Binders

[Guest Leigh]

So, I'm just starting to try dressing as male (I'm not on hormones or anything, cuz I have no insurance). I figure it's the least I can do for myself. But, being young and kinda poor, I don't have lots to spend on binders (and I'm *tear* cup size C.. god, I hate talking about those things..). Also, I'm living with my parents right now, so a package coming from some FtM shop in the mail might be a little weird (I'm not out).

Anyone know how to make binders? maybe a link on how to make your own? (I can never find anything economical).

any advice is welcome.

thanks

A.

[Guest Zack L]

What I did to get my STP was have my friend order it for me and then give it to me when my Mom wasn't around, if you can afford an underworks, I'd suggest that.

If not...I really don't suggest ace bandages. They're bad for you and don't do such a great job.

You might try going to like Model's and getting a really small sports bra and a tight underarmor shirt, and wearing them together, and then layerin your clothes. That's what I was doing before I got my binders. Costs maybe...15$?

Seriously though, Underworks + friend is my suggestion.

[Guest Leigh]

thanks for the advice.. unfortunately I'm not really close enough with any of my friends to come out to them. but I will try the bra + underarmor thing..

[Guest Cody_T]

I'd try and do underworks as much as possible. I'm DD and I did manage to bind without one... however it was extremely painful. With one, I don't even feel it and get just as flat.

The underworks thing comes in a fedex envelope, and it's really not obvious what it is. Mine didn't even say underworks on it, the return address was simple solutions inc. If you don't want to come out to a friend, you could always just say you were ordering something for one of your parents and didn't want them to see it. Otherwise, I'd go with Zack's idea and avoid anything resembling ace bandages or duct tape, due to experience in not being able to breathe or move.

[Guest Leigh]

...avoid anything resembling ace bandages or duct tape, due to experience in not being able to breathe or move.

lol...yeah, been there done that and, god it hurts to take off almost as much as it hurts to wear.

[Guest Leigh]

also.. any advice on what to get from underworks??

[Guest Zack L]

For a first binder I suggest the Double Front. There's another topic where I posted in more detail, but I find they're easier to get on an off and cause less discomfort, especially as a first binder. I'm somewhere around a C or D and I got a small, fit great and compresses great. Tritop gives more compression but also more discomfort.

I think those are the two standard ones I've seen used/talked about, anyone else?

[Guest Leigh]

For a first binder I suggest the Double Front. There's another topic where I posted in more detail, but I find they're easier to get on an off and cause less discomfort, especially as a first binder. I'm somewhere around a C or D and I got a small, fit great and compresses great. Tritop gives more compression but also more discomfort.

I think those are the two standard ones I've seen used/talked about, anyone else?

thanks, i've been finding a lot more in the FtM forums.

i think i have solid ideas now.

thanks everybody

[Guest Adam_Mazur]

Hey I know I ordered my first binder last spring. If I can remember underworks sent it in an brownish bubblefilled envelope I honestly do not think they even had their name on the package. It was a little bigger than some cause I am a big guy myself. But I got the double sided one and it works great. Hey heres and excuse you may want to lead ur parents. Tell them if they ask it is just a sports bra that you found you wanted because its getting nice out an something new to wear for this spring and summer. My binder works miracles. But I will say I accidently washed it in bleach several months back ooops yeah it smelled like bleach for a long time. But other than that underworks works for me. An also try just wearing a t-shirt over top of it perferably white if you get the white binder. That also makes u look like u have a buff chest and not the girl nubbs. Almost like a football player woot. Sorry I keep on an on. I will remid you then I am gone. That you will have to get used to the binder as well. It seems to carry heat on ur body. So when u sweat if you do it can suck cause you will tend to itch. Kind of sucks and almost has u running to the bathroom to itch it but it just takes time to get used to but its great

Good Luck

Much Love

ADAM

[Guest Leigh]

thanks so much, i have been saying i needed new bras, so the rents just might buy it.

peace&love

[Guest Pól_Eire]

An also try just wearing a t-shirt over top of it perferably white if you get the white binder.

I'd also suggest wearing a really tight-fitting undershirt underneath the binder.

Pros:

Keeps your skin from chafing

The undershirt gets sweaty but not the binder, which means you can wash the binder less often, which means it will last longer.

I've found it actually works better in terms of keeping things in place.

Cons:

Wearing 3 undershirts in the summer (one underneath, the binder, and one over the binder) can get pretty warm.

You need twice as many undershirts.

Hope that helps and good luck,

-Pól

[Guest doodle]

after reading what you guys have to say about these I bought one. Wow you really have to be a guy to wear one of these I could hardly get it on. I'm MtF I didn't buy it my partner did cause I'm getting to big on top . i mostly wear suits so it doesn't matter to me. I got the tri top. It went all the way past my waist. I could barely breath. I had to wear something under neath as the fabric was so rough i couldn't wear it any other way. it really works but my therapist said that it can cause permanentt breast damage.

it was the right size. I guess you have to do what you need to do.

doodle

[Guest Zack L]

I've noticed changes in my chesticles since I started binding, so I could see what your therapist says being true...thought I don't consider it damage. Not like they're bleeding or anything dangerous.

With the Tritop it's hard to wear any way but with a thigh shirt underneath to protect the back of your armpits, and it takes some getting used to. In general I think it's probably best to start out with a losser binder like the double front for a while, then switch to tritop...hard for bodies to make the adjustment all at once I guess. When I first got my tritop I had trouble with it, but it's great now. =3