First of all, I'd like to say hello, since I'm brand new to the forum   

I know there are a lot of threads about buying binders, but I haven't been able to find one that relates to my current situation:
I'm not self supported and I've wanted to buy a binder for months now, but my parents don't really seem to care, even though they have accepted the fact that I'm transgender. Feeling desperate, I turned to my grandmother for help, and she agreed that she would order me a binder, as long as it isn't too expensive, because she is very tight on money.

So, that being said, I've looked at both Love Boat and Underworks, but seeing as my measurements are at about a D-cup, I'm not sure about ordering from Love Boat anymore, and from what I've read, T-Kingdom is out of the question for the same reason. Ordering from the U.S. at Underworks seems like a cost-efficient choice, given their reputation as the best for returning/exchanging products.

At this point, I've chosen my site to order from, but now, which one do I pick?!?!

To get this out of the way: I measure 46 1/2 inches around the bust, and 42 inches under, averaging at 44.25 inches. I've looked at and read reviews of the 997, 998, 988, and the tri-top (not sure what number that one is, let's just call it the tri-top). As reluctant as I am to post this on a public forum, I'm pretty overweight, (42/28 pants size), and although getting a long binder may compress my big belly some, I doubt it will help much, so I choose breathing over looking slightly less fat.

Looking at the 988 and tri-top, I'm afraid that if I order this, it will cut my stomach in half, seeing as I'm only 5'4.
Looking at the 997 and 998, I'm not really sure what the difference is.. But I'm thinking that if I get one of these, I could fold it over my chest, for double compression in the chest area, and no stomach compression, but I'm not really sure how that would work out, it could be tootight. I rule comfort over flatness, because I don't have high hopes for complete flatness with my size, I plan on using some loose clothes/layers to hide what reduced chest I still have after the binder.. I'm hoping for atleast a reduction to a B-cup.

So I have questions:

1. What is the difference between the 997 and 998?
2. Are there any suggestions or tips you've got for someone of my type of build?
3. When I order a binder from Underworks, should I consider myself 44 or 45 inches? (In some, the 44 falls into a large instead of XL)
4. What are your experiences with Underworks and their models I have mentioned above?

Sorry for the long post and lots of questions, but I really want to make a careful decision, so that I don't get disappointed when a binder finally arrives. Hoping some of the more experienced bros could help me out, please and thank you 

-Adam




   

I just wanted to add a disclaimer that I'm thinner built and with a smaller chest and have only used the 997 and tri-top (funny how everyone forgets the number of the tri-top, I can't remember it either.

Quote from: AdamTheRealBoy on August 25, 2013, 04:11:12 PM
1. What is the difference between the 997 and 998?

Only going by the information on the underworks website it seems like the main difference between the two is that the 997 is a tank style binder, and the 998 has short sleeves on.  The 998 doesn't mention having two layers of compression in the front, which would make me err towards getting the 997.

Quote2. Are there any suggestions or tips you've got for someone of my type of build?

I don't have personal experience, but the consensus seems to be that longer binders, such as the 997 work better for heavier guys, and those with larger chests because there's not the risk of anything falling out the bottom, although I don't know how much of a problem that would be for those who're shorter.

Quote3. When I order a binder from Underworks, should I consider myself 44 or 45 inches? (In some, the 44 falls into a large instead of XL)

If comfort is more important than compression for you, then I would definitely go for the larger size.  I'm on the smaller end of my binder, and I rarely use the newer one because it's too tight to be comfortable for me.  I couldn't imagine being able to cope at all if I was any larger and in it.  Some people manage to go a size down, but I don't know how they do it, and it's not safe.

Quote4. What are your experiences with Underworks and their models I have mentioned above?

I have both the 997 and a (second-hand) tri-top.  The 997 is the tighter one on me, and I don't use it often, actually I don't know where it is at the minute.  I found that it rolled up on me a lot, and I ended up cutting the bottom off so it was more the length of a tri-top, but apparently heavier guys don't have that problem as much.  Because I've not really got a stomach on me there's nothing stopping it sliding up, even with belts trying to hold it down.  I've heard people mention that the tri-top makes them look like they've got a big beer gut because it squashes down the first part of their stomach but not the bottom, so it looks larger.

My personal recommendation for you would be to go with the 997, and if you don't get on with the length then simply cut the bottom off.  The material doesn't fray at all, even after machine washing it, so you don't have to worry about hemming it.

It's been a while since I brought a binder, but when you're buying try using the discount code "under10", it always used to give you 10% off.  It's not much, but every little helps.

I'm a similar build to you, and I have a 997. It works quite well, and it means that if I don't feel like I'm bound tight enough, I can fold it up to double over my chest. (Though  I only do that for short periods, I don't know how healthy it is.) When it's not folded, it doesn't roll up on me much.

2. Are there any suggestions or tips you've got for someone of my type of build?
I'd say long would probably make your silhouette look more natural. For me, I've got a bit of belly pudge I need to get rid of, the stomach compression gives me a bad stomach ache if I eat.
3. When I order a binder from Underworks, should I consider myself 44 or 45 inches? (In some, the 44 falls into a large instead of XL)
If you're looking at the long, and your belly is bigger than your average measurement, then I'd say go with 45. Having it tight on the top but TOO tight in the stomach is very uncomfortable, and you might not even be able to get it on. If you're looking at a short one, I think you could go either way, depending on how tight you want it.
4. What are your experiences with Underworks and their models I have mentioned above?
I had the 997 for a while and it was great other than the stomach ache issue when eating. Also, because of the shape of my hips and butt, it would all roll up and sit in a super tight painful bundle at my pants line. It was not enjoyable, and I eventually cut it to a more sports-bra like length. It also helped give my fat a more masculine shape, which I enjoyed. When it covered my butt it helped that as well, but it would quickly roll up and emphasize it instead.
Now I use the tri-top more, and it's superb so far. It rolls up a little, but it's not NEARLY as painful as the 997 was.

As someone who's part of a household where one partner has approximately your chest size and the other is approximately your height (ETA: we're also both heavier folks): I'd say go with the 997, but DON'T double it up: that gets super uncomfortable and can really hurt your ribcage. At your height, the 997 should stay down around your hips and not roll up (taller folks with longer torsos can run into this problem, but if you're shorter with a shorter torso it should stay down). I'd suggest going with the larger size simply because of my personal experience: I was in between sizes, went with the smaller size, and after several months found that my ribcage was almost constantly aching, to the point that I actually had to go back to making due with a sports bra for about a month. I've recently gotten the next size up, and it's much more comfortable: the compression isn't necessarily quite as extreme, but it's sufficient, and I'm more able to breathe now.

I personally have owned two 997 models from underworks and i love them. As far as the rolling up issue I have found that if i wear a belt it will hold it down just fine. I am a 40C and wear 38x32 size pants. My newest binder is a bit tight on me so i will probably get a large next time. The stomach compression is something to get used to. The chest compression is very nice I am almost completely flat (with it on it makes me look like I work out and have amazing pecs ). I hope this helped a bit.

I have a small 997. I just fold the end up about 2ish inches and it doesn't roll up that way. Step into it when you put it on. Else you end up stuck and have a good chance of dislocating a limb.

I'm all about the tri top. I used to wear the longer model every day, and after awhile I started having stomach problems from the binding. Not fun.

And underworks is definitely the way to go! When you first get it, it will be uncomfortable as ->-bleeped-<-, but they do break in a lot.