Binders and comfort

[Nygeel]

FYI, T-Kingdom and Underworks have rather different sizing systems (T-Kingdom asks only for the maximum measurement, whereas Underworks asks for the average of your largest and smallest measurements), so you should probably re-measure and use their guidelines (which are here: http://ftm.underworks.com/) rather than assuming the "standard size difference" people talk about.

I see a huge difference in size. T-kingdom had me at a XXXL (a size they didn't make and is just a guess based on their charts) and Underworks I'm in between medium and large.

[RaeLikesTea]

@STRM - it can't be doubled, because the compression part is only down to the bottom of the ribcage, and it's sewn in to the long cotton part at the sides. It has a double layer of the powernet webbing stuff though, so I think it should be fine alone as long as you're not very large chested or wearing something clingy.

[RaeLikesTea]

I wear a T-Kingdom 1700, with a wifebeater underneath it for comfort reasons. I'm thinking about saving up for a Underworks 988, because I like that it won't compress my stomach. When I bought my T-Kingdom binder, my size was Large, and I believe that this means a Medium in Underworks sizing. Is it a good idea to buy one of those?

I love mine - it really just looks like a normal undershirt. Same comfort level as a sports bra (once you get it on.)

[emil]

so i bought the juya binder someone else started a thread about, and it's my top recommendation regarding comfort AND performance. it feels unbelievably thin, the tactel material is really comfy to wear and gets them FLAT. worth the money, most definitely.
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=128&osCsid=aa11b5c24282d91da233cd1f9f313d18

[Inkwe Mupkins]

I found the underworks tri top to be extremely uncomfortable. The armpit holes were way way to small. I think it was designed for a more feminine body type. My body type is more like a man with enlarged breasts literally. They look like backword "L"s.
Does anybody know of a binder that has large armholes say 35 inches in circumference. My arms arn't uber big but my shoulders are like tree trunks. There approx. 20ish inches in circumfrance.

[emil]

most of the love boat and t-kingdom binders have large armholes. the t-kingdom m1700 specifically has very large armholes, but is otherwise not a good binder imho. the esha extra strength, the juya sports pullover and high performance, the sports bandage velcro sports binder from double all have large armholes but at the same time don't really create "side boobs" ...you would have to email them to find out the exact circumference for your size though, for i wear a size small....and since you're saying you have a man-like upper body i guess you're not a size small ?

[STRM]

@RaeLikesTea:

Hmm, I might buy the 997. I'd have the option to double it, plus the sizing seems better for me. Whatever I buy is probably going to roll up regardless of stomach compression since I have a 28" waist and 40" hips...

[ilanthefirst]

I found the underworks tri top to be extremely uncomfortable. The armpit holes were way way to small. I think it was designed for a more feminine body type. My body type is more like a man with enlarged breasts literally. They look like backword "L"s.

Woah, I had the opposite problem with the Tri-Top, that the arm holes are so big that I get major problems with spilling out the armpits!  Just goes to show that these things can't be "one size fits all". 

[RaeLikesTea]

so i bought the juya binder someone else started a thread about, and it's my top recommendation regarding comfort AND performance. it feels unbelievably thin, the tactel material is really comfy to wear and gets them FLAT. worth the money, most definitely.
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=128&osCsid=aa11b5c24282d91da233cd1f9f313d18

Back when I used an ace brand elastic back brace as a binder (which was obviously extremely uncomfortable) the Velcro closure under my arm rubbed and really bothered me. I've been apprehensive to get anything Velcro since. Does the Juya not rub under the arm?

[emil]

nope not at all, the velcro is "cushioned" by that very soft-feeling and very thin tactel material so it really doesn't feel like it's velcroed together at all..also the velcro part doesn't start right where your armpits are. i tried to take a picture of me wearing it, but you can't even tell where the velcro is in the picture because i chose the black binder :/  (which is actually not a bad thing, i am wearing it under a black low-cut tank top right now and it doesn't look suspicious at all)


I have a question regarding the Underworks 988 (ultimate chest compression tank or whatever it's called).....could someone tell me how long it is top to bottom? i want to get an XS for my birthday (my last attempt to find a long binder  that can be worn by itsself) but i'm really tall....the t-kingdom 1700 ended around my belly button ....that would really help me a lot!

[kyril]

The sizing can be odd. My measurements, according to the Underworks sizing charts, put me at a M for most of their binders. When I got the M I could just slide it on like a shirt, and it was so loose I still jiggled...think I could have fit a small child in there with me. Having tried progressively smaller sizes, I've discovered that I'm really an XS, and would probably try out an XXS if they had them.

[emil]

owkay....that helps already, i guessed i must be an xs because i'm always the smallest available size in binders and sometimes even those are too loose.....were they long enough though? i would guess the XS would also be quite short, right? i'm like at least 5'11 and i really don't need another binder that ends 4 inches above my belt line...

and does the XS do a fair enough job for you?

[kyril]

Well, I'm only 5'7, but all the binders are more than long enough for me. When I'm all adjusted in the XS double front, it ends about an inch or so below the bend of my hip joint in the front, so I have to fold it up about an inch to keep it from rolling up when I walk. So it's way below my belt line. I don't see it really being too short for anyone to tuck in, unless you have a really big belly or something, probably not the case if you're getting an XS.

I haven't tried the 988, btw. But the length should be about the same - it's been the same on most every model I've tried - and I think the compression is about the same as the 997 since it's basically a truncated double front with an extra length of non-binding fabric attached. As far as the compression, it seems to do a fine enough job for me, as these things go...I won't actually be happy with how my chest looks until it's surgically fixed, but the XS double front gives me a look that's vaguely tolerable.

[emil]

hey thanks....that helped me a lot! the bend of my hip joint is actually where i would like it to end, so i guess i should be fine


armpit in juya high performance binder, size small:

[Konnor]

Hey emil, what size is your chest? I'm really curious about the Juya binder.

[emil]

somewhere between 30 and 32 and i guess a small b cup.

[RaeLikesTea]

Thanks Emil.
Regarding the length, I'm only 5'4", so it's definitely long enough on me. Still, you should be good.

[emil]

i emailed them and they said it's 22 inches long which would be way too short for me (it would end at my belly button), but i'm wondering if that's really the full length of the shirt, including the shoulder straps? or did he mean the length of the seams at the side?
i mean those are made for guys (at least the guy who sells them on ebay sells them as man-girdles), and most guys are taller than me?

[kyril]

You got me interested (since I know my torso is more than 22 inches long), so I measured mine. On the hanger, it's 23 inches from shoulder to hem. But when I measured it on me, it was 28 inches.

Basically, it stretches a lot, vertically as well as horizontally. The vertical stretch is what it needs to maintain its binding capability and move with your body - if you put it on but don't pull it down, it just sort of wrinkles up and puffs out.

[gilligan]

emil, the ultimate chest concealer is the 997, and the 988 is actual the one that has the relaxed mid section according to the underworks website. I think you meant the 997, didn't you? other than what the website says, I really don't have any information since I haven't had the money to buy a binder yet, but I am looking at the 988, since the only compression is at the top portion of the binder and I'm afraid I might have a panic attack if it is even slightly hard to breath.

Could anyone who has a 988 tell me, what size you have and how many inches down (or centimeters, since I'm not too bad with conversions) the compression goes?