All About Binding

[kyril]

I have absolutely no idea how you guys can step into yours. Mine has zero chance of making it past my hips. Not that over the head is fun, but at least it's possible.

[Wolf Man]

I am baffled by it too, kyril. I would guess the guys that manage it that way are better off in the hip department then we are or they are bit more persistent. 

[Nygeel]

I could pull it over my head if my shoulders were double jointed. When I step into mine it will get stuck at my waist but at least I can get it on. My hips are about 45 and my waist is 33...so long as I hold the straps up and just pull it up that way I can slip my arms in. 'Cept with the tri top. I have no idea how I get that on.

[kyril]

Yeah, Nygeel, I have no idea how you get it to your waist in the first place for it to get stuck there. Mine gets stuck about halfway up my thighs. That is, the one that's a size too big gets stuck there...I didn't bother with the new size small I just got.

I don't actually have any trouble sliding them past the shoulders though, they just sort of go right on (though I don't know what I'll do if working out builds my shoulders to where that doesn't work anymore). The main struggle is that they then proceed to roll and bunch up into a suffocating mass just under my armpits, and it takes a lot of work to extract the bottom edge and slide it down while trying not to panic.

[Nygeel]

Eh, my hips are just slightly larger than my chest so it's not that big of a deal.

Now, I have one question: There is a binder on the underworks site that has closures in the front and is double compression. If anybody has used this is it the same as the 997?

I'm debating between getting the one with the closures in the front and the 997.

[no_id]

Got a New binder today.

It's only been a few weeks since I got my (first) binder from T-Kingdom, 801 model (top, black).
Now I also wanted to get a longer model, white and so the search was on.
Of course, first stop were Underworks and T-Kingdom, but then I found out there is actually a designer in my country (Netherlands) who designed an entire line for transmen and transwomen (binders, underwear, bodysuits - and yer they sell Mr. Limpy... In mocca too! :O). The binder line is a bit of a mix of T-Kingdom and Underworks which makes it pretty funky. They actually sell a strapless one as well. o.O

Personally, I thought the story was pretty cool; the designer, Danae never planned a line like this, but when she noticed her brother (a transman) was really struggling (pre- top surgery) she wanted to help him out and started designing a binder for him... Something thoughtful that expanded into an entire TG-line called trans-missie (trans-mission).

Anyhow, I couldn't resist supporting something like this in my own country and thus ordered a binder much alike the 997 underworks model. Contacted Danae in the eve about size and got an answer the following morning (even got an invite to drop by for a fitting session, and that she could take my sizes then for a custom if needed). I resisted the urge to ask her out for a cup of coffee.. 

So, new binder: white, long model size S, binds a bit more than the T-Kingdom 801. Also got my first rug burn because of it and actually enjoyed it (rug burn.. joy.. eh? - just made me feel victorious when I got it on). I have to agree with Kyrill though; absolutely no clue how guys get it passed their hips... 

Yeah, yeah, I'm done ranting.
Feel free to throw me a PM if you want more info on Danae's line. 

[Radar]

Are you wearing anything under your binder like a shirt? That would help with the rug burn and cutting into your skin.

[no_id]

Are you wearing anything under your binder like a shirt? That would help with the rug burn and cutting into your skin.

Haven't tried that yet, thanks.
I'm also going to try applying some talc powder, should make it easier.

[Nemo]

Okay, I need some binding advice - I hope you lovely guys can help me on this:

As I mentioned a few posts back, the swimsuit idea isn't working too well. I won't name names, but one very nice person has offered to buy me a proper binder! So now I'm spoilt for choice - I've been looking at this Danae website and it looks good. What I need to know is, what's the best way to go about binding a 34C cup on a small frame? (After measuring, my binder size comes to 32".) Any recommendations please?

[Astro]

When measuring to buy binders how on earth do you do it? Like it is over what i want to get rid of, i get that but should i measure tightly like how tight i want it and how flat or loosely like the actual size of them??

sorry if that doesnt make sense... i am having difficulty phrasing it!

[Nemo]

What I've heard is to measure the fullest part of the bust and the chest underneath, add those measurements together, then divide by 2. The result is what you should look for in binders (e.g for me, I'm looking for 32" binders, which are usually small(?)).

Hope that helps

[Astro]

Thankies That is much help, i can now look into getting a real binder instead of a home made construction of tights and a wife beater...

[Nygeel]

Okay, I need some binding advice - I hope you lovely guys can help me on this:

As I mentioned a few posts back, the swimsuit idea isn't working too well. I won't name names, but one very nice person has offered to buy me a proper binder! So now I'm spoilt for choice - I've been looking at this Danae website and it looks good. What I need to know is, what's the best way to go about binding a 34C cup on a small frame? (After measuring, my binder size comes to 32".) Any recommendations please?

I would ask the people that run Danae what material it's made of, then compare it against something from a place like underworks where most people know the binding power of. I remember seeing a website where a person makes custom binders and everything but they're all made completely of cotton which just doesn't seem like the right material for a binding a large chest like mine.

[Nemo]

I would ask the people that run Danae what material it's made of, then compare it against something from a place like underworks where most people know the binding power of. I remember seeing a website where a person makes custom binders and everything but they're all made completely of cotton which just doesn't seem like the right material for a binding a large chest like mine.

Hmm... well, I'm not that familiar with the binding power of the Underworks tops, but I'm guessing this double compression I keep hearing of is the way to go? Is that what you use?

[Nygeel]

Hmm... well, I'm not that familiar with the binding power of the Underworks tops, but I'm guessing this double compression I keep hearing of is the way to go? Is that what you use?

I've got three binders and I'm oddly misshapen (34 F). For myself I prefer the underworks 997/double front. I know a lot of guys hate that binder. I've also got a tri-top which for me, I don't like it but there are a lot of guys that love it. Then I've got a T-kingdom. I wear that when I'm lazy/not feeling too dysphoric (it binds in the wrong places, doesn't feel secure, and is just odd for my body type...and it's 3 sizes too small).

Different things for different body types. 

[Nemo]

I've got three binders and I'm oddly misshapen (34 F). For myself I prefer the underworks 997/double front. I know a lot of guys hate that binder. I've also got a tri-top which for me, I don't like it but there are a lot of guys that love it. Then I've got a T-kingdom. I wear that when I'm lazy/not feeling too dysphoric (it binds in the wrong places, doesn't feel secure, and is just odd for my body type...and it's 3 sizes too small).

Different things for different body types. 

Yeah, very true. I have a cheaper Underworks vest that I bought on Ebay (fits like my old swimsuit, although I can try doubling up on it while I wait), and I don't like the way it goes right down to my thighs (I'm short ), so I'll probably go for the tri-top. Thanks for the response

[Nygeel]

I previously posted several pictures of myself in different binders. Many people suggested that the T-kingdom binder was the best/second best. I hate the darn thing so I've decided to post a second picture of the binder without a shirt. Please note that this binder is an XL which is the largest they offer, and was two sizes too small. DON'T LOOK AT GAGA!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/Halfway_to_Nowhere/binding.jpg
This is how everything falls without adjustments. I can push my chest down a little, but there's really not a lot of binding fabric, the binding part is in the wrong place, etc.

[no_id]

I would ask the people that run Danae what material it's made of[...]

All binders are 100% lyrca.

I previously posted several pictures of myself in different binders. Many people suggested that the T-kingdom binder was the best/second best. I hate the darn thing so I've decided to post a second picture of the binder without a shirt. Please note that this binder is an XL which is the largest they offer, and was two sizes too small. DON'T LOOK AT GAGA!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/Halfway_to_Nowhere/binding.jpg
This is how everything falls without adjustments. I can push my chest down a little, but there's really not a lot of binding fabric, the binding part is in the wrong place, etc.

Meh, definitely some drooping on the sides. When it comes down to it; if you hate it - don't wear it.

[Radar]

Haven't tried that yet, thanks. :)I'm also going to try applying some talc powder, should make it easier.

I wear an A-frame tank top underneath and it feels comfortable. Make sure to pull the bottom part of the armholes of the tank top up so that it goes over the bottom part of the binder armholes. That way you have a layer of protection at your armpit and it rubs on the shirt instead of the skin. Did that make any sense? I tried talc at first but it didn't do anything for me.

[no_id]

I wear an A-frame tank top underneath and it feels comfortable. Make sure to pull the bottom part of the armholes of the tank top up so that it goes over the bottom part of the binder armholes. That way you have a layer of protection at your armpit and it rubs on the shirt instead of the skin. Did that make any sense? I tried talc at first but it didn't do anything for me.

Thanks for the tip Radar. I understood what you meant. Talc powder wasn't a success, but quickly absorbed bodylotion was; made it a whole lot smoother to get on and any skin irriation immediately got eased because of the lotion. I wore it for several hours the other day and actually didn't have issues with it cutting into my skin or causing irritation. Maybe I'm lucky with my frame, or perhaps it won't kick in till I've worn it more often.