I've been looking on the internet for binders and have come across quite a few. I'm curious at to what brands or types you'd recommend. What worked good for you? What didn't? I'm a B cup so I'd like to know what would work good for me. Thanks.

I use the Underworks Cotton Concealer tank. It's pretty stretchy and probably doesn't compress as much as one of those Lycra Panzer-tank-from-hell binders, but I like it.

Radar, there are some really informative threads on this very topic.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,30963.0.html

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,41534.0.html

Thanks Arch. I'm trying to steer clear of Lycra because it makes me itch.

If Lycra doesn't agree with you, then try the Cotton Concealer--and you might try a size smaller than you think you need. Let me know if you want to talk about sizing for this particular garment. I've had some experience with it. Perhaps some other guys will chime in, too.

I've suffered from eczema and severe skin allergies all my life. I can't wear synthetic fabrics--only 100% cotton for me. So I originally had strong reservations about binding. Perhaps you can learn something from me?

The nice thing about the CC is its composition. The inner layer is nylon and spandex, but the outer layer is 90% cotton and 10% spandex. Yes, it's a double layer of binding, but it can be great for people with sensitive skin. Lots of guys turn this binder inside out and wear it right next to their skin.

When I first started binding regularly, I had been on T for maybe a month. I was turning the binder inside out, but my skin still couldn't take the 10% spandex. So I wore a wifebeater under the binder. In fact, I was double binding then. The weather was cooler then, so I didn't mind all the layers.

Last week, it was pretty warm in my neck of the woods. I had a new binder, a smaller size, and I wondered if T had sufficiently toughened my skin that I might be able to wear the binder without a wifebeater. I had had an annoying eczema outbreak that hadn't gone away for months, and it was suddenly clearing. So I had hopes.

I wore the binder inside out, right next to my skin, for eight hours. No problems whatsoever. Now I don't bother with the wifebeater.

I would never have thought to try this smaller size if I had been going by the sizing charts. I only bought it because the size I had was clearly too large, so large that only two binders would do the trick. So the CC might be a solution for you. I'll give you all the info I can--just ask.

I'll definitely look into the Cotton Concealer. My skin can become... temperamental. You said your skin toughened up with T. I've read that when you start T your breasts could get larger due to the underlying muscle getting bigger. Over time does the chest size go down any? How does the CC handle sweat? How do you wash it so it doesn't shrink? About how long does it last before wearing out? Thank you for your help.

at that size, you may be able to get away with a sports bra.

I've worn those before and can kind of get away with it, but it looks like I have huge pecks like a weightlifter... but not the rest of the muscle. It would be too suspicious IMO.

Quote from: Radar on May 08, 2009, 04:41:43 PM
I'll definitely look into the Cotton Concealer. My skin can become... temperamental. You said your skin toughened up with T. I've read that when you start T your breasts could get larger due to the underlying muscle getting bigger. Over time does the chest size go down any? How does the CC handle sweat? How do you wash it so it doesn't shrink? About how long does it last before wearing out? Thank you for your help.

My skin has definitely toughened, and I've been on T for under three months.

My freakbags do seem to have changed. They seem to have gotten a little, well, stiffer. I know I'm picking up some muscle underneath, but the composition of the actual boobs seems to have changed somewhat. It's hard to tell because there's no good way of measuring--and because I have gone out of my way to NOT touch them. But I used to be able to flatten them (under the binder) in a particular way, and that seems to have changed a bit. Binding still works fine, though.

I can't speak from experience about a reduction in the chest area--just what I said above, which is kinda vague.

I think the CC does a good job with sweat, but the weather isn't very hot yet. Still, cotton absorbs sweat. Another reason I'm not a good judge of the sweat situation is that my skin condition requires me to apply hypoallergenic goop to my entire body every day after I shower, and it's hard to tell what effects I can attribute to lotion rather than perspiration.

The binders stretch out a little when I wear them, so I like it when they shrink in the wash. The care instructions say to wash in cold and then line dry. This treatment will probably minimize shrinkage and add to the life of the garment. But I'm lazy, so I wash in warm and throw my binders in the dryer. They sort of shrivel a bit at the seams, but they stretch out find and function as well as ever.

I haven't worn out any binders yet. First I got a size too big, but then I lost weight and had to go down to a smaller size a couple of times. But I think one of the threads I posted has info about lifespan.

I should add that I have no idea what cup size I would be. But I'm pretty big. I used to be a B when I was twenty. I'm much bigger now.

Freakbag? I'm thinking I'll refer to mine as moobs.

Where I live it's been hot for awhile and will only get worse. That's why I was interested in how they handle sweat because there's going to be alot of it. I checked out the CCs and they sound good, so I ordered the white tank. I'll try it out and see what I think.

Quote from: Radar on May 08, 2009, 05:09:57 PM
I checked out the CCs and they sound good, so I ordered the white tank. I'll try it out and see what I think.

If you do get the wrong size, be sure to keep the original packaging and return the binder right away. You'll have to pay return shipping, but I've heard that the Underworks people are nice about returns. I don't know from experience.

freakbags. i like it. 

Quote from: Arch on May 08, 2009, 05:13:12 PM
If you do get the wrong size, be sure to keep the original packaging and return the binder right away. You'll have to pay return shipping, but I've heard that the Underworks people are nice about returns. I don't know from experience.

Will do. Thanks for your help.

Quote from: Radar on May 08, 2009, 04:41:43 PM
I've read that when you start T your breasts could get larger due to the underlying muscle getting bigger.

I've only been on T for about 2 1/2 weeks, but I swear mine have gotten smaller.  Could be that I'm losing fat and gaining muscle.  At any rate, I assume that's what's going on, because I keep tightening my belt, but my weight isn't changing.  I wouldn't worry too much about your pecs appearing too muscle-y, though.  I know at least one skinny, scrawny guy who appears to have massive pecs.  I think some guys get so focused on the amount of weight they can bench press, that they forget to work out anything else.    Or maybe he's trans, and I totally missed it.   

P.S.  Radar, I love your avatar.  It's amazing that cat put up with having a rice bowl on its head long enough to snap a picture. 

I would not recommend sports bras. Even though they may make you flatter, no binder will ever make you completely flat unless you're an AA. Sports bras are designed women who who like their boobs, and thus will contour whatever lumps you got left after the compression to look like small breasts, rather than flatten everything out.

Quote from: Jamie-o on May 09, 2009, 01:45:02 AM
P.S.  Radar, I love your avatar. It's amazing that cat put up with having a rice bowl on its head long enough to snap a picture.

My cat looks exactly like that but that's not her. I don't even remember where I found that photo. I'm also a fan of Stuff on My Cat so my cats have all been on the rounds.

Im a 36B and use the tritop from underworks.
Myles

Quote from: Radar on May 08, 2009, 04:41:43 PM
... I've read that when you start T your breasts could get larger due to the underlying muscle getting bigger. Over time does the chest size go down any?

I can't say I've heard anything about actual BREAST size increasing.  Maybe your overall chest size.  I've only been on T a month and I can tell that my breast tissue is starting to break down a bit.  Not to mention I'm on a low dose compared to most people I've heard of.  So my moobs are shrinking, for sure, and I expect people on a more typical dose experience it to an even higher degree.  I don't work out, though, so I have no way to test this muscle-mass-affecting-breast-appearance theory.

I've got As and I'm a bit larger body-wise, so I've actually stopped binding and just gone for the "I've got manboobs" look since I'm HOPEFULLY going to be a candidate for peri for surgery on July 16th.  Trying to keep that skin elasticity.

in regards to moobage...

mine shriveled like grapes in the sun.  lol

for shiz though, the breast tissue has atrophied.  this is going to be gross, so you might not want to read any more.  but imagine stretched narsty skin with a ball of tapioca floating in gel.

they are easier to hide though.

Quote from: Josh on May 11, 2009, 03:39:02 AM...this is going to be gross, so you might not want to read any more.

I can handle alot. I've seen photos of moobs looking like that right before top surgery (before/after thing).

well, i'm bigger chested...triple D...so i wear the double compression binder from underworks with the tri-top binder from under works over it. it hurts after a few days of doing that, but it's the only way that i can at least pass every-now-an-then. and it leaves bruises on my breasts.