Thanks to Random.org, the random winner of the double panel compression shirt is … Barrett!
I had a couple of questions about the compression shirt in the comments & via Twitter, so I’ll try to answer ’em here. Seems like that review was kind of vague (sorry about that)—to be honest, I’m not an expert in compression shirts, so I might not be the best person to answer these. This is my first experience with one and I haven’t been wearing it much this summer, so that’s about all I know. But I’ll do my best to answer these with what I know!
This looks like something my butch partner would really like in her size. What I can’t figure out is, if you purchase this in your size and you are someone with large breasts — does this cover the breasts completely or does the shirt still show the top of your breasts? Either way, I’m sure it’s fine under a button down—but I’ve been searching for something that covers the butch rack completely (cause cleavage isn’t what she’s going for).
Basically, it covers your breasts completely. If you have larger breasts (like I do) it does give you a little bit of cleavage at the top, because in order to flatten it has to spread ’em out as much as possible. It is definitely fine under a button down. I’m not sure I would wear it by itself, but it is very easy to wear under a tank top or tee shirt and won’t give you cleavage.
I got a question about the compression shirt. Should I buy one in my size or a size smaller??—@C_Rod224 on Twitter
I bought a size M because that’s the size of men’s tee shirt I wear, but it did NOT fit. The XL is still quite small and for a minute, I thought maybe it wasn’t going to be big enough to fit, but it does—it’s just a challenge to get on and off. So I would try one size larger.
I’m not an expert at this, though—other folks who have binders: do you generally buy your same tee shirt size, a size larger, a size smaller? What’s the rule for this?
One more question … I wanted to buy her the frog bra you had mentioned before and apparently it’s been discontinued… Do you or any of your readers know of a place that still sells them or of something with a different name that achieves the same effect? thank you thank you!
Yeah, it’s discontinued. From my understanding, it’s pretty good if you’re a C-D cup, but it’s not great if you’re bigger than that. I’ve tried a LOT of athletic bras, aka binders, and the best thing that I’ve found that works for me is my favorite, the Enell bra. I’ve got about four of these now, and while the elastic does wear down, when they are fresh, for me, they are nearly as effective as the compression shirt.
Anybody else out there have opinions about bras/binders that work well for larger-breasted folks?
I used the underworks double front compression shirts for years. The underworks website has a nifty sizing chart that has you take measurements of your waist and chest and then helps you figure out which size would best fit you. I really don’t recommend going sizes smaller, you can do serioues damage to your ribs/lungs that way. I was exactly on the edge of a M/L when I wore them, and preferred the M.
My nifty trick for getting into the full length shirts was to fold it up halfway, pull that on over the breast region, and then grab the folded up part and pull down the rest of the way. Otherwise it can sort of roll itself up and be tricky to get on by yourself.
Good luck!
I have this compression shirt and while it does a pretty good job of flattening me out (I’m rather large-chested), I have issues with it constantly rolling up over my hips. Underworks makes another product that is chest-only compression under a regular cotton spandex tank and that is what I prefer. Sizing is tricky with Underworks, though, as each product they make is sized differently. I wear a L in the double front compression shirt, but an XL in the chest-only compression shirt. You definitely have to pay attention to their sizing charts when you order. All-in-all, they make a good product, and I personally prefer it to the traditional sports bra alternatives.
I second everything Dylan said. I definitely recommend looking at the sizing chart and NOT going a size smaller — it can cause serious damage to ribs or lungs. btw, I wear a size small men’s shirt but wear a large compression shirt from underworks. I’m on the edge of m/l on their size chart and the large fits me comfortably AT FIRST but gets stretched out. The medium will not fit onto my body no matter how hard i — or my partner — tries.
Oh, and they definitely stretch if you put them in the dryer. line dry them to last longer.
Underworks also has them in other styles, including one that looks like a tshirt which is AWESOME. I wouldn’t wear it as a tshirt (really more of a muscle shirt…but i don’t have muscles to show off) but it eliminates the cleavage issue. It also doesn’t rub up against my armpit, which the tank style does for me after it stretches out a bit.
Thank you! These were very helpful answers!!
i’ve been using one of these for the past 3 years. best thing ever. works so well that someone asked me if i still had boobs. plus it compresses to look like a male chest rather than a uniboob like sport bras. i don’t know what i would do without my underworks binder. i use my old stretched out one to go to the gym. that works great.
i used to put it on over my head then i discovered that its much easier to step into it and pull it up like overalls. its especially helpful to have boxers on first. it goes over them easier. hope i’ve been helpful