This bra was a very comfortable, very functional everyday bra. The balcony style fit well under all but the widest square necklines (the top corner of the cup would show) or lowest plunges (center gore showed). The cups are a smooth molded style, giving great forward projection and pulling in breast tissue from under the arms while keeping a nice, rounded shape--it looked very natural for me. It's certainly not the most attractive bra (very basic, no-frills), but it was very, very comfortable and went well under everything from white to black (I've got very pale skin, so black bras sometimes show through black shirts if the material isn't thick or completely opaque, like a jersey material or a thinner dress shirt).
My immediate impression upon opening this bra was that I didn't like the color. The online pictures show it being much more of a creamy white, but in real life it's definitely true ivory with strong yellow undertones. Not my favorite.
The fit is OK on me and very true to size. I almost always fall squarely between cup sizes, and in this case, 30D probably would be the best fit, because in the 30DD I have little gaps at the top edges of the cups. It does not show under shirts, however (a problem I had with the Freya Deco/Lydia), so I may keep ...this one; I am still undecided. Unfortunately, per Fantasie (via email), this bra is no longer made in 30D.
As for shape, the Ava bra really lifts you up and out there. That has been the case with all the Fantasie bras I've tried on, and I love that about this company -- they really know what they're doing in the shaping department.
The foam lining is thin (1/8" or less) and stiff compared to the Panache Porcelain Lace bra, my absolute favorite. To the hands it has almost a crinkly feel which isn't noticeable during wear.
I do recommend the Ava bra, if you can get your proper size. It is so difficult to find a well made, well fitting t-shirt bra! Read more 126 more words
The Ava is a gorgeous style despite the Ivory shade. I am considering the Red or Black, it's just so pricey in US$. So aside from the shade you really quite like this bra? Shape is great?
Oh, absolutely. As long as they have your size I would say don't even hesitate. The Ava bra is incredibly supportive and the shaping is probably the best I've seen. Shortly after writing this review I learnt I was expecting, and as I (ahem) filled out on top, this bra looked and felt fantastic. I can't say enough about Fantasie designs. Wish they would make nursing bras!!!
Have you ever tried on the Fantasie "Gabrielle" Soft Cup? I see it's part of their continuity line but it seems so difficult to find! Also, have you tried ASOS for maternity bras? I'll tell a little horror story: Once I ordered a molded underwire from there and it was shipped in not a box but a plastic bag! Sure the cups weren't perfect but it was the underwires I was more concerned about being bent. Returned!
Anyhow, I'd probably recommend trying non-underwires from them. They have a couple cute Freya soft cups, they're always sold out in my sizes. I'd love to know how they run compared to other Freyas. Out of these top UK brands I have just one soft cup so far and it's from Panache, Sophie. Super comfortable. Happy maternity findings!
Have wanted to try the Gabrielle for a while now ... might be time to search it out in my size. Also have had my eye on the Panache Sophie for some time. Thanks for the buying tips! :-)
I had never heard of the Fantasie Twilight, but I purchased this blindly because it comes in a shade called Envy, which looked like hunter green in the photos. For some reason I love cool greens, and this didn't disappoint, as the shade is a deep, gorgeous forest green with blue-grey undertones in person. I would've been tempted to keep it just for the color alone, but thankfully it actually fit!
However, Twilight is unique in that it is quite different from the rest of Fantasie's Side Support styles that I've tried. Almost all the other styles are made from rigid fabric, giving the cups a ...lot of support. With the exception of Illusion, stretch cups are a rarity in the Fantasie collection. However, the fabric is entirely different from the stretch knit used in Illusion (similar to Panache Olivia), as Twilight has stretch lace cups lined with lightweight mesh. The mesh doesn't contain spandex, but it does have mechanical stretch, therefore the cups are quite forgiving. The Side Support name is also kind of misleading here, as the "side support" panel is really just a vertical seam that also has mechanical stretch. The side support panel isn't reinforced with anything to actually provide more support, so it doesn't function to push tissue forward like in a traditional side support style.
The cup is a 4 piece construction, but the upper panel is much shorter than most of the other Side Support styles. The bottom 2 panels/side support panel are both stretch lace lined with mesh, while the upper panel is stretch micromesh. The upper cup edge is finished with an elastic binding, and I found that this did dig into my tall roots a bit, so this won't be good for someone with both upper fullness and tall roots. The elasticated cups should accommodate a wide range of shapes, however, but I think naturally firm, round shapes will get the best shaping from this bra as the cups are not particularly supportive. Compared to a standard Fantasie style, this gives me a very natural shape.
The wires have a natural C curve and fit me well, and are a bit longer than the standard Side Support wires. Interestingly, this bra is constructed without a separate cradle. The cups are simply set into the band, without any additional seaming or stabilizing fabric on the cradle. The band is made from double layer powermesh but the upper and lower edge elastic are both pretty narrow. For this reason, I don't think this bra will be a good option for larger sizes. This would really be best for core sizes, up to maybe E/F. Note that the band measures a bit smaller than most 30DD Fantasie bands I've tried, but it doesn't feel as stable as it should, due to the narrow elastic and lack of a supportive cradle.
Trims are simple, with picot edge satin straps and a metal teardrop charm at the center gore. The lace pattern reminds me of a cross between Freya Love Note and Freya Soiree, as it has an open crochet lace effect. It's a clean and modern take on lace from Fantasie, perfect for those who are less drawn to the frilly floral pieces of their staple line. Or, just get this bra because it comes in gorgeous jewel tones. It's a lovely and lightweight option for those who don't need a ton of support and don't mind a natural look. Read more 486 more words
I thought that Fantasie Elsie was the prettiest bra I've come across, but that spot has now been taken over by Caroline. Seriously, Caroline is such a gorgeous bra if you are into the feminine, pink floral aesthetic. I tried Caroline in the Plunge cut, which is a new fit to me, but unfortunately it didn't quite suit my shape.
The Plunge cut from Fantasie is taller in the cups than the Side Support styles. Compared to other brands, the wires here are quite narrow, and as they are quite firm, I feel a bit of pinching on either side. I need more flexible or ...wider wires to make this comfortable. Cup depth is also deeper than the Side Support styles. It reminds me a bit of Freya Fancies Plunge in terms of fit and construction. The main problem with this fit for me is that the required shape is much more center full than I am able to fill. The upper cup also has a rigid top edge, so it cuts into tall roots. I get a horrible orange in a glass effect when I wear this style, though it looks better on my fuller side and horrible on my smaller side. It looks fantastic with either foam cup inserts (I am newly a die-hard fan of these) or my Commando Takeouts, though. If you are able to fill this out, it gives a lovely rounded shape with none of the pointiness that the Side Support styles tend to give.
Like all my other Fantasie bras I've tried, the 30 band is too large on me, but since it is firm, it stays in place and isn't a huge issue, though I'd prefer to alter anything I keep for everyday wear.
The construction of the bra is classic Fantasie, with lightweight single layer silky fabric for the cups that feels like nothing but provides great support. Caroline is all about roses, with pale pink and fuchsia combined to make a more modern take on the classic rose. My favorite part of this bra is the upper cup embroidery, which has gradient tonal roses on mesh done in very shiny satin stitch to give an elegant texture. Unlike some of their other styles, this embroidery is soft and comfortable right off the bat. The straps are a lovely textured satin that reflect the shine of the embroidery threads. The bows are identical to those on Camilla, with a larger ivory bow topped with a thin pink bow to resemble a blossom. Printed powermesh wings and a leotard back complete the style.
This bra is so beautiful that I've also ordered the Caroline Side Support version, and am determined to keep whichever is the better fit as I must have one of these in my collection! While this fit is pretty disastrous on its own on me, it does look great with inserts, so it is a contender for keeping if the Side Support ends up being of the Estelle/Harriet cut that doesn't work for me at all.
Update: I ordered the Caroline Side Support and the fit is a disaster. After revisiting this bra, I've decided to keep it as it looks quite nice with foam pads, and it is the only plunge cut in my collection. Read more 453 more words
Great review! I have this bra in a size 30ff coming in soon from a seller from another site. The wires look narrow and close set, and the bras fabric and design is beautiful, I love either black or pretty floral print. I am hoping that the band will be firm enough and the cups not too tall or the wires too harsh like my other Fantasie bra. If it doesn't fit or work I can always pass mine on. Thanks for sharing those details! @belleandblues@ belleandblues
meganelaineshaw1 Thank you! I hope this works out for you, it's so gorgeous!
Okay this bra is gorgeous! Totally comfortable for everyday wear, and sexy enough for the bedroom! The details are stitched in and it has such a quality look and feel to it. The cups have no stretch. The bows are a “gentle” touch and don’t take away from the bra and stitched design at all. The apex of the cup is just a tad higher than what I can fill leaving a bit of wrinkles at the top of the cup, but as usual that’s to be expected with my short roots... it’s not a bother and not noticeable under clothes.
Non-strech, very pretty lace. Not ideal for close-set breasts, the cups don't cover enough of my inner tissue. Will try and E cup and alter this review if that size solves this issue. No armpit issues The band is slightly looser than my other 30 band bras from Fantasie and other brands (I have this on the second hook already) - could work if you are between 30 and 32.
Annalise is my third attempt at a Fantasie Padded Half Cup bra. I really like the aesthetic of this line and was happy I could try this in a different cut, since I've tried so many different styles from Fantasie so far. However, this particular bra fits really oddly, and was also totally different from Marianna and Mae, the other two padded half cups I have tried.
The biggest problem with Annalise is that the bra simply seems to be the entirely wrong size for me, as I felt the shape worked for me. The band measures 10 cm longer than my normal ...28 bands, which puts it in the range of a true 32. The band is so big that I can't get a true sense of the fit, but what I found is that while the cup width and depth seem pretty normal, the wires are quite flexible, so once I hook the band (just hooked closed, not snug), the wires end up really wide on my ribcage. Between the large band and the wide cups, which are also taller than normal, the fit of this bra ends up one band and one cup size larger, so my 30DD fits like a 32DD. (Update: I have since ordered the 30D and can confirm this style runs one cup size large. The 30D fits like 30DD in cup volume. The band size of this particular 30DD is probably off-spec as it was 4.5 cm/nearly 2 inches longer than the band of 30D)
If I could get this in a real 28E, I think I would end up liking this bra. Unlike the other two padded half cup styles I tried, I like the shape of these cups. The cups have a 3HC bottom cup construction and one horizontal top panel, and give more projection than your standard padded half cup made from this light foam. The upper cup is more closed off than the standard 3HC. Mae and Marianna were both made as standard 3HCs, though Marianna was too short and small, and Mae was too wide and large. On my larger side, the cup fits pretty well, although I can tell it's slightly large as there is a little extra room in the cup. On my smaller side, there is definitely emptiness, so the dreaded issue of the strap pulling on the empty cup fabric and causing a vertical drag line is horribly prominent.
The wires on this bra are also slightly different from other Fantasie bras, and have more of a short U shape, where the bottom of the wire is slightly flatter than normal. The wires are quite flexible horizontally so the cup spreads out a lot. The fullness of the cup is once again on the center full side, but it isn't as prominent as on some other foam cup bras, so it didn't bother me a lot. It's really a shame that this bra was so big on me, as I find it to be quite nice. I’ve decided to give the 30D a try in the Camellia (white) colorway despite the hefty price tag because I love the styling and the shape of the cups.
The styling of this bra combines floral print and embroidery to create a lovely appearance. The outer cups are made entirely from mesh, with the bottom cups and cradle made from floral printed mesh with small scale floral embroidery, and the upper cup and center cradle made from solid mesh with solid embroidery. The upper cup embroidery is really gorgeous as it is a large scale floral and nicely textured with long satin stitches. Since I have the black colorway, it is hard to see the detail, but I think this makes the bra look quite luxurious. As is common for Fantasie bras, there is a bit of printed fabric topped on to the front straps, and the rest of the straps are textured picot edge elastic and slightly narrower than usual. The band is fairly plain and made from standard powermesh, but I can't comment on how firm it is since it didn't fit me. Back is a standard low leotard back, and the only decorations are simple satin bows at the gore and strap attachments.
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Update November 2020:
I repurchased this same bra and it now fits me much better in my current size of 28E/28F. The cups are a great fit, but the band is still a little too big. I'll probably alter the band down for a better fit, but although the band rides up a bit, it is wearable currently on the tightest hook. Since I am on the larger side of 30DD now and closer to 30E, I still find that this fits at least a half cup large. Read more 713 more words
The month of May has been a slow month for me in bra news, not because I haven't ordered anything, but because literally all of my bra orders have been cursed so far--delayed (1), in international transit limbo (2), lost in the mail (3), or the wrong item shipped (this one). Since the original Caroline Plunge I ordered was super pretty but not quite the right shape for me, I decided to try the Side Support version. However, I didn't end up getting this item in my possession for almost a month due to Amazon shipping me a random Calvin Klein bra in its place and ...being slow to process a replacement. Imagine my disappointment when my worst fears about this style came true--it is one of the side support styles that is incompatible with my shape!
According to the list of related styles listed for this bra, this is supposedly the same cut as Susanna, Mollie, and Estelle. Having tried all three styles, I can tell you that Caroline doesn't quite fit like any of them. It is definitely not the same cut as Mollie, as the measurements are different. It is similar in measurements to Susanna, but the cup height is taller, and the proportion of the upper cup and cup shape are different. It is the closest in measurements to Estelle, which I no longer have in my possession, but I remember that the shape of the Estelle cups was very pointy as well as being projected. The cup height on Caroline is one of the tallest I've found in all Fantasie bras, and I noticed this on the Plunge version as well, but assumed it was due to the cut.
There are several issues with this fit, which unfortunately made it once again fall in the camp of "Fantasie Side Support cuts that don't work for me." First, the band on this bra is pretty loose, even larger than most of the other 30 Fantasie bands I've tried. It definitely doesn't stay in place, and I had to try it on with the tightest hook or I wouldn't be able to tell anything about the fit. Second, the cup shape is very strange and oddly distributed. Like Estelle, this cup shape is very projected, but it isn't quite as pointy. The side support panel is also constructed weirdly, and I can tell by looking at the cup shape that anybody would experience drag lines at the side support panel and outer wire simply because there is too much tension in the panel and no room for breast tissue to go. For this reason, it creates emptiness at the wire along the outer cup while simultaneously reducing the amount of horizontal room available in the cup. Most strangely, the fullness of the upper cup is cut to be very center full (in a shape reminiscent of some Masquerade cuts, like Athena, Rosa, etc.), and I definitely don't have breast tissue there. Usually a little bit of cup wrinkling or slight emptiness can be corrected with inserts or foam pads, but in this case even the foam pads could not smooth this out. There was simply excess fabric at the cup near the gore, while there wasn't enough room at the wire near the wings.
Unfortunately, this is a very poor fit, and I really have doubts that this would work for anybody. Maybe very soft tissue could be squeezed into this bra's restrictive shape, but it doesn't exactly give a pleasing profile as it creates a deformed and slightly pointy breast shape. It is really hard to tell how many of these issues could be due to manufacturing inconsistencies and how many are intentionally due to the cut. I believe this is meant to fit like Estelle, but both bras had such oddities in the cup shape that I am not sure which bra is more representative of how this is supposed to fit. I would not recommend this bra to anybody, despite the fact that it is so pretty.
Aesthetically, it looks exactly the same as the Caroline Plunge, which is probably the only positive thing I have to say about this bra. The construction of the bra is classic Fantasie, with lightweight single layer silky fabric for the cups that feels like nothing but provides great support. Caroline is all about roses, with pale pink and fuchsia combined to make a more modern take on the classic rose. My favorite part of this bra is the upper cup embroidery, which has gradient tonal roses on mesh done in very shiny satin stitch to give an elegant texture. Unlike some of their other styles, this embroidery is soft and comfortable right off the bat. The straps are a lovely textured satin that reflect the shine of the embroidery threads. The bows are identical to those on Camilla, with a larger ivory bow topped with a thin pink bow to resemble a blossom. Printed powermesh wings and a leotard back complete the style. Read more 752 more words
Harriet is one of those Fantasie Side Support styles that isn't cut for my shape at all. While the fabrication of this bra and the styling resemble the ones I love (Elsie, Camilla, Frances), the fit is actually the most similar to Estelle, a very projected and pointy shape that didn't suit me at all.
The difference between the two cuts seems to be the following:
Estelle/Harriet: - Wider, shallower wire shape - Shorter bottom cup and taller upper cup, making the fullest part of the bra lower than on Frances/Elsie/Camilla - Deeper cup, more center projection - More rigid side panel (outer cup at strap attachment is elasticated but less stretchy) - Rigid ...upper cup edge - Creates a very pointy shape that is pushed forward, less lifted
Frances/Elsie/Camilla: - More evenly curved wire shape - Taller bottom cup and shorter upper cup, fullest part of the bra is vertically centered - Slightly shallower cup, more rounded shape - More flexible side panel (outer cup at strap attachment is more stretchy at the elastic due to deeper ruching) - Slightly flexible upper cup edge - Creates a rounded shape that is less pushed forward, more lifted
For some reason, while I believe is the same cut as Estelle, the cup width and depth measured slightly smaller than the Estelle I had tried. I am unsure if this is on purpose due to the fabrication, or if it is variance in manufacturing. Regardless, I had all of the same problems in Harriet as I had in Estelle, though since it is less projected, it was less horrible of a fit on me, though it still gave the orange in a glass effect.
Aesthetically, Harriet turned out to be a prettier bra than I anticipated. Like Frances/Elsie/Camilla, Harriet is made from the same lightweight silky fabric as the base cup material. The print appears to be of stylized watercolor cattleya orchids on a grey paisley background. The upper cup is single layer embroidered mesh with arabesque floral motifs. Unfortunately, this lace embroidery is quite scratchy, as I noted on Estelle. I don't know if this will soften up or not with washing. The upper edge is very firm and has almost no give, so it will not be suitable for tall roots. The rest of the bra construction is very familiar, with nice firm printed powermesh wings, wide elastic straps partially topped with printed fabric trim, and a leotard back. The straps on this style are plain white satin with picot edging. The bows on this style are simple white ribbon with the center portion of the ribbon trimmed in pink. A very cute touch!
I have many more Fantasie styles coming in the mail to be tried, so I will update the above comparison with other styles that fall under each fit. Read more 360 more words
I recently found Frances in the soft fabric fabrication which fits me pretty well, so I went for another Fantasie style that looked similar, the Camilla. Honestly the main reason I picked out this bra is that the jade green color appeals to me, and I love the soft blossom print, which appears to be of azaleas, but give off a cherry blossom feel (though Fantasie describes them as magnolias on their website). Jade isn't quite the right color description though, as the base color is more of a dusty teal, but the color combination is quite unique and lovely. Another bra perfect for spring! ... Luckily, my instincts were correct and Camilla does indeed fit the same way as Frances. It also seems to be a sister cut of Elsie, which I have tried in 30D and 30E but haven't been able to get in 30DD.
I marked this style as fitting as the band is definitely too big, but not too problematic on the tightest hook as it is rather firm and stays in place. Because of the mesh wings and the gentle leotard back, it will be relatively easy to alter to fit. I am happy that the cups fit, as the Side Support styles have been a tricky shape for me so far. This is is a slightly different cut from Nadine (Nadine has slightly longer wires, slightly shallower cups, and the proportions are slightly different).
Camilla, like Frances and Elsie, is made from a thin and lightweight silky fabric that is rigid and provides a lot of support. I think this fabrication works best for me in the side support style as there is no need for the cup to be double lined. The single lined cups seem to be easiest to fit. The upper cut construction is identical to Frances: mesh-lined sheer lace with stabilizing elastic on the edge. Unlike many other brands, the elastic that Fantasie uses on the upper cups is really just there to give stability to the edge of the cup. It is not very stretchy, and it isn't sewn with much tension, so it's supposed to just make the edge of the upper cup a bit thicker and firmer so it stays in place on your body. The purpose of this elastic is not to make the upper cup fit your tissue if it is not the right shape for you.
The cups on this bra are just a tiny bit wider and more relaxed than my Frances, which makes it feel more comfortable on me. In this size, the side support panel worked just fine and didn't give me any kind of weird shape although there is a bit of wrinkling due to the seam from this panel. Putting on this bra is a little different from my other styles though, because I have to really bend over and completely scoop into the cups. I was able to try this bra with inserts as well and found that it worked best with inserts either at the top of the cup or at the center of the cup, so I think this shape would suit FOT and even shapes. FOB shapes will probably find that the cups look bottom-heavy and the top will be empty.
Even though this is clearly not designed for 28 band people like me, I like the lifted natural shape that this bra gives me, and the fabric is super comfortable for summer. It gives a really nice shape under clothing. Overall the bra is very soft and breathable.
Like Elsie, the printed fabric is used throughout the cups, cradle, and band. The band is printed powermesh rather than the same satiny fabric used on the body. The straps are simple satin straps with a picot edge with printed fabric topped on the front half, and the only construction difference from Frances is that this has a slightly wider strap. I think Fantasie does a great job with varying the details of their bras just slightly to suit the bra's individual style--this one has a bit of corded texture on the lace upper cups, and the center gore bow is reminiscent of a blossom, with a very tiny pale pink bow sitting in the center of a wider teal bow. This bra is lovely to look at, comfortable to wear, and I just wish Fantasie would bring in 28 bands or make the 30 bands more TTS. Read more 652 more words
The Fantasie Frances seems to be a new style for Spring this year, and I was drawn to the bold but feminine pink and green floral print that reminds me of abstract tulips. Nordstrom happened to be carrying this style and had it on sale, so I gave it a try. I didn't have high hopes because so many of my Fantasie purchases have been fit fails, but this one happily surprised me! Except for the band, it basically fits!
I marked this style as fitting as the band is definitely too big, but not too problematic on the tightest hook as it is rather firm ...and stays in place. Because of the mesh wings and the gentle leotard back, it will be relatively easy to alter to fit. I am happy that the cups fit, as the Side Support styles have been a tricky shape for me so far. As far as I can tell, this is a slightly different cut from Nadine (Nadine has slightly longer wires, slightly shallower cups, and the proportions are slightly different). This seems to be the closest in fit to Elsie, which I have in 30D. Both share the same fabrication, and the proportions and construction seem to be very comparable.
Both Frances and Elsie are made from a thin and lightweight silky fabric that is rigid and provides a lot of support. I think this fabrication works best for me in the side support style as there is no need for the cup to be double lined. The single lined cups seem to be easiest to fit. Like Elsie, this style has a lace upper cup and decorative fabric topped on to the straps. Elsie's upper cup was single layer mesh with embroidery and stabilizing elastic on the edge; Frances' upper cup is mesh-lined sheer black lace with stabilizing elastic on the edge. Unlike many other brands, the elastic that Fantasie uses on the upper cups is really just there to give stability to the edge of the cup. It is not very stretchy, and it isn't sewn with much tension, so it's supposed to just make the edge of the upper cup a bit thicker and firmer so it stays in place on your body. The purpose of this elastic is not to make the upper cup fit your tissue if it is not the right shape for you.
Compared to the 30D cups in Elsie, these fit me much better. The wires are a bit narrower than other brands, but not so tight that I can feel them pinching. In this size, the side support panel worked just fine and didn't give me any kind of weird shape although there is a bit of wrinkling due to the seam from this panel. Putting on this bra is a little different from my other styles though, because I have to really bend over and completely scoop into the cups. I believe the cups on this individual style run a bit small, as the slightly wider Camilla fits me a bit better, and the 30E in this cut is too big (see my Elsie 30E review). I was able to try this bra with inserts as well and found that it worked best with inserts either at the top of the cup or at the center of the cup, so I think this shape would suit FOT and even shapes. FOB shapes will probably find that the cups look bottom-heavy and the top will be empty.
I like the lifted natural shape that this bra gives me, and the fabric is super comfortable for summer. It gives a really nice shape under clothing. Overall the bra is very soft and breathable. Like Elsie, the printed fabric is used throughout the cups, cradle, and band. The band is printed powermesh rather than the same satiny fabric used on the body. The straps are simple black satin straps with a picot edge with printed fabric topped on the front half (Frances' straps use a slightly narrower elastic than Elsie and Camilla, which both have wider straps). The only thing that I don't like about the appearance of this bra is that while there are tiny bows at the strap attachment, the center gore charm is a folded ribbon with a weird geometric charm. Seriously, I'm having flashbacks to Freya bras when looking at this bizarre gore decoration. Other than that, I am pretty pleased with this new Fantasie find!
Update: After additional comparison, I can confirm this is the same cut as Elsie and Camilla, and it is the Side Support cut that best fits my shape (except Illusion, which is a different type of fabric). Read more 698 more words
I 've seen alisa also has a Fantasie side support with similar style. She has a FoT shape and it fits her well.
I purchased an Elsie 30F, just because on Bratabase the fit b.perimeter of other similar Fantasie side supports in 30F can be up to 28cm. I don't know if this is true: http://bra.pe/SCeH/
smjwzhan Good luck! I've tried a lot of different Fantasie bras now, and I feel that they are probably more suited for your conical shape because the cups tend to be more closed-off and projected rather than wide and shallow. Hopefully that particular style will be more suitable for your shape, I do like the cut of Frances/Elsie better than the other styles I've tried.
I just got in another one, the Sienna, and posted a review. It's an all-lace bra and it fits differently from all the other side support bras I've gotten so far. I wish Fantasie would more clearly label the different cuts so it's easier for us to shop online!
Sienna is my third allover lace Fantasie bra and the second lace Side Support model that I've tried. As I initially suspected, there are many variations within the bras classified as "Side Support." Compared to the other styles I have tried, the measurements are closest to Frances in the same size, but the fabrication makes it fit differently. The fit is very different from the all-lace Estelle that really didn't work for me. While Frances was a pretty good fit with a too-large band that can be altered down, this one didn't work out.
In terms of the band, I am pleased to find that ...Sienna actually measures TTS for a 30 band. Comparing the few measurements that have been entered for this bra across different sizes, I believe this is true across the board. The band is still a little bit on the larger end and not as small as Cleo bands, but you can order your regular size and get a decent fit. The band of this bra is made from the same firm powermesh used on most Fantasie styles I've come across. The back is a shallow leotard shape so it would be easy to alter.
Compared to Frances, the cups on this bra measure about the same in width and depth, but the wires are a smidge longer and there is more cup separation. Because this is an all-lace bra, the bottom cup is double lined with non-stretch tricot. I have already talked about how these double-lined cups don't work for me in Fantasie styles, and here it's the same. The cups are pretty rigid and there's not much give. The upper cup is single layer embroidered mesh, but the upper edge of the cup is NOT made from stabilizing elastic. The upper edge has a strip of nonstretch fabric sewn at the edge, so there is no give at all. The upper cup is very firm, so it will not work for tall roots, nor can it accommodate more upper fullness.
Unfortunately, it is this quality that made the bra really not fit me. The wires feel a bit too obviously narrow, but with the snugger band, it is obvious that it cuts into my breast tissue at the gore (the gore is a bit wider in this style than in Frances). The cups are so closed off and have no give that I am really squeezed into the cup unnaturally with a bit of a bulge at the top where my tall roots don't fit. Classic orange in a glass effect here. Thankfully, the shape of the bra is quite nice and it seems to be a similar naturally lifted shape to Frances, though the too-small cups make it look a bit pointy and torpedo-y on me. I think if this were the right size and shape for your body, you'd get a much better profile. The cut is definitely different from Estelle, which had a much deeper and pointier cup that I couldn't fill, and was a bit bottom-heavy. I think this style would suit even breasts with short roots, and probably suits conical shapes better than round shapes.
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.
I am not sure if this bra would fit me better in a 30E instead of 30DD, but I have some more Fantasie styles coming in the mail so I should get a better idea of when it is necessary to size up in these fits and when it's time to accept a shape mismatch. Read more 723 more words
The Fantasie Leona is such a pretty bra, but she seems to be a particularly troublesome fit. I had read reviews by another user (Slava-Zone ) saying that it seemed like the wires of her bra were not the right size, but no idea if this was a fluke as there aren't too many other reviews of this style on various websites. I picked one up on Amazon in my regular size, and sadly, she is right. This fit is bizarro.
The band of this bra is actually a little bit smaller than some of my other Fantasies, which can run anywhere between ...25.5-26", but this one is a solid 25". However, the cups of this bra are just plain weird. The cups are much wider and have much longer wires than any 30DD or even 30E in my collection, and I agree that the wires and cup width are more proportioned for a 30F. However, the cup depth is appropriate for a 30DD as I can basically fill out the cup with no problems if it weren't for the enormously wide cups. So, it's a 30F cup with the cup depth of 30DD. Not sure how this is supposed to work. I also tried putting in silicone inserts, and found that the inserts only really worked in this cup shape at the top of the cup, but because the cup shape is shallow and the upper cup is closed, it would be tricky for tall roots. So, it seems to suit a slightly shallow and short FOT shape that needs very wide wires.
The Balcony cut differs from the other side support cuts in that it's a 3 piece cup with no side sling. I am surprised at the width of these cups as I found the Fantasie Side Support styles to run pretty narrow, but Fantasie specifically says these styles have "wide wires." This style is NOT described with "wide wires" on their official website. I'm not sure what to think of this, but maybe this makes more sense on Backwards Day.
I also found the cup height and wing height to be perplexing, as both are much taller than normal. I had to shorten the straps all the way up to the decorative portion, and the wings and wires were all up in my armpits. If this is meant to be a full coverage balcony style, then the cups are already supposed to come up higher on the body, so why design this with such tall sides? Perhaps this is a style that got lost in translation, where the grading from larger sizes just didn't translate down to the smaller end of the size spectrum. Maybe this would work better sizing down to 30D, but I fear that the shape and shallowness of the cups would make this less than an ideal fit.
Aesthetically, this is a very lovely bra, and it turned out much prettier than in the picture. The purplish grey cups are embroidered with baby pink and tonal grey flowers and leaves in what looks like a cherry blossom shape, perfect for this season. The cups and cradle have a bit of 3D lace decoration. The band is made from a very firm satin with a severe leotard back, so it would be a bit difficult to alter the band down. Straps are solid textured elastic with picot edges, and the gore decoration is a simple bow with round metal disc.
It's a shame that this is such a funky fit, as I think sizing down would not remedy the fit issues of this style. Hopefully this is a grading issue and works for Fantasie's core size range better than in the smaller cup sizes. Read more 533 more words
belleandblues Glad to know I wasn't just having weird luck! In January, I ordered another Fantasie balcony style bra from somewhere else (the Leona; I don't have much information up but I did at least add the measurements) and it too had very wide wires with shallow, closed-on-top cups. From seeing the fit on the models, one would not think it is a very different fit from the "side support" style. And yet it really is! The side-support style fits me perfectly, so I was really sad to see the balcony styles constructed so differently. Wish they would offer both styles in each fabric they use.
Whoops, missed that I got it in "Slate" colorway this time; didn't actually realize it was exactly the same model name haha, the first being "Blush" colorway. :)
Slava-Zone Ugh, the Blush colorway is sooooo pretty. It makes me sad that this is really the craziest bra fit I've come across, and that's saying a lot when compared to some of the Freya fashion styles. I remember reading your original reviews when they were on the front page and thinking I'd better be careful with Fantasie if there are weird inconsistencies like this.
I've picked up a bunch of their bras now and all the side support styles are pretty normal (and so gorgeous!), but now I will stay away from any of the alleged "balcony" styles. Have you tried any padded half cups or molded cups? Those are next on my list, but I haven't been able to find any for super cheap, they are all at least $50 on Amazon.
belleandblues I haven't tried any Fantasie molded bras... molded generally means too shallow at the underwire, and just shallow in general for me. I have conical projected boobs, so getting them rounded out is the goal, and molded just SMASH my shape haha; or, if it's deep enough, the underwire is wide enough to sit a full 1-2 inches behind my breast root. The cups are almost always closed on top as well. As long as I've been wearing bras, molded have almost always been empty in the bottom of the cup while cutting in at top as the same time, and just being too wide. Not comfy!!
The only molded bra I've made "work" is the Cleo Maddie. It was open on top and already quite bowl-shaped for its kind (rather than like a plate). I enhanced it by replacing the underwire with one size narrower to force it to be a more projected/narrower/deeper shape, and moved the straps in so they stopped hitting my armpits. I have extensive sewing and bra making experience, so I'm willing and able to do bra surgery if absolutely necessary. But lucky for me, I've found that the Fantasie Side-Support bras and the padded plunge Comexim Hot Chocolate bra are my best fit right now, so luckily no surgery needed for the time being. :)
I have tried the Fantasie half-cup Mae in two different sizes. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough room for immediate projection, and in comparison to wire width, the cup depth is a bit more shallow than the side-support (not as bad as the balcony though). I constantly feel like I have to shove the bra up all day because I can feel the underwire sitting too low on my ribs, but it's stuck there with no room in the bottom of the cup!
In all my experience, and reading millions of review, half-cups with only vertical seams are known for being wider and shallower than bras with horizontal/diagonal seams. I think the only company who has managed to not make them shallow is Ewa Michalak! And looking at how a lot of the Fantasie molded bras fit in photos on here, with visible gaps below the breasts inside the cups, I'm going to take a wild guess that they're too plate-shaped too. I'd probably recommend staying away from molded if these "balcony" styles feel too wide and shallow. Hope this long-winded reply helps. :)
Slava-Zone Ah, thank you so much for the detailed response! I am also worried that their molded cups might be too shallow, but I haven't gone and looked at user pictures since most of their most popular styles are unlined. I'll have to go and look into them further, but good to have your feedback.
I agree, a lot of molded cups tend to be really shallow. I used to wear them all the time, but then started to realize that most of them are too shallow for me, and only worked because the bands were too big. Seamed padded cups seem to be fine for me in general, but I did also recently find a Comexim 3HC to be too shallow for me. Not sure if this was a fluke or not. I haven't tried any Ewa cuts except the M and it isn't really great for me.
I have a wider shape than you, so I can get away with a pretty wide range of styles, but agree that really shallow bras are a pretty bad idea unless you're also very shallow. I have a bit of the conical shape going on too, so I know what you mean with some of those fit challenges!
The Illusion Side Support Bra is a totally different type of style from my other Fantasie purchases, but I picked it up because I saw the lovely Rose colorway was on sale. I was surprised to find that this style ended up being my best-fitting Fantasie bra so far!
The Illusion style reminds me very much of the Panache Olivia, which has stretchy elasticated cups. While the bottom cup of the Illusion is actually lined in rigid tricot, the overall fit on me is similar to the Olivia because the upper cup is made from a similar soft elasticated fabric. It gives a rounded shape with ...no visible seams. I was very shocked that the side support panel in this style didn't cut in and create emptiness at the bottom of the wire and outer cup because I typically have trouble with this construction.
Comparing the measurements of Illusion to both Olivia and another Fantasie side support style that doesn't fit me quite as well (Nadine), I was surprised that Illusion's cups actually run slightly bigger than both styles. This leads me to believe that the cut of Illusion is slightly different from some of their other Side Support styles, where I get the orange-in-a-glass effect because the cups are designed for breasts that are more projected. In this case, Illusion seems to be suitable for shallower and more spread out shapes. I also tried these with my Commando Takeouts to bump up to a full 28F, and it still fits very well, so these cups can absolutely accommodate more breast fullness.
I believe the reason for the better fit in this style is because of the more forgiving fabric, a cut that's more suitable for my shape, and the tall and supportive wings. While the measurements of the band is about the same as the other 30 band Fantasie styles I have tried, the wings are much taller and are made from the same firm stretch fabric as the cups. This provides much more support than the narrower powermesh wings of the other styles, and because the wings stay in place better, the cups are sitting on my body appropriately without a lot of extra help. The caveat to this is that the very deep leotard back leaves no room for alterations as the band immediately becomes too tall to fit into the hook. You would need a level of sewing expertise that I don't possess in order to properly alter this band. So, ideally I'd size down one band size if this is an option for you, though in my case it is not.
In terms of construction, I am really impressed with how Fantasie has designed a comfortable yet supportive bra for the full bust customer. The band is really designed with the right level of support, and I really prefer this taller wing height compared to their standard mesh bands, which I feel are on the narrow side. The hooks are actually padded on this style for comfort, though this wouldn't be noticeable if you're wearing a band that isn't snug. The straps are medium width satin picot-edged elastic that are fully adjustable. I like this .5" strap width as it is wide enough in my size range to provide support without being too wide to fit under clothing. The special stretch upper cups are particularly comfortable and easy to fit.
The details on this bra are simple and sleek to match the overall bra's aesthetic, but I think they are nice and suit the bra's styling well. The upper cup has a hint of floral pattern knit into the lace. The interest on this bra comes mostly from the mix of satin textures utilized on the strap, upper edge of the cup, trim at the bottom of the cradle, and pattern on the lace, juxtaposed with the fairly matte fabric of the cups, band, and cradle. The center gore is a simple ribbon design, and accentuated with minimal rose gold hardware.
This is truly a comfortable and elegant unlined everyday bra for me, and I am happy to have found it for my collection! Read more 595 more words
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 picked up a couple of Fantasie bras recently to try, and with mixed results.
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 Elsie, which I own in 30D. I have tried another Fantasie Side Support cut that seems to fit differently (Estelle is more projected in the cup). This entire bra is made from navy mesh embroidered with multicolored flowers, which gives the bra such a unique appearance. The bottom cup is made from mesh lined with rigid tricot, while the upper cup is single layer mesh. 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 mesh lined with rigid tricot. The fabrics are extremely lightweight, though a bit scratchier than the silky fabric used in the Elsie.
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. 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.
When I do this, I do fill out the cup completely on my larger side, although the fit by the sling area is not ideal. I have tried this cut in a 30D with the Elsie and can confirm that the wires of 30D are too small, as is the overall cup volume. I also added in my Commando Takeouts for diagnostic purposes, since they bump me to a very full 28F, and the cup fit is great. So, this tells me that the size is right for me, but the style is designed for more bottom fullness and more projection. The issues would be improved if I had a really snug band fit, but alas, it is what it is.
Despite these fit issues, this bra actually gives me a really nice lifted, rounded shape under clothing even without the inserts. Any wrinkling in the fabric is not really noticeable, and the embroidery is not an issue. I really like this bra and have ordered a few more styles from Fantasie, fingers crossed that there will be more pretty bras that suit my shape to add to my collection! Read more 564 more words
I want to preface this review by saying prior to my 30LB weight loss and while I was still breastfeeding, a 32FF fit my much different than this 30DD. Some of this has to do with my breasts being less full in volume now, however it also seems like the smaller size fits different than the larger.
The band runs a size larger than I like. I need to hook it on the tightest hook to get the fit I like. This cup runs too small so it seems shallow, yet it has decent-okayish immediate projection. Going up a cup size would work great if ...you have the fuller upper breasts to fill the cup completely. For me, going up a cup size would just create empty space at the top, whereas right now because the cup is too shallow the top of the cup just can’t sit right on my breast. My small roots and soft breasts could not “fill” the top of the cup—sorry, it’s hard to explain. Sadly, this is just a complete shape mismatch. What a shame because this bra is absolutely beautiful. I guess it’s going into my bedroom only stash.
Aside from the fit issue, this bra is absolutely stunning. Dainty. Feminine. Sexy. Well made. Beautiful details. Read more 112 more words
It would be super helpful if, when you have the time, you could measure your bras and add that data to the database. A lot of us really benefit from the data, not just for researching bras within our own range, but also for finding trends within models, styles, and across the sizes. If you could add those measurements, we would be super grateful! Thank you!! :-)
Oh yes definitely! I do my best to get the measurements up, I just haven’t had the time as of lately to measure. I will get these up as soon as possible :-)
I would recommend this bra to anyone who loves the shape of the unpadded Cleo balconettes but finds themselves between sizes, even more so if the size that fits in the wire and bottom of the cup is too deep in the upper cup. Order the smaller of the two cup sizes- I find the 30DD Celia fits me wire and wing-wise like the 30E Cleos, but isn't nearly as deep.
This is a very pretty, super-comfortable bra which offers good lift up and forwards (probably more of a Meg shape on me than a Bella/Melissa, but still very good). I have low-set breasts and the ...wire/wing comes pretty high under my armpit (which I love as it minimises sideboob), but this may be a problem for anyone often troubled by wires. The sole downside of this bra for me is the loose and super-stretchy band. I can fasten it on the tightest hook and still feel comfortable (I measure 29). I think I'm going to keep the bra and hope it doesn't stretch too much, but I have small breasts which don't need too much support. If you're sub-30, this band will probably be too loose.
There is a teeny bit of loose material at the seam/apex, but it's smooth on the lace at the top - this may be not be so good if you're fuller on top. Otherwise it's a great fit. I'd love Fantasie to bring out a plain cream/white bra in the same style to wear under light tops. Read more 151 more words
This bra felt way too tight for my ~30" underbust measurement. The cup fit nicely on my right breast, but smashed my left breast in an unflattering way making my side profile seem square.
Pretty bra with good projection and narrow wires, but very closed off at the top. Not good for tall (or maybe even average) roots. Band is quite stretchy.
I bought the Ivory colorway of Sofia several months ago and had my eye on the Black. When this went on sale, I picked up another colorway. I was pleased to find that the Black actually fits me better than the Ivory, thanks to more flexible wires that feel much more comfortable for me, and slightly shorter cups (I tried the Ivory twice in the same size and found the same stiff wires/taller cup in both).
Sofia is a a very open 3HC shape, which used to be tough for me when I was a smaller 28E/30DD, and now fits much better that I am between 28E/28F ...and 30DD/30E. I used to get some gapping at the top with these types of styles, but now this problem is minimized as I am fuller overall, particularly on top.
The cup measurements on this are almost identical to Freya Astrid Padded Half Cup (comparing to 28E). The main difference is that the cup shape is a bit angular at the top of the Sofia, whereas the Astrid has a smoother, curved upper cup edge. Both bras fit very comparably except for the band, since they are different sizes.
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.
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. The embroidery really stands out on the black background and looks super luxe and unique. 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 as it is a little more projected and open than similar styles. Read more 502 more words
The Ava is a gorgeous style despite the Ivory shade. I am considering the Red or Black, it's just so pricey in US$. So aside from the shade you really quite like this bra? Shape is great?