hi I'm new and have been looking around a lot at the threads trying to figure out what chest binder would be good for me.
i just have one problem most don't. at least I don't think.
but as my mom likes to put it I was graced by god with really big breasts.
my waste i can fit into a medium shirt from old navy.
my chest needs an xl.
i wear a 38 d/dd if I wear a womens bra.
and I am too over weight to fit into my boobs are too big and hurting my back.
and was wondering if any one could recommend a good binder. to deal with my. unwanted gift.
i've been looking at tkingom and love boat. kinda wanna stay away from velcro
I've heard Tkingdom and Love Boat are really comfortable and work well if you're a small-chested guy.
I've got about the same size chest as you and I wear a crotchless compression short + double front compression vest (underworks). The double front helps compress my hips it's so long (and I have a long torso to begin with), but has a habit of rolling up occasionally. Next one I buy is probably going to be the underworks tri-top. Though a lot of guys complain about it looking rather like a sports bra.
my chest is almost the same size as ours - I had to try several different binders to make it work. So far, I like the tri-top (style 983) from underworks. I could never feel comfortable in the longer binders. Underworks has no velcro, you just step into it or pull it on over your head. Probably go one size smaller than you think you would need, I wear a large now even though I wear an XL in shirts.
I have no roll-up problems with the tri-top, while I did with the compression shirts and the 997.
one thing I did notice, after a few months the tri-tops wear out and need to be replaced or worn with something else under it to hold everything in securely. Still though, even with this - tri-top has been the best bet for my large and terrible chest size. Don't ever dry them either - I did that once to save time and the binder was useless afterwards. Now I don't even trust the washing machine and just hand-wash and hang them up to dry.
also - when you bind, wearing a t-shirt over the binder and under anything else you are wearing helps smooth everything out and makes it look more natural.
I was somewhere around the 36 D/DD range (I think). The double front and tri-top didn't really work for me. My go-to binder was the Underworks swim top. The zipper in the front was a Godsend for combating the dreaded uniboob, and the lining around the arm holes both did not dig in to my arm pits or allow the chesticles to escape out the sides. It definitely did not get me to 100% flat, but it was the best I could get.
Quote from: spacerace on August 08, 2012, 10:40:18 PM
my chest is almost the same size as ours - I had to try several different binders to make it work. So far, I like the tri-top (style 983) from underworks. I could never feel comfortable in the longer binders. Underworks has no velcro, you just step into it or pull it on over your head. Probably go one size smaller than you think you would need, I wear a large now even though I wear an XL in shirts.
As far as the one size smaller suggestion... that works for some guys, not so well with others. Usually the sizing chart on the website is good, from what I hear and my own personal experience. The site said I was at the upper end of the large size, so I went with that and I'm happy with it. I wear a large in t-shirts, though sans moobs I'm into a medium sometimes. All I can say is that it's good that Underworks has a good exchange policy afaik. Also, spacerace, do you wear your shirts baggy? That might be part of the sizing difference.
I use the 997 from underworks. For me, it helps make my hips look smaller and it's long enough to cover more than just my chest. It makes my body seamless instead of the gaps a tri-top has.
Quote from: leonwashere on August 09, 2012, 04:59:25 PM
As far as the one size smaller suggestion... that works for some guys, not so well with others. Usually the sizing chart on the website is good, from what I hear and my own personal experience. The site said I was at the upper end of the large size, so I went with that and I'm happy with it. I wear a large in t-shirts, though sans moobs I'm into a medium sometimes. All I can say is that it's good that Underworks has a good exchange policy afaik. Also, spacerace, do you wear your shirts baggy? That might be part of the sizing difference.
Naw, my shirt's aren't baggy - sometimes I even wear 2x in button-downs because they fit on my frame strangely.
I actually started in a 2x binder because I was afraid of breathing issues and went down until I really felt it hid my chest. The 2x is where I thought I fit after measurements too. After trying it though, I was willing to deal with a bit of constriction just to get a real binding effect.
Definitely measure and try different things. Replies to this post indicate everyone has something different that works for them.
I even wore the 2x around for awhile and didn't realize just how much binding I was missing out on until I tried smaller sizes. Sometimes it is good to have different sizes around too, though I wouldn't have done it by choice - for lounging around the house with less constriction, or for tighter shirts or to try and layer binders (I don't recommend...)
I should add I did lose a little bit of weight but not really enough to affect clothes size too much - not shirt size at least, just pant size. However, I do think losing weight, even a bit, helps significantly with binding.
The last time I got measured for a bra I was 40E ::) I only ever wore 38D/DD though, refused to pay extra and go to a specialist store for something I didn't even want.
I know you said you'd prefer to stay away from velcro but I use the extra compression short velcro binder from lesloveboat and I absolutely love it. It compresses really well and it's sooo comfortable and easy to put on and take off. Around the house I used to prefer to wear a bra rather than a binder for comfort but since getting this one I've thrown away all my bras...felt good to do that :P
I ordered one size smaller than they recommended and it works well for me, I think that depends on how smooshy your chesticles are, after binding for years mine are really saggy...if yours are still perky you should probably stick to the size they recommend.
I used to use the 997 from underworks which binds great and has the added bonus of flattening out your hips/belly and giving you an all over male shape - but for me it wasn't worth trading comfort for better binding. I couldn't stand wearing my 997, just putting the thing on was exhausting and painful.
@Jeatyn You never felt like you would fall out of that binder? Like if you lifted your arms too high or ran for a bit the binder would feel like it's popping up. I just never felt secure with shorter binders.
Quote from: Jeatyn on August 10, 2012, 09:07:47 AM
The last time I got measured for a bra I was 40E ::) I only ever wore 38D/DD though, refused to pay extra and go to a specialist store for something I didn't even want.
I know you said you'd prefer to stay away from velcro but I use the extra compression short velcro binder from lesloveboat and I absolutely love it. It compresses really well and it's sooo comfortable and easy to put on and take off. Around the house I used to prefer to wear a bra rather than a binder for comfort but since getting this one I've thrown away all my bras...felt good to do that :P
I ordered one size smaller than they recommended and it works well for me, I think that depends on how smooshy your chesticles are, after binding for years mine are really saggy...if yours are still perky you should probably stick to the size they recommend.
I used to use the 997 from underworks which binds great and has the added bonus of flattening out your hips/belly and giving you an all over male shape - but for me it wasn't worth trading comfort for better binding. I couldn't stand wearing my 997, just putting the thing on was exhausting and painful.
I wear 38DDD and it's just horrible. I honestly cannot wait to get chest surgery.
@Jeatyn, I hope you don't mind me asking, but what size did you get with the velcro one from lesloveboat? Because I once got the tritop from underworks and almost cried. It was the most painful experience ever and I just never want to have that kind of experience again. I would definitely like something like the ones that website has but the sizing has always worried me since it is overseas and so expensive
Quote from: Stewie on August 10, 2012, 01:54:14 PM
I wear 38DDD and it's just horrible. I honestly cannot wait to get chest surgery.
@Jeatyn, I hope you don't mind me asking, but what size did you get with the velcro one from lesloveboat? Because I once got the tritop from underworks and almost cried. It was the most painful experience ever and I just never want to have that kind of experience again. I would definitely like something like the ones that website has but the sizing has always worried me since it is overseas and so expensive
I replied to your PM but just incase anyone else was wondering the answer to this question I got it in 2xl