Binder sizing, suggesting smaller sizes for flatter binding?

[kalshady]

I have yet to get a binder but will be gettin my first one very soon... im leaning towards love boat... not sure which one yet, either the jersey mesh or high performance. i am really short (5'), bout 110lbs, and my chest is 32" - 32.5" so i am not sure whether to go with a small (which is preferable) or a medium. only because i dont want the small to not fit. any ideas?

Edit: when measured correctly Im a 29 so I wear xs or small (depending on the maker) and thanks for all the answers, guys

[mL]

I heard that love boat runs a bit small, but other than that, I don't have any experience with the company.
However, I'm just a bit taller/heaver than you and the XS Underworks Tri-Top works very well for me. I'm pretty sure underworks is cheaper than love boat. I've had mine for a year or two and it's doing fine and it's comfortable to wear in all seasons. For your first binder, you probably want to get something easy to slip on, comfortable, and good for any situation.

[kalshady]

I heard that love boat runs a bit small, but other than that, I don't have any experience with the company.
However, I'm just a bit taller/heaver than you and the XS Underworks Tri-Top works very well for me. I'm pretty sure underworks is cheaper than love boat. I've had mine for a year or two and it's doing fine and it's comfortable to wear in all seasons. For your first binder, you probably want to get something easy to slip on, comfortable, and good for any situation.

What is your chest size? And the tri-top is what i was originally thinking, but theres so much complaining out there about the rolling/bunching up and digging into the underarms - being small might make that different tho - can you tell me about your experience? and yea i def want something cheaper than love boat cuz i dont have much money

[PandaValentine]

Underworks is cheaper, and I've bought 4 binders from them. Also I did end up returning one item I got because I picked the wrong size and the company was very nice about it and refunded my money, though I did have to pay shipping. I've never had any bad experiences with them.

[Espenoah]

Really, the rolling up and cutting in the underarms issue is more about shape than anything. I didn't even know those issues existed with other people until I came here, and I definitely do not have a small frame or chest.
I say go for the tritop. Just try it. It's cheaper and just as effective as anything you can get from Loveboat.

[Bahzi]

Getting the right size is important with the tri-tops.  The medium black tri-top I bought from Underworks last year binds well and is pretty comfortable, it leaves no marks and doesn't chaffe or roll up on me (if anything it's loose around my ribs).   However, I bought a white one in medium and it was too loose, so recently I got a small in white and it does cut into my underarms and creates this weird 'armpit boob/bubble' phenomenon, but only because it's too small for me. 

The size chart is only so useful, it doesn't account for things like wide shoulders or your waist size, which can attribute to the rolling up problem.  I'd say if you're only 32" you'd want to go with an extra-small, I'm a small B-cup and 35" under bust and between the small and medium sizes, so a small would probably be too loose on you.

[kalshady]

Thank you all so much for replying and helping out!

Jake, I think you've helped the most. I really appreciate it and I think I will go with a white xs tri-top, when I get the money. How tall are you and how long is the tri-top on you, if you dont mind me asking?

I think Ill probably end up becoming a regular on this forum because I am a noob with actually formally transitioning and I also love/need the support, help and knowledge from other FTMs. Its so helpful! Thanks everybody

[Bahzi]

Thank you all so much for replying and helping out!

Jake, I think you've helped the most. I really appreciate it and I think I will go with a white xs tri-top, when I get the money. How tall are you and how long is the tri-top on you, if you dont mind me asking?

I think Ill probably end up becoming a regular on this forum because I am a noob with actually formally transitioning and I also love/need the support, help and knowledge from other FTMs. Its so helpful! Thanks everybody

No problem, always glad to help!  I'm 5'5" and the bottom of the tri-top just grazes my last rib, so it ends about 4.5" above my navel.  Depending on your body proportions, it may be loose around your ribs too (I have that problem because there's such a drastic difference between my chest and waist measurements, 36-ish" to 26"), but so long as it's tight in the chest where you need it that's not a big deal, and I've heard of guys tucking them under at the bottom to help with that issue too.

Glad you're sticking around!  I've found this place invaluable so far in my transition, hopefully you will too.

[kalshady]

No problem, always glad to help!  I'm 5'5" and the bottom of the tri-top just grazes my last rib, so it ends about 4.5" above my navel.  Depending on your body proportions, it may be loose around your ribs too (I have that problem because there's such a drastic difference between my chest and waist measurements, 36-ish" to 26"), but so long as it's tight in the chest where you need it that's not a big deal, and I've heard of guys tucking them under at the bottom to help with that issue too.

Glad you're sticking around!  I've found this place invaluable so far in my transition, hopefully you will too.

Does it show (through your clothing) where your binder is loose around your ribs/waist? I pretty much know that yea itll be lose around me because Im so short, only like 5 foot and i am pretty small, not like anorexically skinny but you know. Btw Jake from your profile pic there, kinda reminds me of myself a little in the face. You pre-op or post-op and on T? Hope you dont mind me askin.

[Bahzi]

Does it show (through your clothing) where your binder is loose around your ribs/waist? I pretty much know that yea itll be lose around me because Im so short, only like 5 foot and i am pretty small, not like anorexically skinny but you know. Btw Jake from your profile pic there, kinda reminds me of myself a little in the face. You pre-op or post-op and on T? Hope you dont mind me askin.

Nope, my binder doesn't show under my clothing (I usually wear button-down shirts or polos), unless I'm wearing a tight t-shirt, and even then, it's not that noticeable.   Oh, except for the rash guard I just bought for swimming, because that's made of lycra and tight, the binder shows a bit around my ribs, and I don't know if there's anything to be done for that except maybe cutting an old one shorter to wear just for swimming.

Nah, I don't mind the questions.  I'm pre-op and pre-T, although I'll be starting on Testosterone in about two weeks, and I've been on estrogen blockers for about two months.

[kalshady]

Nope, my binder doesn't show under my clothing (I usually wear button-down shirts or polos), unless I'm wearing a tight t-shirt, and even then, it's not that noticeable.   Oh, except for the rash guard I just bought for swimming, because that's made of lycra and tight, the binder shows a bit around my ribs, and I don't know if there's anything to be done for that except maybe cutting an old one shorter to wear just for swimming.

Nah, I don't mind the questions.  I'm pre-op and pre-T, although I'll be starting on Testosterone in about two weeks, and I've been on estrogen blockers for about two months.

On some real ish, thats awesome to here it dont show thru. Prob wouldnt be a problem for me since i go for a baggy look in general and probably would even if i was born bio-male. are tri-tops ok in the water for swimming or nah?

thats great man, you look pretty good for pre-t, good luck wit it. care if i ask how old you are? im hoping to start on T soon, too. be discussin it this thurs

[notyouraverageguy]

I have yet to get a binder but will be gettin my first one very soon... im leaning towards love boat... not sure which one yet, either the jersey mesh or high performance. i am really short (5'), bout 110lbs, and my chest is 32" - 32.5" so i am not sure whether to go with a small (which is preferable) or a medium. only because i dont want the small to not fit. any ideas?

Love boat is way more comfortable than underworks, and the velcro is better for first timers to adjust the tightness. I've worn the double front, tritop, and high performance. The juya is my personal favorite. The fabric is way thinner, way softer, way more comfortable, and honestly makes me look a little flatter. It does not pop out or show the trim lines like the underworks do.
Id go for the high performance. Im about your build, and the size chart said to get a L but I got a M, I could've honestly fit into a small. I wear the M as tight as it goes, to the end of the velcro.

[Bahzi]

On some real ish, thats awesome to here it dont show thru. Prob wouldnt be a problem for me since i go for a baggy look in general and probably would even if i was born bio-male. are tri-tops ok in the water for swimming or nah?

thats great man, you look pretty good for pre-t, good luck wit it. care if i ask how old you are? im hoping to start on T soon, too. be discussin it this thurs

I think chlorine in pool water would probably wear a binder down pretty quickly, so I'd definitely designate an old, worn-out one for swimming.

I'll be 27 in a couple months.  Even on T, it's going to be a long time before I start looking my age, but I'll be happy just to pass consistently.  Good luck with getting on T soon, I know I'm looking forward to it, big milestone!

Love boat is way more comfortable than underworks, and the velcro is better for first timers to adjust the tightness. I've worn the double front, tritop, and high performance. The juya is my personal favorite. The fabric is way thinner, way softer, way more comfortable, and honestly makes me look a little flatter. It does not pop out or show the trim lines like the underworks do.
Id go for the high performance. Im about your build, and the size chart said to get a L but I got a M, I could've honestly fit into a small. I wear the M as tight as it goes, to the end of the velcro.

Huh, I guess I'm one of the few people who doesn't have comfort issues with the Underworks binders, I wear mine about 12-15 hours a day, and often forget I'm wearing it.  They don't leave marks or cause itching or breathing issues for me, and my ribs are never sore.  I've even fallen asleep with one on because I just don't think about it much.  The fabric's not soft, but it's never caused me any irritation either, and I'm very active and sweat loads.  The trim also doesn't 'pop out' or show...the seams and edges all lay very flat on me, at least with the properly fitting ones.

I admit the love boat binders do look really nice, and I like that they have v-neck ones since I wear scrub tops at work, but I doubt I'll ever get one as I really can't justify $70 with shipping for one binder, not when I need multiples since my job is kind of gross and binders get sweaty and icky quickly.  If you only needed one or two though to not be doing laundry every other night, I'd say it's worth a try kalshady, the reviews are certainly stellar.

[xAndrewx]

I didn't have issues with my tri-top really either except for it digging in at the armpit area the first few weeks which was solved by wearing an A-shirt under it.

Also just throwing it out there: There is a 10% off coupon code online somewhere and they usually have a thing going where it's free shipping on any order over $75 which you can use both at once. If you do that you can get 3 binders (Tri-tops) for less than $80 plus tax but it's free shipping. That's one of my reasons for picking them over loveboat.

[Dante]

I have a binder from Love Boat; you could probably go for the small if it's between those two sizes. I bought a large, as that's what the chart indicated, and as far as the placing of the velcro, I have to pull it past to make it work well. It's just a little bit too big. So, I would go with the small for you.

The binders from Love Boat are very comfortable, and they seem to last ok. I've had mine since last August, and I've worn it every day since, and it's still working fairly well. The only bad thing is that you can't dry them in the dryer, and they take forever to air dry.

[notyouraverageguy]

I think chlorine in pool water would probably wear a binder down pretty quickly, so I'd definitely designate an old, worn-out one for swimming.

I'll be 27 in a couple months.  Even on T, it's going to be a long time before I start looking my age, but I'll be happy just to pass consistently.  Good luck with getting on T soon, I know I'm looking forward to it, big milestone!


Huh, I guess I'm one of the few people who doesn't have comfort issues with the Underworks binders, I wear mine about 12-15 hours a day, and often forget I'm wearing it.  They don't leave marks or cause itching or breathing issues for me, and my ribs are never sore.  I've even fallen asleep with one on because I just don't think about it much.  The fabric's not soft, but it's never caused me any irritation either, and I'm very active and sweat loads.  The trim also doesn't 'pop out' or show...the seams and edges all lay very flat on me, at least with the properly fitting ones.

I admit the love boat binders do look really nice, and I like that they have v-neck ones since I wear scrub tops at work, but I doubt I'll ever get one as I really can't justify $70 with shipping for one binder, not when I need multiples since my job is kind of gross and binders get sweaty and icky quickly.  If you only needed one or two though to not be doing laundry every other night, I'd say it's worth a try kalshady, the reviews are certainly stellar.

I use my old binder for swimming and the water hasn't effected it, though I've only used it a few times for that.

Underworks were my first binders, I never had a problem getting the tritop on or off and never had any comfort issues. Id wear it all day, to sleep when id sleep over at someone's place, and even for days straight. I did have issues with the double front though.
The only thing was I did get permanent marks under my pits from them. I trimmed the bottom so it wouldn't roll up and dig in. I also trimmed the edges so they would show, and so it wouldn't pop out as much.
The one thing I like about them over my juya is that they're hard and make my chest feel more like pecs, the juya is soft so my chest feels mushy. Also with the tritop you can't see where it ends on my back through a shirt and it doesn't have the velcro on the side. So if someone were to feel urs sides they wouldn't feel a thing with underworks.

Love boat's are way more expensive, which is why I was hesitant to buy one. But it was well worth the extra $$.

I say if you have the money, go for it. If you don't, underworks is your best bet.

[nicks]

Hey kalshady, you sent me a private message but unfortunately I can't respond to private messages for some reason. I don't know if this is against the rules to ask but if you send me a pm with your email address I'll get back to ya. 

[xAndrewx]

Nickhenrys- you can't answer PM's until a certain post count (15 I believe). You can ask for an email address through PM though as far as I know so it should be okay.

[nicks]

Ah cool, thanks for the info. I better start posting 

[zombiesarepeaceful]

I wear 2 xs tri tops at a time, only because I'm anal about how flat my chest is. Realisticly, it's hurting me, causing scars, etc, but I pay that price to be flat.

In reality, I'm also not that big, so don't ask me what my self image problem is, cause I don't know.

But for the purpose of binding well, I suggest the tri top.