Binder Questions!

[animalover9]

Hi there! I have question(s) about binders
With the holidays near, I'm able to order offline and keep it a secret (lucky me! ) However I wanted to know if this binder I'm looking at is a good one for me. The website I'm looking at is Underworks (http://www.f2mbinders.com/binding-tops/tanks)

I'm rather over weight, but thankfully tall enough so that I'm more chubby looking if anything (I'm 5'7 if that matters). I believe my chest measurement is 39in (a medium), but should I get a large (40in-43in) anyway? Should I get the binder that covers my full upper body, or should I get a tri-top? Are these binders comfortable enough to be in for hours?

Any extra tips and information you have is extremely useful! I'm very excited to be getting my first binder, and I'm hoping it'll help me feel better (also slightly worried it won't help, but I'm trying to not focus on that.)

-I'm thinking about this binder : http://www.f2mbinders.com/binding-tops/tanks/ultimate-chest-binder-tank -

[CursedFireDean]

Personally, I'd say you should go with the large. I'm right in between x-small and small, but I wear a medium for two reasons. One is that the small is still painful on me. The other is that I am a bit chubby and so my belly a little larger than my chest, which means the compression on my stomach is uncomfortable (with a long binder).

Pros and cons to long vs short
Long- pro is that it helps create a more masculine silhouette. Con is that it compresses the stomach area, which can create digestive issues or an upset stomach.
Short- pro is that there's no stomach compression, thus no stomach issues. Con is that it can emphasize love handles and belly fat. (For me, this gives me a worse pear shape and makes me appear more female than I can handle.)

So really it depends on your body shape whether long or short would be more beneficial. I get stomach issues from a long binder, however, because of my shape, long ones are better for me than short ones. Other larger guys find the shorter ones better, because there's no stomach issues and they still appear male.

[Trying to be me]

I agree with CursedFireDean about most of the pros and cons. I don't agree with the digestive issues with the long but that's just been my experience. I chose the long tank top one because I didn't want to emphasize my belly fat and I wanted to flatten my hips. It does a terrific job. The long one does have a tendency to roll up but I got a $15 pair of compression shorts on Amazon and they help hold the shirt down and flatten my hips even more. I love Underworks.

[CursedFireDean]

I agree with CursedFireDean about most of the pros and cons. I don't agree with the digestive issues with the long but that's just been my experience. I chose the long tank top one because I didn't want to emphasize my belly fat and I wanted to flatten my hips. It does a terrific job. The long one does have a tendency to roll up but I got a $15 pair of compression shorts on Amazon and they help hold the shirt down and flatten my hips even more. I love Underworks.

Yeah, not everyone has digestive issues, but it is a possibility. Just throwing it out there so it isn't a surprise.

[Tysilio]

No digestive issues here, but then I don't tend to have problems with my digestion. It may depend on one's pre-existing tendencies in that department.

[Bran]

I get some reflux even with a short binder. And, with my body type a longer binder actually makes me look more feminine-- it nips in my waist more than my chest or hips so I end up with a smaller hourglass. I'm actually cool with the way the tri-top exposes my belly fat. Better a squarish guyish figure than a zaftig girlish figure any day.

A lot of it is down to personal shape and preference-- I bought both, but end up folding the tank up for an extra layer up top, as often as not

[animalover9]

Hey thanks all to who replied! I took everything that was said into consideration when making my decision, and now hopefully my binder (decided to get the full length tank top) will be here soon enough!