I'm dealing with here). Going back to underworks and narrowing the options down, I am pretty sure that the one I've had for a while now is the 998.

[Tysilio]

You might want to look at the binders made by Danaë. It's a Dutch company, so their sizing looks a lot friendlier to us larger folks than some others (especially the Asian companies -- I look at their products and I pretty much know they're not gonna fit). They're a bit spendy -- can't afford one right now myself -- but they look very well made, and they have a lot of different styles.

If anyone has actual experience with their products, I'd also appreciate it.

[Daydreamer]

Yeah I guess I shoulda mentioned that I'm 38" just below the biggest part of my chest and 5'3", though I dunno if that really helps anything.

@Daydreamer, That sounds pretty much perfect but does it actually flatten you all that much? One of my friends recently bought a binder from lesloveboat and said that it basically did nothing so I'm hesitant to buy from them even though I love how their binders look much more than the ones from underworks

The reason I really want to narrow my focus to tri-top binders if I can is partly because the full length ones ride up but also partly because I feel like it might make me look more even all around if that makes sense? I'm not really concerned with my waist, if anything sometimes my waist helps me look more natural (sometimes I'd rather be perceived as fat than feminine, basically), whereas I feel like my full length binder kind of binds my waist too and negates some of that effect basically making it useless... I might be completely up for another full length binder if my chest measurements were actually a little closer to my waist measurements (my waist is 34"... and then my hips are 44". You can guess what I'm dealing with here). Going back to underworks and narrowing the options down, I am pretty sure that the one I've had for a while now is the 998.

My binder flattens me pretty well. If anything, it helps give me the illusion I have some pec muscles which I don't mind. It does the job well for me. Rolling up isn't much of an issue, but if I get a bit paranoid, I'll wear a tank underneath it to keep it situated.

[Spiritwlker]

I've had good luck with the mansculpture binder that Dr. Garramone designed. I know some people haven't liked it but it works awesome for me and I have a 47 inch chest. They key I found is to pull it down over the top of the boxer briefs I wear. It has a ribbed bottom to help with rolling and I find it works best over the boxers. If its on bare skin it will roll. Those of us with larger chests and hips do have a more difficult time, but we can still look good!
Edited to add: I should say though that the first few days of wearing the man sculpture were rough. If you do decide to try it I recommend wearing for small amounts of time and getting used to it. I had to have help the first few times with the hooks and zipper, and it did chafe my underarms for the first few wears. I've had awful luck with other binders because they usually end up slipping under the moobs and looking like an ill-fitting sports bra.