Hey guys. For those who wear undershirts, what do you wear? A girl's or a guy's version? Or do you use another form (like just wearing 2 shirts, or a tank top)? What do you do about hot weather and swimming?
I'm curious because I have tried men's undershirts twice, both of which have been a waste of money. The size doesn't match me at all and they always stick out through the neck, or are too baggy (then when I shrink them the neck can be seen). I would just wear my binder all the time, but that is both uncomfortable and I'm about to move to a hot state and I would rather not sweat and be miserable all the time. So I'm pretty lost on what to do to have another layer on, but without over-heating or being obvious. Some suggestions would be nice. Or if you could just share what you do, that'd be great too :)
I wear mens undershirts. I don't care about it being baggy or showing through my clothes. A lot of guys wear it like that.
I wear men's undershirts, and I find the bagginess stops shirts from clinging to my figure. Two t-shirts often works better for some reason, but that can get too warm. During hot weather I wear just a binder and a t-shirt, while swimming I wear the same binder and either a mesh rashie or a dark cotton tanktop.
I bind everyday even when I'm just chilling at home, so I don't know what else you could use to hide them. Have you considered just binding very lightly with something, to hide any 'pointy' bits? If you can find a baggy thin zip up to wear that would probably work as well.
I have always worn men's undershirts. I tuck them in so I don't have a problem with them being baggy. I have found that the brands 2xist and Calvin Klein fit a bit tighter then others and are also soft and comfortable to wear. American Apparel also makes tighter fitting shirts and I will wear them occasionally under a more casual button down shirt as a color contrast but they have standard white shirts too. As far as the neck of a t-shirt being seen that is totally normal unless you are wearing a shirt buttoned all the way up, like if you are wearing a tie. I always bind even in the crazy hot, humid south because I can't go without it but if you are smaller chested layering shirts and wearing a compression shirt might be an option that is a little more breathable. I wear an old binder under a rash guard for swimming. Plenty of cis guys wear rash guards so it won't stick out as unusual. I SCUBA dive and a wet suit is a great cover up but that might cause some odd looks unless you are surfing in colder water or diving. ;)
I usually wear the Hanes crew neck white undershirts, but I only wear them with polos. You can clearly see the undershirt in the V neck of the polo, but I like that look.
I normally wear a wife beater sometimes a crew. Most are Hanes. Mens. I don't swim. In my experience they always run a little small, which makes sense, since they are supposed to go under. Trying a different brand may help. I like Hanes better than Fruit of the Loom or any other brand I've tried.
I just buy those white mens shirts at wal-mart and tuck them in. I'm fond of wearing button ups with them.
I like the ones they sell at Kohl's, Croft & Barrow I think they're called. The small is awesome under polo shirts or button downs....or under an "outer" T shirt, come to think of it. I love the look of it when you can see it, that is one thing I work very hard to achieve "just so."
I wear men's compression shirts -- there is a Kohl's brand and underarmour that I like wearing. I wear them under my binder - it wicks away sweat.
Also, have you tried the boys section for under shirts. A men's small is equal to a youth XL.
Thanks for all the replies. I've tried Fruit of the Loom and that might be a problem. I've tried boy's size too and that is too small.
I might try a different brand and go up a size or so. Most of my clothes are already baggy, so maybe it won't be such a big problem. I might also try wearing it underneath the binder. It digs under my armpits after a while of wearing it so maybe that'll prevent it? Does it matter what shirt size you wear for what undershirt size you wear? I mean, for proper sizing purposes? I tried going with a small because I am slim, but like I said, all my stuff is baggy so I think I'm doing it wrong XD
(I think I might be a bit late for this topic, but I haven't heard anyone else saying this)
I wear girl's undershirts (the ones with the 'shelf bra' in them, I feel like the added fabric helps flatten me when I bind) because I still live at home and am not out to my family. I don't have trouble sizing them or anything, and they are tighter than guy's undershirts (from what I've seen, I don't have any firsthand experience) but I've only ever worn them as under layers so it doesn't make much differnce to me. I'm lucky enough to live in a rather cool place, but when it gets hot and I can't wear my binder, I usually layer a couple of sports bras with a girl's undershirt, and with some strategic placement it works alright. I don't have any advice for swimming though. D:
I wear an UnderArmour HeatGear compression shirt under my binding and it really helps cool ya down. But you should go to a sporting goods store to try one on before you buy it lol
In the summer and spring, I stick with a wife-beater.
For the winter months, I often use two shirts. Layering clothes helps to hide curves and flatten out the chest.
I wear a sports bra for binding and a tank top over the bra. Wearing both actually flattens my chest a little. It's not comfortable to wear in hot weather at all, so sometimes I just wear the bra and not the tank top. It's a little cooler than wearing both
I wear Mens Hanes undershirts, usually with plaids :D. I don't mind the baggy-ness or anything else either.
(i find it pretty comfortable too... i dont have a binder yet D:.. but im pretty flat w/o one)
I wear compression shirts like underarmor. They work great as rash guards :'D! And from personal experience, most people don't care if it sticks through. If people ask, then you ask how long did they had to stare at you to notice that. It doesn't make you a jerk either, because who pays attention long enough to notice that?
I wear boys singlets usually sized 14-16 with my binder. I wear this everyday, but I will admit it can get hot.. esspecially in Australia :P For swimming I wear the swimsuit binder and rasher guard over the top. This binds ok but not as good as a normal binder. If I feel worried about it, I will wear a binder and rasher guard or shirt!
Have you tried A-shirts? I have a couple and sometimes wear them over my binder or just as an alternative binding method with sports bras underneath and they are really comfortable. They do a good job of actually hiding the binder too.
I've bought some white undershirts in the past, but they are sort of sheer so my white binders show underneath. Where do you guys buy your white A-shirts that hide your binder so well!? LOL :D
i wear mens hanes tank tops just as an added layer under my t shirts and such.
I wear size XS men's undershirts and I take them in about an inch along the shoulder and side seams, then they fit me. Not so feasible an option if you don't sew, but I got tired of them always being too huge and baggy.
I also sometimes wear the largest boy's size, they're a bit small but they fit, just shorter and higher in the underarm and neck than I'd like... I use them more to smooth out binder lumps than as a regular undershirt, really.
hanes tagless crewnecks... very comfortable and well-priced