I made a binder out of old jeans and lace it up like a corset, it works well, I'm almost flat if I get the positioning right. (I'm a 36 DD)

Only thing is, I pretty much can't breath in the thing. if I'm just sitting around doing nothing I'm fine but even a short walk to the shops leaves me breathless. I went out in the snow the other day and after about 5 minutes of running around throwing snowballs I had to come home to change into a regular bra because I was getting chest pains and felt really light headed.

My question is - are the proper binders like underworks just as likely to kill my lungs or are they designed to somehow flatten while letting me breath? and do they work just as well as how I've described mine to work?

Another related question - are there any places that sell binders in the UK, I can't seem to find any.

i could wear the underworks for long stretches, even fell asleep in it a lot and no problems.

Quote from: Nero on February 05, 2009, 08:01:52 PM
i could wear the underworks for long stretches, even fell asleep in it a lot and no problems.

Great news It's not like something I can buy "just to see" - they're pretty expensive for my budget when you add on postage and customs *shakes fist at customs*

Some of the underworks binders will just about kill you if you wear them too long, but for the most part, their binders are pretty good. I used to get the cotton concealer muscle Ts... they're definitely the best, in my opinion. Very little difficulty breathing (you're going to have slight difficulty with any binder; just something you get used to), and it's comfy for the most part. For the past 6 or 7 months, though, I've had to wear a binder they apparently don't carry anymore (which I see now that I'm checking the site, thank god)... I bought it initially only for swimming in, because it's incredibly heavy nylon and spandex, and about the best thing I could think for keeping everything in, even in the water. It has all but destroyed my right shoulder, but I have nothing else... the old binders all ripped to the point they don't work anymore. Sadly, some of us don't have the money to replace our binders every 4-6 months, which is about as long as the cotton concealers last with daily wear.

I would NOT recommend the double front concealer binder... I tried those, and besides being horribly scratchy and uncomfortable, I could hardly breathe. Good luck and whatnot...

SD

I just got 2 tritop binders from Underworks yesterday. I haven't warn it much but did put it on and found I could breath. I have pretty bad asmah (sp) and was concerned. I will definitely keep you posted. I chose mine by reading reviews on this site of different binders.
Myles

you're not going to be able to breathe at first.  it is supposed to be really tight.  everytime i got a new binder it was a fight to get it on the first couple of days until it stretched a little.

I'm not expecting to be able to breath as if I'm not wearing anything. But I can easily see myself passing out in the one I've got now if I ever went to work in it or something

That was my first homemade binder, and it was pretty painful at first. I got used to it real quick, but then again I am only a B so.

What I have now is like a shirt made of jean material, cut off mid stomach and laced up sides like a corset. Miles more comfortable than one lacing up the back, easier to put on, you can get your chest looking like pecs easily, you can move without it falling, it's just very effective. Took me ages to sew though.

it was your pattern I used

except I find it impossible to do up at the sides because I can't get it tight enough at that weird angle, I've started doing it up at the front

I need to make a new one, I've ripped out half of the lacing holes because I was trying to pull it too tight and it's a huge mess

Ah yeah, I'm not sure how well the pattern works on larger guys.

It works very well looks wise I wear it all the time, I just can't walk far without having to stop to catch my breath. Big big thanks for the pattern by the way, lack of funds means no underworks, and yours is great

I might try it with stretchier style denim, I used thick heavy skater jeans and there's absolutely no give

One thing I'd suggest if you get the double-fronts: where a t-shirt or something under it. That prevents chafing, etc. I've used Underworks pretty exclusively (Jeatyn, I'm your size as well) and it's been very effective. Make sure you follow the directions on care and such as that will help it last longer (I got a couple so I could rotate through them).

By the way, if anyone cares... apparently the binder from Underworks that's been giving me hell for the past 6 months is the microfiber T. They say it's their strongest binder... it is, but it's also mad uncomfortable and painful.

SD