I'm obsessed with how pretty this bra is. Unfortunately, the cups are just a little too small for me. The 4 part cups give a me a nice, round shape and the lace/mesh upper part is very forgiving. It almost fits me but there's just a little too much jiggly quad boob to justify keeping it. Even with that in mind, I still found the band and the straps to be quite comfortable. The mesh lace is just this side of scratchy, but I have sensitive skin and it feels like it would soften after a few washes. It has a lower gore than a proper full cup or full fit bra, but taller than a balconette or a plunge. If you're looking for an every day bra that's more suitable for lower cut necklines than a full cup bra, this is a great choice.
When I saw this bra and the embroidery details I fell in love. The only wish I would have is that the band have 3 hooks. Once you get into the higher cup sizes, more hooks is always better and more stable plus a wider band smooths the back fat a little. I do not usually prefer a soft cup but this one was way too cute not to try and I am pleasantly surprised.
First of all, the design on this bra is splendid. It doesn't cut into my upper breasts, pinch at the sides or show through my shirt which is an automatic plus. It's incredibly comfortable, especially compared to my other two Fantasie bras (Rebecca 2024) which caused my skin to chafe.
The band is true to size but has enough stretch that it doesn't dig in.
I think this bra is a decent fit overall, but it can get uncomfortable over the course of the day due to the taller wires. I don't think it would be such an issue if I wasn't both so short and short-waisted. In my opinion this bra is much more utility than beauty, but it does its job well. I has a decent amount of depth and gives a very nice up and forward look.
I got this bra via Bratabase as a 32E and then Franken-bra'd it into a 30F by folding & sewing the bands. More on that later.
QUALITY: The fabric is consistently firm with a silky inner lining. The lace along the top is charming and smooth as can be, not to mention snag-resistant, and the stretch mesh on the band perfectly matches the cup fabric and yet is crazy elastic. I do sort of wish the band was 2-ply because it can itch a bit. Plushy elastic and soft, luxurious wire channels. COMFORT/FIT: As a result of my modification experiments, the cups are a little odd - the wires ...are way wide, but since they don't rub or effect the side support of the bra, I ain't mad at it. The gore is a little high and presses in after a few hours, but that is the way of the world for those of us who have too much centered tissue for plunge bras and yet have close-set tits. I consider this modification an overall victory! APPEARANCE: It's nice! The shape is par for the course with other Fantasie bras - uplifted, rounded, on straight up lockdown until you take it off. The seams disappear under just about any shirt, bless them.
IDEAL USES: being a business bitch, wearing under a nice dress, when you gotta look professional but you also might seduce somebody later KEY AESTHETICS: Classy Adult Woman, 18th Century Hillary Clinton, This Was My Father's Plantation (But He Died In The War), A Young Emma Thompson Stares Out A Stained Glass Window
I owned a Celia for about 5 minutes. Loooooved that fabric with its pretty print and smooth finish. I couldn't keep it due to the crazy stretchy band and the straps being too wide-set for me. I'm glad this one works for you after your alterations!
parsnip , glad the Celia worked for you as altered! I love your review & couldn't agree more about Fantasie being style-appropriate for the "business bitch", lol!!
A vintage model of Fantasie I found on Allegro. Has slightly shimmery fabric and lovely golden flower embroidery. Didn't wear it yet, will add more once I do that.
Fantasie makes great bras. I could wear this Shannon all day, it is that comfortable! With the side support panels, it brings the slightly pendulous girls up and centered. The wires are firm and average width, they do not come up too high under the arm and the gore tacks and is not too high, even being close set as I am. The wings also do not come up too high. The band is strong and firm, but not tight. The straps are fully adjustable. The well-constructed 4-part cups work great for my even/FOB projected girls, giving a perky green shape with no gaping, and are plenty deep ...enough at the bottom and the apex. The fabric is a smooth nylon, soft to the skin. Nothing itchy or irritating here. The berry colorway is different in a very grown-up way, its neither purple nor red, more maroon maybe? Burgundy lip stain? I couldn't get it in pictures. The decorative mandala-like embroidery detail is kind of ethnic/boho looking, and pink. Its an interesting combination of colors! And the color is simply awful on my yellow-toned skin. So I'm selling Shannon, even though she has done no wrong and fits just fine. Read more 92 more words
i think it gives a nice shape under clothes. would you know if there's anything similar to this that's not a full cup?
Yes, the shape is really good but unfortunately I don't know any similar bra that isn't full cup. I think it's not easy to make moulded non-padded bra that isn't full cup.
Love this bra - it's so comfortable, it's basically invisible under clothing, and it feels supportive - my boobs barely move when I'm walking. However, it does have some drawbacks: the gore doesn't quite tack because the structure of the top of the cups is not so compatible with FOT breasts (I think), this 32 band stretches to a whopping 36 inches so I feel like it will wear out quickly, and even though it has some kind of side support panel, the shape is quite wide, which is not the most attractive. Overall, though, the pluses outweigh the minuses. I find myself wearing it all the time, and I think I'll look for it in other colors. It's also usually available for good prices on ebay in this size.
The perfect t-shirt bra! Like many here, I have relied on the Fantasie 4510 for years and it remains my all-time favorite workhorse of a bra. Pretty/cute it ain't, but my first "fitted" bra (34D 6 years ago) and still the only one that suits my shape. It disappears even under thin knits, stays comfy all day, washes & wears like iron without stretching out, provides a slightly-minimizing yet lifted, good-for-work coverage profile, has low cups in a balcony style so doesn't show under a bunch of necklines, relatively narrow wires but a high enough wing to pull & hold side tissue etc. etc. When I went to ...replace my old 34D after finding my ABTF size, I tried at least 8 other popular t-shirt bras and even tried different sizes. All of the Freya Decos, CK, Wacoal, a few Panache, Parisa Fe, Chantelle....every single one smushed me flat or squeezed me in/out and plus did some other horrid thing, like orange in a glass or quadding. The gore did not tack in a single one of them and it looked like half my torso was a uniform broad tall wide undefined bulge. Apparently (or so I was told by the lingerie salesperson) that is the 'American look', and yes you see it everywhere, don't you? For research purposes, I tried a number of sizes in the 4510, and my opinion is that the band is true to size with very little stretch but the cups run a tad off. Since the moulded shape is so firm, you can get away with going either way. The 32FF gapped a little in the center, the 30FF was tight in the band and skewed the wires a bit, the 32F has a bit of space at the bottom, the 34F had a little too much cup to the sides - but all were wearable under clothes and totally comfortable. Plus! In the 4510 I have two breasts that I can be proud of! Projected & close-set ladies, listen up! Try the 4510. It may be the beginning of a long and rewarding relationship! For reference: 32F/FF; narrow, close & high-set, even 2/5 shape, average root height, immediate projection. Read more 259 more words
Yet another incredibly comfy bra that just doesn't fit. This feels a lot softer than the previous unlined bras I tried, but I can't quite fill it out on the top. Which is quite sad, because the band feels solid and not scratchy https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
This is actually one of the prettiest bras I think I've ever seen. The cups, I believe, are intended for FoT. I'm about even, functionally FoB, so this has a bit of extra space on top, unfortunately. I'm unsure if a 30E might be better. I am going to be keeping this regardless because it's super comfortable and it gives a pretty amazing, slightly rounded, slightly pointy, perky look.
The wires are pretty narrow. I believe this one measures about 5.5" tops. I was a bit worried when trying out the 30F because that usually makes wires miles too wide, but that turned out not being an issue, gladly.
The design and colors ...of this bra are amazing. A light hot pink, not the typical neon-y hot pink. If I had to name it, I'd say lawn flamingo https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" /> maybe just a bit deeper.
The fabric is mesh with embroidery, and a mesh overlaying what is probably the softest layer of padding I've felt so far. Very minimal layer.
Straps are fully adjustable and not too far apart. Cup centers touch, making this great for people with centered breasts naturally or when lifted. Band is so far, very snug. I bought this off ABTF user and she said it had never been worn, so the band is pretty firm when new.
Other than that, lots of comfort, good enough fit. I am nearing shark week, so we'll see if the gap becomes unbearable/useless to the bra after next week. As of now, I can scoop a lot of tissue into the cups to make them filled out enough for my liking.
For the photos, I apologize because my room has the best lighting, but I'm in the middle of cleaning out my closet to sell and donate so please ignore the background Dx
Edit:
I wore this bra a few hours yesterday. My underbust has temporarily gone up an inch to 30". The band stretches to 30" fine without any wire distortion or any problems like that. So it's TTS. However, I found the band uncomfortably tight. I also don't know what the material is covering the band, but it ended up feeling pretty rough and hurt like no other bra I've tried as of yet. The top lace also became itchy, which is something I (luckily) hadn't experienced before with a bra. I've heard people say things like this may be changed with a wash, and this is a new bra, so I'll give that a try and update again after wearing a second time. I also liked the shape a lot less. It ended up more pointy. Without a top, it looks nice, with one, it's just like my natural boob shape > supported.
Edit2: Wore it a few more hours, the band stopped hurting but I'm also back to 29 snug /28 tight underbust. The lace also stopped itching, which was wonderful. The shape also went back to more perky instead of ">". I have a feeling that has to do with the band not being too tight.
To my disappointment/acknowledgment of reality, this bra is not going to work for me..
For the size, I'd say the wires are average to narrow-ish. Cup depth I measured close to 8" on bottom, but a whopping 9.5" on top at the mesh part that gaps on me. I'm on shark week, and it gaps. This isn't going to work. I thought, maybe I could use this as a special occasion bra, but that's not even going to work.. the upper mesh is too saggy on me. It looks ok on bottom, where it fits, but the bagginess is noticeable and doesn't give me any confidence wearing it. No point of saving a set for a bedroom set and it making you feel self conscious.
Because of the gapping, I feel like I'm not being adequately supported. The bottom fits just fine. I just can't keep another bra lying around for its looks or the idea that I'm going to have surgery one day; if and when I do, this bra isn't going to contain me on bottom, or it isn't going to fit me on top. That's just how it is, unfortunately. Makes me sad, but I have to let it go :/ I'm really interested in trying the 30E. I think my tissue is soft enough that the bottom being an estimated, 7" or so wouldn't hurt, and the space on top should fit. We'll see if I can ever find one =/ Read more 634 more words
This is far from the perfect bra for me but I've kept it because it serves a very useful purpose.
I ordered this in my usual Fantasie size – a 30F – and while it fits, I kind of have to wrangle my breasts into it. The problem is that while I do fill the cups, I have to shove my breasts down into them in order to fill the bottom and avoid a bit of quadboob at the top. Of course, as the day wears on, everything shifts and I'm left with space at the bottom of the cup and double-bubble at the top. The other problem is ...that the band is much tighter than Fantasie's usual 30 band, so for the time being at least, I'm having to wear an extender. And problem #3 is that the wide wires gives a much more east-west (and therefore minimized) profile than I like most of the time (except under loose/flowy tops where this can be an asset).
So why did I keep the bra considering all this? Well, I like the fact that it's seamless, which in the summer is great when wearing thin tops. And the nude colour is a perfect match to my fair skin tone. But really, the selling/keeper factor of this bra is the straps: they're positioned closer together than most bras, which is a god send for my narrow shoulders. I struggle less with straps slipping than I do with them chafing my armpit/shoulders. This bra doesn't do that. Moreover, Esme's close-set straps can easily be pulled in closer to my neck (and they'll stay put like that all day!) which is great under some tanks and sleeveless tops wherein I don't want my bra strap showing.
So whereas this bra definitely has its problems, I've kept it or at least until I find a better option – a (fair) nude, seamless bra with close-set straps. They're hard to come by, trust me! Read more 218 more words
I'm not sure how the band runs on this model (you would have to sister size to a 32DDD), but Natori's Understated T-Shirt bra reminds me pretty strongly of the Esme's strap positioning (though from what I've seen the straps are thinner on the Natori). It comes in a pretty fair nude. I haven't gotten my hands on one in my size to test it out yet for other issues, though.
My mother tried this bra (38FF - Fantasie » Julia Side Support Bra (9162)) on at the same time as the Fantasie Susanna Side Support Bra (2402) and found this bra to be much more comfortable. The main issue she has been having with fit, and this includes the 38FF - Panache » Jasmine Balconnet Bra (6951) (see my review), is that the bottom of the cups in most styles dig into her upper stomach when she sits down. Even when the fit in the cup is very near perfect. Since the Jasmine has quite stiff wires as usual with Panache, ...she tried Fantasie, known for softer wires. Susanna fit her very well in 38FF, but the underwire and bit of band below the cups were still a little uncomfortable when sitting. She has a short torso/shoulder area and these Fantasie bras work much better than Elomi's bandless ones which are aimed towards petites. The Elomi bras like 38G - Elomi » Etta Bandless Bra (8840), Rita, Caitlyn, Persia, etc just have too deep cups and wide wires. The material on the Susanna may have been a little stiff. Luckily, we found Julia on the rack to try next. Julia seems to have the softest lace band under the cup out of all of them. Congrats to mom on finally finding ABTF. She ended up buying four and is hoping they will soften even more with washing. I know this is not a full review since I haven't tried this bra myself, but I wanted to note this here in case anyone has a similar issue. Also this size range seems under-represented here. That said, I can tell that the shape accommodates her projection and bottom fullness, while the stretch lace doesn't dig in on top and accommodates asymmetry well, too. The bra feels soft and well-made and is perfectly lightweight for summer. It is unlined. Read more 217 more words
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
It’s comfortable and seems to fit correctly, but the cup shape is really unflattering. The fabric has a lot more stretch on the lower half of the cup, which gives it a *very* natural shape (meaning my breasts look just as flat and saggy as they really are...).
> more hooks always better
Yes, I feel the same way!!