Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi, I'm new here and I've really been wanting to purchase a binder for awhile now, but I want to be certain that it's going to be the right one for me.

I don't want to bother anyone or repeat a question that's already been asked, so I apologise in advance if I do that.  :P

I've been thinking about getting the 997 double front from Underworks, but I've read mixed reviews about it and have been fearing it may not be very comfortable. I've also been considering the tri-top or one of the binders from Loveboat. (hope that's right.)

I suppose my biggest concern is which one will get me flat enough without causing any pain or permanent damage. I can handle small discomfort, but I don't want to damage my body. I'm trying to be cautious and rational despite the fact that my chest (though small) makes me so miserable.

I'm probably an A or a small B cup... my ribs are maybe about 29" or so. I'm 5"5 and about 95-100 pounds. I'm wondering which binder will work best for my body type. I'm thin, but my stomach (to me) seems to stick out at times and I've got a horribly feminine looking back. (It has curves and I think it would hinder my passing.) My hips are possibly the widest part on my body... Which is terrible for me, because I don't want to have to wear baggy clothing in order to pass. I like skinny jeans and I hope I can somehow pull it off.

Have you got any suggestions as to which binder might work better? I know the tritop or another kind might be more comfortable, but do you think the stomach compression offered by the 997 would help me pass better? I think it might, but I don't want a lot of pain or discomfort if it can be avoided. (especially if it creates problems with eating.)

Thanks.

I know you don't want to hear this, but any binder that gets you flat will cause tissue damage.

That being said, the most comfortable and least damaging binders from Underworks are the Cotton Concealer and the 998 T-shirt style - the first uses only spandex and the second has a single layer of their compression mesh under a layer of spandex. Both are full-length (no awkward line across your back), but soft and flexible enough to be comfortable, and may have enough compression to make you passable since you're quite small (neither will get you totally flat, but that means less damage).

I'd recommend starting with those, and only moving up to the double front/tri-top or the stiff binders from the other sites if you find that you need/want something stronger.

Thanks for the advice... What kind of tissue damage would be unavoidable? I've read a lot and I know there are risks, but what are the things that will happen without a doubt? My chest does bother me A LOT, so if the damage isn't too scarring appearance wise or actually life threatening, then I think I'll take it rather than deal with the emotional/mental discomfort.

Also, yeah, I was considering the t-shirt type ones first, but I was really afraid that they wouldn't compress enough... even for someone my size. I'd just hate to get something that flattens no more than a bra, because right now I can really only get one binder. It will probably have to last me for a couple of years. My dad is willing to let me get one, but I doubt he'd understand if it didn't work right... and I don't think he'd be too happy about having to send it back or buy another one. -> Yes, I'm not exactly independent of my parents yet, so that's kind of an issue. (-- especially since my family are not transfriendly.)

Hmm... so how would the 974 cotton concealer muscle style work? Compression wise would it still be better than a bra? I was actually considering this one first, anyway, as I felt the look was less 'bra-like' at the top. (Strap like things peeking out of t-shirts make me conscious and very uncomfortable...)

From what I know, most of the damage associated with binders is simply the breakdown of tissue. With consistent binding over several years your cup size can go down and the level of perkiness your breasts have will decrease drastically. Many recommend pushing them up and out rather than down to hold off any potential droopiness.

I've got a 997 and I think it's really comfortable. The 997 looks just like a regular tank and fits like one too, so no worries about weird bra-like straps. I'm a 33" size (aka 32-34 B). The only uncomfortable thing I've come across with the 997 is that the bottom rolls up, but tucking it into a nice pair of boxer briefs really eliminated that issue for me. I got a (small) bruise or two around my hips the first time I wore it, but it wasn't a big deal. No one can tell you're wearing it, and if they see it they'll just think you've got an undershirt on.

I also really like the 997's stomach compression - it makes me feel like I have a smoother shape. I have a genderqueer friend who's got a tri-top and a bit of pudge and while it makes her flat, it accentuates her pudge.

I do agree that the Tri-Top may accentuate pudge if it is present, but I found that wearing the double front made it really uncomfortable and I got kinda nauseus when i ate, since my stomach was compressed.  So since I have a little pudge, I'm not too fond of the 997, but for a lot of people it seems to work fine.  That's just my experience.

Thank you all for your advice... Maybe I will go ahead and try the 997. I just think if it compresses my stomach a little it might make me feel more confident. I mean, I'm thin and not overweight or anything, but I don't like the way it sticks out and makes me probably look even more girly. -- Especially when my back is super thin and curves really femininely.

Oh, there is one final thing... erm... I do have scoliosis. I had it corrected like four years ago, so I don't think it will hurt my back to bind, will it?

As long as the stomach compression won't cause me nausea or vomiting, I think it would be better.

As a parent ... the best argument my son made about us purchasing his binders  was they cost as much as a good bra ... and since he would not be wearing them anymore ... and we had always bought them ... then buying a binder should be comparable.     Needless to say we bought him 6.  He started out with the full compression one -- he is thin & nothing for boobs -- he's like a 34nearly A.   He has a long body ... so the full compression didn't work for him .. it rolled and didn't make it to his briefs to be tucked in.  He has since moved onto the tri top.

Personally, I am overweight & large chested & short.  So the full compression works great for me.  It is log on me so it covers my hips & I think it helps make them look narrower

Quote from: Ambrose on October 03, 2010, 08:44:07 PM
Oh, there is one final thing... erm... I do have scoliosis. I had it corrected like four years ago, so I don't think it will hurt my back to bind, will it?

I did some major damage to my back when I was 17 - lifted some boxes wrong and have experienced moderate to severe pain ever since (I'm 21 now). Since buying the 997 I've experienced little to no back pain. From my experience, it definitely helps, but it probably would depend where the correction was made. It definitely helps with posture, so it shouldn't bother the scoliosis correction. :)

i had scoliosis, too and the long binders with full compression made my back hurt like hell. now i wear only short binders from love boat, but if you're looking to buy from underworks, i would recommend the one that only compresses your chest, with relaxed mid-section. i ordered that one once and it compressed really well, but happened to be too short for me,...but i'm 6 inches taller than you and got an XS.  don't risk getting the cotton concealer one, most people say it doesn't compress much and consider it a waste of money.
if you're considering getting a short binder, you can look around at http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/index.php?osCsid=7bd428811d3260e2cf9884275e5d6bc9 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/index.php?osCsid=7bd428811d3260e2cf9884275e5d6bc9)
if you give me your price frame i can write you which binders i can recommend to you.

@Emil - What kind of correction was made to your Scoliosis? I had a spinal fusion. I notice I'm much less flexible now. If a full length binder will be a problem and the shorter ones would be better, I will do that, I guess. I'm just trying to figure it out.

Sure, if you could recommend something on that site, I'd like that. Thanks. I've been staying in the US with my dad and step-mum, so in USD my price range would be about $30 to $40.

-- Oh, and one thing... how is the packaging from that website? Does it come in a fairly discreet package or would it... erm... 'out' me? I ask because I can't really risk the other members of the household discovering me... and even though my dad agreed to let me order a binder, he doesn't know anything about them and he doesn't like transsexuals. :(

Quote from: emil on October 04, 2010, 12:39:28 PM
i had scoliosis, too and the long binders with full compression made my back hurt like hell. now i wear only short binders

Thanks for the warning. I don't need my back hurting anymore than it already does :P

they ship it in a discreet air mail envelope :)

i ended up having my scoliosis corrected somewhat with  an alternative practitioner and a lot of physiotherapy though it's not perfect now. i had mild back pains especially when i didn't sleep long enough or on the wrong kind of mattress, but with the long binders i had them while wearing them and for hours after taking them off.

okay, so binders in that price range that i have and like are :
1. http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_36&products_id=87 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_36&products_id=87)
tight, strong binder that can be adjusted with the velcro on the side. the material is rather rigid though.

2. http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_36&products_id=91 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_36&products_id=91)
very comfy to wear, actually binds really well, even though they only give it a two star rating on binding performance.

3. http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=76 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=76)
same binding performance as 2. (binds really well) but not as breathable, can be adjusted since it has velcro on one side. quite comfy, seems durable.

4.
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=123 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=123) 
this is the most comfortable binder ever. so if your back really troubles you, i would go with this one. but you should order a size smaller for maximum binding power. i actually ended up getting mine let in at the seams, now it does bind quite well and is so comfortable i can wear it at night. not the perfect binder for wearing very tight t-shirts over it, though.

Thanks, Emil! This is very helpful. :) I think I will try the 3rd one on your list.

I'll have to get my dad's opinion on it soon. I hope it will work out okay. He should let me use his credit card if I ask. (Wish I had my own, but that's not going to happen anytime soon! :P)

Hey Emil, I am interested in the last 2 binders on your list. Are they very durable? I'm worried about the lifespan of something with velcro, because I would think that the velcro would become less...sticky? the more the use it. Have you experienced that? Sorry Ambrose for hi-jacking your thread lol.

hey i can't really tell for sure since i didn't get any of these binders more than a year ago, but the velcro still looks brand new on all of them, and some have been washed >10 times with wool and stuff in the machine as well (i'm not good at sorting my laundry...), so it's definitely more durable than one would expect. the key is to velcro the ends together when you're washing it or not wearing it, i guess.

#3 i have not been wearing for too long, but sweated right through it and worked out in it and it didn't stretch at all (i feel like some other binders "give" a bit in those situations)

#4 does not have velcro. this one i think wore out a little, but only in terms of appearance. i have worn it a lot at night though and it's the oldest one of my love boat binders and i got it in white, so that was to be expected, i guess.


....i actually find that the velcro binders are doing better in terms of durability, since you can just velcro them together a little tighter if they do stretch out..whereas i have one binder here that doesn't have velcro which has become useless since it stretched exactly so much as to not bind anymore

Cool! Thanks for the help! :)

I'd like to mention that, just in case you're looking at them on the site, these suckers - http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=131 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=131) - don't stretch *at all*, which I didn't quite get from the "non-stretchy inner layer", I figured it wasn't lycra or elastic bandage or traditional stretchy materials, but I thought it might have *some* give to it, because most fabrics do, and you tend to expect it from a binder.  But there's no stretch to any layer, except I guess the mesh bit at the top of the back, the rest of it is actually a cotton canvas type deal. 

If you tighten it enough that you don't move around in it, it's going to affect your breathing, but you can get some decent flattening in if you don't mind movement, still.  Wouldn't use it for sports, but it's reasonably comfortable.  I fell asleep in it, actually.  Perhaps because of the lack of elasticity, if you ever need to sleep in a binder, this'd be a decent one to have around as a spare.  I grabbed it because it was cheap and I liked the color.

(I would suspect this one is the same, just a different color - http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=130 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=130) )

I'm glad you posted that kareil! I was looking at that black binder that you posted about. Do you have any other binders that you could compare the binding ability to? Like, how well does it bind compared to something from Underworks? Just curious! Thanks!

@Konman - It's okay, hehe. I don't consider it stealing. :D I hope you can figure out the best one for you as well.

With hips I'd recommend the longer one, the double front. Personally doesn't get me flat enough,b ut I'm anal about how flat I am. So I use the tri top. I have scoliosis too...but I just deal in exchange for being flat. I don't have a stomach really, or hips so it wasn't an issue for me.

Has anyone gotten one of the underworks tanks and then hemmed the bottom so it doesn't go down so long. That seems like it would be way annoying riding up on you all the time. Just wondering if hemming the thing affects how it actually works.

Quote from: konman on October 08, 2010, 11:53:31 AM
I'm glad you posted that kareil! I was looking at that black binder that you posted about. Do you have any other binders that you could compare the binding ability to? Like, how well does it bind compared to something from Underworks? Just curious! Thanks!

I just got this in the mail today, so I haven't had it for very long, but so far it seems to be really great.  I wore a medium underworks tri-top, and I got the large one of this.  I think it binds about the same, but I feel that it is more comfortable.  It doesn't go down as far, so it doesn't roll up and hurt my ribs at all.  And I can breathe better in it.  It's also a lot easier for me to get it on, because of the velcro.  So far I am pretty happy with it.  I don't have a long term experience with it yet, though.  But that's my two cents :)