If you're looking for something cheap, I grabbed a waist trimmer from a sporting goods store for $5. It works great for me, my chest isn't too big and I'm a pretty tiny guy anyway, so I dunno how it will work for you, but it's cheap and really effective.

The only downside is that it is designed to make you sweat, and it can be a little bulky, so I would recommend an undershirt for extra hiding and absorption. But other than that, it works perfectly and I love mine when I need a break from the Ace bandage!

what I use is a back brace.you most likely would have to cut off some material so it doesn't dig into your skin by your arm pits .It gets me flatter than the underworks shirts ever did..good luck..

So I first tried wearing two sports bras and the second one kept riding up at my neck and it was really uncomfortable. It also didn't really flatten my chest as much as I wanted it to. I ended up reading tons of reviews and decided to go with Underworks for my binder. I don't really have a huge issue with hips as I'm fairly small, so I went with the tri-top binder. It stops just above my belly button. It only rolls up a tiny bit at the bottom, and doesn't usually show through my shirt. I just wear a tank top under my shirts anyway. Overall I'm really happy with it. It was ridiculously hard to put on the first few times, so I recommend having someone help you. I actually punched myself in the face it was so tight. I was also convinced I needed a bigger size, but it works great now. Once you get it on it becomes WAY more comfortable and eventually stretches out a little (mine still works wonders though). As for the price, I think I paid $35 or something, so not bad at all. I actually need to get another. They are pretty trans friendly so if you have trouble finding your size just give them a call.

Please be careful binding with an ace bandage - they can create all sorts of breathing issues.

In my experience, what you're wearing over the binder can make a lot of difference. Depending on your chest size, you can probably get away with a frog bra if you're wearing a couple layers of shirts. I found it was nice to not bind too tight on days I wasn't feeling good, and the frog bra was a decent way to do that.

I only used my compression t-shirt for special occasions when I wanted to be really really flat. I found it was uncomfortable under my arms and made my movement a little stiff, but there are some days when that is totally worth it.

My preferred method of binding was a combination of the double front binder and tri-top binder (both available at Underworks) I would wear the double front closest to my skin and the tri-top on top. The combination of the two kept me flat enough, but also gave me room to move and breathe and worked well for every day wear.

How you arrange yourself under the binder can also help you get flatter. Some guys I know swear by smushing everything straight down, but I'm and up and apart kind of guy. Everybody's body is different, so play with what combination of binders and body positions work best for you. Best of luck!

Have you tried bondage tape

Personal opinion, underworks is the way to go. I am pretty small chested, so I use the male compression binders instead of the ftm ones.. but, i have used both and it works for me.

There's a small seller called GC2, which are more comfortable than underworks, but for me at least work a little better.

i've done the whole drag king thing a few times. i'm more than a little top heavy, so i have used an ace bandage to bind up my breasts. worked great for me

I wear an XS Black Tri-Top Binder from Underworks, and it does an AMAZING job. It's painless though your back may get sore if you're standing for hours on end. It's about $30 and both of mine arrived within 5 days of ordering them!

I'm post op and they gave me a gynocemastia vest to keep the swelling down. If I had had one of those pre - op, I could have cut down on a heck load of muscle damage and pain.

I'm not trans, but my ex-boyfriend looked amazing with the Underworks products. They not only flattened out his pectoral areas, but they slimmed his abdomen and hips to give him a much more masculine Y-shape (as opposed to an hourglass shape). The only disadvantage (other than the cost) is that they're a bit difficult to get on because they're so tight. Anyway, I hope I helped!

My husband only uses the Underworks products (linked numerous times above). They are a bit pricey, but I know there is an organization that assists with the costs (or sometimes has gentley used binders donated to give away). We have sent a few to them, but for the life of me cannot think of the name.

I will ask my husband when he gets off work and let you know.

Got it:
link

They have the application and everything there.
For transguys on here who are able to purchase NEW binders, please consider sending your old ones to this organization.

Another vote for underworks tri-top. Very popular not just with FTMs, but with genderqueers, drag-kings, and butches. A vast improvement over ace bandages- be careful with those, not only are they a bitch to get right but they can hinder your ability to breath.

I wanted to share my Big Binding Guide Thingy in case it would be useful to anyone here.

link

I hosted it on Tumblr, too, but the formatting is crap there.

Also, I have anatomical FtM and MtF makeup / facial anatomy guides linked at the end of that post.

I don't think everyone's goal is or should be 100% passing, but I love learning and information all the same.

All through junior high school I used a homemade binder that was made from a piece of canvas, folded over once with a zipper, to make a... zip up tube thing. It worked decently but my goal was to have something strapless so it couldn't be mistaken as a bra. But since it was canvas and not a stretchy material, it slipped down and had to be adjusted constantly. Very annoying. Then I got my first real binder... probably in the beginning of junior year in high school. Some Underworks top that worked alright but made me feel really constrained, it bound ALRIGHT but was super uncomfortable so I just stuck with baggy shirts (I'm an A cup, hardly) until I saved up and got an amazing binder from Les Love Boat (this one link), which again, IS AMAZING. However I found that if I ate too much, the light hip/stomach area compression made my stomach hurt. SO I just pulled it up over the chest area and boom, problem solved, plus the fabric is so thin that it doesn't really add any bulk to the chest area.

If you can get a velcro binder I HIGHLY recommend them over pull-overs, I'm sure that most people who've tried both will tell you the same.

Underworks is the leading maker of binders in the world. I'd go with the tri-top over any other binder on the market.

Definantly check out Underworks stuff. They have great products! don't use Ace bandages anymore, you could really hurt yourself.

Personally I like compression shirts.