Bra fitting help » Floppy Lace
Fantasie » Helena Balcony Bra (7710) » 30D 30:4
Issue resolved
Go down a cup or alter cup
Original problem
I love this bra. So comfortable. Fabrics so nice. IMO, the satin like fabric fits really well but that lace, It is just completely collapsing. I used to think I was center full and full on top. I am starting to believe I am only center full with some inner fullness (not a whole lot) as it seems like these cups that require upper fullness do not seem to fit me correctly. It looks to me like all @Fantasie bras have this same full-cup balcony shape. Would I be able to get a better fit with a smaller cup? Or should I give up on this bra and try a different Fantasie bra? Or would it be better for me to avoid the Fantasie brand?
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Suggestions (6)
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4
helpfulThis looks like a good fit in the bottom of the cup. And, as a very short-waisted user, sizing down has not once worked for me. Alas, you may experience more favorable results. Check the wire marks. If these wires are too wide, you may have success sizing down.
You could sew a dart or two in the top to tighten the lace. Or, search for a bra with a width like this one, but less depth. Or, a model with stretch lace could be helpful. Wacoal Halo has stretchy, soft lace. There isn't much data for the 32 C or D models, but the band stretches to a similar length as this 30D Fantasie. Also, Panache Andorra and Envy are stretchy lace, too. Hard wires make my skin crawl. So, I'd start with Halo
Good luck
Updated on December 16, 2017 Flag this
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I'd love to read about your alteration. Personally, I removed the top section from a Comexim plunge: It definitely fit better, but the wire remained too narrow. Have fun :-)
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helpfulIs your band on the tightest set of hooks? I would guess too large band given your size details and the band stretch. A too loose band causes weirdness and an almost floating wire. If the wire doesn’t have enough tension then the cup fabric also lacks that tension and is not being pulled snug so voila, gapping! I think a 28 band would be a better option to start and potentially a 26 depending on brand. Now your options lessen at these band sizes but check Comexim as they may go to a 26. I am not sure as I struggle on the other end finding 40 bands.
Updated on December 16, 2017 Flag this
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2
helpfulSeveral of the Fantasies run huge, especially this style which is one of their oldest shapes. I think they were prob designed for a theoretical 34-36 G-H customer and just got graded down for smaller sizes. If you stretch this cup over your knee to get its full depth and remeasure I'm betting you will find it is much more than 7.3" at its deepest! Try one cup down if they make it, but generally this is not a style I would expect to fit many people in your range.
* Just to give you a sense of how oversized the Helena is in lower size ranges--in my own case, instead of a 32E/30F which is my normal UK size in unlined bras, for the Helena I would have to go down to a 32D or 30DD.
Updated on December 17, 2017 Flag this
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(and I see reviews by a former Bratabase regular who wore 32FF in most brands, who was wearing a 32E Helena...)
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Do you have any recommendations for newer models wendybien also, that is how I measure the cup depth of bras with no padding, I can only get it to stretch to 7.5" before the stretching begins distorting the wires.
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Not sure I understand... if you are measuring WIDTH then you do not want the wires to move from their original position, but for depth, you want to be taking the full depth of the cup. If this requires some wire displacement then so be it
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In newer models try any of their balconnets or plunges, they have lots of cute items! They are seldom posted about here in sizes below F/G cup so I'm not sure how they are graded for those cup ranges but could be worth a try.
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oh and Freya molded half cups are very popular in 30D/DD if I recall correctly. Unlined Freyas are a bit weird in shape except for the vertical seamed ones
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helpfulSome of the other reviews of this bra indicate it runs big/deep. I do wonder if you'd fit better down a size. It clearly has way too much fabric on the top for you.
Updated on December 16, 2017 Flag this
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I will certainly try. I also think I may just alter this bra into the same bra except without the lace!
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helpfulTo me it looks like you aren't projected enough at the apex for this bra and it's possibly too full on top (I find when bras are too projected at the apex you loose a bit of upper fullness so it maybe that). You can try sizing down if you have room at the wires so they don't end up too narrow. Hopefully that works
Updated on December 16, 2017 Flag this
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One of my first thoughts was that the apex of this bra was hire than my own.
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That would make sense too on why it doesn't look filled. I believe a size down would have a lower apex since everything should be scaled down
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helpfulMy experience with full cup Fantasie bras is that they often run big in the cup. If you like it true a cup size down
Updated on December 16, 2017 Flag this
Thank you Love4Pollinators I enjoy your frank/brash comments. I will try sizing down as I did find a 30C (though not many in the fantasie brand and for some reason they seem difficult to find). In my experience their doesn't seem to be a huge difference in wire widths in the smaller cup range (my experience has been mostly with 32 bands, but I digress). I actually quite enjoy firm wires! I will certainly look into these recommendations as I do quite like this bra.
In terms of alterations, it appears the lace could easily be removed completely. So, I think I will do that. Then perhaps line the inside edge of the cups to make them more sturdy and rounded to make this bra into more of a 1/4 cup/demi cup bra. This bottom of the cup seems to fit perfectly and I love the way it fits, so why not just keep that part.