a couple of months ago, i ordered a binder from gc2b.  at the time, i didn't have a tape measure so i used a string and a ruler and did the best i could, then went a size up from the measurements i got.  i ordered a large, and when it came, i was pretty unhappy to find that i couldn't get into it at all.  due to lack of time, money, or privacy, i was not able to ship it back and order an exchange, so i was stuck with yet another binder that i couldn't wear.

some years ago, i purchased my first binder--the only other one i have ever owned--from underworks, a size M.  my weight fluctuated a lot after that purchase, and i found myself unable to wear it any more.

today, i found a tape measure and tried for a more accurate reading of my body measurements.  as it turned out, i wasn't far off from my initial measurements, and if everything was correct, i fall under a size M according to gc2b's sizing chart.  that's a size smaller than the one i actually have.

but i still can't get into the binder--or at least, i don't think i can.  when i go to try it on, it feels like i'm going to get stuck if i try to put both arms through.  i know the binders are supposed to be a little stiff, but is a terrifying struggle normal?  how can it feel so small if it's a size bigger than what my actual measurements call for? 

so i'm kind of left wondering whether it's actually too small, or if i'm just scared of it.  i remember getting stuck in my old binder once and it was not fun; i don't want that to happen again, especially now that i don't have anyone to help me wiggle out of it...  but i also don't want to waste even more money going up in size if i already have the right one.

It's normal for a brand new binder to be a little difficult to get on initially and to struggle a bit to get it off again. Unfortunately you have to wear it almost everyday in order for the fabric to stretch a bit and it not to feel so constricting.

To get a binder off I find it easier to lift the back of it up and over my head rather than trying to get it off like a tshirt.

Quote from: Elis on July 04, 2017, 09:29:15 AM
It's normal for a brand new binder to be a little difficult to get on initially and to struggle a bit to get it off again. Unfortunately you have to wear it almost everyday in order for the fabric to stretch a bit and it not to feel so constricting.

To get a binder off I find it easier to lift the back of it up and over my head rather than trying to get it off like a tshirt.

gee, that sounds like fun... lol
i don't have a lot of experience with binders, so i really appreciate your response!  i'm glad i thought to take a measurement and ask before buying another one, especially if it would have been too large.  i'll give this one another chance and see if i can't break it in like a new pair of boots.

It's one of the many fun experiences of being a trans guy; have fun 

well, i did manage to get it on.  i definitely am glad i went up a size from what i thought i needed, though, measurements be damned.  anything more snug than this would have killed me for sure. 
course, now i get the joy of getting back out of it soon since it's nearly bedtime.  oops... but at least i know i CAN get it on. 

I always stepped in and out of them like shorts. The one time I tried to put it on like a shirt it did not end well.

I think I've read Underworks binders can be stepped into. GC2B binders are designed to be put on like shirts; I've tried putting them on over my hips, but it's actually harder to do that. My shoulders are broader than my hips, but probably about the same circumference ultimately. The binders were true to size for me; it told me I was a small and that's what worked.

But yeah, they are really hard to get into the first couple times. I was scared I wouldn't be able to get mine on the first time I tried. The fabric in back tends to roll up; I've found it's easiest to fix that first, then get the front down over my chest. I'm weirdly flexible so I can reach back to way above my shoulder blades to get a hold of the binder and unroll it.

Glad you got yours sorted out, meatwagon. They're pretty constricting to begin with and it's definitely a weird feeling to get used to, but GC2B binders are really great. I have a few in different colors now.

Quote from: Elis on July 04, 2017, 09:29:15 AM

To get a binder off I find it easier to lift the back of it up and over my head rather than trying to get it off like a tshirt.

I always undress my t-shirts this way. Never thought about that there are other ways to do it.

tbh i get out of things like a turtle... retract one arm, then the other, then pull it over the head easy-peasy

i read you can swim in gc2b binders.  the one i have is half-length (specifically because wearing it under clothes gets warm and i am a sweatbeast for some reason), but maybe now that i know the right size i can spring for a full length one if i ever need to.  sure would beat wearing a normal t-shirt and sports bra in the water... yuck.

i do wish i had an option for work; a sports bra doesn't cut it, but i'd be afraid of wearing a binder for too long.  i'm there for a minimum of 9 hours, not including the time before and after work that i'd be/stay dressed.  so if it's not safe to wear more than 8-9 hours, binding for work seems out of the question.  which sucks because that's where i feel like i'd want it most not just for appearances, but physical comfort, since my job is physically active.  i guess "newer, tighter sports bra" is the best i can do?

The first time I put on a binder, I was so certain that I was going to get stuck that I started to panic. My current binder is a bit big (smaller size would be too small) and I still sometimes feel like I'm going to get stuck...
I don't know whether your binder is too small. Could you step into it and pull it over your hips? I have narrow hips (yay) so I tend to do that if I'm feeling stuck going over the head.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

Quote from: meatwagon on July 10, 2017, 10:30:20 AM
tbh i get out of things like a turtle... retract one arm, then the other, then pull it over the head easy-peasy

i read you can swim in gc2b binders.  the one i have is half-length (specifically because wearing it under clothes gets warm and i am a sweatbeast for some reason), but maybe now that i know the right size i can spring for a full length one if i ever need to.  sure would beat wearing a normal t-shirt and sports bra in the water... yuck.

i do wish i had an option for work; a sports bra doesn't cut it, but i'd be afraid of wearing a binder for too long.  i'm there for a minimum of 9 hours, not including the time before and after work that i'd be/stay dressed.  so if it's not safe to wear more than 8-9 hours, binding for work seems out of the question.  which sucks because that's where i feel like i'd want it most not just for appearances, but physical comfort, since my job is physically active.  i guess "newer, tighter sports bra" is the best i can do?

I bind for 12 hours most days... but you really have to listen to your body. Do what feels comfortable to you. You will know when it's time to take it off.

I find my binder is more comfortable than any bra I ever owned. It spreads the mass of my large chest out over my torso rather than concentrating it in one place. Also, because my breasts are so large, I feel like all the binder does is compress them rather than my ribcage. I also wear a slightly large bunder because I am smack in the middle between medium and large.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

My binder is a gc2b and I love it. I believe I'm in the Medium size as well.
When I got it, though, it was EXTREMELY hard to put on. I couldn't get it over my shoulders, and I struggled and fought with it until I wanted to scream, but I pushed though and got it on, and once it was on it was actually REALLY comfortable, which I was not expecting. I was so frustrated and thought it was going to be too small based on how hard it was to get situated, but it's actually perfect.

The more you wear it, the more it the easier it will be to put it on. You just gotta deal with that frustrating first week or so.
Also be doubly sure you're following the washing instructions correctly when you DO wash it.
I didn't have money to get more than one, but I don't sweat a lot and work at an office job so I wash it only once a week, hand wash warm with regular liquid laundry soap and hang dry.

Hang there bud!

Quote from: arice on July 10, 2017, 02:06:43 PM
I bind for 12 hours most days... but you really have to listen to your body. Do what feels comfortable to you. You will know when it's time to take it off.

I find my binder is more comfortable than any bra I ever owned.

Also THIS!

I bind for at least 12 a day and even being an asthmatic smoke I have no issue breathing wise, and it also doesn't really feel like it's compressing my back or ribs at all....

I actually do the big no-no and work out in mine sometimes, but considering I don't have any back, muscle or breathing issues from wearing it so often and functioning in mine, I don't overly concern myself.

I am not telling others to do this, by any MEANS, because I know it's heavily not recommended. I am just saying from my own personal experience my body seems to be able to handle it. -shrugs- My binder actually feels better than a sports bra to me, and if I was experiencing issues from it I would definitely cease it immediately.

Quote from: transguymac on July 10, 2017, 02:47:40 PM
Also THIS!

I bind for at least 12 a day and even being an asthmatic smoke I have no issue breathing wise, and it also doesn't really feel like it's compressing my back or ribs at all....

I actually do the big no-no and work out in mine sometimes, but considering I don't have any back, muscle or breathing issues from wearing it so often and functioning in mine, I don't overly concern myself.

I am not telling others to do this, by any MEANS, because I know it's heavily not recommended. I am just saying from my own personal experience my body seems to be able to handle it. -shrugs- My binder actually feels better than a sports bra to me, and if I was experiencing issues from it I would definitely cease it immediately.

I also work out in mine... but again, it's a matter of listening to your body.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

Quote from: arice on July 10, 2017, 02:01:35 PM
The first time I put on a binder, I was so certain that I was going to get stuck that I started to panic. My current binder is a bit big (smaller size would be too small) and I still sometimes feel like I'm going to get stuck...
I don't know whether your binder is too small. Could you step into it and pull it over your hips? I have narrow hips (yay) so I tend to do that if I'm feeling stuck going over the head.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

honestly, the thought that some people can step into theirs amazes me.  i have wimpy, narrow shoulders and i can barely get it over those, let alone my big fat hips.  i don't think i'd even want to try.


i might try wearing it to work on one of the lighter days when there's not a lot of freight, and see how that goes.  i haven't had any problems with a binder before (aside from getting stuck once), but then i've never worn them for very long.  i think 5-6 hours at the most, years ago.  the one i have now feels pretty comfy when i do manage to get it on, so it will probably be ok.  i guess i should bring a backup undershirt just in case.