Positives: Nude color matches my fair skintone well. Details are feminine and different, not overly-embellished. As for everything else...I guess I would recommend this bra for a woman with widely spaced full-on-bottom breasts who wears band sizes larger than 30.
This bra just came, and immediately after trying it on I was disappointed to eliminate Fantasie from my radar. The band is way too large - creeping up my back on the tightest hook (and 30 is the smallest band they make). With a 29" ribcage, I am a 30FF in Panache & Freya, and I would need to go down TWO band sizes to make this Eclipse ...bra fit properly.
Not only that, but also the entire bra is too stretchy. Even if the band fit, I could tell that it wouldn't continue to fit for long. A tight band is important in a balcony bra because the straps are positioned widely, leading to less central support. Fantasie made a mistake by not tightening the band or changing materials from what they use on their famous plunge-style Rebecca: this band is not tight enough to provide the central support needed for a balcony style bra.
The other drawback is the shape of the bra in general: it's very down-and-out to the sides, which is exacerbated by its excessively long straps (so-made to accommodate the racerback option they included) and high sides of cups that dig into my armpits, pushing the bra down. I understand that a balcony bra is a more widely-spaced setup, but again, the material is too stretchy for a balcony bra! The cups provide little support. They included metal clips on the back for a racerback option (never a good sign for a moulded/spacer bra, in my opinion, which should be carefully designed to fit one way only). The cups also cut across my breast tissue too high going across the front - like Fantasie couldn't commit to the slightly more scandalous balcony style they were going for because they were afraid of losing part of their older market. I have all-over fullness, so I would not recommend this bra for a full-on-top or all-over fullness gal. Read more 253 more words
I have this bra in a 30F, and that size is a bit too small. I figured, hey, go up a size and it fixes all the problems, right? Wrong. The smaller size actually fit better! The cup way is too deep for me, and the shape is too closed off on top for my tall roots, which presents the wholly annoying problem of having quadboob AND cup wrinkling at the same time. What's weird is that the shape for 30F, just a size down, was a bit more open on top. The width and the bottom fit great, but the depth is just not right. Reviewers are ...right when they say the cup size runs large in this model.
The band is very firm, with extra silicone grip on the band to keep the bra from slipping around. I also love that there are several attachment points for the hooks.
The bra itself is very full coverage with a mega high gore. The wires stab me in the sternum and sit a bit on my breast tissue because I have close-set breasts.
Overall this is an excellent bra, but it's just too deep. Read more 84 more words
This was my first bra I bought after finding out my true size. I've grown out of it, but I'll tell you what I remember of it.
The band is tight for a 30, and worked well on me as I measure in between two sizes. I normally wear 28's as I feel they're more supportive and when I buy 30's I always take the band in. I didn't have to do that with the Rebecca.
The cups are made of light, stretchy padding. It's soft and airy and thanks to the stretch I could still wear this well after settling in G cups. It's really more like an unpadded ...bra than, say, a Deco. The shape it gives is rounded and lifted, but not in an in-your-face kind of way.
It's a simple look, but the straps and band are adorned with small embroidered zig-zag squares. It's not something I'd wear for a date, but it's definitely a prettier version of the average everyday bra.
I would buy a new, larger cup size, but when trying this on in the shop I remember the 30G was too wide in the cups and I had some extra fabric flapping around the sides of my breasts. Read more 93 more words
First off, wow what a pretty bra. I love the colors. Now that I've gotten that out of the way... I'm looking for a good non-padded bra that not only offers some support but gives me some cleavage as well. So how does the Kathryn measure up? I wasn't sure how Fantasie bras compare to Freyas in terms of cup size and fit, so I tried a 30G first. While the wires came back far enough in the sides, there was some gapping at the top even after I scooped and swooped. So I went down to an FF, with better results. The cups seem wide enough and go ...far around the sides enough. I fill out the cups after scooping and swooping. The band of the Kathryn seems looser compared to, say, a Freya Tabitha plunge with a 30 band. I tried putting it on the second set of hooks to compensate. I hesitate at trying out at 28 band, because ribcage is 31" and unless Fantasies have a reputation for being REALLY stretchy, I would probably suffocate D: While I feel like this bra technically fit, I also feel like the Kathryn is designed more for breasts that are full on the top, as opposed to full on the bottom, like me. While my breasts were lifted, the top of of them did not have the illusion of fullness that I'm seeking out. Like, the shape wasn't quite as rounded as I like. If I were to compare this to the Freya Tabitha Plunge, I would say my boobs looked better in the Freya. However, this could be a difference in cup size, as my Freya Tabitha is 30F. So in conclusion, this is a very pretty bra that fits comfortably and the wires go fully around my boobs and all, but it stops short of giving me the ~*Perfect Rack*~ --whatever THAT is. I bet if you have breasts that are full on top, this bra will make your rack fantastic, though!
[edited on 2-26-2013 to add]: Now that my underbust is 30" I would say that this bra is getting too loose. I'm using the tightest hooks, but I can still shove four fingers through the back of the band https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> I can no longer say it fits because there's also a small issue where the underwires go into the sideboob area. Well that's a shame, because the Rebecca is quite comfortable. I could sleep in it if I wanted to! And I've gotten used to the boob shape. Oh well https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> maybe this will be the bra that I experiment with band alterations https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Read more 345 more words
Most of my favorite bras are Fantasie moulded cups from 2010-2011. I took a chance ordering a beautiful brown shade from ebay hoping the fit would be the same. I haven't yet found out what season this bra is from but since the tags are a different design and it is a bit tougher to find online I think it must be from at least 3 years ago. *July 6, 2012 Edit: I think I just found out it's from 2007!
The materials are the exquisite quality I would expect from Fantasie: high quality moulded cups, fully adjustable and nicely stretchy straps, beautiful embroidery details. ...There are only two things that are different than my other Fantasie bras: the band is very stretchy and I could do it up on the final hook immediately, so it fits more like a loose-30 or an actual-32. The wing height is a bit shorter than I am used to or prefer and so some of my tissue seems to escape out of the side. I would probably appropriate this as a good fitting 32F.
I will see if one of my friend's can fit this and if she can it is a gift. It was a great deal even with shipping. If not, I may just occasionally wear it started on the 3rd hook and enjoy a beautiful new addition to my drawer. At least for a season! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
Measured unstretched before wearing. Purchased mid-June '12 from eBay. Read more 143 more words
The bra is a lovely shade of pink, but I'm usually not so keen on netting-type material for cups. The material is coarse and underwiring goes quite high up the sternum, so it was leaving red marks and irritating me at first. After a bit of wearing in, this no longer seems to be a problem for me, but I'd advise anyone with ribcage-depth-problems to be careful with this one. I now find the bra entirely comfortable. Even if the material of the bra is not my favourite, I LOVE the shape of it. It has a lot of lift and I'd recommend it for anyone who likes the ...kind of bra that is more prominent side-on. What else? The material around the top is sometimes a bit loose depending on my movements, mostly due to the fact that my breasts are not so full on the top. It's not really a problem though.
Update: My measurements changed in a short time and now the band rides up all the time and drives me crazy, even on the tightest hook (not due to stretching - I haven't worn it out enough for that). I still really love the shape though, so I'll be trying to take the band in and make it tighter. Read more 102 more words
I originally reviewed this bra in a size 30F, but it was just too small in the cup for me so now I own it in a 30FF and the cups fit much better. This bra is very smooth under my clothes, and the nude color is undetectable under a thin white shirt. The band is still too big for me and rides up quite a bit in the back but I plan to take the band in for a better fit. I like how the straps are plain and not too thick and not too thin. I’m able to wear a regular tank top without the straps hanging out too noticeably. I still like the fact that that there is not a single piece on this bra that itches. Depending on how it fits after I take in the band, I may purchase in black.
Cups aren't quite big enough, however I think a G cup might be too big (I don't have access to a G so I can't say for sure). I suspect I may be in-between cup sizes. Center gore doesn't quite touch my sternum, this could be because the cups are too small however I think the gore still would not touch even if the cups were the correct size.
I can't quite fill the bottom of the cups, and the underwire sits uncomfortably beneath the breasts. I feel this is because the breast tissue can't fill the very bottom of the cups, so it pushes the whole underwire and ...cup down slightly, causing the underwire to sit too low on my ribs. (The band is not too loose, that is not the issue.)
Profile view from the front is a tiny bit wider than I like, but it would not be a deal-breaker if the bra fit everywhere else. Profile view from the side is not what I would call extremely round, but it is "fairly" round. Straps are a bit too far apart which is a very common problem for me, but a strap accessory in the back takes care of this.
Overall this seems like a nice bra, but it's just not compatible with my body. This review is for the Ivory color of this bra. Read more 117 more words
I'd been coveting Ava in more colors since I fell in love with her over a year ago. It felt magical to find the dusky pink version in my size. I was a bit hesitant about buying another "fashion" color since the red Ava I have was tighter than a red 30FF I'd tried on in a local boutique long before I bought it as well as my drawer staple ...Ava in black.*
Pleased to report Dewberry is an identical fit to the original black and ivory versions in every way including the most important factor: comfort. I look forward to the upcoming Rebecca style especially with AW12's violet version since blackberry Ava is the most evasive color to find in my size!
Purchased early-May '12 from eBay. Measured after a mere few hours of wear. Read more 64 more words
I really like this bra. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> It's comfortable. A good fit for me ~ the band fits comfortably on the 2nd hook and the straps are fully adjustable which is nice. It gives a nice rounded shape and the seams aren't obvious through t-shirts. The honey-beige color is just a little darker than my natural skin color and it disappears under white. There isn't much in the way of padding so there can be nipple show-through. I really like the floral design up the front of the straps and in the center gore. It helps to make this rather plain nude bra a little more "girl-y." Nice, quality bra!
Able to try both FF/G in-store I found the G cup was too roomy. So far, Fantasie is the only brand which I feel runs comfortable enough TTS in both pieced and molded cup styles, personally.
Side wings are a great medium height, cup is an excellent curved shape. IMO it's more of a balcony-style than a true plunge due to the slightly high gore at 6½cm. The fit is fab so I can overlook this slight. Honestly, this is my 1st bra after wearing for 7+ hours I can't even tell I'm wearing it at all. This is great news! I liked it so much I immediately bought a second so I can wear the same style consecutive days! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
Purchased Jan '11. Measured unstretched immediately before wearing.
I like this bra, but I really need to wear a different size in it. The band is almost right, because it seems to be a bit looser than the other size 30 bands I have tried, but the cups are too big; I can make them almost not wrinkle if I pull the straps tight enough and make it look like a full coverage bra, but that's obviously not how it's intended to be worn.
It sounds to me like you need to go down a cup size. Fantasie is a UK brand and I have found that I need to go down a cup size with them to not wrinkle. For reference, I wear a 36FF of this that does not wrinkle, but the 36G did.
This bra fits exactly like the Fantasie 'Ava' (2132), read the review here: http://bra.pe/SMF/.
Honestly, another perfect fitting bra. All day comfort: oblivious of wearing an actual bra, beautiful round shape, side wings & straps comfortable, true balcony molded style. Gorgeous unique print: thankfully not yellow-toned cream/ivory but off-white w/grey & black leaf pattern, cups topped with burgundy velvet trim.
(If I were rating the "short-panty" undies I would have to give them 2/5 cos they are high rise but not in the cute 'retro' styling. They just look huge! They are also topped with velvet trim.)
Purchased mid-Feb '11. Measured unstretched immediately before wearing.
After one day of wear, I've found that this bra is comfortable and supportive. I didn't have any problems with the underwires digging into the space between my boobs which I occasionally have with non-plunge bras.
The seams are pretty prominent, more so than my other seamed bras.
This Fantasie Caroline Plunge Bra was one of two bras that I got in the mail today in size UK30FF. This Bra is lovely with its beautiful design, fabric and construction but unfortunately the Bra isnt right for me. After black lingerie, delicate pink florals are my next favorite choice. I find this bra so pretty, and wish it fit me. The 3 part construction reminds me of my other Fantasie Bra (Fusion 30G) The wires are less firm and uncomfortable than my Fusion, but still firmer than the underwire of some other bras I own. The construction of the cups brings my breasts ...forward which isn't bad. The cups shape isn't ideal for me, it feels like it's wide and tall at the wrong places and narrow in others. It's not super uncomfortable, but its not very flattering on me either. The top of the cups is kind of closed in so there's not much for cleavage on me (despite this being a Plunge style) I also feel like because I am petite and my shoulders are narrow, it can can change up how the Bra sits. I pulled the Bra straps outwards farther than where they sit comfortably on my shoulders and it changed the fit of the Bra cups..The straps aren't too far apart or too close together, I am under 4 ft 9 and my ribcage has more depth than width so proportionally I think my narrow body and short stature just changes how it sits on me. This is a 30 band worn on the tightest setting, 28 bands are much better but it's so much easier to find the larger size that sometimes I go for it and pray the band is firm. The Band works for now but with much wear it would stretch and put strain on my shoulders. This bra is lovely and probably looks great on others but unfortunately it is not the Bra for me so J will likely rehome this one. The Freya Bra from today fit better at least so I am not too bummed. Read more 244 more words
Bummer that your Caroline Plunge wasn't a grea tfit either, but this colorway is so pretty! Maybe the Caroline Side Support will work better? I didn't realize you are so petite btw, it might be a good idea to avoid blind-buying plunges. I am 5'1" and a lot of plunges come up way too high up on me so the proportions are usually off. I just stick with custom Comexims now with a reduced cup height/moved in strap/deeper cup and that helps a lot. Good luck!
This is not the right size. Even up a size from 30F the cups still don't have enough bottom depth. See my submission for the style in 30F for other notes on the fit and style.
I love this bra. Technically, the gore is too high for me, but I think the wires might be soft enough for it to work. Otherwise, it fits perfectly. The wire channel is lined with very soft material. The cups have a beautiful lace that feels like cotton (although I know it's not), and are lined with a sheer mesh that is very comfortable and soft. (Often when I try on lace bras, I find them itchy, and have to soak them for hours in baking soda to soften.)
This one is a bit big on me....wrinkles on the top more than the 30F. 30FF is my normal size, so you might want to size down a cup. The band seems TTS, a bit on the firm, non-stretchy size, which is good for a soft cup, I think. It doesn't seem to have a lot of depth at the "wire" (band in this case).
The scalloped lace along the top and bottom of the band, as well as on the top of the cups is very pretty, but I can't bear to leave this bra on for even 10 minutes. I have other bras by Fantasie, and they are all scratchy, but this one is by far the worst! I sister-sized this for what I normally wear. (32F UK fits me best in most brands, but the calculator always overestimates me at 32FF). I won't bother to try again in another size.
Otherwise, as for fit, it was really really close to ...perfect. There was minimal quadding at the gore on my larger side, and minimal gapping on my smaller side. Yes, the band was a little snug, but the way Fantasie bands seem to stretch so quickly, I would have used an extender until it relaxed. The only thing I didn't like about the style is the super tall gore. It wanted to float, not for the cups being too small but because the gore sat on my close-set breast tissue. If it had been shorter (my comfortable height limit is 2"), it would have been fine. The shape it gave was somewhat pointy. No torpedoes, but not rounded either. Sacrificed lift because of it. Read more 114 more words
It looks in your pics like you have some room in the cups though: I can see the wrinkling. Have you tried a smaller cup size?