Is my binder too big or is this normal?

[Alexmakenoise]

My binder came in the mail today!  Now that I'm wearing it, I feel better than I have in a long time.  The awkward protrusions are almost gone, and the thing even feels comfortable.

Unfortunately, I'm not completely flat.  There's still sort of a lump across the top of my chest.  With a tight t-shirt over the binder, and a loose t-shirt over that, my chest sort of passes . . . but not really.  I still notice the squished roll of flesh across my chest and it looks weird to me.  I would post a pic, but I'm too embarrassed about not being completely flat.

When I measured myself, I was at the lowest range for M, almost between an M and a S.  I don't know if I should order a S in hopes of greater flattening power or if it would be a waste of money and maybe even unhealthy (because you're not supposed to bind too hard, right?).

Is it normal to have an area of your chest that still sticks out a bit while wearing an appropriately sized binder?  What would you recommend to make it look flatter?

[Clay]

i get that lump thing when stuff is not properly adjusted. you tried uhm rearranging things a little?

[Alexmakenoise]

Yeah.  Maybe I just haven't found the right arrangement yet.  Any advice on that?

[Clay]

not really... but maybe the cut isn't right for you? i had a binder once which was just cut a bit too low, thus giving me lump whenever i bent over just a tiny bit... i could pull it up like very few minutes, it still failed.

[xAndrewx]

I have to arrange my... things off to the side and down somewhat. I personally measured to be a large but got a medium and it got me flat. Also giving it a wash and air drying it might tighten it up a little for you.

[Elijah3291]

yea I push mine off to the sides, asfar as they can go.. pushing them together makes clevelege and they grind against each other and i hate that feeling

[ilanthefirst]

Yeah, pushing them "down and out" (or just out, if they're especially dense) should help with that.  You can also try wearing a sportsbra underneath the binder for a safe way to get more compression.

[Lee]

I know that, in my case, my chest is pretty flabby and hangs lower, so if I push out and up instead of down, things compress better.  What style binder are you using?

[Alexmakenoise]

Thanks for all the in-put!  I'll try getting a sports bra to wear under it.  It seems like I just need a bit more layering to smooth things out.  When I position things to the side too much, I get these blobs that stick out by my arm pits and are visible even under layers, but I'll keep experimenting.

It's the Underworks 997, aka Double Front Compression.

[Lee]

I tried that one, and the size that was supposed to fit me was really big.  I ended up exchanging it for the tritop, which fits me a little better. 

[LilDoberman]

It's going to depend a bit on how big you are, too.  I'm a 34DD and a medium is a tad big.  I had definate boobs, even with the binder.  Luckily I can sew some though and took it in about an inch and that's much better.  I still have a bump though unless I wear one tight enough to hurt my ribs.  Argh   But yes, positioning helps a ton.  I started wearing a tshirt UNDER mine and it actually helps; tightens the binder up just a bit and keeps things from shifting quite as much.

But, honestly, I would try to post a pic.  I understand if it makes you uncomfortable, but if you're just worried about our views I don't think you need to worry; we're just going to try to help.  You can always take it down later today.

Good luck!

[Alexmakenoise]

Good idea, LilDoberman.  I'll take some pics tomorrow and post them.

[LilDoberman]

Yeah, it looks a little big.  I have a loveboat on order so can let you know how that fits in a week or so.  Good luck

[ty.to.the.man]

i have i teeny bit of that, but for me it just looks like pecks. u mite wanna try the smaller size to see if it works better. also underworks binders rock!!!!

[FolkFanatic]

Just thought i'd add my input.... i use the tri-top or the double front tank if i want more serious compression. After i put it on I actually lay down on my bed and lift the binder up around my chest. Things just kinda flop and flatten naturally in that position and then i let the binder settle back down. When i get up obviously things move a bit but it actually helps (i think).

And yeah, i'm lazy so the extra 20 minutes i take to let things "settle" gives me 20 more minutes of shut eye lmao!

If you're having trouble with binding in general then wearing vests help. I have a puffer vest that i wear when i don't feel like strict binding and i pass enough in the chest area with just that. I find that regular t-shirts or plain sweaters don't help conceal much at all - i prefer patterns, thicker material, or layers.

[Arch]

Alex, remember that a binder can relax a bit after only little use. Unless your binder is uncomfortably tight, you might consider the next smaller size. It might be a bit too tight for a week or so, then it could relax and be just right. I suppose the amount of loosening depends on the material. You might ask around and see if people noticed whether the same model did loosen up.

There is an older thread around here that you might look up. Guys gave their measurements and said which binder they were using and what size and all of that. It might give you some ideas about how a smaller size would fit your particular anatomy.

Honestly, I'm thinking that you will probably want a couple of binders anyway, unless you're really short of cash. So you could order the smaller size and then return whichever one doesn't fit as well. I guess you've had the medium for a month now, so maybe you can't exchange it. But if you order a a small and it doesn't work, you could always exchange it for another medium, and then you would have two. And you would know that the small doesn't work. You'd lose the shipping cost, but knowledge is power.

ETA: You might post pictures from other angles. I don't think you look bad at all, but I can't see you from other perspectives.