Binder Questions

[Guest Dragonseeker]

Hi, so I was planning on ordering a binder from Underworks in the near future and was thinking about getting the 983 Tritop or the 988 tank. I was wondering what the sizing is like. Ive heard the Tritop is cut smaller than the 988 so its good to get a size bigger. Is this true? And does the 988 roll up a lot? And just in general, which one is better binding wise? I'm a 36 A I think. And I measured for the site's sizing chart and am a 34.5. Also, does someone have to sign for it when it arrives? I'm trying to order it quietly but Ive been ordering a lot of clothes online lately, so if it needs to be signed for, I can just say it's a shirt I ordered, so that's not a huge deal if my mom has to sign it cause she won't open it.

Thank you

-Jake

[JJ]

Hi Dragonseeker. I had to cut my 988 off because it rolled whenever I sat or even did something athletic. I never ordered the tritop but was given the FTM swim binder and stopped wearing the other one altogether because it gave a much better more natural line and was easier to get into. I usually wore an athletic compression shirt over it so the dual color was never a problem and the zipper didn't show through even the summer Ts I like.

I'm also an A now-started out at least a D and the swimsuit binder I have is too big but I wear 2 athletic compression shirts a size smaller than I am. Under Armour is the brand that works best for me and I get them for far less on ebay. They allow me to move and breathe and exercise yet create a more natural look than binding. The worst thing you can do binding is get too tight. It creates squishy looking unnatural places and does physical damage at the same time.

Under Armour also make athletic compression shirts for running with an extra layer on top for women to minimize and hold firm. Makes a great binder -especially since they are designed for being able to breathe properly as well. A lot more money has gone into designing athletic compression than FTM binding and the technology is superior I think. An added benefit is that they are thermodynamic and keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Don't know how they do it but it works. I spend 4 hours or more a day outside in all weathers from 100s in the summer to teens in winter and they really make a difference.

Johnny

[Guest CariadsCarrot]

Johnny said most of what you need to hear but I wanted to say I wear a 988 folded back up on it's self and safety pinned to keep it in place to stop the roll up that Johnny mentioned. Seeing as there is a double layer of material already doing this created a quadruple layer and I find it binds well. I am having to look for another solution though as it's quite difficult to get on and off.

I don't remember having to sign for mine when I got it.

Gabe

[Guest aleon515]

I have to sing the praises of under armour. I found one for $5 at the local thrift store. Now there's a bargain, esp considering there is nothing at wrong with it. Just awesome. No it doesn't get me completely flat but it is pretty good, esp if I wear it over a compression type muscle shirt. I bought another off ebay for under $20 with shipping. Nothing wrong with this one either, even though it is used. My chest is not very large though. I don't think that any one with an A would need anything at all else.

--Jay

[Guest Dragonseeker]

Thank you so much for your answers! I'll definantly look into the under armor. I wear compression sports bras right now but I have really bad chest dysphoria and find myself constantly staring down at my chest all day, which probably looks weird. The sports bras don't get me as flat as I'd like either. I'll try some stuff out thank yiu

[Guest aleon515]

You might think about a sports bra and an under armour shirt. I don't have really horrible chest dysphoria. It is maybe mild-medium. If I am not looking at it's ok. I'm going to tell you that unless you are an A cup which I am not, then they don't get you super flat. I think that the super flat doesn't look completely realistic. I wear button down shirts so if I wear the compression muscle shirt and a under armour shirt it is almost as good as a binder, imo. But then as I say, I dont' have super bad dysphoria and I don't pass anyway-- binder or no.

It's not like a sport's bra. I like that it feels kind of male and doesn't have the top half cut off feeling. I like that it stops the jiggling around pretty well. I prefer a pull over long binder when I wear one.

--Jay

[Ravin]

I found compression tanks at Kohl's in the women's bra section; they have no shelves or anything like that, just gentle compression. I wear one of those in the proper size and a compression shirt over that. My compression shirts are all Starter shirts from Walmart though; they cost less.