Zoe looked like it would be a good, basic, everyday option from Fantasie, so I gave it a try despite the fact that the styling is pretty different from what I am typically drawn to from the brand. However, this turned out to be a huge fail. Not only is the style not to my taste, the fit is quite possibly one of the worst I've tried from Fantasie, as it is based off of the styles that really don't suit me at all (Harriet, Estelle, Alex). However, Zoe's cups are quite rigid and double-lined with firm tricot, so the fit is even less forgiving. ... Overall, this bra ended up giving me horrible orange-in-a-glass cups that are empty and wrinkly all around.
The aesthetic of Zoe is quite similar to Lois, as it is not feminine, floral, and frilly like most Fantasie styles. I tried this in solid Black, and the bra I received had a dot-and-stripe texture in the body fabric, floral lace upper cups, textured picot-edged straps, and very simple square grosgrain bows. The fabric is a bit thicker than the silky fabric used on their printed bras, and is not soft and stretchy like the Alex fabric. I've found that the rigid cups are really tough for me in Fantasie styles, so I've learned to avoid them. While this could be a good bra for someone, I couldn't evaluate it properly to determine what shapes it might be best for. You might have better luck if Harriet, Estelle, and Alex work for you, though the difference in fabric may make this behave unpredictably. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend this style unless you are able to try it on in person. Read more 185 more words
Not going to go into a detailed review since there were a few basic fit problems, so it's hard to be comprehensive based on that.
Before I retook my measurements, my snug underbust was closer to a 29". That meant I could get away with a tight 30 band or stretchier 28 band. After recently remeasuring, I've found I am now closer to a true 28 band, so 30's won't work. Compared other other 30 bands I've tried, this bra had a REALLY stretchy band. I could hook it on the tightest hook with no issue and even then, it didn't seem tight enough.
While swooping and scooping, I felt ...that the cups were almost too small. I fit 28F / 30E UK cups perfectly and here, I felt like I was getting quad boob. Since the band was too loose, I could definitely feel my breasts pushing the cups out and away from my body--the center gore looked almost flat, but not quite.
Since it was hard to get all my breast tissue into the cup, I couldn't really evaluate any other parts of fit (width, projection, etc.). Read more 78 more words
Alex was a surprise for me, because I had always thought this looked like a frumpy, rather unattractive bra based on pictures online. However, I found it on Amazon for about $16, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately while it fits, it doesn't flatter me, and the wires are too firm for it to be comfortable. Still, I think this is an excellent quality bra and could be a good option for the right shape.
I was really impressed by the quality of Alex, because it is made from soft, smooth yet slightly peached microfiber that is cool and comfortable on the skin. ... The lace upper cup, embroidered in an Art Deco-inspired arch pattern on mesh, is nicely done and isn't overly scratchy. Straps are wide, fully adjustable, and have a really interesting texture that helps to maintain grip. The band is heavy stretch knit with a firm feel. Trims are simple with bows at the gore and strap attachments. All of these construction details are excellent, and feel much better than some other Fantasie bras at a much higher pricepoint. Honestly, if Fantasie made more of their bras like this, I would be so happy! Even though their 30 bands are typically way too large on me, this one is much firmer and stays in place.
The problem for me is that the fit just isn't suited for me. After comparing the measurements, this style seems to share a cut with Estelle/Harriet, which were an absolute disaster on me. The biggest problem with Estelle is that the band was so loose it was riding up, so it affected the fit of the cups. The lace cups also behave differently from the knit microfiber cups on Alex, as the Alex cups have a bit of natural stretch and flex. Harriet was not made of lace, but the fabric is also rigid and fits differently from the Alex fabric. Thankfully, the more flexible fabric used on this bra means that I didn't end up with the dreaded pulling in the cups at the strap attachment or side support panel that sometimes happens with these side support styles, since there is some natural stretch in the seam of this panel as well.
So, Alex fits me much better in the cups and looks better, but the shape is still not quite right. I can't explain it exactly, but it just doesn't give me the same rounded, lifted shape that my favorite Fantasie Side Support fits provide. The appearance is still a bit pointier and more projected than I like. The lace upper cup is a taller panel on Alex/Estelle/Harriet than on many other Fantasie styles, so this changes the projection of the cup and lowers the fullest point of the cup. This is what creates the pointier shape. Note that this style is fairly closed off at the top.
The other issue here is once again, unforgiving wires. The wires are borderline too narrow for me, but they do flex just enough to not press on breast tissue. With the band hooked properly though, there is too much tension on the wires and they dig in at the ends. This also causes the bottom of the gore to float a little bit as the top of the gore is pulled inward. Since this is not really a full band style, there's not enough elastic at the bottom of the cradle to hold it stable. I do not remember having the same problem with the wires on Estelle, since I actually commented that the cups were too wide despite the cup width measurement being the same on both styles. Perhaps Alex just has firmer wires, or the fit of the band make a bigger difference than I thought?
This is an excellent quality bra and would be a supremely comfortable everyday option if this is the right shape for you. I think that this is one of the best Fantasie bras I've come across in terms of construction and fabric quality. It's a bummer that it didn't work out for me! Read more 596 more words
Jacqueline is the first soft cup bra I've tried from Fantasie. I ordered it blindly out of curiosity but didn't have much info on it. While this size didn't quite fit, I think this bra is awesome! I would highly recommend this bra, and am looking forward to trying it in a different size.
30DD is my normal size in Fantasie, but usually the band is pretty big. Sometimes the cups can be a little too roomy at the top, but almost every 30D bra is too narrow in width and too closed off for me. However, in this style, I think I should ...try a 30D instead. Since it is wireless, the cups are are much wider than normal bras, so you won't run into the issue of wires cutting into breast tissue. The cup also has a more gradual shape (less projected and closed off shape) and is much taller than a normal bra, so there's a lot more room at the upper cup. For this reason, I recommend sizing down in the cup even if the smaller size gives you orange in a glass problems in the normal cuts.
The band of this bra is really unique. In my size range, Fantasie bras always have 2 hooks, but this one is designed with taller wings and has 3 hooks. The hook panel is cushioned just like on the Illusion Side Support Bra, which is a nice touch. The band itself is made from very firm stretch knit, but in lieu of a traditional underwire, we get a very stable full band construction with 3/4"/1.9 cm elastic at the bottom. This is why despite the full band measurement being slightly larger than my snug ribcage measurement, it fits securely and feels quite firm. There is also a padded channel covering the seam between the cups and elastic to avoid chafing. This is an excellent band construction, and I wish more brands used this as an example!
The cups are a 4 piece construction with a side support panel. Since it is wireless, it is obviously very wide, as there is no separate gore, and the side support panel takes the place of the section of cradle between the cups and the band, giving you more flexibility in cup width. The cup is built similarly to the Panache Andorra Non Wired Bra, but the shape is different. Andorra is built for bottom fullness, but the lower center horizontal seam gave it both a slightly minimized appearance and a slightly pointier shape. In contrast, Jacqueline has a shorter upper panel, giving it a much more rounded shape. I believe Jacqueline's cups run a little bigger, because the measurements of this 30DD are a little bigger in the cup than Andorra in 28F, despite the 28F being a larger cup size.
So, the main fit issue I found is that the cups are just a size too big for me. There is some emptiness in the upper cup for sure. It gives a great rounded shape with inserts, so I think the appearance is quite good, as no one will be able to tell you’re wearing a wireless bra instead of a regular underwire bra. The cups are also proportioned too tall for me, with the outer cup coming up too high under my arms and chafing. I'm hoping all these issues get resolved by sizing down!
Aesthetically, this bra is also quite pleasing. I don't think it looks matronly or overly retro, as I think it has more of a bralette styling with normal bra shaping. The cups and cradle are made from a large-scale floral stretch lace with a nice bit of texture. However, the texture may show through thin clothing, so it isn’t totally invisible. The bottom cups are lined with lightweight tricot, but the two layers are independent, so the cups don't feel hard and rigid. The upper cup is single layer lace, with a strip of stabilizing elastic. The elastic is quite stretchy, so it shouldn't cut into breast tissue and should work with tall roots (though the cups are already quite tall). Straps are wide picot edged elastic with topped on lace trip at the front that blends in seamlessly. The only trim is a small bow at the center gore.
I am really impressed by this bra and wish it had worked out in my normal size, but I will definitely keep my eye out and reorder a smaller size at some point. The only caveat to this bra is that it is meant to be a soft cup/wireless option, but it doesn't mean that it is meant to fit or feel like a bralette. It is meant to be daywear and needs to be appropriately snug to provide support. Hence, it doesn't make a good option for loungewear or a "comfort bra," where the band is typically looser and the cups are less structured. Keeping this in mind, do give the Jacqueline Soft Cup a try! Read more 754 more words
Me: Average projection. Fuller on bottom. Slightly wider left breast. Usually wear 28DD or 30D.
I bought this bra to see if side support bras would help my wider breast not spill out on the side; my breast definitely doesn't spill out on the side with this bra but it gave me quad boob on top for both my breasts The lining of the cups are a bit too short on top for me. I do think the bra is for projected women that are full on bottom and narrow on top. I'm slightly full on top but more so on bottom, so the bra cuts into my breast tissue. The quad boob is very noticeable on thin shirts. Also made my breasts look like cones under a shirt.
Fantasie Sofia is my best-fitting Padded Half Cup style from the brand, but I still experience some gapping at the upper cup because I am not FOT. I was curious to see if trying a size down would help alleviate the issue, so I went ahead and tried this in a 30D.
Sizing down to a 30D gave me a very pushed up effect and rounded cleavage, however this is purely due to the cups being too small. The cups are both too short and wide, and I can see that they are proportionately too small for my body. One major difference between the 30D and ...the 30DD I already own is that the 30DD had really firm wires (actually the wires are a bit uncomfortable on me), but I found that this 30D had pretty flexible wires. This explains why the cup width actually fits ok on the body despite being obviously too narrow, because they are actually flexing. However, while the Sofia 30DD did not have the issue with pulling from the straps, I get some pulling on my smaller side.
The cup depth of 30D is not super shallow though, and between the slightly deeper cup depth for the size and the open top, it resulted in the push-up effect instead of causing massive overflow. So, if you are a narrower shape and struggle with open half cup bras being a little too gappy at the top, it might be worth trying to size down in this style. The cups still gap if I move though, so I think this is because of my narrow frame and short proportions rather than any cup depth issue.
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. 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. Read more 558 more words
I've been fascinated by spacer bras for a long time, but it's hard to find them in my size range. I've tried 3 models so far-- a random DKNY one that felt like normal foam, the Freya Muse that was way too full and tall in the cups for me, and now this one. This bra is the closest to fitting, but as I ordered the only size available instead of my normal size of 30DD, I'm not surprised this didn't fit.
Actually, while this has a ton of fit issues for me, it actually doesn't look that terrible when I'm wearing it. The bra itself ...is also better looking in person than I anticipated, because the images of the Rebecca look quite matronly, especially in larger sizes, because it's designed as a molded full cup bra. The Rebecca Lace actually looks more like a demi in this size, however the cups are definitely not shaped like a demi. However, I am very disappointed, because I find the Rebecca Lace to be a very poorly designed bra for a multitude of reasons.
The band is one of the biggest issues for me here. Since Fantasie bands run quite large, this is definitely a 32 band and has no hope of fitting me. While some of their bands are OK for me on the tightest hook, this one still rides up. I can feel that it's not secure, but more importantly, the incorrect proportions cause the band to pull the wires inward, meaning that the ends of the wires end up digging into my ribcage. This is because the band has a severely contoured shape, and the hooks are not set evenly in the band vertically, so tightening the band doesn't increase the tension evenly across the band's height, causing the wires to behave abnormally. This is definitely a design flaw, as the wires dig in even though the band on the tightest hook on me is still so loose it rides up!
The main portion of the band is made from firm stretch knit, but there is a wide lace overlay to create additional "wings" which I believe are advertised to give a back smoothing effect. I don't see how this is necessary, since the hooks should have also been made wider to evenly distribute tension across the back. Proper band construction and sizing eliminate any issues with bulging, so any additional wings should be added for aesthetic effect, not relied on for function. The straps on this style are also quite narrow, although this could just be because of the size. However, once again I must point out poor design-- the front of the strap has lace topped on, which is very common in Fantasie designs, but the designers failed to take in account the tall lace back panel, which shortens the overall strap. This leaves the adjustable portion of the strap quite short before you have to start adjusting over the lace. Skipping the lace detail on the strap would have made this bra more flexible for a range of sizes and easier for wearers to adjust.
Since this is a full cup bra, I found that the cups are a bit wider and taller than the Side Support bras in the same size. The cups are a little narrow for me but not too bad. The wires are workable on my size, but I would have preferred the normal wires from the Side Support 30DD. The wires on this style are extremely firm. Because of the unbalanced band construction, the wires dug in at both the gore and outer cup, while the bottom of the gore ended up floating. I can count on one hand the number of bras that do not fit me at the gore, so this is . . . unique. The cradle is made from floral lace overlay, and gives the appearance of being one continuous piece from the cradle to the band, though this is just the cut of the overlay.
Overall, the cups run a little larger than the Side Support styles. Looking at the cup's profile, one can easily see that it is shaped as a full cup bra, since it is quite closed off at the top, and taller than a demi. However, it is not nearly as tall as the Freya Idol cuts. On me, the cup is too shallow and the closed upper cup cuts into breast tissue. However, since I have a petite frame and short breasts, I think that full cup styles just aren't suitable for me as they come up too high. I suspect that the 30DD would be too large for me in the cup in this style, and half a size up would be ideal. The closed upper cup might be challenging for tall roots, though the spacer foam is quite flexible.
I can definitely tell that the foam used in the cups is something different. Unlike the Freya spacer foam, which was very thin, lightweight, and rigid, the Fantasie spacer foam is airy and stretchy, only slightly thinner than normal foam, but still very soft. If you are FOB, it can accommodate more fullness in the center of the cup as the cup will stretch to fit. However, note that the thinness of the foam comes at a cost. While I was trying on the second bra, I originally thought there was some kind of weird nipple shape molded into the cup before I realized that it was simply show through! You will get a smooth, rounded shape from this bra, but not the kind of structure and coverage you would get from a regular foam bra.
I ordered two of these to test for consistency, and at least, both bras are quite consistent. However, I simply cannot recommend the Rebecca Lace to anyone due to its construction issues. I think you would be better off in the original Rebecca, which has a more standard band construction which should reduce some of the issues I experienced. Read more 925 more words
I've been fascinated by spacer bras for a long time, but it's hard to find them in my size range. I've tried 3 models so far-- a random DKNY one that felt like normal foam, the Freya Muse that was way too full and tall in the cups for me, and now this one. This bra is the closest to fitting, but as I ordered the only size available instead of my normal size of 30DD, I'm not surprised this didn't fit.
Actually, while this has a ton of fit issues for me, it actually doesn't look that terrible when I'm wearing it. The bra itself ...is also better looking in person than I anticipated, because the images of the Rebecca look quite matronly, especially in larger sizes, because it's designed as a molded full cup bra. The Rebecca Lace actually looks more like a demi in this size, however the cups are definitely not shaped like a demi. However, I am very disappointed, because I find the Rebecca Lace to be a very poorly designed bra for a multitude of reasons.
The band is one of the biggest issues for me here. Since Fantasie bands run quite large, this is definitely a 32 band and has no hope of fitting me. While some of their bands are OK for me on the tightest hook, this one still rides up. I can feel that it's not secure, but more importantly, the incorrect proportions cause the band to pull the wires inward, meaning that the ends of the wires end up digging into my ribcage. This is because the band has a severely contoured shape, and the hooks are not set evenly in the band vertically, so tightening the band doesn't increase the tension evenly across the band's height, causing the wires to behave abnormally. This is definitely a design flaw, as the wires dig in even though the band on the tightest hook on me is still so loose it rides up!
The main portion of the band is made from firm stretch knit, but there is a wide lace overlay to create additional "wings" which I believe are advertised to give a back smoothing effect. I don't see how this is necessary, since the hooks should have also been made wider to evenly distribute tension across the back. Proper band construction and sizing eliminate any issues with bulging, so any additional wings should be added for aesthetic effect, not relied on for function. The straps on this style are also quite narrow, although this could just be because of the size. However, once again I must point out poor design-- the front of the strap has lace topped on, which is very common in Fantasie designs, but the designers failed to take in account the tall lace back panel, which shortens the overall strap. This leaves the adjustable portion of the strap quite short before you have to start adjusting over the lace. Skipping the lace detail on the strap would have made this bra more flexible for a range of sizes and easier for wearers to adjust.
Since this is a full cup bra, I found that the cups are a bit wider and taller than the Side Support bras in the same size. The cups are a little narrow for me but not too bad. The wires are workable on my size, but I would have preferred the normal wires from the Side Support 30DD. The wires on this style are extremely firm. Because of the unbalanced band construction, the wires dug in at both the gore and outer cup, while the bottom of the gore ended up floating. I can count on one hand the number of bras that do not fit me at the gore, so this is . . . unique. The cradle is made from floral lace overlay, and gives the appearance of being one continuous piece from the cradle to the band, though this is just the cut of the overlay.
Overall, the cups run a little larger than the Side Support styles. Looking at the cup's profile, one can easily see that it is shaped as a full cup bra, since it is quite closed off at the top, and taller than a demi. However, it is not nearly as tall as the Freya Idol cuts. On me, the cup is too shallow and the closed upper cup cuts into breast tissue. However, since I have a petite frame and short breasts, I think that full cup styles just aren't suitable for me as they come up too high. I suspect that the 30DD would be too large for me in the cup in this style, and half a size up would be ideal. The closed upper cup might be challenging for tall roots, though the spacer foam is quite flexible.
I can definitely tell that the foam used in the cups is something different. Unlike the Freya spacer foam, which was very thin, lightweight, and rigid, the Fantasie spacer foam is airy and stretchy, only slightly thinner than normal foam, but still very soft. If you are FOB, it can accommodate more fullness in the center of the cup as the cup will stretch to fit. However, note that the thinness of the foam comes at a cost. While I was trying on the second bra, I originally thought there was some kind of weird nipple shape molded into the cup before I realized that it was simply show through! You will get a smooth, rounded shape from this bra, but not the kind of structure and coverage you would get from a regular foam bra.
I ordered two of these to test for consistency, and at least, both bras are quite consistent. However, I simply cannot recommend the Rebecca Lace to anyone due to its construction issues. I think you would be better off in the original Rebecca, which has a more standard band construction which should reduce some of the issues I experienced. Read more 925 more words
The Alex is probably the most comfortable supportive bra I own. The only complaint I have is the the gore is too tall and doesn't lay flush on my sternum. If the gore was half an inch shorter, it would be perfect.
Super soft material in the cup! Top lace is a bit scratchy but very pretty. Cute for a plain beige bra. The straps are nice and wide. The gore is very high, which is my main issue. The band is a tad stretchy. The projection is pretty good and the wires seem more narrow than most UK bras. Straps are a tiny bit wide-set for me.
I like the look of this bra, but the lace seems like it could snag or fall apart easily. The projection is pretty good and the wires are more narrow than many bras I have tried. They are still a bit too wide and the gore digs in a bit at the top. I seem to have issues with Fantasie gores being too high/wide and cutting into tissue. The straps are very soft on the inside, which is nice. Seems very good for full on bottom shapes with short roots like mine!
Sofia is a lovely surprise, as the other two Fantasie Padded Half Cups (Mae and Marianna) didn't work out for me. While the fit isn't perfect, it is certainly much better than the other styles as the band is firmer and the cups are narrower.
Visually, Sofia looks like it would be the same cut as Marianna. Bratabase has Sofia, Mae, and Marianna all listed as the same cuts, but they are not. Sofia's cups are much narrower and a little bit shallower while also coming up slightly taller. The shape is the most similar to Fauve Aurelia, but Aurelia is wider and more open ...at the top. I've found that for me, these sorts of 3HC styles can be really tricky, but the ones that work for me are narrower and slightly closed off at the top rather than completely open. Measurements are also similar to Freya Summer Haze Padded Half Cup and the Freya Fancies Longline, though Sofia is more open, and the main difference between these styles is that the cup shape is mostly straight on the Fantasie bras, but the cup shape on the Freyas is more angled. The latter is much better for me since I don't have any inner upper fullness.
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.
Overall, the cup volume is good, but because of the straight cut of the upper cup, I get a little gapping when I move that I don't get on the similar Freyas. Because the band does distort the wire a bit when worn on the tighter hooks on me, I can feel a little bit of discomfort from the wires, but it is minor compared to the stabbing pain caused by Mae and Marianna, because the wires are actually in the right place on my body. The bra gives me a smooth and natural shape that is not particularly lifted or minimized, but I am sure that if you are fuller, you would get a more rounded shape.
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. 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. Read more 607 more words
This bra is seriously great as a UK bra with narrow wires that produces a nice rounded, somewhat minimized shape. Straps still too wide but straps are always too wide for me. Just too big in the cup for me right now, but it used to fit!
Yes, this is a Fantasie bra in 30D, which we know is not my size given my experience with Elsie. However, the only reason I decided to give it a try in 30D is because the Annalise Padded Half Cup (HC) ran a cup size too large, so I thought the same just might hold true with the Side Support (SS) version. Sadly, this didn't turn out to be the case. Annalise SS is basically the same fit as Elsie SS, and they both fit me about the same in this size, which is too small.
The band on the HC was a bit smaller and ...fit me, but the band on this bra is really big, even bigger than on my Elsie 30D. For that reason, it's a bit difficult to judge the fit, but I can tell from the fit and measurements that it is more or less the same as Elsie, which is the same cut as most of my other favorite Fantasie bras (Frances, Camellia). See my reviews on these styles for more specifics about cup shape and construction. So, the cups for me would probably work in a 30DD if the size were available, but the band on this style seems to be all over the place, as the band on the 30DD Half Cup I tried was just massive!
Interestingly, the wires seem to be the same on the Elsie 30D, the Annalise SS 30D, and the Annalise HC 30D, but on the styles with larger bands, there's not enough tension in the band to pull the wires open a bit and make them wider. The wires on their own are too narrow for me and a bit too short on the side. However, due to the tighter band on the HC version, they ended up fitting me ok in terms of width.
The Camellia is printed throughout the entire cup with pink flowers on a white base, giving it a fresh springlike feel. The outer cups are made entirely from floral printed mesh, with the bottom cups and cradle having small scale embroidery detail, and the upper cup and center cradle with large scale satin embroidery. The bottom cup is double lined with tricot for additional support. The upper cup embroidery is nicely textured with long satin stitches, and the edge of the upper cup gives the appearance of 3D lace so prominent in Japanese styles. 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 that is slightly narrower than usual. The band is fairly plain and made from standard powermesh. Back is a standard low leotard back, and the only decorations are simple satin bows at the gore and strap attachments.
If you loved Elsie, I think you will love this bra, but beware that the band runs large and is rather inconsistent. I plan to keep the Annalise Half Cup in my collection in 30D but pass on this cut unless I can find one in my normal size of 30DD. Read more 424 more words
Sienna is a lovely bra, but unfortunately it's just not the bra for me. I've tried this now in both the Side Support (SS) and Vertical Seam (VS) models, and I have to give up on this collection. While the SS was a total shape mismatch, the VS fits me more or less, but it just doesn't flatter my body.
Like the SS model, the VS also has a band that is firm and TTS. I think this is because the bottom of the powermesh band is made from extra wide elastic covered in soft satin, and it is a full band style. This is ...a different construction from the SS, which has a standard band, so while mine measures slightly larger than the SS, it actually fits more securely. Because the bottom is wide elastic, the top of the wings do not have a leotard back cut as the strap elastic does not continue through to the back of the band. Instead, the straps attach in the traditional way perpendicular to the band.
Now, the fit of the cups is a 2HC that is relatively closed off at the top. The cups are a little deeper than on the SS model. On me, they fit my larger side and my smaller side is a little empty as usual. However, it doesn't do much for me in terms of shaping, probably because I am not full enough to fill it out the way as intended, so the resulting appearance is a bit flat. I also found that the cup height on me is a little too tall. With inserts at the top, it gives a really lovely rounded shape. Therefore, I think this cut is best for full, rounded shapes with decent amounts of upper fullness and projection. I think the shaping of this cut is fabulous if it suits your breast shape, but anyone who is shallower or not very full on top will not find that this bra does much for them. It would not work for FOB shapes.
The wires of this bra are comfortable on me and have a gentle C shape curve and average width. The gore is a bit narrower than on the SS style, so it is more standard for a Fantasie bra. The gore on the SS pressed into my tissue due to the width, which is a rare issue for me. The cups in this all-lace bra are completely unlined, unlike in the SS model. However, there is a decent amount of embroidery on the cup fabric which adds rigidity and stability. Because it is only single layer mesh, I would recommend it for firmer tissue only that doesn't need as much support from the cup fabric as I think softer tissue might find it a bit unsupportive. The upper edge has a strip of stabilizing elastic with a small amount of give, and is on the firmer side.
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. Read more 630 more words
I ordered a second one to see if the band might be a little tighter, given the variance I've seen in Fantasie 30DD bands. However, they measure exactly the same. Both bras are very consistent, so I'll be returning one.
Comfortable to wear but really not a fan of the silhouette. My breasts bulge out on the sides making me look a lot wider, and the shape of the cups make me look a little too saggy. Great to wear if I just want something comfortable.
This was my go-to bra for a long time but shape and size changes mean it doesn't work any more. Great for uplift, perfect for under clothes. A natural kind of shape (not too round).
This is my absolute favorite everyday work bra. It holds the breasts in close to the chest, giving a very smooth, rounded, almost "minimized" appearance. Although this may not be everyone's cup of tea, I love the fact that it allows me to fit into many tops that are normally off limits.
Pros: - Very, very comfortable; the most comfortable I've ever worn. - Invisible under clothes; lovely round shape. - Nice firm band. I've been wearing it every other day for a month and no sign of stretch yet.
Cons: - Definitely not a sexy bra. Not by any stretch of the imagination https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />. - Fairly wide look from the front - doesn't really pull you in at the sides.
