Bringing together feedback from online customers and visitors to our New Jersey retails showroom store the last few months of 2022 we have updated our review article on breast plates. Even more product developments have taken place in this category the past few years so we add to our report with the latest customer feedback. Updated December 2022.
The biggest innovation in the last few years or so has been the introduction of the Realistic Custom Breast Plate and the Custom Self-Adhering One Piece Breast Plate (the only truly bespoke prosthetics in this class). Made by the previous technician who made ‘Reals Breast’, he set up on his own to produce the high-end ultra-realistic breast forms and breast plates he previously made under the RB banner. With a choice of 24 skin colors, 14 nipple choices and the option of adding airbrushed freckles, moles and even veins these sound amazing. But what do the end-user think of them? We have integrated feedback from customers who have been buying and using these for the past couple of years.
China, as often is the case, has made breastplates more affordable. But do the Chinese versions stand up to the more expensive versions from the U.S.A.? Are breast plates replacing the more traditional 2 piece breast forms?
We’ve been busy talking with more customers in-store and online to find their experiences of wearing crossdresser breastplates. We have gathered more feedback on products we sell and also products we have received samples for or ones we have seen in person. Where we have seen other breastplates (that we do not sell) brought into our store by shoppers we have also gathered their reviews and inspected ourselves.
We do not manufacture any of the products reviewed and do not receive inducements of any kind from distributors or manufacturers.
What are the Criteria for the Breast Plates Review?
Customers were asked to review their breastplates based on the following criteria:
- Appearance
- Feel
- Fit
- Functionalit
- Value for Money
We asked users to apportion 10 points to each of the 5 criteria listed above with a possible maximum score of 50. Spoiler alert! No one product gained a maximum. Interesting to note some criteria are more important to others and price is not always the most influential one.
The list of silicone crossdresser breastplates is just a representation of the ones where feedback is readily available at this time. We will probably update and add to this review in the future as we test more but for the time being the list includes:
- Realistic Custom Breast Plate
- Affordable Silicone Breast Plate
- Pals non-silicone Breast Plate
- Custom Self-Adhering One Piece
- 2nd Skin E Cup Breastplate
The following are results from feedback we received both in our physical store and from online purchases where we followed up the samplings with a questionnaire.
APPEARANCE:
By far the most realistic are the Realistic Custom Breast Plate and the ‘sister’ product the Custom Self-Adhering One-Piece. Not only do they have the most realistic shape of breast forms (with the natural ‘droop’) and cleavage but they are available in up to 24 skin tones. Along with the multiple nipple choices and addition of airbrushed moles, freckles and veins these are the most ‘bespoke’ offering. It’s skin appears more realistic than traditional silicone and has received rave reviews. The 2nd Skin Breastplate is very good in appearance followed by the Affordable Silicone Breast Plate, and then the Pals non–silicone Breast Plate follows on close behind. In 2018 the 2nd Skin range of breastplates came on the market and competed head-on with the quality and appearance of the products like the Femskin range (now no longer available) and offering skin color choice and different cup sizes. Although only available in 4 skin color choices they do offer a more affordable option than the bespoke choices.
Verdict:
- Realistic Custom Breast Plate 9/10
- Custom Self-Adhering One Piece 9/10
- 2nd Skin E Cup Breastplate 7/10
- Affordable Silicone Breast Plate 6/10
- Pals Breast Plate 5/10
FEEL:
On top again are the Realistic Custom Breast Plate and Custom Self-Adhering One Piece which have genuine life-like texture in this unique silicone compound. They are followed closely by the Affordable Silicone Breast Plate which has a velvet-like skin texture that users seem to really like and then the Pals non-silicone breast plate. The remaining options follow very closely behind with not much to choose since they all have some texture unlike the plastic covered feel of regular breast forms.
Verdict:
- Realistic Custom Breast Plate 9/10
- Custom Self-Adhering One Piece 9/10
- Affordable Silicone Breast Plate 7/10
- Pals Breastplate 7/10
- 2nd Skin E Cup Breastplate 6/10
FIT:
The 2nd Skin Breastplate is able to fit larger chest sizes (up to 45”) and comes in different size lengths and cup sizes but make sure you get your chest measured accurately so you have no issues of tearing. The Custom Self-Adhering One Piece is made from a self-adhering silicone so stays in place with the addition of some of the adhesive supplied with the product. The Realistic Custom Breast Plate is very easy to wear with it’s simple back of the neck fastener. Combined with it’s tacky back which sticks to the chest once warm it is very simple to fit, put on and take off. The other 2 options are the Affordable Silicone Breast Plate that comes in the most sizes so fit is no real issue and the Pals Breast Plate that that is easiest with its fastener around the neck.
Verdict:
- Pals Breast Plate 9/10
- Realistic Custom Breast Plate 9/10
- Affordable Silicone Breast Plate 7/10
- Custom Self-Adhering One Piece 7/10
- 2nd Skin E Cup Breastplate 7/10
FUNCTIONALITY:
All of the breastplates have issues which you have to deal with in order to get the great appearance over a standard set of breast forms. Silicone and latex do not breathe – at all! The more skin you cover then the hotter you get. Precautions to take: stay in cool/air-conditioned areas and think about using a skin perspiration inhibitor especially with the vest-type Breastplates. These vest-type garments can be damaged if you are not gentle with them – be careful of sharp edges. The Affordable Silicone Breast Plate does not have the coverage of the vest-type plates so is a little cooler too, leaving the full under-arms free to breathe. The most recent additions, the Realistic Custom Breast Plate, the Custom Self-Adhering One Piece and the Pals Breast Plate cover the least amount of skin with your back fully exposed to circulating air. This together with the easy fastener for the Realistic Custom and Pals options place them ahead of the others. Most feedback we received for the vest-type breastplates like ‘2nd Skin’ think they function just fine given the up-side on the appearance and ease of use but recommendations were given with regards to wearing for longer periods in air conditioned spaces.
Verdict:
- Pals Breast Plate 8/10
- Realistic Custom Breast Plate 8/10
- Custom Self-Adhering One Piece 7/10
- Affordable Silicone Breast Plate 7/10
- 2nd Skin E Cup Breastplate 6/10
VALUE FOR MONEY:
Returning to a theme from earlier in the article most silicone breast form breastplates are a lot more expensive than a regular set of breast forms. In order to get the very best appearance, there is a hefty price tag to pay. For those priced close to $1000, one may well expect perfection. Whilst we have yet to see the perfect breast plate available, the newest additions: Realistic Custom Breast Plate and the Custom Self-Adhering One Piece do come much closer than the others especially with regard to realistic appearance. But it comes at a price. Even though the Realistic Custom Breast Plate is over $400 less expensive than the previous Real Breast Breastplate it is still a hefty $749 starting price. If your most important criteria are Appearance then the price tag may not be that important. You just have to decide how much you are willing to part with to get a better appearance. From the feedback we have received, it seems the lower priced options are considered better value for money so many are prepared to sacrifice some of the ‘perfect appearance’ and ‘functionality’ of the higher price vests for a lower price. Interestingly enough, the 2nd Skin Breastplates range include their entry level D Cup model at close to $200 and so making them a better value than much of the competition in the ‘vest-like’ breastplate category. The quality is good but you only have 4 skin color choices. The Pals Breast Plate also has a hefty price tag of $800 and so prices itself out of the running for many. You also don’t get the options you do with the Custom Breast Plates.
Verdict:
- Affordable Silicone Breast Plate 8/10
- 2nd Skin E Cup Breastplate 8/10
- Realistic Custom Breast Plate 6/10
- Custom Self-Adhering One Piece 6/10
- Pals Breast Plate 5/10
Conclusion and Results of the Breast Plates Review:
We received a good number of comments from customers who love their breastplates but realize there are limitations. Many use them for dressing at home and picture taking to great effect. However, a number commented with regards to the vest-type breast plates that soon after purchase they realized it was not practical to wear them all day in certain situations. For example, a club where it may be hot soon becomes uncomfortable. The one exception here seems to be the new kid on the block, the Realistic Custom Breast Plate which is made to be worn all day/night BUT that comfort comes at a price. A good number of girls mention the ease of using standard breast forms for every-day use and the breastplate for ‘special’ occasions and photo shoot opportunities. The inclusion of the 2nd Skin Breastplates range has added to the size options for larger girls that the competition lack. Following is an example of recent customer feedback for the ‘2nd Skin Breastplate’:
“I just received a ‘2nd Skin’ breastplate that I ordered about three weeks ago. It is simply fantastic. I followed the directions on measurements at work fine and it fits like a glove and I’ve never felt so feminine in my entire life. What a wonderful product this is. I can wear bikinis anything I want to and it looks natural. If you can come up with the money to spend on something like this it is well worth it. I’ve been cross-dressing for over 40 years and this is the best product I’ve ever bought. I have a private seamstress and I tried it on with her tonight to have a new dress made and she was ecstatic about how good it looked. Thank you for your help and guidance and ordering the right size. I’m a bigger girl. I’ve got a 45-inch bust and it fit like a glove. Signed Jill.”
Hopefully, there will be more innovations in the months and years to come. We’ll keep our eyes and ears peeled and will be the first to report to you our findings on any new breast plates.