Underworks: Tri-Top
 
Product Name: Underworks Tri-Top (983)
Manufacturer's Web Site:  ftm.underworks.com
    Skip to Review by:
    Nate
    A K
    Tailor
    Ryan
    Rory
    Chris

    Reviewed by Nate

    • Cup Size at Time of Use:  I think large B
    • Ratings: 
      • Comfort:  3/5
        Very, very tight at the beginning.  Gets more comfortable as it is broken in but remains fairly tight.  I often take it off as soon as I hit the door at home after getting home from work.
      • Effectiveness: 5/5
        In my experience this is the most effective binder on the market.
      • Discreetness: 4/5
        The original intention was for this binder to be worn by cisgendered males who have naturally broad shoulders, so sometimes the shoulders fit funny and make it more obvious.  It is also rather low-cut and front can bunch up a bit if you hunch your shoulders while sitting or bending over.
      • Overall: 4/5
        Additional comment:
        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 by A K:

    • Cup size at time of use: A?
    • Ratings:
      • Comfort: 4/5
        Obviously it's going to be a little tight around the chest, but it doesn't affect my breathing.  Also, I prefer this length because it isn't tight around the stomach like longer binder styles and I don't have to keep tucking it in.  It's also cooler.
      • Effectiveness: 5/5
        I think this is the flattest I can get without impairing my breathing.  I really think it will help me pass.
      • Discreetness: 4/5
        The only issue I have is that the seam at the bottom (which lies a bit above my belly button) would show if I wore a thinner or tighter shirt.  I can't notice it with most of my normal shirts, though.
      • Overall: 5/5
        This is a good binder.  It's cheap and it does a good job.
      • Extra note!I followed the sizing instructions on the Underworks website and accordingly ordered an XS.  When I got it, I could not get it on (nearly dislocated a shoulder trying).  So I returned the XS and figured I needed something quite a bit bigger.  For my measurements (27 below chest, 31 around chest), a M seems to fit perfectly.

    Reviewed by Tailor:
    • Cup size at time of use: C
    • Ratings
      • Comfort: 3/5
        This is my first binder. I almost couldn't get into it the first time. It is a little too long for my taste so I cut off the bottom 2 or three inches and that helped. Cutting off the bottom also made it easier to breath. I'm probably going to have to serge the edges to keep it from unravelling though. It is pretty itchy it helps if you wear a thin lycra sports bra under it. It also cuts in a bit under the arms. I may have to cut the arm holes a little lower.
      • Effectiveness: 3/5
        It makes me pretty flat but not as much as I was hoping. I can get almost the same amount of flattening from a good sports bra (which is also more comfortable). I do like to wear tight t-shirts though, so maybe I am asking for too much. In a baggy shirt I would probably look really flat.
      • Discreetness: 4/5
        It doesn't show too much but it helps if you wear a beater or an undershirt over it to hide the lines.
      • Overall: 3/5
        I guess I was hoping for more with how much everyone raves about it.


    Reviewed by Ryan:

    • Cup size at time of use: B
    • Ratings:
      • Comfort: 4/5
        I am extremely happy with this product. My back hurts a little, it just takes some getting used to time.
      • Effectiveness: 5/5
        Completely Flat!
      • Discreetness: 5/5
      • Overall: 5/5
        Excellent!! =] I am very happy with it!

    Reviewed by Rory

    • Cup size at time of use: B, 36ish
    • Ratings:
      • Comfort: 4/5
        Very difficult to get on (although I did go a size smaller than recommended), if I wasn't double-jointed it probably would have never made it on.
        Did not hamper breathing/movement at all. The underarm seams started to dig in after the second hour; I don't think I'd want to go through an 8 hour work day in the smaller size. Nipples hurt like heck after it came off!
      • Effectiveness: 5/5
        Even in a fairly tight t-shirt, nothing showed. That's not to say it creates a *perfect* boy-chest, but no one will be looking twice.
      • Discreetness: 5/5
        The lower hem/seam thing might be a little visible under a very close-fitting, light-colored shirt, but that's probably paranoia more than anything.
      • Overall: 5/5
        Once I managed to wrangle the Tri-Top on I spent a good four minutes grinning like an idiot at the mirror, the results were so good. My only other experience with binding is Ace bandages; this is like upgrading from a '94 Cavalier to a spankin new Audi A5. It is pretty damn wonderful.


    Reviewed by Chris

    • Cup size at time of use: D
    • Ratings:
      • Comfort: 1/5  
        EEK! I could hardly breathe wearing this binder! At first I ordered a small and that was so small that I couldn't even get it on (my ribcage measures about 32 inches) so I had to exchange it for a medium. But even the medium was too tight--I went to a party wearing it and I had to roll it up in the car on my way there because I was feeling light-headed and dizzy. Needless to say I didn't wear it again after that.
      • Effectiveness: 5/5
        It definitely does a good job of hiding your chest, I'll give it that!
      • Discreetness: 5/5
        Looks like an undershirt.
      • Overall: 3/5 
        Does a great job of binding but definitely not comfortable, especially if you have large breasts. Make sure to order at least one size up.

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