I already own this in Ivory, but recently I repurchased this in the Black colorway as well. The Black fits slightly differently from the original Ivory I own, which digs in a little at the gore because the wires are too stiff, so I decided to reorder this in Ivory to see if the first one I got was a fluke.
Unfortunately, this second Ivory is a poorer fit than the first, because the wires are even stiffer. I can feel the wires dig into both the sternum and outer tissue because of stiffness, though the shape of the cups is fine. Because the wires don't stretch enough, this particular bra also shows a little bit of pulling at the outer cups.
If you need stiffer wires, try the Ivory. If you need more flexible wires, go for the Black. Both are beautiful bras, but note that the fit is not identical between the two.
Alicia was part of an order I placed in early April and received at the end of June, due to some mysterious malfunctions of DHL Global Mail that delayed its arrival from the UK. I had actually written the order off and did not expect it to arrive, but thankfully I didn't order a replacement in the meantime. Luckily, all of the bras in this Fantasie order basically worked out more or less. I was very pleased to discover that Alicia was one of the "good" side support fits for me, since I ordered it quite blindly.
Based on measurements, this seems to be the closest to Susanna ...in fit, but the cups are slightly deeper and taller. Because of this, the only slight issue is that the cups wrinkle a bit on me whereas Susanna and similar cuts like Frances fit pretty smoothly. However, the overall shape is the same, and it gives me the same, lifted, nicely rounded shape that I enjoy from these styles. The construction is most similar to Elsie or Caroline, with single layer printed silky tricot for the bottom cup, and floral embroidered sheer mesh for the upper cup. The upper edge is rather closed off and has a non-stretch strip of tricot backing, but I didn't find this to be tight, so I didn't have a problem with my tall roots. However, if you have a lot of upper fullness, it might be a little restrictive. The band is standard for these side support bras, made of printed powermesh with a gentle leotard back. Though Fantasie's 30 bands are all technically too big for me, this one stays in place ok.
Stylistically, this is really lovely, and is exactly what I expect from Fantasie. The overall print is of watercolor flowers in muted tones of mauve, dusty rose, and deep taupe. The upper cup embroidery is really unique and particularly lovely--entwined within white leaves and stems are satin-stitched blossoms made of variegated thread in slightly deeper versions of the same tones used in the print. This is also the only Fantasie bra I've seen that uses these mauve/taupe tones, and overall I think the look is soft, feminine, and very unique. Straps are textured satin with picot edges with no topped on fabric trim, attached with skinny mauve bows, and a double layer blossom bow decorates the center gore. Though it's not striking upon first glance, I think it's one of the loveliest Fantasie bras I own.
I highly recommend this style if Susanna and Frances are cuts that work for you, and if you are ok with a little more depth and height in the cups compared to those styles. Read more 350 more words
Angelina was part of an order I placed in early April and received at the end of June, due to some mysterious malfunctions of DHL Global Mail that delayed its arrival from the UK. I had actually written the order off and did not expect it to arrive, but thankfully I didn't order a replacement in the meantime. This was the one bra in the order that I had to mark as "didn't fit," but it works with foam inserts, so though it is a technical mismatch, it still works out for me.
Based on measurements, Angelina seems most similar to Estelle in terms of cut, though the cup ...height is just slightly shorter. I don't have Estelle in my possession anymore, but it gave me a horrible, wonky, misshapen shape. The cups also really push me forward and the sides of the cups are rather empty. Typically Fantasie Side Support styles with rigid tricot lining in the cups are challenging for me and give me weird shapes, but Angelina is not as bad. I believe this cut is designed for FOT styles, which is why I can't position the cups into sitting properly on my body. However, when I add either my Commando Takeouts or my foam inserts to add upper fullness, it gives a nice rounded shape. Therefore, I think this is no fault of the bra but it is simply not for my shape. Note that I tried the same inserts with Estelle and it still looked lumpy and pointy, whereas Angelina is rounded. I'm not sure if this is a variance in the cut or if the fabric simply behaves differently between the two styles.
Cafe Au Lait is creamy beige mesh with black and beige embroidery in a stylized poppy motif, and on my light skintone, it gives a tattoo effect. The bottom of the cups is lined with rigid tricot while the upper cup is single layer and sheer. The mesh fabric is not the softest though, so I think Fantasie could've done a better job of making it less stiff for the consumer, as the embroidery is perfectly fine and not scratchy. The same embroidered fabric is used throughout the cradle, although the band is plain, solid mesh with a leotard back. I found this band to feel a bit loose on me like Fantasie's 30 bands typically do. Straps are wide picot edged elastic with topped on embroidered fabric at the front. The center gore features a twisted two-tone bow and a teardrop crystal. However, I like the clean, graphic aesthetic of this style and think it is really lovely. Read more 342 more words
Erica was part of an order I placed in early April and received at the end of June, due to some mysterious malfunctions of DHL Global Mail that delayed its arrival from the UK. I had actually written the order off and did not expect it to arrive, but thankfully I didn't order a replacement in the meantime. Luckily, all of the bras in this Fantasie order basically worked out more or less.
I have not had success with Fantasie's vertical seam bras so far, but Erica was a pleasant surprise. The cups are a rigid sheer fabric with gorgeous multi-tonal embroidered flowers on a printed ...fabric base on the outside, and double lined with rigid mesh on the inside. It is a true 2HC construction, and the measurements are very similar to the Chantelle Pyramide Lace Unlined Demi. However, Fantasie's rigid wires and rigid cup fabric makes this a very supportive 2HC with good lifting ability. I typically have trouble with 2HC and 3HC styles being minimizing and giving me a flattened shape, but I am happy with the naturally lifted shape that Erica gives me (the Chantelle is very minimizing on me, see separate review for details).
I've also tried the Sienna Vertical Seam Bra, which is a bit deeper, taller, and more closed off, and it didn't work for me. Erica's cups are much better proportioned for my shape, so this is a good choice if you are petite. However, the cups do run a bit shallower than the Side Support styles in the same size, so if you are very projected, this might not be deep enough.
The band is made from plain powermesh, but instead of having a leotard back, this style has a standard straight back and is rather narrow. However, it feels reasonably firm even though Fantasie 30 bands are typically too big on me. I didn't have trouble with this staying in place, although the straight band will be easy to alter down if necessary. Straps are made of medium width textured elastic with topped on fabric trim at the front, and the center gore is a plain satin bow. While the details of this bra are far simpler than most other Fantasie styles, the intricate embroidery is the real focal point of this style. It is not the softest, but it feels better than some of their other embroidered styles. I love the unique color combination of soft pink, maroon, deep mauve, royal blue, and soft blue on the deep navy base.
If you don't typically have luck with 2HC and 3HC styles and need something with more shaping and support, give Erica a try. Read more 346 more words
Zoe looked like it would be a good, basic, everyday option from Fantasie, so I gave it a try despite the fact that the styling is pretty different from what I am typically drawn to from the brand. However, this turned out to be a huge fail. Not only is the style not to my taste, the fit is quite possibly one of the worst I've tried from Fantasie, as it is based off of the styles that really don't suit me at all (Harriet, Estelle, Alex). However, Zoe's cups are quite rigid and double-lined with firm tricot, so the fit is even less forgiving. ... Overall, this bra ended up giving me horrible orange-in-a-glass cups that are empty and wrinkly all around.
The aesthetic of Zoe is quite similar to Lois, as it is not feminine, floral, and frilly like most Fantasie styles. I tried this in solid Black, and the bra I received had a dot-and-stripe texture in the body fabric, floral lace upper cups, textured picot-edged straps, and very simple square grosgrain bows. The fabric is a bit thicker than the silky fabric used on their printed bras, and is not soft and stretchy like the Alex fabric. I've found that the rigid cups are really tough for me in Fantasie styles, so I've learned to avoid them. While this could be a good bra for someone, I couldn't evaluate it properly to determine what shapes it might be best for. You might have better luck if Harriet, Estelle, and Alex work for you, though the difference in fabric may make this behave unpredictably. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend this style unless you are able to try it on in person. Read more 185 more words
Alex was a surprise for me, because I had always thought this looked like a frumpy, rather unattractive bra based on pictures online. However, I found it on Amazon for about $16, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately while it fits, it doesn't flatter me, and the wires are too firm for it to be comfortable. Still, I think this is an excellent quality bra and could be a good option for the right shape.
I was really impressed by the quality of Alex, because it is made from soft, smooth yet slightly peached microfiber that is cool and comfortable on the skin. ... The lace upper cup, embroidered in an Art Deco-inspired arch pattern on mesh, is nicely done and isn't overly scratchy. Straps are wide, fully adjustable, and have a really interesting texture that helps to maintain grip. The band is heavy stretch knit with a firm feel. Trims are simple with bows at the gore and strap attachments. All of these construction details are excellent, and feel much better than some other Fantasie bras at a much higher pricepoint. Honestly, if Fantasie made more of their bras like this, I would be so happy! Even though their 30 bands are typically way too large on me, this one is much firmer and stays in place.
The problem for me is that the fit just isn't suited for me. After comparing the measurements, this style seems to share a cut with Estelle/Harriet, which were an absolute disaster on me. The biggest problem with Estelle is that the band was so loose it was riding up, so it affected the fit of the cups. The lace cups also behave differently from the knit microfiber cups on Alex, as the Alex cups have a bit of natural stretch and flex. Harriet was not made of lace, but the fabric is also rigid and fits differently from the Alex fabric. Thankfully, the more flexible fabric used on this bra means that I didn't end up with the dreaded pulling in the cups at the strap attachment or side support panel that sometimes happens with these side support styles, since there is some natural stretch in the seam of this panel as well.
So, Alex fits me much better in the cups and looks better, but the shape is still not quite right. I can't explain it exactly, but it just doesn't give me the same rounded, lifted shape that my favorite Fantasie Side Support fits provide. The appearance is still a bit pointier and more projected than I like. The lace upper cup is a taller panel on Alex/Estelle/Harriet than on many other Fantasie styles, so this changes the projection of the cup and lowers the fullest point of the cup. This is what creates the pointier shape. Note that this style is fairly closed off at the top.
The other issue here is once again, unforgiving wires. The wires are borderline too narrow for me, but they do flex just enough to not press on breast tissue. With the band hooked properly though, there is too much tension on the wires and they dig in at the ends. This also causes the bottom of the gore to float a little bit as the top of the gore is pulled inward. Since this is not really a full band style, there's not enough elastic at the bottom of the cradle to hold it stable. I do not remember having the same problem with the wires on Estelle, since I actually commented that the cups were too wide despite the cup width measurement being the same on both styles. Perhaps Alex just has firmer wires, or the fit of the band make a bigger difference than I thought?
This is an excellent quality bra and would be a supremely comfortable everyday option if this is the right shape for you. I think that this is one of the best Fantasie bras I've come across in terms of construction and fabric quality. It's a bummer that it didn't work out for me! Read more 596 more words
Jacqueline is the first soft cup bra I've tried from Fantasie. I ordered it blindly out of curiosity but didn't have much info on it. While this size didn't quite fit, I think this bra is awesome! I would highly recommend this bra, and am looking forward to trying it in a different size.
30DD is my normal size in Fantasie, but usually the band is pretty big. Sometimes the cups can be a little too roomy at the top, but almost every 30D bra is too narrow in width and too closed off for me. However, in this style, I think I should ...try a 30D instead. Since it is wireless, the cups are are much wider than normal bras, so you won't run into the issue of wires cutting into breast tissue. The cup also has a more gradual shape (less projected and closed off shape) and is much taller than a normal bra, so there's a lot more room at the upper cup. For this reason, I recommend sizing down in the cup even if the smaller size gives you orange in a glass problems in the normal cuts.
The band of this bra is really unique. In my size range, Fantasie bras always have 2 hooks, but this one is designed with taller wings and has 3 hooks. The hook panel is cushioned just like on the Illusion Side Support Bra, which is a nice touch. The band itself is made from very firm stretch knit, but in lieu of a traditional underwire, we get a very stable full band construction with 3/4"/1.9 cm elastic at the bottom. This is why despite the full band measurement being slightly larger than my snug ribcage measurement, it fits securely and feels quite firm. There is also a padded channel covering the seam between the cups and elastic to avoid chafing. This is an excellent band construction, and I wish more brands used this as an example!
The cups are a 4 piece construction with a side support panel. Since it is wireless, it is obviously very wide, as there is no separate gore, and the side support panel takes the place of the section of cradle between the cups and the band, giving you more flexibility in cup width. The cup is built similarly to the Panache Andorra Non Wired Bra, but the shape is different. Andorra is built for bottom fullness, but the lower center horizontal seam gave it both a slightly minimized appearance and a slightly pointier shape. In contrast, Jacqueline has a shorter upper panel, giving it a much more rounded shape. I believe Jacqueline's cups run a little bigger, because the measurements of this 30DD are a little bigger in the cup than Andorra in 28F, despite the 28F being a larger cup size.
So, the main fit issue I found is that the cups are just a size too big for me. There is some emptiness in the upper cup for sure. It gives a great rounded shape with inserts, so I think the appearance is quite good, as no one will be able to tell you’re wearing a wireless bra instead of a regular underwire bra. The cups are also proportioned too tall for me, with the outer cup coming up too high under my arms and chafing. I'm hoping all these issues get resolved by sizing down!
Aesthetically, this bra is also quite pleasing. I don't think it looks matronly or overly retro, as I think it has more of a bralette styling with normal bra shaping. The cups and cradle are made from a large-scale floral stretch lace with a nice bit of texture. However, the texture may show through thin clothing, so it isn’t totally invisible. The bottom cups are lined with lightweight tricot, but the two layers are independent, so the cups don't feel hard and rigid. The upper cup is single layer lace, with a strip of stabilizing elastic. The elastic is quite stretchy, so it shouldn't cut into breast tissue and should work with tall roots (though the cups are already quite tall). Straps are wide picot edged elastic with topped on lace trip at the front that blends in seamlessly. The only trim is a small bow at the center gore.
I am really impressed by this bra and wish it had worked out in my normal size, but I will definitely keep my eye out and reorder a smaller size at some point. The only caveat to this bra is that it is meant to be a soft cup/wireless option, but it doesn't mean that it is meant to fit or feel like a bralette. It is meant to be daywear and needs to be appropriately snug to provide support. Hence, it doesn't make a good option for loungewear or a "comfort bra," where the band is typically looser and the cups are less structured. Keeping this in mind, do give the Jacqueline Soft Cup a try! Read more 754 more words
Super soft material in the cup! Top lace is a bit scratchy but very pretty. Cute for a plain beige bra. The straps are nice and wide. The gore is very high, which is my main issue. The band is a tad stretchy. The projection is pretty good and the wires seem more narrow than most UK bras. Straps are a tiny bit wide-set for me.
I like the look of this bra, but the lace seems like it could snag or fall apart easily. The projection is pretty good and the wires are more narrow than many bras I have tried. They are still a bit too wide and the gore digs in a bit at the top. I seem to have issues with Fantasie gores being too high/wide and cutting into tissue. The straps are very soft on the inside, which is nice. Seems very good for full on bottom shapes with short roots like mine!
Sofia is a lovely surprise, as the other two Fantasie Padded Half Cups (Mae and Marianna) didn't work out for me. While the fit isn't perfect, it is certainly much better than the other styles as the band is firmer and the cups are narrower.
Visually, Sofia looks like it would be the same cut as Marianna. Bratabase has Sofia, Mae, and Marianna all listed as the same cuts, but they are not. Sofia's cups are much narrower and a little bit shallower while also coming up slightly taller. The shape is the most similar to Fauve Aurelia, but Aurelia is wider and more open ...at the top. I've found that for me, these sorts of 3HC styles can be really tricky, but the ones that work for me are narrower and slightly closed off at the top rather than completely open. Measurements are also similar to Freya Summer Haze Padded Half Cup and the Freya Fancies Longline, though Sofia is more open, and the main difference between these styles is that the cup shape is mostly straight on the Fantasie bras, but the cup shape on the Freyas is more angled. The latter is much better for me since I don't have any inner upper fullness.
I found the band on Sofia to be much firmer than Marianna, though both measured the same. One big issue I've found in these Fantasie Padded Half Cups is that the wires are very firm and become uncomfortable quite easily if the band is pulled snug, as the ends of the wires roll into the ribcage and sternum instead of stretching. Unfortunately this is bad news for sub-30 band wearers as Fantasie doesn't make smaller sizes than 30 bands, and altering the band would just exacerbate the issue. A true 28 band size like me would need different wires that are narrower and have more horizontal flex. This is one of the few Fantasie bras that feels OK for me though it isn't snug, but it has the same powermesh construction and leotard back as their other styles.
Overall, the cup volume is good, but because of the straight cut of the upper cup, I get a little gapping when I move that I don't get on the similar Freyas. Because the band does distort the wire a bit when worn on the tighter hooks on me, I can feel a little bit of discomfort from the wires, but it is minor compared to the stabbing pain caused by Mae and Marianna, because the wires are actually in the right place on my body. The bra gives me a smooth and natural shape that is not particularly lifted or minimized, but I am sure that if you are fuller, you would get a more rounded shape.
The 3 piece cup is made from light foam batting and provides a little bit of coverage, but no structure. In Mae and Marianna, I experience pretty intense pulling in the cup from the strap attachment, particularly on my smaller side. The foam on Sofia seems just a little firmer, but most likely it's the cup proportions that makes this fit better on me rather than the materials. The outside of the cup is covered in intricate couchwork embroidered mesh with gold and ivory filigrees. This bra looks and feels good quality based on the materials and embroidery, better than some other Fantasie bras I've tried, despite the fact that it is simpler and less ornate than other styles.
The upper edge is smooth and free of trims. Straps are picot-edged elastic with a small bit of embroidered mesh topped on to the front. Tiny bows are attached at the straps and center gore, and there is a small rose gold and clear crystal charm at the gore. The whole bra looks elegant and classy in a way that is totally practical for everyday wear, as there aren't extra bits or intense lace and embroidery that would be noticeable under clothing. I like Sofia and hope that there's a few other Fantasies that fit similarly. I'd recommend giving this a try if you usually have problems with Padded Half Cups being too wide and shallow. Read more 607 more words
Sienna is a lovely bra, but unfortunately it's just not the bra for me. I've tried this now in both the Side Support (SS) and Vertical Seam (VS) models, and I have to give up on this collection. While the SS was a total shape mismatch, the VS fits me more or less, but it just doesn't flatter my body.
Like the SS model, the VS also has a band that is firm and TTS. I think this is because the bottom of the powermesh band is made from extra wide elastic covered in soft satin, and it is a full band style. This is ...a different construction from the SS, which has a standard band, so while mine measures slightly larger than the SS, it actually fits more securely. Because the bottom is wide elastic, the top of the wings do not have a leotard back cut as the strap elastic does not continue through to the back of the band. Instead, the straps attach in the traditional way perpendicular to the band.
Now, the fit of the cups is a 2HC that is relatively closed off at the top. The cups are a little deeper than on the SS model. On me, they fit my larger side and my smaller side is a little empty as usual. However, it doesn't do much for me in terms of shaping, probably because I am not full enough to fill it out the way as intended, so the resulting appearance is a bit flat. I also found that the cup height on me is a little too tall. With inserts at the top, it gives a really lovely rounded shape. Therefore, I think this cut is best for full, rounded shapes with decent amounts of upper fullness and projection. I think the shaping of this cut is fabulous if it suits your breast shape, but anyone who is shallower or not very full on top will not find that this bra does much for them. It would not work for FOB shapes.
The wires of this bra are comfortable on me and have a gentle C shape curve and average width. The gore is a bit narrower than on the SS style, so it is more standard for a Fantasie bra. The gore on the SS pressed into my tissue due to the width, which is a rare issue for me. The cups in this all-lace bra are completely unlined, unlike in the SS model. However, there is a decent amount of embroidery on the cup fabric which adds rigidity and stability. Because it is only single layer mesh, I would recommend it for firmer tissue only that doesn't need as much support from the cup fabric as I think softer tissue might find it a bit unsupportive. The upper edge has a strip of stabilizing elastic with a small amount of give, and is on the firmer side.
This bra is super pretty, and it's a bummer that it didn't work out. One thing to note is that I've found Fantasie embroidered lace bras to be a lot scratchier than I anticipated. I'm not sure if they soften up after washing, but the embroidery on these things is seriously stiff, especially compared to lace and embroidery from Panache. The non-lace bras do not have this problem even if they have embroidery.
The embroidery pattern on Sienna is particularly lovely, as it reminds me of blossom designs from the 17th/18th century, and have a lot of texture to boot. The details of the embroidery are quite intricate, and I think it looks much more expensive than most bras in this price range. If only they could solve the handfeel problem and make them softer when they get to the consumer! Even the mesh on this style feels a bit stiff, but I believe that should soften up after washing.
This bra has plain satin straps with picot edging, topped on lace at the front of the strap, and the rest of the strap is fully adjustable. The embroidery goes throughout the bra in the front, except the wings are plain mesh. The gore has a bit of a keyhole detail which I find very lovely; the decoration on this bra is a simple bow with diamante charm. Read more 630 more words
I ordered a second one to see if the band might be a little tighter, given the variance I've seen in Fantasie 30DD bands. However, they measure exactly the same. Both bras are very consistent, so I'll be returning one.
I've finally found my Susanna dupe in the printed version of Fantasie's Side Support bras! Lena came close, but somehow the measurements and fit were a little different. I picked up Carla at the same time, and am pleased that it fits exactly as I want it to fit, minus the band, which as usual is far too large. Thankfully, the firm band stays in place and I can get a reasonably good fit before alterations.
The only downside to Carla is the appearance. I don't wear white and almost never own white-based bras, but this is a white-based bra with a weird pink, grey, ...and navy blue layered woodblock print of paisleys and abstract botanicals. The print is why I had passed by Carla several times originally without a second thought, and I only revisited it because I had tried so many of the existing Fantasie options in my size. However, what Carla lacks in aesthetic appeal, she makes up for me in fit.
I love the fit of Carla. It fits almost identically on me as Susanna does, and Susanna has been my best-fitting Fantasie bra so far. The only difference in measurements between my two bras are that Carla has a slightly larger band, and a slightly shallower cup (by 1 cm). The cups of Susanna remind me of a slightly deeper, more rounded version of the Elsie/Camilla/Frances cut I like. The bottom 3 piece cup is made from the same silky printed lightweight tricot as most of their printed bras, while the upper cup is mesh lined lace. The upper edge has firm stabilizing elastic, but does not seem to cut into tall roots. Given my asymmetry, Carla fits my larger side better and can show some pulling on my smaller side due to emptiness in the cup, but this is easily remedied with lightweight foam pads to smooth out the shape and provide some coverage.
While I complained that Susanna's wires felt a bit narrow on me, and that Lena was a bit hard to squeeze into the cups, I didn't have the same problem with Carla, though all 3 bras basically measure the same in cup width. The wires on this particular bra are the best fitting ones I've come across so far in my Fantasie journey,
The rest of the bra is pretty simple and straightforward. The cradle is made from the same printed tricot as the cups; the band is made from firm printed powermesh in the same pattern. Straps and elastic are plain white satin with picot edging, although it does look like this edging is rather delicate and could get snagged easily through vigorous adjusting or just throughout normal wash and wear. The upper cup is a classic floral white lace, and the center gore is trimmed with a simple white bow with a delicate pearl. Carla is far from glamorous or elegant, but exudes a classic sweetness. I only wish they had chosen a normal floral instead of this odd layered woodblock design that I just can't love. Read more 415 more words
I wasn't so sure about Lena at first, but she's grown on me. Originally I felt that she looked so plain from pictures online, as I never wear white clothing or white bras. I was also worried that this would be one of those funky Fantasie Side Support fits that doesn't work for me. However, I am pleasantly surprised. Lena fits somewhere between Susanna and Frances/Camilla, and the appearance in person is quite pretty and actually flatters me.
I don't think that the fit is identical to any of the other Fantasie Side Support bras I've tried so far, but measurement-wise it is pretty close ...to Susanna. However, the cup depth on my bra is slightly deeper than my Susanna (and definitely deeper than Frances/Camilla), and when I first tried the bra, it fit my larger side well but the smaller side immediately showed the dreaded drag line that emerges from the shoulder strap when the rest of the cup is a bit too empty. This initially made me suspect that Lena was yet another different cut, but after some manipulation, I got it to fit like the other bras that work for me. I think this is because the Fantasie 30 bands are all technically a little too large on me, so it is tricky to get my breast tissue to sit in the cups every time. They also have to be positioned very carefully in the IMF to create the right appearance on me. When they are worn properly, they look lovely and create a natural, rounded shape that looks great under clothing. If I haven't put them on correctly, they can look like a wrinkly disaster, and sometimes I feel like I'm getting the orange in a glass effect because the cups are somewhat closed off (as they are constructed as full cup bras rather than balconys) and the wires are firm. The effort required to manipulate myself into the cups is the only thing I really dislike about the Fantasie Side Support fit other than the large bands!
Like many of my other Fantasie bras, I will probably end up wearing this with foam pad inserts to create a slightly lined bra for shaping and modesty, so the above issue isn't really a big deal, especially since I do intend to alter down the bands of the bras I keep. With the lining, this looks fantastic, and feels exactly the same as Susanna. I was surprised and pleased with how nice this looked on!
The construction of the bra is again a hybrid of Susanna (all over lace) and Frances/Camilla (printed fabric). The bottom cup and side panel are made from single layer silky printed lightweight tricot. The print is of brushy/sketchy wildflowers in springy shades of coral, pink, orange, and fuchsia. The cradle and upper cup are made from white floral lace, and the upper cup is double lined with mesh. The upper cup has some stabilizing elastic so it has some stretch, which gives it more flexibility for different shapes. The straps are plain satin with picot edging, the wings are plain white powermesh, and the back has the standard leotard back. The bow is made from multiple looks of thin white ribbon tacked at the center with contrast pink ribbon. Lovely and fresh! Read more 460 more words
After trying at least a dozen Fantasie unpadded styles, I decided to give some of their padded half cups a go. The Fantasie website recommends their padded half cups for people like me with asymmetry, but up until now I haven't been able to find one of these styles in my size on Amazon as it is my go-to source for trying out returnable bras. I found two padded half cups in my size on eBay though, and decided to just go for them. Mae is one of these bras, and while I wasn't familiar with this style before, it was super cheap so I ...grabbed it. Unfortunately, both of these styles were very poor fits on me and had similar issues.
Both Mae and Marianna's cups are constructed as 3HC and are the wrong shape for me, and the main problem is that the cups are designed to be very wide and somewhat outer-full. I found that both bras had wires that are short and narrow for the cups, but the cup fabric is very wide, so at least 1" of empty cup wraps under my armpit. While I have a lot of side tissue, the location of the underwire is simply ridiculous. The measurements of the two bras are very similar, and it appears that they share the same wires. My problem with these wires is that they are very hard, but they also flex too much horizontally, so when you wear the band snug, the wires become distorted and dig into the sternum and sides. The hardness of the wires prevents them from curving in to follow the ribcage. Unfortunately, the wires make both of these bras incredibly uncomfortable on me. Mae's wires also feel too deep along the outer bottom edge, and I found that I couldn't fill out this bottom portion of the cup, which is a pretty uncommon problem for me.
In addition, the lined cups are very soft and feel like they are made from batting rather than foam, as there is no shape or structure to the cup material. This means the cups are soft and flexible, but it means they are also too flexible. Unless you have plenty of tissue in that area (and as we discussed above, due to the cup width, I don't), the straps will pull on the fabric at that point and cause a pull line to distort the cup. While Mae and Marianna measure very similarly, I found this problem to be much more obvious on Marianna than Mae, probably because Mae's cups feel more roomy on me. Because of the roomy cups on this style, I also get gapping at the upper cup because it's so open and projected at the top, while Marianna's cups actually fit a little too small on me. It's hard for me to figure out what shape this suits, but I think it's for rounded shapes that have a little more outer fullness than I have, since that's the portion of the cup that I can't fill out. Definitely not for narrow and projected shapes!
This style has a firm band, so while it measures large for a 30, it stayed in place on me without riding up. Although I prefer a truly snug band, any tighter would cause the wires to distort further, so you will want to be careful when selecting bands in this style. The wings are made from very thick stretch fabric that I would love to see on other Fantasie bras.
In terms of styling, this bra is opulent, but somehow I feel that it looks a bit "cheap." Perhaps it's because of the bright fuchsia color, or my general distaste for velour. The cups are topped with mesh with a design of flocked strawberries, roses, and mixed botanicals. The lace upper edge and cradle is quite lovely and intricate. The straps are my favorite type, ribbed satin with scalloped edges, topped with lace at the front. Sweet satin bows and a small crystal teardrop decorate the gore. All of these elements are individually lovely, except the flocking, but the overall appearance of this bra just reminds me of something from a store private label brand, or from a cheesy lingerie store. I think a different color and switching out the cup fabric for sheer lace would make this look much classier and more expensive. Another thing I dislike about the velour is that the fibers grip onto clothing, so it makes it a bit more difficult to get dressed around this bra. The seams and trims are also a bit visible and lumpy under clothing. Maybe something nice to wear under a sweater, but not suitable for lightweight clothing.
Based on my experiences with these two padded half cups, I think I'll be sticking with Fantasie's unlined styles from now on. Unfortunately due to the short cup height, I can't even "hack" these with foam pads as I usually can for bras that have fit issues. Read more 749 more words
After trying at least a dozen Fantasie unpadded styles, I decided to give some of their padded half cups a go. The Fantasie website recommends their padded half cups for people like me with asymmetry, but up until now I haven't been able to find one of these styles in my size on Amazon as it is my go-to source for trying out returnable bras. I found two padded half cups in my size on eBay though, and decided to just go for them. Marianna has been on my Amazon wishlist forever, so I was thrilled to find one in my size for a decent ...price, though it was listed as NWOT. Unfortunately, both of these styles were very poor fits on me and had similar issues.
Both Mae and Marianna's cups are constructed as 3HC and are the wrong shape for me, and the main problem is that the cups are designed to be very wide and somewhat outer-full. I found that both bras had wires that are short and narrow for the cups, but the cup fabric is very wide, so at least 1/2" of empty cup wraps under my armpit. While I have a lot of side tissue, the location of the underwire is simply ridiculous. The measurements of the two bras are very similar, and it appears that they share the same wires. My problem with these wires is that they are very hard, but they also flex too much horizontally, so when you wear the band snug, the wires become distorted and dig into the sternum and sides. The hardness of the wires prevents them from curving in to follow the ribcage. The wires on this particular bra are actually shaped too narrow despite having wide cups, so even though they flex out, they still pinch on both ends, and the skewing is so bad that the top of the gore tacks while the bottom floats. Unfortunately, the wires make both of these bras incredibly uncomfortable on me.
In addition, the lined cups are very soft and feel like they are made from batting rather than foam, as there is no shape or structure to the cup material. This means the cups are soft and flexible, but it means they are also too flexible. Unless you have plenty of tissue in that area, the straps will pull on the fabric at that point and cause a pull line to distort the cup. While Mae and Marianna measure very similarly, I found this problem to be much more obvious on Marianna than Mae, probably because Mae's cups feel more roomy on me. With the band worn snugly, Marianna's cups are actually a bit small on me despite the width issue. I am having a hard time figuring out what shape this suits, although you will need outer fullness and firm tissue to avoid the strap pulling issue.
This style's band is made from powermesh, and is less firm than Mae's stretch satin band, so it feels like the average Fantasie 30 band that is too large on me. There is a gentle leotard back so it should be easy enough to shorten the band. Although I prefer a truly snug band, any tighter would cause the wires to distort further, so you will want to be careful when selecting bands in this style.
In terms of styling, I thought this looked much prettier in pictures than it did in person. The color I had my eye on is Latte, the neutral with ivory lace. However, I have the silver colorway, which is actually a dark cool pewter grey. The body is made from silky microfiber, with ivory floral lace overlay on the cups and cradle. I think that a tonal color selection would have looked nicer than this color combination. The straps have a scalloped edge and no additional detailing at the front of the straps except tiny grey bows. The center gore is another bow with a small bezel diamante charm. A nice looking and elegant design, but not as luxe as I had imagined.
Based on my experiences with these two padded half cups, I think I'll be sticking with Fantasie's unlined styles from now on. Unfortunately due to the short cup height, I can't even "hack" these with foam pads as I usually can for bras that have fit issues. Read more 640 more words
Mollie is a bit of an oddity in the Fantasie assortment, as its colorful geometric pattern and youthful trims are totally different from the feminine, floral bras that I am drawn to from this line, but I became interested in it when I saw that Bratabase had it listed as a sister cut of my beloved Susanna. I found this for a great price on eBay, so I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did, because although there's a bit of damage on the strap of the one I received, it actually fits really nicely!
Unlike Susanna, which is a lined lace bra, Mollie ...shares the same printed silky fabric as most of Fantasie's printed bras. However, while all the other silky printed styles I've tried are made from single layer fabric cups, Mollie's bottom cup is double lined with tricot, giving it a slightly stiffer, more supportive feel. Half of the upper cup is single layer printed fabric, while the top edge is trimmed with black knit lace in a spiderweb-like pattern. The upper edge is another knit lace, so there is a bit of natural give in the lace that makes the upper cup more flexible than many other Fantasie styles, though the edge is not elastic. While this bra's measurements are slightly different from Susanna, I found that it gives me the same nicely rounded shape that suits me well. The shaping of the cup and overall volume distribution makes this a great shape that will suit most.
The band of this bra is made from nice firm powermesh, and the rest of the trims are pretty standard for Fantasie: printed fabric on the front of the straps, wide elastic with picot trim. and a gentle leotard back. The band on this particular bra feels a bit firmer than some of the other Fantasie bras I have, so it isn't as ridiculously oversized on me as they usually are. One note about the elastic is that the picot edging can unravel-- on my bra, it is starting to come apart in several places. I think you have to be careful when adjusting the straps as if the picot edging starts to come apart, it will easily unravel a whole section. The only other trim on the bra are simple black bows with hot pink center ties. Combined with the black and white dot print with overlaid confetti and branches, the overall appearance of the bra looks like this is meant for a younger target consumer, though I have seen this described as "contemporary."
Aesthetics aside, while it's not my favorite Fantasie bra to look at, I am very pleased with Mollie's lovely fit and appearance. The fabric will make this an excellent summer bra that can be worn either unlined or with foam cups underneath for a smoother appearance. Read more 377 more words
Oh Susanna! I am surprisingly thrilled with this bra. I didn't have the highest of hopes because honestly some of the colorways did not look very attractive in photos, but I managed to pick up one in Petal, which is ivory lace over the palest baby pink with a hint of mauve. Since Fantasie Side Support styles are kind of all over the place, I was also kind of scared based on the measurements that this bra would be the wrong shape for me, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the ever present too-large band, Susanna is the best Fantasie fit for me so ...far!
In terms of band size, this isn't much different from my other Fantasie bras, but somehow the band feels a bit firmer. The wing height is the same, so perhaps the elastic used here is wider, or the solid powermesh might have more retention than the printed versions. It is a little large but stays in place. I will probably alter it eventually since the leotard back should be pretty easy to shorten.
The cups of Susanna remind me of a slightly deeper, more rounded version of the Elsie/Camilla/Frances cut I like. The bottom 3 piece cup is firm single layer tricot, the upper cup is single layer mesh, and the entire cup has a sheer floral lace overlay. The silky fabric used on Fantasie printed bras is very thin but firm, and I feel that this tricot/lace combo has a little more give. The cup depth is also a little bit deeper, so overall the shape looks nice and rounded. The side support panel has some give, and there is some natural stretch along the seams that makes it fit more flexibly than in the more rigid styles. The upper cup edge is this same type of seam, which is firm but has a bit of yield from natural stretch. It isn't as elastic as the top edge of Elsie/Camilla/Frances, but not totally rigid like Caroline/Harriet/Estelle. It gives me a great natural shape on both sides, which can be kind of tricky to fit due to my asymmetry. It also looks great with foam pads to wear as more of a t-shirt bra!
The only real complaint I have about the fit is that I feel the wires are a bit narrow on me. They have a nice gentle curve like the Elsie/Camilla/Frances ones, but I feel that the ends of the wires are a bit more vertical. Since Fantasie wires are very firm, any wire shape that's a little off can feel noticeable. I could use slightly wider wires that are a touch more open at the top, though this isn't close to pinching like the ones on the Caroline Plunge.
Styling-wise, this has a full lace covered cradle, lace trim fabric topped on textured satin straps, and small lace bows. The edging of the elastic along the band and cradle looks a bit like scallop shells, so it overall gives the bra a more frilly appearance than many other styles. I am so happy that I ended up with Petal, since the other colorways didn't appeal to me much, though I like the fit so much that I'm trying to pick up more!
The shape of this bra seems to be the most universally flexible and should suit most breast shapes except tall roots, as most Fantasie bras are pretty closed at the top and will cut into tall roots. Read more 485 more words
When I opened up this package and pulled out the Fantasie Estelle in Berry, I did a double take. Did they send me the wrong bra? This looked nothing like the picture (online the color was a brighter pink), but it certainly reminded me of a bra I already had in my collection. I pulled out my Panache Colette Balconette Bra in Claret, and compared the two side by side. Styling-wise, the two are eerily similar. Both are made of double lined mesh cups with a sheer upper, both sport a large scale floral embroidery all over the cups and cradle, both ...have powermesh bands with leotard backs, and both share textured straps and simple bow trims. However, the similarities stop there.
Though the two bras measure very similarly in the cup, the fit could not be more different. Panache bands typically run large for me, and in my limited experience with Fantasie, I've also found this to be true. I ordered several Fantasie bras recently, and the bands are consistently larger than the Panache. So, if I find a Fantasie bra that is a perfect fit in the cups, I will plan to alter the band. The band unstretched on this style measures a full 3" longer than my best fitting 28E bras, and almost 4" longer than my Comexim 28 bands. Thus, the band is definitely problematic for me in this style. I would recommend sizing down up to two band sizes if possible if you are looking for a truly snug band.
I've also always had trouble with these "side support" bra cuts, and this is no exception. Actually, it's probably the most challenging side support fit that I've tried thusfar. I don't think side support is really needed in smaller cup sizes such as my size range, but for them to fit properly, I believe the cups have to be a bit wide and the band has to be snug in order for the side support panel to effectively push side tissue that wraps around under the arms back front and center. However, the cup isn't quite wide enough to do that (although I felt the cup did feel on the wide side), and clearly the band isn't snug enough, so the restrictive outer panel ends up cutting into my tissue at the sides and bottom of the cup and creating a great deal of emptiness.
In order to counteract this, I've learned that these side support bras need to be worn differently. I had to consciously pull the bra up a bit higher on the body to have the wires sit in a position where the cup shape was more natural, otherwise wearing the band/wires at my normal position effectively forced my breast tissue only into the portion of the cup that is not restricted by the side sling. However, this makes the outer portion of the cup sit right under the armpit, which is also not ideal for comfort. In addition, the fullness of the cup is not at the right point on my body, and this specific style also measures deeper in the cup than the Nadine Side Support Bra I picked up at the same time, so overall I get this orange-in-a-glass effect as a result of the cup simultaneously being too large and too small. I added my Commando Take Outs to bump me up to a 28F, and then I do fill out the bottom of the cup just fine, but it ends up giving me an extremely pointy shape.
The Nadine in a very similar cut fits much better, so I believe the proportions of this particular bra just don't work for me. I have ordered a few other side support styles from Fantasie so I should be able to gauge if there are different cuts all labeled Side Support or if one of these two bras is an anomaly.
While Panache Colette is a gorgeous fit on me, I think that the soft double mesh cup construction is key to the great fit. One thing I dislike about the Estelle in comparison is that the double lined lower cup/side sling are lined with a very firm, non-stretch tricot that has a plasticky feel. Other than that, the rest of the materials are beautiful and comparable quality to the Panache Colette. I think the straps of this style are prettier as they are a similar ribbed textured elastic with picot edging that you find in the Cleo Marcie. One other difference between the two styles is that the Estelle has elastic at the upper cup, but since the upper cup doesn't have much give, it effectively behaves as a completely rigid bra cup. There is not much flexibility at the upper cup like you would find in an elastic or true mesh upper.
I have been so drawn to Fantasie bras lately as I love the gorgeous embroidery, floral prints, and fancy trims found on their bras. I have been in the mood for feminine, romantic bras lately, but other elaborate styles like Simone Perele haven't worked out for me. I have picked up a couple more Fantasie bras to try, and despite this second fail with a Side Support style (my first one was the Elsie in 30D, which is far too small), I am not yet giving up! Read more 805 more words
(Basically a repeat of my rant I posted on the front page, edited a bit to focus more on just this bra.)
Well, I was reminded why I don't shop during Brastop clearance sales, especially if it's the ONE bra left in that size...
I purchased two beautiful Fantasie bras from Brastop on the "up to 80% off clearance!!" sale. (Side rant: are any of them actually that much off? I only find like 50-60% off, and even the one I got as the last bra was like 70% off... hmmmm) This is the review for the balcony in 30DD. It is oddly flawed.
Either this was mislabeled, or by ...the other mishaps I've discovered, just incorrectly put together.
As for the 30DD balcony bras, the Bratabase average cup width is about 4.9" and cup width 8.6". Mine: an astounding 5.5" width, and 8.75" depth. Now the depth seems a bit on the large side, but WHAT HAPPENED with the wire portion of assembly?! Especially since it matches the wire length (mine is 9.5", average is between 9.5" and 9.8"). ... ??????????????????????? ... (Most of the 30F bras have a width around 5.5", so maybe there's a 30F bra that has its wire swapped out there and is ridiculously narrow??) Gore height is fine, actually a tiny bit shorter than average, but then the wing height is much higher at 3.75" compared to average 3.25". Cup separation is larger at a whole 1", with average around 0.8". Band is longer and stretchier too, with relaxed at 25.25" and stretched at 33", compared to average 24.8" relaxed and 30.5" stretched. Overall, weirdly larger than other Fantasie balcony 30DD bras.
From a quality control standpoint, if you have less than a second to check on it, they both look beautiful, so I can see how they passed inspection. (Honestly, fabrics are achingly beautiful, tear-worthy that neither work.) Nothing was stitched incorrectly, and no backwards straps, weirdly stretched elastics, or snags in the fabrics. But how could one end up with wires intended for two cup sizes up??
In summary: 30DD is larger than average. It is unusually wide and shallow, and yet still possesses too much cup volume for me. It sucks. Read more 257 more words
