I see a lot of questions, worries/concerns, and sometimes negative stuff on here, so I thought I'd share a moment of joy with you guys (and gals, if you're reading).

Went out yesterday, got a sleeveless underarmor compression shirt; only thisafternoon did I finally *locate* the underworks binder I'd planned no wearing it under. Honestly, the t-kingdom I got is a sports bra in comparison to what this thing does; and I was over-fracking-joyed when I first put that on. It took all of maybe 30 seconds (with help) to get it on properly, and I was absolutely floored by what I saw in the mirror. It stretches down all the way past my crotch, and pretty much eliminates the chest, hourglass shape, hips, and butt.

I was almost in tears. (alright, yeah. Not to manly, I know.) For the first time in my life, I was looking in a mirror and saw something of me. I wasn't looking and seeing fat, seeing a body I hated, seeing what I ate for breakfast or the can of soda I had yesterday. I wasn't seeing a scale number, or a pants size. I wasn't seeing my puberty, I wasn't seeing a sex object. I was seeing myself. All the time spent in computer games, theatre, cosplay, larping, reading, writing; anything I could think of to escape the body I've grown into... none of it came even close to what a genuinely simple article of clothing just did for me. The best spent dollars in my entire life.


... so.
Anyone else have fond memories of their first (effective) binder, or any other 'accessory' that worked exceptionally well towards lessening that dysphoria?

I'm a gal, I'm reading, I'm utterly delighted that something so simple can make such a big impact on your viewpoint. 

A joy to read as well, Cody. With all the negativity and pain in this, thank the gods for joyful moments!
My binder was never that good. 

That's wonderful.  I'm glad you had such a good experience with your binder.
I hope I am not ruining the moment, but what is your cup size / measurement?
Because if I could have such experiences with that binder... I'd buy it right now.

Quote from: Adrian on August 15, 2009, 01:11:53 AM
That's wonderful.  I'm glad you had such a good experience with your binder.
I hope I am not ruining the moment, but what is your cup size / measurement?
Because if I could have such experiences with that binder... I'd buy it right now.

I was thinking the same

I've dismissed the long binders because it seems like it would ride up off my hips and settle in my waist and be a lot of annoyance while not really helping much

Quote from: Jeatyn on August 15, 2009, 01:20:00 AM
I was thinking the same

I've dismissed the long binders because it seems like it would ride up off my hips and settle in my waist and be a lot of annoyance while not really helping much

I was contemplating duct taping the binder to my underwear. 

Quote from: Ngarehu on August 15, 2009, 01:49:14 AM
HaHa Imagine the torture when you have to go to the bathroom!

even wearing a belt has thrown me off sometimes when I've made a last minute dash, duct tape would be a nightmare

Quote from: Jeatyn on August 15, 2009, 01:54:35 AM
even wearing a belt has thrown me off sometimes when I've made a last minute dash, duct tape would be a nightmare

Uh, well... uh... I didn't exactly factor that into the equation... 
I think I've worn belts long enough to know how to deal with them in that situation so perhaps I will rely on them... rather than duct tape.

Quote from: Jeatyn on August 15, 2009, 01:20:00 AM
I was thinking the same

I've dismissed the long binders because it seems like it would ride up off my hips and settle in my waist and be a lot of annoyance while not really helping much

I actually enjoy the longer binders. Some guys will tuck the end into their briefs to keep it from riding up, but I find that uncomfortable. I pull mine over my briefs and wear a belt. The binder doesn't roll past my belt so it doesn't roll past the briefs. I find it quite comfortable even though there is a slight roll up.

Oh, and I agree on the joys of a binder. It's so nice to have a flatter chest without them sticking out always in the way. It seems more like nice pecs instead of moobs. I'm excited about the future results of top surgery.

I have that same hourglass shape problem, normal tight shirts never fit me right either.  I'll try the belt thing Jeatnyn said.  Ordering my first 3 binders, the Underworks Double Compression version, I can't wait.  At the moment I'm using the control top part of a pair of pantyhose 

Actually today in the drug store I saw a guy (or maybe it was another ftm but unlikely) who was fairly slender but had visible "pecs" under a regular tshirt, not unlike the effect you get from the binders, that was nice to see.   As for my bottom half, well ideally I'd like to be wearing skinny jeans but to hide my womanly curves I think I'm going to have to go for the gangsta look with my jeans belted halfway down my ass (like an ass binder??)    or just wear really long/big shirts

Roo, I think I saw something resembling an ass binder on the underworks website:

http://www.underworks.com/901.html

Hell yea dude! That's awesome! it always good when you're able to feel so good about yourself.

I'm a pretty small dude anyway, but I remember when i put my first binder on i was running around the house like a little kid trying to find my girlfriend so I could show her lol I was so amazed, I couldn't even believe it.  I had to go out in public right away lol

someone is having fun

I'm not willing to take it off right now to check, but I'm not bashful about tossing up some measurements later today for people considering a long binder themselves. Yes, it does roll up. It's annoying as hell. But it rolls up into that dip right below the hip bones - I have to be doing some weird gymnastics or martial arts to get it rolled up past there. So long as I keep my belt tightened right over the hips or just below them it stays in place well.

Without making a new thread, I wonder if anyone can recall reading (or has done themselves) the trick of cutting 'v's into the bottom to help keep it from rolling up so much? I have little snips out of my binder now to keep it from cutting in below the underarms, but I wouldn't know where to cut the bottom. I don't want to screw it up, since I need it for a trip coming up quick here.

Quote from: jet3 on August 15, 2009, 11:41:47 AM
...i was running around the house like a little kid...

^ yeah, that's me, even today. I was dancing around earlier when I put it on for today 

Quote from: roo on August 15, 2009, 10:11:47 AM
I think I'm going to have to go for the gangsta look with my jeans belted halfway down my ass (like an ass binder??)    or just wear really long/big shirts

holy crap, I nearly died laughing. Ass binder. If I had the money, I'd have ordered the one underworks has, but I don't know how much spandex I can really handle wearing at once.
I think I've got it down pretty well, and I manage to not look like a 'gansta' or anything. Just belting right across the hips (pants one size too big to fit comfortably on their own there) pretty much makes my hips and ass disappear into the pants.
Trust me, if you get a binder that works well for your chest and waist, you aren't gonna wanna be wearing a shirt you drown in anymore. I was actually disappointed today when I went to put on a shirt that fit me well with my other binder, and it was easily an entire size too big. Not so awesome when you're already tiny (uuh... XS or XXS sizes anywhere? anyone?).

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Post Merge: August 15, 2009, 07:37:38 PM

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Alright. I don't know my bra size, but last time I bought bras I had a mix of B and C cups; depending on brand.

The binder I'm talking about is the 997 double front compression shirt by underworks, and I got it in an XS. I wear it over an underarmor compression tank, which is a S (couldn't find an XS, sadly). I don't think I could get it on without the thing, ha ha.

Also, sorry this is in inches. I cut up my cm measuring tape a couple weeks back.
without binder/with binder
bust: 36"/33.5"
ribcage: 32.5"/32"
waist: 33.5"/29"
hips: 38"/36.5"
with the compression tank on, none of the measurements change; it just makes it easier to get the binder on and off. Kinda... keeps things from chafing too badly.

It does roll up...
What works for me is making sure I don't pull it down too far (I can get it down as far as a really short dress), and folding it back up so it's doubled over three or four inches at the bottom, right over my hip-bones, and belting my pants tightly right there. Also careful to make sure the under-shirt isn't down too far beneath it, or that rolls, and makes the binder roll with it. Once I folded it like that it didn't roll at all, even moving around and picking up/moving around pots and specimen trees (working at a greenhouse) for about an hour. It's great.

It is a great feeling, isn't it?    It sounds as if you've already found a trick for keeping the binder from rolling, but for anyone else who's having that trouble, I find if I pull it down to just below my bum, before putting on my underwear, it doesn't roll.  But then, let's just say I have a bum that Sir Mix-a-lot would appreciate. 

-Stares-

So what am I going to fit into?
I just did some measurements, and would love any feedback.

29.5 waist
26 ribs
32 bust
34 hips

For an added bonus, I did an "ass measurement" - 37 inches.

Quote from: Adrian on August 15, 2009, 09:59:59 PM
-Stares-
So what am I going to fit into?

I'd get an XS. You'll want an undershirt if you have trouble getting it on; although you're smaller than me so it likely won't be as much of a hassle. If you're worried about it not binding enough (if you're not too active or are very chest-dysphoric), you might try an XS in the tri-top (style 983) instead, which is smaller than the XS on the double-front.

Quote from: CodyJess on August 15, 2009, 10:51:56 PM
I'd get an XS. You'll want an undershirt if you have trouble getting it on; although you're smaller than me so it likely won't be as much of a hassle. If you're worried about it not binding enough (if you're not too active or are very chest-dysphoric), you might try an XS in the tri-top (style 983) instead, which is smaller than the XS on the double-front.

I've heard such good things about the double-front, it seems to work for basically everyone.  But you would say the tri-top binds better than it?  I might look into it instead.  I've heard rash guard works well under binders.  I live in a cold climate and it's just going to get colder and colder from here on out, unfortunately.  I could honestly use as much insulation as possible.  I've heard T-kingdom is good for smaller forms, but... Then again, I've heard horror stories of them.

I wouldn't say it works better, I've never had one; but I've heard that it does. It has three layers of spandex where the double-front only has two, so I wouldn't find it a stretch of the imagination that it would bind better. I was mentioning it more because the XS tri-top is smaller than the XS double-front.

A rash guard is what I was recommended to get; a compression shirt is what I ended up with. Anything slick and form-fitting will help you get it on and off (the on is the harder part by far for me). I imagine it'll make great insulation, too. Maybe one of the sports-shirts that's made for cold weather (thermal compression shirts - I used to wear them rock climbing, they're great).

My first binder was from t-kingdom. They're expensive, and I would say they're not for the large-chested (they don't bind as well). They do come in exceptionally small sizes, though.

Quote from: Adrian on August 15, 2009, 09:59:59 PM
-Stares-

So what am I going to fit into?
I just did some measurements, and would love any feedback.

29.5 waist
26 ribs
32 bust
34 hips

For an added bonus, I did an "ass measurement" - 37 inches.

When people ask for your hips measurement, it's just a nice way of saying ass, so your hips would be 37.