Poll

I’ve had a couple of people ask if cup size is the best way to determine size in the reviews. While I haven’t run into many problems with this system here, I thought I’d toss up a poll and see what the general consensus is. Please vote and let me know- this may have an impact on how I deal with reviews in the future. There’s a box in case you can suggest another method- I’ll definitely consider anything that makes this site more user friendly.

 

ETA: Enough people want to stick with the cup thing that I’m not going to make any major changes– still, feel free to send in additional size info or alternative measurements (eg: measurements of chest at a) widest point and b) below the breasts.)

Review: Underworks 997 Double-Front Compression Shirt: Dylan

Reviewed by Dylan

Product Name: Underworks 997 Double-Front Compression Shirt

Manufacturer’s website

Cup size at time of use: Ehn… Large? I wore an L in Champion sports bras… That’s like D something, right?

[Dys' note: Champion's sizing can be found here. Large fits some, but not all, D cups.]

Comfort: 5/5

• I wore Ace Bandages and had chaffed skin, bruised ribs, and lungs which would seize when I thought about wrapping the bandages around me. I tried neoprene back supports, but gave up on those after fluid-filled blisters started leaving scars on my torso. Finally, I wore two one-size-too-small bras one on top of the other, AND an underarmour shirt over that.

  This binder is not only more comfortable, but 10 times more effective than anything I ever tried before. It’s tough to get into (I find that stepping into it, rather than pulling it over your head, works much better) but I can breathe normally and the lack of elastic bands under the chest makes it much more comfortable than even a regular sports bra.

Effectiveness: 4/5

• I discovered that one side of my chest is significantly larger than the other one. To remedy this, I still have to wear a sports bra on top of the binder (in correct size tho, so its not too tight). However, the first time I made it work, I couldn’t stop staring at myself in the mirror. I look like I have awesome strong pecs and there is nothing indicating anything more than that.

Discreetness: 5/5

• The shoulder straps are wide and the seams are nicely done so it does not cut into your skin or leave marks under your shirt. I wear relatively tight t-shirts and did not have any problems with it.

  I can imagine tho that it would be somewhat visible if you were wearing a skin-tight, lighter shirt.

Overall: 5/5

• It’s a little awkward while bending over because it follows your body contours so closely and tends to hike up a little. I never had a problem of it rising too high to pull out of my pants or be uncomfortable, but you do have to keep it in check, especially if you’re moving about a lot.

  I also did not experience a lot of problems with belly compression. It tucks your stomach in nicely, but it didn’t compress it uncomfortably – I did not have a problem polishing off a good-sized meal.

Review: Design Veronique Male Compression Vest: Mariko Leonardo

Reviewed by Mariko Leonardo

Product Name: Male Compression Vest

Manufacturer’s website

Cup size at time of use: C

Comfort: 5/5

Effectiveness: 4/5

Discreetness: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

• I found out about this vest on Dr. Michael Bermant’s website. I have been using them for years. I buy direct from the veronique website for $99.00.

Review: Underworks Double Panel Compression Shirt: Who is Morgan

Reviewed by Who is Morgan

Product name:  Underworks Double Panel Compression Shirt

Manufacturer’s website

Cup size at time of use: A

Ratings:

Comfort: 3/5

• I have some issues with it rolling up, even if I tuck it into my pants. I don’t find any particular pressure points, though there is tightness around my ribs and stomach. I cannot eat a large amount in a short period of time while wearing it or I vomit.

Effectiveness: 5/5

Discreetness: 5/5

• I passed well enough as a guy (I was crossplaying at the time, playing the part of a male) I had to explain to a gay man that I was biologically female and had no desire to ever be a man. I have also worn my binder on its own as an undershirt once.

Overall : 4.5/5  (average of ratings)

Without binding

Review: Underworks Double Front Compression Shirt: Patrick

Reviewed by Patrick

Product Name:  Double Front Compression Shirt

Manufacturer’s Web Site

Cup size at time of use: 34DD

Ratings:

Comfort: 4/5

• It’s fairly easy to get on and off, but you have to struggle with it a bit. At first I tried to slip it over my head, but got my arms stuck, so I got it on by stepping into it an pulling it up. It is a couple of inches too long, so you can either double it over, let it bunch up, or tuck it into your pants with some effectiveness. It’s also easy to breathe in (most of the time).

Effectiveness: 4/5

• It gets me pretty flat–but you can still sort of tell there are little bumps there, but you’d have to look at my chest for a little while first. If you don’t position your chest right, it’ll kind of look like a mono-boob type thing.

Discreetness: 4/5

• Looks like an undershirt, and not a bra, if it peeks out from under my top shirt.

Overall: 4/5

Review: Underworks Double Front Compression Shirt: Kyle G.

Reviewed by Kyle G.

Product Name:  Double Front Compression Shirt

Manufacturer’s Web Site

Cup size at time of use: B (?)

Ratings:

Comfort: 3/5

• I had some trouble with running short of breath at times and some trouble eating without nausea. I had the longer version, so it also would roll up whenever it wanted and dig into my hips and stomach. Not the most comfortable feeling.

Effectiveness: 4/5

• It was good for a flat chest (and slightly flatter hips and rear) though, for me at least, it created odd bulges in my armpits from the breasts being pushed out to that area and the binder not quite catching all of the fat.

Discreetness: 4/5

• I often wore it with an undershirt over it to hide the line from the top hem, though it does kind of make it look like you’re just wearing an a-shirt. It annoyed me when I would wear tighter shirts, though with looser shirts, it’s fine.

Overall: 3/5

• Overall, it does what it’s supposed to with limited side effects, though the side effects it presents are rather uncomfortable.

Review: Underworks Double Front Compression Shirt: Nate

Reviewed by Nate

Product Name:  Double Front Compression Shirt

Manufacturer’s Web Site

Cup Size at Time of Use:  I think large B

Ratings:

Comfort:  3/5

• The newer version is very stretchy and harder to breathe in than older ones.

Effectiveness: 2/5

• Barely made a difference.  Better off with the Frog Bra.

Discreetness: 4/5

• Definitely sticks to you.  The length is the biggest problem because it can show when it rolls up.

Overall: 3/5

• I would always advocate wearing Underarmour or a similar product underneath any Underworks binder to minimize chafing and also ease putting on and taking off the binder.

Review: Underworks Double Front Compression Vest: sinspyre

Review by sinspyre:

Product Name: Underworks Double Front Compression Vest

Manufacturer Website

Cup size at time of use: A

Ratings:

Comfort: 5/5

• Most of the time I can’t even tell I’m wearing it, unless I shrunk it, in which case it goes down to a 1. Seriously, if they’re too small, they cut into you and your boobs pop out. So… get one that fits.

Effectiveness: 5/5

• It makes me totally flat.

Discreetness: 5/5

• Looks like a beater if you can see it through your shirt. Otherwise it passes as underarmor. Also great for swimming in.

Overall:  5/5

Review: Underworks Double Front Compression Vest: Kaori_P

Review by Kaori_P

Product Name: Underworks Double Front Compression Vest

Manufacturer Website

Cup size at time of use: D

Ratings:

Comfort: 4/5

• It’s very comfortable, enough that it’s easy to forget I’m wearing it. I have their current longer model and the older short one. The short model I’d rate a 5 in comfort, because the longer one can roll up and really hurt my hips. Both models, however, completely ease back pain.

Effectiveness: 4/5

• It’s not perfect if I wear a tight shirt, but it looks enough like pecs that I don’t have much trouble. I’m sure if I were more muscular it would look natural. In baggy clothes, it’s wonderful.

Discreetness: 4/5

• You have to be careful the binder can’t be seen through sleeve openings or if you bend over and your shirt lifts up in the back to reveal it. Otherwise it’s pretty much invisible. I’ve never noticed unnatural bulges from the fabric in my clothing.

Overall: 5/5

• Definitely a good binder. It’s effective, comfortable and does the job for about $30 plus shipping.

Review: Underworks Double Front Compression Vest: Malakoi

Review by Malakoi

Product Name: Underworks Double Front Compression Vest

Manufacturer Website

Cup size at time of use: C

Ratings:

Comfort: 4/5

• It’s movable, isn’t itchy and doesn’t hurt or cause unnecessary pressure at all. It does tend to roll up or bunch at the waist when I’m sitting down.

Effectiveness: 3.5/5

• If I wear a tight shirt, which I normally do, it looks like I have compressed breasts because I do. I have to wear two shirts or a sweatshirt to hide it.

Discreetness: 4.5/5

• The seam around the top is sometimes noticeable under tighter shirts, but the binder is normally invisible.

Overall: 4/5

• I only paid $30 for my binder and that makes it more agreeable to me, even though it isn’t as effective as I’d like. It is generally comfortable to wear.