Fantasie Bra Fitting Guide: Side Support, Sizes and Styles
A Fantasie side support bra is what most of our Fantasie stock is, and there is a good reason for that. The extra panel at the side of each cup brings the bust forward and centres it, which on a D cup and above changes both the shape and how comfortable the bra feels by the end of the day.
We keep most of them from a D to a J cup, in backs from 30 to 42.
At a glance
- Fantasie uses standard UK bra sizes, and most of our styles run from a D to a J cup
- European and French labels convert using the charts below
- The side panel brings the bust forward rather than letting it spread towards the arm
- Fantasie say 80% of a bra's support comes from the underband
- We fit Fantasie in our Shaftesbury shop for free, with no booking
- How Fantasie sizes come up
- What a Fantasie side support bra does
- The Fantasie styles we stock
- Checking the fit
- Frequently asked questions
How Fantasie sizes come up
Fantasie is sized in standard UK bra sizes, so start with the size you were last fitted in. If you have not been measured for a while, our guide to how to measure bra size at home takes you through it with a tape.
Fantasie recommend a fitting every six months. Weight change, breastfeeding and the menopause all alter the size and shape of the breast, often more than people expect.
Some Fantasie labels and swing tickets show European or French sizes alongside the UK one. The band converts like this:
| UK | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 60 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 |
| France | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 100 | 105 | 110 |
Cup letters drift apart from DD upwards, because the UK doubles letters where Europe moves on to the next one:
| UK cup | D | DD | E | F | FF | G | GG | H | HH | J |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe and France | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
So a UK 34FF is a European 75H and a French 90H. It is the same bra, just labelled differently.
What a Fantasie side support bra does
On most Fantasie side support styles the cup is made in three pieces. The third piece runs up the outer edge of the cup. It gathers the breast tissue that would otherwise drift towards your arm and brings it forward, so the bust sits rounder and closer to the centre.
You see the difference most under a fitted top. You feel it in your shoulders. With the bust held forward by the cup and the band, the straps carry less of the weight.
Most of these styles are also wide wired. The wire sits further back towards the underarm, so it rests on the ribcage behind the breast rather than pressing into the side of it.
The Fantasie styles we stock
These are the six we keep in the most depth. Every one has a matching brief in at least one colour.
- Reflect has a stretch lace top cup that follows your shape closely. We have it from a 32 to a 42 back, D to J, in natural, white, black and soft pink.
- Lucia is the same idea in prints, with lace along the top edge. Ours run 32 to 42, D to J.
- Illusion uses a flat floral lace with a stretch band at the neckline, which makes it easy to fit on most bust shapes. This season brings a new pale green called Meadow Mist.
- Fusion is the full cup side support style, for anyone who wants more coverage at the top. It goes up to an HH cup.
- Lizbeth is a white floral print with embroidery in the top cup, from D to J.
- Rebecca Essentials is a moulded spacer bra. It is seam-free and goes up to an H cup, so it is the one we suggest under T-shirts and fine knits.
For briefs, Smoothease is the one we sell most of. The edges are bonded rather than stitched, so nothing shows under trousers, and one size covers XS to XL.
Checking the fit
Fantasie break the fit down into three checks. Do them in front of a mirror, after you have leant forward and scooped the breast tissue into each cup.
- The band sits firmly round your ribcage, level at the front and back. If it rides up your back, it is too big.
- The centre front sits flat against your breastbone. If it lifts away and rests on breast tissue, the cup is too small.
- The cups give an even, rounded shape, with the wire behind the breast and no bulge under the arm. Spilling over the top, even a little, means trying the next cup up.
Side support styles feel firmer than an ordinary bra the first time you put one on. That is the side panel doing its job. Give it a few minutes before you decide.
The quickest way to find your Fantasie size is to come in. Fitting is free and you do not need to book, and we can put three or four styles in front of you in your size. We are at 30 High Street, Shaftesbury, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm, or ring 01747 852444 to check we have your size.
Frequently asked questions
Are Fantasie bras true to size?
Fantasie uses standard UK bra sizing, so the size you were fitted in elsewhere is the right place to start. Styles do feel different, though. A stretch lace top cup, like Reflect or Illusion, has some give and suits you if you are between cup sizes. A moulded spacer cup, like Rebecca Essentials, holds its shape and has less give. If you are unsure, try the same size in two styles side by side.
What is a Fantasie side support bra?
A Fantasie side support bra has a cup made in three pieces, with an extra panel up the outer edge. That panel gathers breast tissue that would otherwise spread towards the arm and brings it forward, so the bust sits rounder and more centred. It also takes weight off the straps. Most of the Fantasie bras we stock are built this way, including Reflect, Lucia, Illusion and Fusion.
What sizes do Fantasie bras come in?
Fantasie starts at a D cup on most styles and goes up to a J, with backs from 30 to 42. Exact ranges vary by style: Fusion goes to an HH, and Rebecca Essentials to an H. Briefs come in XS to XXL, and the Smoothease brief is one size that fits XS to XL. If a label shows European or French sizes, the conversion charts in this guide will translate them.
How often should I get measured for a Fantasie bra?
Fantasie recommend a fitting every six months. Weight loss or gain, breastfeeding and the menopause all change the size and shape of the breast. A band that rides up at the back, or a centre front that no longer sits flat, are signs your size has moved. A fitting at our shop is free and takes a few minutes.
Which Fantasie bra is best under a T-shirt?
Rebecca Essentials is the one we suggest. It is a moulded spacer bra, so the cup is seam-free and gives a smooth line under a T-shirt or a fine knit, without adding bulk. It goes up to an H cup. If you need a larger cup, Reflect has a flat stretch lace top edge that sits fairly smoothly under most tops.
Can I get fitted for Fantasie bras in Shaftesbury?
Yes. Bra fitting in our lingerie department is free and you do not need to book. Come into 30 High Street, Shaftesbury, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm, and our trained fitters will measure you and bring a few Fantasie styles to try. If you would like to check we have your size first, ring us on 01747 852444.
Written by Shirley Allum
Shirley has run her Shaftesbury boutique since 1997 and still does all the buying herself, across fashion, footwear and lingerie. She and her team have been dressing the women of Dorset for nearly thirty years.
