What would your ideal binder look like? What materials would it be made out of, would it feature zippers or velcro? Straps or no straps?


A lot of us wear or own ill-fitting binders, or at least have certain things about them that we would like to change.

Personally, my perfect binder would have a divider down the middle and silent velcro on each side, so that I could strap them down separately and completely avoid any sliding or dreaded unimoob.
Of course, the ideal permanent binder would be top surg, but still. I'm interested in other people's thoughts.

Mesh, my ideal binder would be made out of some sort of mesh material, would be just as thick as it has to be, and would be silent velcro too.

I'm about to be working outside most of the summer most likely though and it's already almost 100 degrees (usually around 95 lately) every day that's why I worry so much about it being thin and airy. Interesting topic man.

I've been thinking of trying to make something that comes around from the back, crosses lower on the chest, and comes back around to fasten on the side or back.  The uniboob thing really bugs me as does the fact that most things I've tried seem to compress mostly on my rib cage below where I want it too.

My perfect binder would have a multilayer construction.

The inner layer would be sort of like an underwire bra construction: relatively flat, pec-shaped cups with rigid 'underwire' material to hold them tight against the sternum, attached to a relatively narrow, adjustable band, with a racerback shape in the back. The cups would be constructed of non-stretchy material, while the band and straps would have only a slight stretch.

The second layer would be in the shape of a short (ribcage-length) sleeveless muscle shirt with a deep V-neck; most of it would be made out of an only slightly stretchy material, but this segment would be cut deep under the arms down to the band of the inner binder and the gap would be filled with a softer stretchy non-armpit-bulge-causing material that would reach all the way up to the armpit. This middle layer would be attached to the 'underwire' portion of the inner binder in the front, but independently adjustable with velcro on one side.

Then the outer layer would be a soft, stretchy smooth nylon that wouldn't cling to shirts and would smooth out lines from the inner layers; this would also be attached to the rigid front portion, but would otherwise be seamless. The outer part could be either half-length to match the inner part or full-length to smooth out the line at the bottom of the binder.

The end result should be, in theory, a male-shaped chest with separate pecs and no horribly-visible binder lines that could be worn comfortably under a T-shirt.

I really enjoy Underworks' vest binders, which are mesh in the back and some other material in the front. I've actually thought about modifying my Tri-Top to have a zipper either in the front or the back (the Small tri-top is just a little too big for me, and it would make taking it on/off much easier.) I don't trust my sewing skills nearly that well, though. Erp.

Strictly in terms of function, Ace bandages flattened better for me than my Tri-Top, but I couldn't wear them for nearly as long. So yeah. :\ It would be lovely if a binder flattened very well without bruising or malforming ribs, but not as of yet.

Good idea with the mesh. I get overheated easily. I'd say mesh but firm, maybe with thin but sturdy metal across the chest for a sure-fire hold? Haha I really don't know, I've never worn a binder but I've been starting to wonder about binding and if it's safe to just flatten them down like that.

I don't care what it's made out of or what it looks like as long as it makes me completely flat.

Quote from: Devyn on May 13, 2011, 06:23:28 PM
I don't care what it's made out of or what it looks like as long as it makes me completely flat.

Totally agree!!!   I have not found a way to do that yet and am tired of spending money trying.  I almost have enough saved for surgery, but then I have to find the right time since I would be out of work and I don't have enough money to make up for lost pay.

I like Kyril's idea. Most importantly (besides binding strength), it should be relatively thin and breathable with no seams or bunching that could be seen through a thin shirt. Pec shaped cups would be good, to avoid any weird flesh shaping.

i like Lee's idea, something that separates the things instead of smooshing them into a uniboob. i hate that on mine too. never noticed it til about a week ago when i could finally wear t-shirts regularly. started binding in late fall so i just missed t-shirt weather, i was thinking of asking someone if other kinds of binders from underworks, or any company have those kind of separating panels through the middle or if i get the kind that looks like a t-shirt or something that zips or velcros shut in the middle would make a difference or do they all cram moobs together in the middle like that? as of now my chest is obviously better than last summer when i was stuck with bras but it's only half better i guess since it's not going to look completely flat like "regular" guys til i get top surgery. it would at least be a little better if i could separate em and have more like a pec shape like Kyril said...hhmmmph. is it true that if your size isn't that small you have to get extreme compression? and yeah i would get something that breathes like mesh too, it's getting hot bleh.

I don't know about others, but the normal binders I have tried never gave me a flat chest and I could pretty much get the same look from a brand new sports bra.  I am not huge, but somewhere middle of the road I guess.  If there was (or is) an extreme compression with velcro or zipper, I would love to know as long as it was not keeping me from breathing.  I used to have a binder that was pretty good from underworks, but it really was hard to wear because it went to my waist and it was too tight on my stomach so I either had to forgo food and breathing my best or deal with it rolling up.

Yeah, I have the tritop, and it seems like it's a really odd length.  If I don't fold up a few inches, it'll end up cutting in and rolling up, which cuts in even more.  However the folded up area puts too much compression  on my rib cage, and there's not even anything to bind there.

I'd like something that makes me completely flat and binds my hips. Closest I can get is the 997 (I ordered a new one because I could finally afford it).

I'd say something full length that ends a little bit under my muffin top, maybe with a tight elastic band at the bottom to hold it in place. The armpit holes would be fairly small like the tri-top's. The straps would be fairly wide, and the neck cut high. The back would also be fairly high. Maybe with an under-layer that's a soft cotton so rubbing doesn't hurt so much. Oh, it would be made of a machine washable fabric, too. Also would be made of a material that has the right amount of give and compression where bounce would not be an issue.

I'd like something that holds the breasts up and then squishes them in. It should separate them, and have some kind of magical way of closing itself (not velcro, it makes noises), maybe magnets or something? Mine are "droopy" due to poor decisionmaking involving duct tape (I still have minor scarring and several new stretch marks to "thank" for it...), så my T-Kingdom model 1700 binder mainly binds my ribcage and not my chest.