I bought the Ivory colorway of Sofia several months ago and had my eye on the Black. When this went on sale, I picked up another colorway. I was pleased to find that the Black actually fits me better than the Ivory, thanks to more flexible wires that feel much more comfortable for me, and slightly shorter cups (I tried the Ivory twice in the same size and found the same stiff wires/taller cup in both).

Sofia is a a very open 3HC shape, which used to be tough for me when I was a smaller 28E/30DD, and now fits much better that I am between 28E/28F ... and 30DD/30E. I used to get some gapping at the top with these types of styles, but now this problem is minimized as I am fuller overall, particularly on top.

The cup measurements on this are almost identical to Freya Astrid Padded Half Cup (comparing to 28E). The main difference is that the cup shape is a bit angular at the top of the Sofia, whereas the Astrid has a smoother, curved upper cup edge. Both bras fit very comparably except for the band, since they are different sizes.

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. The embroidery really stands out on the black background and looks super luxe and unique. 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 as it is a little more projected and open than similar styles.
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Black colorway

Updated on Nov 07, 2020 Flag this

I already own this in Ivory, but recently I repurchased this in the Black colorway as well. The Black fits slightly differently from the original Ivory I own, which digs in a little at the gore because the wires are too stiff, so I decided to reorder this in Ivory to see if the first one I got was a fluke.

Unfortunately, this second Ivory is a poorer fit than the first, because the wires are even stiffer. I can feel the wires dig into both the sternum and outer tissue because of stiffness, though the shape of the cups is fine. Because the wires don't stretch enough, this particular bra also shows a little bit of pulling at the outer cups.

If you need stiffer wires, try the Ivory. If you need more flexible wires, go for the Black. Both are beautiful bras, but note that the fit is not identical between the two.

Ivory colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 07, 2020 Flag this

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.
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Ivory colorway

Updated on Jun 11, 2020 Flag this

Didn't write a review

Ivory colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Added on Aug 21, 2018

Didn't write a review

ivory colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Added on Jun 17, 2019