Susan's Place Transgender Resources

There have been a couple of threads about these, but nothing about their lifespan.  I've been interested in these since they were first mentioned, and even though they're cheap I'm not earning that much at the moment, and don't want to be buying something that will fall appart in a month or two.

So, has anyone had any of these, which do they recommend most, and have they lasted a while?

I'm not sure if they're all different, or which ones were posted about before.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Whorl-Weave-Les-Lesbian-Tomboy-Chest-Binder-Undershirt-Slim-Fit-Vest-Tops-XS-XXL-/300888664518?pt=UK_HealthBeauty_Other_RL&var=&hash=item460e5ca9c6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Casual-Breathable-Buckle-Short-Chest-Breast-Binder-Trans-Lesbian-Tomboy-5-Sizes-/400581615730?pt=UK_HealthBeauty_Other_RL&var=&hash=item5d44866072

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cotton-Buckle-Chest-Breast-Binder-Trans-Lesbian-Tomboy-Vest-Undershirt-4-Colors-/300884958446?pt=UK_HealthBeauty_Other_RL&var=&hash=item460e241cee

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Short-Chest-Breast-Vest-Breathable-Buckle-Binder-Trans-Lesbian-Tomboy-Cosplay-/251389790083?pt=UK_Women_s_Lingerie&var=&hash=item3a87ffc783

Yes, I had these before.
These are all manufactured in China and mostly for Chinese butch lesbians.
I did not bought these from ebay but from some Chinese websites.
Personally I like these much better than underworks because the materials are thinner and they are adjustable.
The life span is ok, if you hand wash or putting them in a bag before throwing into the washer, and always air dry. They do stretch and gradually lose elasticity over time. I do not know the exact life span because I had quite a few to change. I guess 6 months-1 year.

Pay attention to the sizing, because they are mostly sold to Chinese people, they tend to run small. An underworks Small was a little big for me, but for these binders I normally wore XL.

These are the only binders that I even use now.  Money isnt an issue for me but I choose these less expensive ones as I like the fit. I threw away several other more expensive binders because these are so much more comfortable and get me very flat.  I started using them around September 2013, so far they are all holding up great.  The sizing is very true to what they advertise in the ebay listing, but you need to check the sizing on every one closely. The reason I say this is because the shirt based on measurements may be a Medium in one listing and the exact same measurements may be a Small in the next listing. So just wanted to point out not to assume the same, not sure why they do that but they do fit very true to size for me anyways.

The ones that are sewn into the tank tops, I notice the lighter colors are a little more obvious because even after several washes, you can see on one side of the tank top that there is something underneath, it sticks up just slightly. The darker ones like blacks, browns, dark green aren't noticeable and I wear them with nothing else when its been warm outside. I love being able to put on a tank top without putting something underneath, getting flat and not worrying about staps from a binder. I wear my lighter color tank tops like the light grey one underneath other shirts like football jerseys and it works great. These ones have elastic on the side opposite the closure, so there is something to stretch out while it is very comfortable. I went on the smaller end and glad I did because after wearing it a few times I went down to the tightest setting. They are holding up well for the money I spent but for the lost cost they are worth it for me anyways since I love to wear tank tops in the summer.

The ones that are separate (not sewn into tank tops) don't have elastic on the side, so it takes some work to get those on. While it doesn't restrict my breathing at all, it was difficult at first to put on the first few times (I found start at the bottom hook and work up worked best in my case). Since these don't have elastic bands on the sides, they are holding up much better. I have one hook that is a bit loose I need to get fixed but other than that, no stretching at all. And there are so many hooks that a loose one or two doesn't affect the functionality.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: One thing I just noticed is the seller is different between the eBay posts you had links to and the seller I buy from. The binders may be indentical and it may even be the same seller with a different name but wanted to mention this just in case it mattered. The seller I buy from is shopno.7. Heres a link to the binder not attached to a tank top that I buy for reference.http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214720 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214720)

I'm a little confused, are both the listings of sewn-on binders the same, and are both separate binders the same as each other too? Except for colour obviously, but I'd not be wearing them alone so it doesn't matter.

There are some minor differences, hopefully these links will help. I have no relation to this company just the one that I always buy these binders from and have actually bought these already. I'd be willing to bet all the sellers are selling the same thing since they all have the same watermark over the pictures. All of them do a good job at getting me flat, the ones with elastic on the sides are easier to get on but do stretch where as the one without the elastic takes more work and hasn't stretched at all since I bought it 5 months ago.

Not sewn into a tank top, no elastic on side opposite the closure. Thicker panel almost like thin padding and gets me extremely flat:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214720

Sewn into tank top, elastic on the side opposite than closure. Firm panel but not as heavy as the first one listed.
Very slender fit and has a feminine look to it if you're seen without a shirt over the top. I don't wear this one often as my preference is either the first one listed if not seen or the other looser fit tank top binders that can be worn with or without a shirt over the top.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214731

Sewn into tank top, elastic on the side opposite than closure. Firm panel but not as heavy as the first one listed. Looser fit and looks like a normal tank top without the need to wear a shirt over the top. These are both the same, just different colors.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214705
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214760

This one used to be like the two tank top above (251245214705 and 251245214760) but the sizing chart changed and now is the same chart used for Item #251245214720, so there is a chance the style of binder inside has changed as well. I'll be ordering another of these as soon as they have my size available in white.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214744

Strapless, looks otherwise like the first one listed but I can't comment personally on this as I don't own one (just not my style):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251201605606


*IMPORTANT SIZING*
As far as sizing goes, just follow the chart on each page and you'll be good. Notice the charts on the two links below. If you were 88 cm for example, you would be large for the first link but medium for the second one. I don't know why they don't keep sizes vs measurements consistent across all the binders but I've found that the chart on each individual listing has been accurate for me anyways.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214720 (88 cm = Large)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251245214705 (88 cm = Medium)

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, just let me know.

Being on UK eBay rather than US eBay and having different sellers is confusing me a little but I think I'm going to get both a short and sewn-in binder as they're both from the same manufacturers (judging by the labels anyway), and you've put my mind at rest a bit about it being too good to be true.

how does sizes work for these? I'm usually a small in underworks binders, but these look like they run a bit smaller

Quote from: Ryan55 on February 11, 2014, 02:59:28 PM
how does sizes work for these? I'm usually a small in underworks binders, but these look like they run a bit smaller

I find the sizes to be pretty accurate to what they show in the chart. But each ebay listing, has different measurements so just take your measurements (same way you measure for underworks) and compare to the chart. The ones with elastic on the side will stretch a bit early on so go on the smaller side if between sizes. This isn't to say they stretch out fast, but I started wearing on the loosest setting and after only half a dozen times I was already down to the smallest setting and have now worn it on the smallest setting for 5 months. The ones without the elastic on the side have very little give and don't really stretch out at all. I went down a size on the first one without the elastic sides and it was next to impossible for me to get into so I went back and got the correct size. Gets me very flat and I don't hardly notice when.

As an example... I have an Underworks 998 size Small that I never liked and was a death trap to get in and out of. I have a tank top one in size Medium and I have one thats not sewn into a tank top in size Large (both are less restricting and get me much flatter than the underworks 998). I do tend to wear my binders more snug than I think most do but this should give you an idea of how different the sizing can be. Just check the charts in the listing and you should be fine. Keeping in mind one tank top listing may have a different size chart than the next tank top listing.

I actually just ordered one of these from Amazon. One of the sewn in ones. I'm really excited to get it. Should be soon, within a week. They look fairly effective and comfortable and the one I ordered had many great reviews.

I'm a bit overweight, not terribly so, and the largest size in these wouldn't fit me. :( My boyfriend did get one though, and it binds well, but it's apparently ungodly uncomfortable for him. The fabric on the tank top part also lays funny, which causes some anxiety about people noticing and wondering what's wrong/what's under there.

I bought the tank top style in the first auction listed there. It does bind well, and I think it would last awhile. The downside is that it's really friggen restrictive. I've had breathing problems using one and I usually wear an underworks 997. And as for size, I got one that was a size up from what I should wear and it's still too restrictive.

I haven't worn mine enough to say how long it would last.

I ordered two of them from Sohoeva. For me, they didn't work well. I wish they would just use models with average size breasts instead of the already skinny ones for the advertisements.

I really like the looks of these and I'm trying to find a review from someone around my size -- would any of you care to comment on your size? I'm about a 32C, so small band and larger chest. I'm also curious about the activity level of people who wear these. I'm fairly active and would like one of the tank tops to go hiking in. I'm a little concerned because I have read multiple places they can be really restrictive.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2F5a098490b13c1f1fe723cd396ddc67dc%2Ftumblr_mzov4dZj581qal7xro1_1280.jpg&hash=d3e2c3464d121a136e53de4a8967642e6767b748)

I have no idea what my chest size is, but I'm not small.

Cool. Looks great on you.

I ordered the same color so I'll post my review here when it arrives -- hopefully it fits!

I ordered a couple of binders, following the size guides on them.  So far only one of them has arrived, but it's far too big.  I didn't believe it when it came up saying that I should order an XL, but I followed it anyway.  It's no where near my size!  I've modified it somehow by hand (I'll try with a sewing machine when I'm back at my parents over easter), and had to take about two inches off it, and even then it could still do with being smaller.  I think they would work well if they fitted though.

Only major issue I have is that there is a bump on one of the seams for the binding material (underneath the undershirt). It's not as noticeable with a dark colored one.

Okay, so my other one came yesterday, and this one actually fits.  They're both short binders (without the tanktop bit, I couldn't see myself wearing them alone so didn't bother with one of those, maybe in the winter I'll get one).

Be aware that I use UK eBay
I'm 5'2", 110 lbs (ish), and I'd hazard a guess that I was about a B?  I have no idea.  I'm an XS in underworks and youth in GC2 compression shirts.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281126803131?var=580205686059&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649  Size: M

This is the one that's of the right size.  I could probably go a size smaller, but I'm having problems binding as it is, so it's probably for the better that this isn't as small as it could be.  I might try a smaller size in the future because I think with the slightly adjustable size thing it would work for days I'm more dysphoric.  The shoulder straps could be a little smaller perhaps, but not so it doesn't work.

The compression isn't the best in the world, but then nothing gets me to the point where I'm completely comfortable.  I have been able to wear just a t-shirt with it at some points today without being conscious of it all the time which is something that I'm not often able to do, even with my other binders. I've been able to wear it from 0730 until about 2000 before I thought about taking it off, which I couldn't normally do most days.  I really like that I can just undo the side without anyone noticing so I actually stop compressing myself when it gets uncomfortable instead of sitting there until it's unbearable just because it's too much effort to go to the bathroom.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360838768047?var=630218134562&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649  Size XL

The size guide said I should get an XL... this is way too big.  I let one of my friends try it on because they wanted to know what it's like, and they're 6 foot, and a few stone heavier than me, and it was still too big for them, let alone me.  I can't really comment on it all because it doesn't fit at all, but it seems the same sort of job as the other one except there's two layers on all of it, not two at the front and one at the back.


I can probably do photos of the first one if anyone wants.

Quote from: lxndr on April 02, 2014, 04:08:49 PMI really like that I can just undo the side without anyone noticing so I actually stop compressing myself when it gets uncomfortable instead of sitting there until it's unbearable just because it's too much effort to go to the bathroom.

THIS. It has saved my life. Sometimes you just want to be comfortable, but I really like that I can wear it unclasped while I'm biking somewhere and then hook it up when I arrive. I also have a velcro Les Love Boat binder but the velcro is too loud to be able to do this with any stealth.

So, in addition to the convenience of the clasp, here's my review:

I'm 5'3" and 115 lbs. My chest is on the large size of average. In bras I used to wear 34C or 32D.
This binder is COMFY. It restricts my ribs a bit more than the LoveBoat binder but it's not too bad. I can easily wear it for 6-8 hours and as long as I'm not doing anything where I need to be taking real deep breaths [such as cycling]. I love the 3 different clasp placements so I can make it a little looser or a little tighter. This binder is more comfortable than the High Performance from LoveBoat, but it doesn't compress and shape my chest quite as well.

The biggest benefit to me is that it's really cool. I can wear just the tank top binder outside and not die. For someone who was heat intolerant before T, this is a lifesaver.

None of the seams rub or anything. Though you could probably see the clasps through the lighter colored tanks.

I was a little worried when I first got it because I thought the compressing material would be too short. I have to move my chest lumps to the side because if I shove them straight down they will fall out of the bottom. Also, the closure is on the right side so the left side is compressed a bit less.

Here are some reference images:
Without binder:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi15.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa359%2Fcheres%2Fme%2Fnobinderside.jpg&hash=c1d4bac6dfbdeeb1129c9640ebc0dcf87fafb4fe)

With binder:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi15.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa359%2Fcheres%2Fme%2Fbinderside.jpg&hash=9b58a79e5e721c223720e9b67b591de1855b516c)

I may or may not invest in one, just so I know I got a simple back-up in case something happens to my one from Loveboat. So happy they carry my size since I'm 42 around and I was cutting it with the charts.

I used this binder http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Casual-Breathable-Buckle-Short-Chest-Breast-Binder-Trans-Lesbian-Tomboy-5-Sizes-/400581615730?pt=UK_HealthBeauty_Other_RL&var=&hash=item5d44866072 as my first one. I used it for about 3 weeks before my Underworks binder arrived. I am quite large chested, and although it could have done a better job, it helped a lot - it was my first binder. I think it'd work much better for someone who was smaller chested than me (ideally someone a B or below), although it does seem as though it'll be good for when I need a day off from using my tri top - it doesn't constrict breathing nearly as much as the tri top does, although my breasts did have a tendency to slip out the bottom of it, and did need constant readjusting. Overall I'd say for £3, it's definitely worth getting c:

Looks like they go as large as 3XL, which is about 44in/117cm depending on where you look. This is really cool and I'm really tempted into getting one. $12 isn't bad for something that looks like it does the job well and has no shipping. The wait might be a pain in the neck, but I'll be surprised if it comes as quick as my first binder which was 8 days. The estimated wait is 11+ days, but we'll see how that goes if I throw something in.

I was following this thread and ordered both a binder and a binder tank. They came in 11 days.  They definitely run small and the binder tank top shows the clasps a bit. I like the binder but sheesh are those latches a pain in the tucus. I'm healing up from a hand injury and wasn't sure I was going to be able to get them on at all. I wish they'd come a few days earlier during our mini-heat wave.

If I can get it on again I will report back.

To those of you having trouble latching the binder after you get it on, try latching it first and then kinda shimmying it on. That's the only way I can get mine on.

you must have a lot more shimmy in you than I do. lol

Haha it takes some contorting and pulling, that'd for sure.