I just got my first binder, a tritop from Underworks. I measured how they instructed on the website, and came out to a 34, which is where the sizing for medium begins. I chose to go with a small regardless, and I'm glad I made that decision, I don't think a medium would've worked well for me. It was a hassle to get on and off the first time, but it's getting slightly easier now that I know how to do it better.

Just in case anyone is wondering- I'm 5'7, about 150lbs, and I believe my bra size was 36C. This is a comparison shot wearing a small men's t-shirt (usually my undershirt). It doesn't do a perfect job, but it's definitely an improvement.

edit: Like some others have said, the front collar doesn't lay flat for me, it's kinda noticeable 

honestly from the pictures i dont really see the collar

Hey guys, finally got my Les Love boat Jersey mesh binder today!!! So excited it's finally here! 

Here's a semi-quick review on it. I'll include pics of my tri top and the jersey mesh. For reference, I'm 5'5, about 160 lbs, B in bras, and I wear a small tri top (could prob wear a medium?) and a large jersey mesh.

First off, the material is wayyy different. The jersey mesh is almost like a kind of stiff cotton material lined with one layer of mesh. There's not much give at all, if any, which is much different from the underworks material which is fairly stretchy.

Getting it on...maybe I'm just really uncoordinated, but I can't line the stupid velcro up on the jersey mesh for the life of me! I finally resorted to doing the velcro up, then putting it on over my head like a shirt. Thus, the velcro could stand to be tighter on me, but it does fine the way it is.

Binding power and comfort...I honestly think they bind about the same. Maybe since my chest isn't huge, it doesn't make much of a difference which binder I use. But the jersey mesh is much looser than my tri top. The neckline is not a problem in the jersey mesh, but it comes up a lot higher than a tri top neckline. The jersey mesh lies very well under shirts. You can't see any lines from the straps or neck at all, which is a huge plus for me. I think the jersey mesh will be more comfortable overall, because it doesn't constrict your stomach  and it's not really tight at all. It also doesn't pinch your underarms, which I hated about the tri top.

Cons of jersey mesh...It's pretty short compared to a tri top. My chest isn't super big and I still feel like I'm gonna fall out the bottom. If you're any bigger than I am, I don't know if I would try this one. The bottom hem isn't tight because of the fabric so it just kind of hangs there and isn't flush with your body. Might look sort of odd in super tight shirts? You also have to be a contortionist imo to fasten the stupid thing correctly. Oh, because of the material differences, your chest is kinda soft and squishy in the jersey mesh, whereas in the tri top, it felt harder and firmer.

Pros of jersey mesh...Super comfy. Doesn't show under shirts. I actually think I'm going to use it over my tri top on my upcoming cruise as my swim binder, because you can't see it under shirts. Binds just as well as my tri top.

Sooo that's my review. I only just got it today, so I'll update you guys when I get back from my cruise next weekend and let you know how it did in the water. Hope this helps!!

Pics....Jersey mesh on the left, tri top on the right:

Okay so now I have two binders and I figure I should post my reviews of them. Might help someone, who knows.

LesLoveBoat Sports Pullover Short Binder - http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=124
Size: Medium (measured the widest part of my chest around the moobs and that was about 33 inches)
Comfort: Half the time I don't even know I am wearing it... so it's definitely got an A+ there. The fabric it is made out of is very soft and not scratchy at all.
Binding power: Binds me fairly well. I am a bit small-chested though so I'm not sure of the ability to bind others. The material on the front is fairly non-stretchable. From just looking at it without it on I didn't think it would bind, but it surprised me.
Other: You can wear it for more than a few days in a row and it won't lose it's power very much at all. It does become just a bit loser the first time using it after a wash, but not so much that it ruins the binding ability. If you are worried about that though, washing it will make it good as new. Overall I'm happy with this product.
Picture: The binder is on under a wife-beater. The fabric starts up a bit under my arms which is cool because I can move around easily:


Then I just got this binder today:

LesLoveBoat High Performance Velcro Short Binder - http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=127
Size: Medium (same as other binder. widest part of my chest is 33 inches, for reference)
Comfort: Just like with the other binder, it's very comfortable. The material has the same almost silky feel, which is cool. Since the Velcro strap has a nice range it is adjustable for how tight you want it. I don't have mine to the very end and don't need it to be that tight.
Binding power: For me it binds me basically completely flat. Since the Velcro is adjustable I have a little more choice when it comes to how tight or flat I want to look.
Other: The armholes are closer up to my armpits on this one so it provides more coverage if your moobs tend to spread to the sides. I think it'd work really well for people with a B or C cup (don't quote me on that though!) Even though the armholes are so close though it doesn't restrict my movement. I haven't tried yet, but I think I can work out in this without a problem. The Velcro tab doesn't stick out or make any weird shape with a t-shirt, and it won't come apart unless you want it to.
Picture: Sorry if the photo is fuzzy. The tank top I am wearing over it is very very thin, so essentially that's the shape it would have if I was only wearing the binder.


Between these two binders I can't say I prefer one over the other. They both have their own advantages that might be better for one person or another just based on personal taste. For example the pullover doesn't have the Velcro, so you don't need to worry about any noise when taking it on or off. However since it is non-adjustable it might be hard for some people to get it on if you are larger chested (I personally don't have a problem with it). The Velcro is cool because if you feel like binding loosely one day you can do so, due to the ability to adjust that. Neither of them make you really sweaty in the heat (and I live in Florida, so take it for what it's worth, lol). Price-wise, the pullover is around $10 cheaper, so if you're like me or even smaller chested I think that would be a pretty good choice. If you've had problems with your moobs migrating to the sides of your binder the Velcro one has more coverage... Anyways I'm ranting on and on, but I'm just trying to make sure I've covered everything. If you have any questions I haven't answered you can PM me though. Hope this helps someone!

I have an Underworks style 997 in a medium. I wear 34DD bras, but I'm probably a 32DDD.

It works decently, I suppose. Nothing will get me flat until after my breast reduction, but this binder does its best. The only thing I have to compare it to is an Ace bandage, which works comparably well, but tightens uncomfortably.
I can still breathe all right in the binder, but I can't get a truly full, deep breath. Because of the length, it compresses my diaphragm and stomach. When I breathe deeply, I expand from the lower abdomen all the way up through the chest, and this binder squishes all of that area down.

hey im new here but ive been making home made binders. ive made over 50of the things and tried many materials. im currently working on typing up my results so if you want i can post it up in a few days. im gifted with 14bs. that are easy to bind. im not sure what the us equivanent is. but i will do my best to get some data up.

Apologies for the length of this post, I wanted to be thorough.

I recently bought the Juya High Performance Velcro Short Binder from Les Love Boat in size L. My overbust is 36", my underbust 32".

The ordering process was very easy. Shipping was prompt, they told me it would take 10 to 14 business days, but it arrived in 7.

According to the relevant size chart on the website, a size L for this binder fits overbusts from 34" - 36". I've been steadily losing weight over the past year so I thought this size would be perfect — fitting me now, and yet giving me some room to lose weight. My only worry was that, since I'm right at the upper end of the size range, it might be too small. Not so. It fits me well, however, it fits me well when I have the velcro done up as far as it will go. If I lose more weight, it could easily become too large.  Thankfully I can sew, so I can take it in if need be, and it still fits me fine for now. With the binder on, the widest part of my chest measures 33".

Side-on comparison, sports bra vs. binder:


Excuse my cluttered bedroom.

Front view:


The front view isn't entirely representative, IMHO - the underboob shadows seen here make it look like it doesn't bind as well as it does. If you look at the side view you can see that the fabric continues down quite straight and hides the transition from breasts to midriff fairly well.

This binder is REALLY comfortable. I'd say it was about the same level of overall comfort as many of the sports bras I own. I've not tried Underworks binders but I have  tried homemade binders made from similar spandex net, as well as one made with wide elastic similar to T-Kingdom. While they worked well, my chest felt quite constricted and there could be a lot of chafing, especially under the arms. This binder has no such problems. Rather than constricting, the pressure feels more comparable to a hug. It actually feels very "secure" and reassuring to me. My ability to breath deeply is barely hindered at all. I wouldn't say it's at  100%, but there's no real noticible difficulty.

One issue I have with this binder is that there are some problems with it not binding as well above the arm holes. It doesn't look too terrible but there are some lumps there, as you can see in the side view. Since the arm holes aren't cut that high on me, and there's a lot of slack in the upper part of the shoulder straps, I'm actually planning on taking it in along the shoulder seam. I've tried hitching it up by the shoulders to see how what difference it makes, and it seems like it will help a lot towards flattening out the lumps.

Like so:


According to the website, this binder is made from Tactel. Tactel is a trademarked brand of nylon, produced by Invista, much like Lycra is Invista's trademarked brand of elastane/spandex. The binder fabric feels pretty similar to other nylon microfibre/elastane mix fabrics that are frequently used for things like underwear — e.g. I have a piece of clothing that is 93% Meryl nylon, 7% spandex, and it feels identical to what the binder is made from. It's very smooth, almost slippery, and doesn't pill easily.

The front is two layers of Tactel with a non-stretch interlayer between them, and the back is one layer of Tactel. This non-stretch interlayer is fused to the inner layer of Tactel and then stitched on at regular intervals. I actually think it feels like fusible interfacing. It's not especially thick and doesn't add much bulk, and the non-stretch nature of the front really helps smooth out curves. The non-stretch interlayer ends at neckline level.

The velcro is pretty good. The side with the hooks feels a little sturdier and the hooks themselves are shorter than what I'm used to.

Front view of the binder alone, with the velcro undone:


Showing the velcro:


Back view, velcro fastened:


Wearing it under a t-shirt:


Under a shirt:


All in all, I'm very happy with it. I think it looks much better under a shirt than a t-shirt, but hopefully taking it in along the shoulder will reduce the lumpiness in the upper chest, and help this.

to nogoodnik
Thanks for such an awesome and detailed review. It totally helped me find something that worked. Plus, you look great in the dress shirt.