Binder panic - advice for an F-cup?

[Xyrenth]

Recently I've been experiencing dysphoria way more prominently than usual, specifically about my chest. It's not been this bad before and I'd not considered needing more binding than my standard sports-bra, but, yeah, I have now decided I need a binder STAT.

I have browsed a lot of reviews and the three shops I know of (underworks, lesloveboat, t-kingdom) and tried to work out what I want out of one. If anyone here can offer some input within the next few days (before I cave and order something) I'd be really grateful.
I want a binder that is: short (sportsbra sort of length), effective for an F-cup (UK sizing, with a back measurement of 30), breathable, won't hurt my ribcage, and is not a pull-on. I'm pretty short and small-boned (about 5'2" I think?) if that's useful information.

The Underworks tri-top confuses me - a guy I know showed me his one the other, but he thinks it's much shorter than the waist-length version they have for sale on the site currently. Anyone know if they've changed this, or does it just look weirdly different on the model?

On T-kingdom I am looking at the 1300 (or maybe the zippy 801 for better breathability). Lesloveboat is a lot more confusing because there are so many different options, but the ones I'm most tempted by are the Tactel Wide Coverage option, the AIR7 mesh option (velcro or zipper), and the High Performance velcro option. Uhh.

If anyone has any experiences with these binders they'd like to share, especially if they're of a similar build to me (short and irritatingly curvy) then please help a confused person out...
Also, does anyone have experience of T-kingdom and Lesloveboat regarding how well they ship the UK?

[Darrin Scott]

I'm a DDD and I use the XL tri-top. It DOES NOT make me completely flat. I don't think an F cup (or DDD) will ever be completely flat or appear so like a A or B cup would. Just my experience. I do look a lot flatter with my Tri-top than with a regular bra. For me, it was just picking the best choice and living with it. I'm big chested so I have a lot of mass and that tends to spill all over. In fact the XL isn't long enough to keep my chest in. I tried wearing a bra with the tri-top, but it didn't do much. I was thinking about getting a lovesboat, but the price is putting me off. I might try a L tri-top and see how it goes.

[Espenoah]

I'm sadly not much help, but I can say they have definitely not changed the tritop length. I have two, one from 5+ years ago and one from a few months ago, and they are exactly the same.

[LilDoberman]

I'm a 34DD, so 34 ribcage and about 39 around.  I'm not flat no matter what I do.  So, I've decided that comfort is a big thing.  I can recommend the loveboat v-neck one, but you'll want a medium.  I just got their wider coverage High performance (I think that's the title, it's the juya $54 one) and I don't love it.  I like the v-neck better.  I haven't tried their official wide coverage.  My underworks works ok although you're definately in between sizing on the double front since a medium was a bit big for me, so go tritop if you do underworks.  The UW is just much, much more uncomfortable in every way.
I'm in the US, but underworks shipping took 8 days (including weekends) and loveboat only took 6.  Loveboat ships ridiculously fast.
Good luck!  Sorry I'm rushed, hope that helped a bit.

[Nygeel]

I'm about a 34F or 34G. I have a T-kingdom 1700. It has velcro down the side and is full length. It's the worst binder I've ever had. It binds below my chest, the binding portion of the shirt isn't long enough and it's cut too low (I'm also 5 foot 2). I have a tri-top from underworks. Because of my chest size and my chest being saggy my nips are very close to the bottom of the binder and there's a huge gap between the binder and my stomach. It rolls up in the back and is very uncomfortable but it does a pretty good job. I have the underworks 997. It's my favorite. I have wide hips so it slims my hips down a bit, it also tends to smooth out the line between my chest and stomach so instead of being like MASSIVE CHEST stomach, it's kinda big chest that smooths into a stomach. It's obvious which one I like the most but the 997 does have its flaws. The armpit holes are too big (can be fixed by taking in the seam at the shoulder), it rolls up at the lower hip, and doesn't bind as well as the tri-top.

Now...this is for my body shape which is very curvy. Different body types respond better to different types of binding. The loveboat binder LilDoberman suggested probably wouldn't work for e because V necks are lower cut and would create cleavage (plus I think $54 is a a high price for something I'd be taking a chance on).

[EthanD]

I am about a 36DD (US sizing) and I am 5ft tall. I found the Underworks 997 gives me the best results. As Nygeel stated there are some flaws in the design but they aren't so bad that the binder isn't worth it. I also found that pairing a traditional compression style sports bra with the binder helps a lot. I just put it on and pull the binder over it. T-Kingdom binders don't work at all for me. I know you don't want a "pull over" style binder but as someone with a large chest more coverage tends to be better than something like a sports bra style binder. The extra fabric and tension helps flatten everything out without creating cleavage or other undesirable effects. As far as breathable goes...I will assume you are talking about breathable fabric. Binders by design are not made of breathable fabrics because they are designed to compress. Sweating and being uncomfortable (but not in pain!) unfortunately comes with the territory. I have not tried the Loveboat binders so I can't give any input on those. As far as hurting your ribcage if you are binding properly and not for extended periods of time you should be ok. Just pay attention to your body. Binding takes some getting used to but, if you experience trouble breathing, rattling in your lungs or severe pain take the binder off ASAP!

[Logan1986]

Not sure if this helps but it's worth a shot. As far as not wanting a 'pull over' binder is that because they can be difficult to get on? When I had a binder and large chest I found that I couldn't get it on over my head, but stepping into the neck hole and pulling it up over my legs was far easier and quicker.

[Kareil]

I agree that the Loveboat v-neck is the comfiest thing ever, but that the coverage is...rather lacking.  I'm a M in their stuff, and 32-34 C-D depending on brand for bras, and I find myself oozing out the armholes.  Same material, same v-neck, but more coverage at the sides would be awesome, from them.  The v-neck doesn't create cleavage on my body, anyways.  Their side-zipper binder (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=81&products_id=126) digs into my shoulderblades at the back, isn't nearly as comfortable, but more coverage at the front.

T-Kingdom's 1700 is pretty bad in the binding department, as mentioned, and as it's elastic all the way around, I find it the hardest to breathe in.  The 801 is easy to get on, comfortable, but it seems to stretch out a bit sooner than I'd like with use, given how much it costs - feels flimsier than it should.  (and I believe it's their 980 that's absolutely useless, as the back is so stretchy it won't bind at all...)

Underworks are the least comfortable, to me, and hardest to get into.  I've fought with a medium 997 and actually found it harder to get into than a small tri-top.  The medium tri-top was too big, even though from the size charts, it looks like the tri-top runs smaller than the double front.

If you don't mind the price of a Loveboat binder, the ones you linked to seem to show better coverage than the v-neck one (I pull mine up higher to compensate), and will probably be more comfortable than Underworks, though they might not get you as flat.  I guess it depends on how much of a fight you like in the morning.  *Someone's* gotta try them and let us know how they are...

[LilDoberman]

I can tell you that the high strength is about equal in coverage to the high performance.  I like the HS more because even though it's a tad lower cut (v-neck) the velcro is wider and it seems to bind almost as well.  Armpit issue is about even (for me).  I get more upper cleavage in the HP and I don't like the random extra binding layer.   My next binder will either be their wide coverage or I'll get off my lazy ass and sew my own.

[Xyrenth]

Thanks guys, this is great! From the advice here, I think I'll be going for a Loveboat binder - the bad reviews of T-kingdom are quite offputting, and I still don't feel great about Underworks' pull-over binders (especially not long ones - I don't think I'd like being restricted all the way down my torso).

Bit pressed for time right now just a quick reply: Logan, yeah, not wanting a pull-over binder is partly because of worrying about being able to put it on - I know a guy who uses them but he has to get his girlfriend to help him put it on! I have pretty big hips so I don't know if stepping into it would be a better option. Plus, with velcro binders, I like the idea of being able to adjust them...

[ty.to.the.man]

thers also a zip-up one at underworks. u cood check that out. i hav a pull on half length one frum underworks and i luv it!

[Darrin Scott]

What's the difference between the 997 and the 988? I have the 988 and it sucks. Is the 997 any better/different?

[xAndrewx]

What's the difference between the 997 and the 988? I have the 988 and it sucks. Is the 997 any better/different?

The 988 is one layer of compression with no stomach compression right? The 997 (double front) is two layers of compression and it also compresses the stomach and the hips. Sorry don't know if it's better because I don't have experience with the 988. Hope that helps

[Kaden]

^ they both have double compression. The 998 is kinda like a double compression tri-top sowed into a cotton singlet. The 997 is full length double compression nylon-spandex combo.

[Xyrenth]

Hello again... Been busy and stressed so not around much - and still haven't picked a binder! I am definitely going with Loveboat though.

Do you really think I'd be a Medium, LilDoberman? I got my partner to measure me the other day - my ribcage is just under 31", and my chest measures 39" with a bra (38" without, 37" with the sports bra I've been using to sorta-bind). Annoyingly this places me just between L and XL on the A chart and XL and 2XL on the B chart... annoyingly because two of the principal binders I was looking at are only available in the lower sizes - Jersey Mesh (A chart) is only now available in L, and Wide Coverage (B Chart) is only available in XL and there's a newly-added note saying to go a size up because it runs small (I remember seeing comments to that effect elsewhere on the site, too).

What do you guys think? The Jersey Mesh is comparatively cheap and everyone says how comfy it is, and the Wide Coverage looks great for someone of my size... but is it worth it if the binders might actually be too small? It's not like LLB doesn't have a billion others to choose from...

Need to run now, again, yikes!

[LilDoberman]

From chart A, I have a large and it is fastened as tight as it will go.  I haven't tried a medium in that size but the large definately fits.    I will admit that right before my *ahem* monthly plague it is nice to be able to loosen it a bit.   From chart B, a large fits but it's a much snugger fit.  After getting this one I"m not sure I'd try a medium from chart B since this is SO much smaller than the other large.  I don't have the wide coverage so I don't know how that runs.  I'm more a 34 band though, so a bit bigger than you.  Ack, I don't know what to tell you.   Being in between sizes is a PITA.
*blah*  I'm sick, so I hope that made some sense.  Go with the large jersey; it'll be fine   If you get it and it's too big, I'll buy it from you.

[Xyrenth]

Okay, that's all awesome and really helpful - especially the offer to buy! I'd be shipping from the UK if that's okay?

[Xyrenth]

I bit the bullet and bought the Jersey Mesh - it's getting ridiculous that I've been obsessing about binders for so long, I need to get over myself and just get one! I shall post reviews etc when it turns up.

[LilDoberman]

Congrats on the first binder.  Yes, UK is fine; I ship internationally all the time.  You're going to love it though   Definately give me a good review; I could use one more and that looks nice (and cheaper than some other options).

[Xyrenth]

Response coming in very late, I know...
It arrived within something like 4 days. And it is, yes, AMAZING. It doesn't get me 100% flat but I never expected that, and I know cis-guys with considerably bigger moobs. It makes a massive massive difference even when on the loosest setting and is SO damn comfortable. On the first day, I stayed out later than I planned and ended up wearing it it for seven and a half hours without feeling at all uncomfortable! So basically... Deanne, you were absolutely right, I love it. <3
Review with actual measurements coming, er, when I'm less busy.