A month and a half ago I bought an Ultimate Chest Binder Tank from Underworks. It worked quite well at first, but now it seems to be loosening quite a bit. My fiancé got freaked out for a second when it looked like I had boobs again (he's come to terms with the fact that he's been gay all along, and he doesn't want anything to do with boobs ever again). So it's good news that my sweetheart likes the new look, but this binder cost over $30 and I'm not sure what to do. I've washed it in the sink with some Tide High-Efficiency detergent every few days, and I'm wondering if that's the problem. I haven't tried drying it with anything but a hanger in front of a box fan, but I may put it in an electric dryer if that might tighten up the fibers a little bit. I'd like for this thing to hold up well enough until I can move in with my fiancé, in about 9 months. Has anyone else had this problem, and can anyone offer advice?

Putting it in the dryer is going to seem to help at first, but will make the fibers degrade more quickly. 

I don't think there is a great deal you can do, all my binders loosened up after a while. I always used a delicate cycle with a delicate dry on my machine for washing, mainly because I couldn't be bothered to do it by hand. The dry does tighten them up again but not for long and depending on the material it can degrade the fibers pretty quick I'm afraid.

I do put mine in the dryer and they do get tighter. The best thing to do is to have 3-4 binders to rotate them. I know underworks is expensive, but if you are having to save for top surgery it will have the best results since they won't all get lose quickly.

I have 2 binders, one is for going out and the other one is strictly to be worn at home. I get home and I change my binders.
I have underworks triptop white.

How long are you wearing it for? I'm more concerned that you seem to be wearing it wherever you're around him, and that might mean you're wearing it for long, long periods of time. What about when you move in together in the future?

I think you both need to work on accepting that although you both want you to have a flat chest, it's not going to happen safely unless you have surgery. For the good of your health and quality of future surgical results you shouldn't be binding for more than 8 hours where you can help it.

@lxndr
I usually bind all day at school until I get back from there or back from work, so about 8-11 hours every day. It's never hurt and doesn't seem to affect my breathing- mostly just feels like wearing a tight tank top, which is nice. (I guess I'm lucky to have very compressible C-cups.) I feel weirded out whenever I see myself without it on; it's comfortable to wear but I take it off when I won't be going anywhere because I don't want to cause myself any harm.

@2fish
That's a good idea, having one for home and one for going out- whenever I can afford a new one I'll probably just use the current one for at home or donate it. I know for sure I'll end up donating them after surgery, I'd love to help out other guys.

@chipper
I guess I'm lucky that mine haven't started ripping, that would be frustrating. Knowing me I'd be poking away at it with a needle and thread, probably doing more harm than good At least I still look completely flat in my work shirt. T-shirts are a bigger problem, though.

@ferretinafez and aross1015
Okay then, I'm glad I didn't put it in the dryer. With my old pseudobinder, this compression-top piece under a sports bra under some sort of shapewear top, I just stuck it all in the dryer and it got a lot tighter. I wouldn't want to have taken a chance with my Underworks one; I'm fortunate to be pre-T yet very passable, and a good binder is one of the big reasons . I really really don't want to ruin it.

It is impossible to keep even the best of binders indefinitely. Over time, they will stretch. I had an issue with two of my binders, which I've had for a few year now and had to modify due to stretching.
I know of one way to help solve the issue but it requires a small amount of sewing skills. also knowing what type of binder it is. (pull over, velcro, etc)

@Smudge- It's a pullover one from Underworks. Much easier to step into and pull up, though, I couldn't get it on over my head if I tried. And I can sew well enough; I made my first pair of boxers out of two old t-shirts- double stitched seams, pockets, the works A very manly pastime, yes.

Quote from: Rom on September 25, 2014, 11:47:23 PM
@Smudge- It's a pullover one from Underworks. Much easier to step into and pull up, though, I couldn't get it on over my head if I tried. And I can sew well enough; I made my first pair of boxers out of two old t-shirts- double stitched seams, pockets, the works A very manly pastime, yes.

Some of the best sewers and clothing designers are men . And it is a skill everyone should have some knowledge in for daily living.
Pullovers are a bit trickier to work with but still manageable. I would try pulling each side in equally and putting a temporary stitch with strong quilting thread first. Trying it on and seeing if it fits properly. If it's still loose try another stitch further in. (First time I tried this it took me at least 5 times before I got the sizing exactly right.)
Once the sizing is as close as you can possibly get, pin it down, remove the temp stitch and get sewing. If it's hand stitching, it would be best to use a small loop backstitch. Also make sure the thread is very strong. (It could be disastrous if that thread decides to snap at the wrong time)
If you have a sewing machine at your disposal using a lockstitch is the best for strength and reliability.

Sorry if I'm being too vague with this process or just talking about something you already know. It's kind of hard to do so without video or a TON of pictures.

Has anyone had this problem with stuff from LoveBoat?

@ Smudge-
Thanks for the advice, I'll probably need it fairly soon. I'd been a little bit in denial, thinking my wonderful new binder would work perfectly forever, haha Ah well. It still works decently enough, and I can improve it later

Quote from: Daydreamer on September 28, 2014, 10:04:59 PM
Has anyone had this problem with stuff from LoveBoat?

The ones I have bought are from Loveboat. They are a bit on the pricey side, but they too seem to last a long time if cared for. I have one from them that has lasted for years before I had to fix it up due to it loosening.

The only issue I had was with one of the cheaper short-velcro (somewhere around $30 or so) Where the sizing chart was wrong and the velcro has lost its effectiveness.

I had a couple binders and rotated them. I pretty much wore them only when I left the house but yea they do end up stretching a bit. Putting them in the dryer does help, though I think it tears them down a bit. eh