Elsie was my first Fantasie bra purchase back when I was a 28DD. I didn't have much interest in the Fantasie brand at that point, but I saw this from one of my favorite closeout sellers and just had to buy the bra to try. Aesthetically, Elsie is the prettiest bra I own. The Apple Blossom print just screams Anne of Green Gables, and it is feminine and girly without being frilly. It has all the appeal of a Japanese bra without the heavily padded cups and lumpy trims. Sadly, the fit of the cups didn't fit me when I was a 28DD, ... and it doesn't fit me now as a 28E.
First, the 30 bands from Fantasie run really large. 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. Thankfully, the very shallow leotard back construction means this shouldn't be a difficult band to alter if necessary. The band on this specific style is made from single layer powermesh with the same print as the cups, so the beautiful print extends all around the bra. The mesh feels nice and firm, so if the band weren't so long, it would feel comfortable and secure.
I believe this bra is very close to the same cut as the Nadine, which I own in 30DD. I have tried another Fantasie Side Support cut that seems to fit differently (Estelle is more projected in the cup). The bottom cup is made from single layer lightweight printed fabric, while the upper cup is made from mesh embroidered with satiny blossoms. The upper edge of the upper cup has a strip of elastic sewn in for stability, but the elastic does not provide much stretch, nor does it pucker. The cradle is the same printed satiny fabric lined with rigid tricot. The fabrics are extremely lightweight and comfortable in this particular style. If this fit, it would be such a comfortable bra, particularly for summer!
In terms of cup fit, these side support style are tricky on me. My tissue is too spread out to really suit this cup construction, which requires a more projected and narrow breast shape. The wires of this 30D are too small for me and definitely cut into breast tissue on both sides. If the band is pulled snug, I fill the cups entirely, but I suffer from the orange-in-a-glass effect and clearly need the cups to be bigger. I should have gotten this in a 30DD, but alas it is not available right now, and even then there would continue to be some fit issues as these bras are not really designed for my shape.
I've found that these Fantasie side support styles need to be worn differently from my standard bras. 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, leaving the bottom and sides completely empty. However, this makes the outer portion of the cup sit right under the armpit, which is also not ideal for comfort.
Despite all these issues, I want to give this another shot i a different size, and I don't want to let this 30D out of my collection. I've picked up a 30E just on a whim since I feel that the 30DD cups are still a bit small and restrictive on me. It is heartachingly beautiful and appeals to a part of my psyche that swoons over apple blossoms, baby pink, and delicate scalloped trim.
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Apple Blossom colorway
Updated on Apr 14, 2020 Flag this