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
Updated on Apr 20, 2020 Flag this
/>
So so so pretty!!! I find Fantasie bands stretchy too...but their prints are so lovely. Yayyy for the bra win.