Posting this in case it might be useful to someone else.  When I was looking into binding and reading about all the different possible means and methods, I first tried the cycling-shorts-conversion one (where you put your arms through the legs and top of the shorts becomes the binder part), only because I happened to have an old pair around and was curious. 

It didn't work for me at all, and I finally purchased an Underworks compression vest, which works extremely well and looks great but I can't tolerate it well for more than a couple of hours, meaning I can't really wear it all day at work. 

(I have issues with extremely tight, constricting clothing of any kind, so binding at all is somewhat problematic for me.)

This morning I was cleaning out some drawers and found a couple other pairs of cycling shorts.  I can't bicycle again until next summer due to an injury, so I decided to experiment and cannibalize another pair.  This time I lopped off a leg and trimmed off the rubber grippy part at the bottom, ending up with a lycra band about six inches wide.  I looked at it, thought "No way is this going to fit around my middle," but decided to give it a try anyway.

Lo and behold, it does fit around, compresses things very nicely--as well as the vest--and is so much more comfortable than the vest that I may never go back.  I've been wearing it around the house all day and was afraid it would slip down or roll or do something else strange, but it hasn't done anything but stay comfortably in place and do its job.  The material is made to wick off moisture, is soft and non-scratchy, and if I put a white a-shirt over it I can even wear it under a light-colored or white t-shirt. 

Two pairs of old cycling shorts = four binders, and no additional expense.  It might not work for people with very large breasts, but for smaller guys it's worth a try if you can score a pair of old lycra shorts. 

Of course, I'll have to get some new cycling shorts eventually . . . . but, for now I'm happy.

Thats kool! Unfortunately I have quite big lumps and the vests dont really make me "flat" as I want to be and yes I find them un-comfortable too esp if your work involves moving alot! I may try that myself or simply make my own binder I found instructions on how to do it however I cant sow to save my life and I've never used a sowing machine however I might give it ago and see what happens! The only thing about binders is that you cant wear white T-shirts with them which sucks but nevermind!

Well done for being creative!

Oh wow, that seems like a very cheap idea. So you cut off the crotch too orrrr?

I just cut off the leg part, leaving it as wide as possible, i.e., cut it just below where it attaches to the crotch pad, so you just end up with a loop of lycra about six inches wide.  BTW, I've been wearing these all day for the last few days, with no discomfort at all and no slippage, even though I have a job that involves quite a bit of upper body movement.  Just by way of update; for me, it's working spectacularly.

I'm thinking of taking one of them to a fabric store and seeing if I can buy some of that lycra material as yardage.  Would be simple I think to make my own, and I'd make it a tad wider and hem up the edges nicely. 

Hello...
I have been lurking here for a little while... and have a question...

The binding options... like the ones suggested here, sound a whole lot "softer" than the one I ordered from Underworks after some lurking.  I just received Double Front Panel Compression Shirt a couple of days ago.  I guess I ordered a size too small... because I can't for the life of me get it on going over my head or up my legs (feels too much like trying to get a darn skirt on that way).  So Underworks said I could return it for a different size.  I am also wondering about a different texture because it sure is scratchy material.  Do any of you have experience with any of the shirts from Underworks that I can exchange this one for that will provide binding??  I don't think I would be able to wear this one all day due to the scratchy-ness.  I am standing up for friends of mine in a wedding in a couple weeks and REALLY wanted a binding for then... my first day to really get to wear a shirt and tie without it being Halloween!  I always used to dress up in a masculine costume or as a guy for Halloween when I was a kid.

So if any of you can offer quick suggestions so I can get this one sent back in the mail tomorrow and figure out what I want to exchange it for... that would be great!

Thanks,
TJ

I have the tri-top from underworks, TJ. It's pretty comfortable. I prefer it to the double compression because I want the thing over my tits, not over my tits and gut. Is it any wonder it's uncomfortable?
You should probably go a size up, since your last one was tight.

That's awesome. I think I'll try that. Yeah, I've heard that some binders can be really uncomfortable when wearing them for long hours at a time. Thanks for sharing with us.



Court

yeah, the tri-top works great.  i can't wear the double compression, at all!

it takes a few tries but soon you'll be slipping into your binder(s) with no problem, and i haven't had any issues with "scratchiness".  as for being too tight, i thought the first time i tried both of mine on that they were too tight but i just had to get used to it.

Thanks Guys!

I will definitely try the size up because there was no getting into the one that I got.  Sounds like the Tri-Top gets out votes the Cotton Concealer Muscle Shirt that I was leaning towards.  I wonder if the "knit" that is in the double is what makes is scratchy as it sounds like the same material in the tri... but doesn't mention knit.  At first it felt like those potato sacks that you do races in with the scratchiness.

I will get mine returned on Monday with a "re-order" for probably the Tri top... it doesn't slip up your chest since you can't tuck it in??  Looks like it is pretty much a sports bra but a bit longer and definitely more binding??

Thanks again,
TJ

Hi TJ,
The slipping depends on your gut honestly. If you're kind of heavy there, it will ride up on your stomach and sit a bit below your tits. If not, I'd imagine it would stay put. Either way, the riding up doesn't effect the binding.

I love my double front compression.  I've been able to wear it with nothing over it when I got too hot.  *shrug*  I was in an "impossible sexual positions" contest one time and was down to pants and my binder cause it was a VERY physical competition.  Some people thought I was a guy, even then, until I opened my mouth.  (I'm androgyne, not ftm, but thought my input was pertinent here).

I find that if you fold up the bottom few inches, it doesn't slide or roll as badly.  I can eat quite comfortably, so long as I don't gorge myself.  Given that my stomach shrunk due to illness?  Not an issue for me.  Might be an issue for someone else.  My one partner and I, (he's ftm) are gonna see if we can get combined shipping on some of the binders from T-Kingdom.  They look more comfortable for the full length ones, but still have that undershirt look. 

I'm not much at all for the double compression vests. Too constricting, and the design just doesn't work well for folks with a little more fat than most. I haven't tried the tri-top; I stick with the cotton concealer muscle tees. They're comfy, the material is soft, and I can breathe. The only complaint I might have is that they don't bind perfectly, and movement can cause them to bind even less. I don't know... guess until they come up with something better, I'll stick with what I've got. Anything has to be better than the neoprene waist-trimmers I started binding with.

Dino

I think part of the reason I do like the double front is that it IS constricting.  I suffer from some sensory issues and for some reason, having tight clothes on helps to prevent overloads.  As a child, I always wore super tight long sleeve teeshirts to bed in order to prevent my sheets and blankets from causing me to overload while I tried to sleep.

i got an x-small double front compression shirt cuz i was a bit desperate and just wanted the little buggers to be gone...originally it felt too small and constricting but although it's still quite a struggle to get it on even after wearing it for a month or so, it's no longer too tight. every once in a while it rides up on me as well and i found that rolling it completely over your chest so that you end up having a quadruple front compression shirt thing works alright...it's def. more comf. than it giving your sides blisters...umm not sure if that helps but that's my two cents...oh and i have a question...i know you're not supposed to put it in the washer machine...how do you guys clean yours...i've just been rinsing it with water as i'm wicked lazy





^{edit - profanity - Nero}

I was wondering about the my future HRT-wise and was wondering if it was possible to hide breasts is I was not yet in a position to go full time but was starting to show in the chest. Cool, glad to know there is a way, though since they would be rather small, would an ace bandage work? I have heard of people using those.

Ace bandages = satan incarnate.

Seriously.

I hurt myself with those.

BADLY.  Bruised my ribcage, couldn't breathe right for weeks and it STILL didn't work as good as the binders I use now.