October 25, 2016

Basics: Fantasie Grace Balcony

 Halloween is only six days ahead, and trust and believe I have the perfect set for it - it's in the UK as we speak, tied up in the middle of an exchange that I'm sure will span more than a month.  Oh, how I wish I could open a store that stocked all my favorite brands from around the world, so I wouldn't be at the hands of the world postal services when it came to trying things on. I'm sure I could have improvised something for the holiday, but the pain is crushing and it keeps me from improvising anything worth sharing. Instead, enjoy some autumnal tones. Who needs a Pagan holiday anyways?


Fantasie's Grace Balcony is not quite like any bra I've put on before, let alone any balcony style.  Balcony bras tend to have high wires in the center, as well as a cup that is mostly straight across the chest.  Apparently Fantasie isn't making a new balcony bras this upcoming season outside of a re-coloration of this, but from what I hear it used to be a staple style for them. One folks would go crazy for. And with the vintage-reminiscent style and amazing shape, I get that. This bra is completely outside of anything I'd normally wear, but I'm never looking back.


Grace is a simple cup with two main parts, one part swooping sateen fabric (with one seam running through) and the other lovely embroidered mesh.  That swooping part ain't no joke. It has no flex, pushing my meat so up and in it almost comes to a point - almost - and leaves me with some of the best side-support and lift I've seen in awhile. Fantasie is a brand that has wider wires, which means it works amazing for me.  However, wider wires generally mean less projection, so I was surprised to find something that has lift and control while still comfortably encasing my breast root. These wires are much taller than styles I more typically do, which bugged me the first few days I wore it. They pressed into my chest so hard a tiny bit of flesh hung over them. After a few days of breaking in, we all good. 
Some folks would probably hate the shape this bra gives. In fact, some do, and I've seen it - they hate the coverage, and the more coney shape. I actually find it pretty minimizing, since it pulls in from the side so much. It also spread the breasts apart a nice amount, with a gentle slope, which looks really nice under knits or bigger tops because of more breast definition. 
I got this in my now typical 30G, and find it to run true in both the cup and band. It is a touch on the shallow side, so if you're very full on top I'd probably size up to be safe.

The brief is a very classic, basic cut. Briefs aren't my favorite thing in the world, to be honest. They tend to look great in the front, and then horrendous in the back, and my dear Grace, you are no exception. I love the mesh lace on the hips, and where the rise hits me. However, flip me over, and it all goes to shit. Because my ass is less than ample, the back comes up high on me, and does nothing for my stupidly short torso. I'm also widest right above my hips, and anything that has a rise that caps that spare tire off does nothing but highlight it, turning my backside into one wide lumpy blackberry. This picture was the only rear I could deal with.
Despite my tirade for the back part, these briefs are actually one of my favorite pairs of panties right now. They're really soft and silky, and stay up without cutting in. I have these briefs in a Large, and I wouldn't have them any other way.
Maybe I'll have a change of heart and quit sulking in time for next Monday, or maybe the Post will do what it SHOULD and bring me my beautiful perfect Halloween set.  In the meantime, I'll be carving pumpkins and turning heads in this set. It's been in my regular rotation since I got it in September, and I'm so thrilled I tried something new.