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Fantasie Smoothing Balcony T-Shirt Bra: How Good Is It?

Jerky | Apr 1, 2011 |

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At about $50, the Fantasie Smoothing Balcony T-Shirt Bra isn't the cheapest bra on the market, but it's support, comfort and durability make it worthy of your attention, and possibly even your money.

For the uninitiated, a "T-Shirt Bra" is designed to fit under tight and/or thin fabrics. They are designed to have a "smooth" exterior that won't show any jagged edges or bumps from fancy ornamentation, like ribbons or bows. They are the choice brassiere for tight-fitting tops such as t-shirts, tank tops and even snug blouses; and they are one of the best bras for work because they don't bleed color through to the outside of your top.

Keep in mind that this type of undergarment must not only seem "invisible" under the thinnest and tightest shirts, but it must also do what bras are supposed to do in the first place: Support the chest while keeping the wearer comfortable. If it can't do these basic functions, it doesn't really matter how good it is at hiding behind a top, because even the most non-discerning woman will quickly toss it aside after a few long days wearing it.

How Does The Fantasie Balcony Bra Rate?

Based entirely on the experiences of my girlfriend (who is a size 36DD, so support and comfort are very important to her), the Fantasie Smoothing Balcony bra is one of the best fitting and best supporting bras on the market. In her opinion, it's easily worth the money; in fact, she says bras in her size frequently top the $60 mark, so the $50 or so that this one costs isn't necessarily "excessive."

That said, smaller sized ladies might find the price a little off putting, especially considering this bra starts at about $45 for smaller sizes, which is on the high end for the A cups and B cups of the world. But when I asked my girlfriend if she would recommend this one to any lady, she said:

"This is probably the best all-around bra for anyone who has boobs, regardless of how big or small they may be..."

In the grand scheme of things, there are four major variables that combine to create a good "Bra Value." These are: Support, Comfort, Durability and Type-Specific Performance (in this case a smooth, invisible appearance). Let's examine each of these a little closer in the context of this particular product.

Support

Obviously this is based entire on my girlfriend's specific experiences with her 36DD Fantasie Smoothing Balcony T-Shirt Bra, but I'm willing to bet her thoughts are very common amongst other wearers.

As a 36 Double D, support is a very important characteristic. Add to the fact that she's a fairly active person and it becomes even more important. So when she gives it an "A" in this category, I'm inclined to believe that it truly deserves that grade. The underwire provides great support, she says, without causing the usual degree of discomfort that these wires can cause during a long day. Which leads me too...

Comfort

Spending 18 hours in the same bra isn't an ideal situation, at least from what I've been told. And since my lady frequently spends this much time wearing the same undergarments, I'm sure she'd holler about it if something didn't feel right. And as any big chested woman knows, simply taking it off once it becomes uncomfortable isn't an option, like it is for smaller sized women.

She does admit that it took a bit of trial and error adjusting the straps and finding the perfect clasp combination for her body, but she assured me that such a "fitting process" is normal for any new bra.

Durability

Most T-shirt bras are made from microfiber, and this one is no exception. Some people praise this material for it's durability, while others say it doesn't last as long as other types. Regardless of how you feel about it, this bra has held up very well for my girlfriend. In fact, she says it's "definitely better than normal" when it comes to this category.

In all fairness, she is very careful with her clothes, and washes everything according to the directions on the tag. So if you're like me and aren't as meticulous about your washing machine habits, your results may vary.

Performance

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how comfortable or supportive a bra is if it doesn't do it's intended job; in this case: Seamlessly hide behind thin and/or tight tops. I've got to say that from personal experience, I've never seen her underwear show through even her tightest t-shirts and tank tops; so in that aspect I'm guessing that makes this successful. Oh, and I should also mention that I've never seen anything on the inside poking through to the outside... if you catch my drift...

Are There Any Down Sides?

Aren't there always? The biggest drawback she could think of was that it took several days before it "broke in" to her body. At first it felt a little awkward, and the cups themselves looked pointy (like a subtle version of a Madonna outfit), but it eventually conformed to her chest, and the "60's torpedo look" went away.

And from a guy's point of view, this isn't exactly the world's sexiest bra. Rather, it's one of those "function over form" situations.

(If you're interested in sexy styles, feel free to read my article on Sexy 36DD Bras).

But other than those two drawbacks, this Fantasie bra is pretty straight forward.

Is This Bra Worth The Money?

I would say so. So would my girlfriend. She says its performance and comfort easily make it worth the few extra dollars. She says she has actually spent more money on inferior bras more times than she cares to count.

The Fantasie Smoothing Balcony T-Shirt Bra is available on Amazon, if you're interested in buying one yourself. While you're there you can also read the overwhelmingly positive customer comments and check for any special shipping rates (Amazon often offers free domestic shipping on orders greater than $25).

It's available in three colors: Nude, Black and Chocolate. Many of the reviews say that between those three colors, one of them will always "hide" behind anything you're wearing, even the thinnest blouse.

As far as sizes, it's available in number sizes 30 through 40, and cup sizes DD through H. It's definitely designed for larger-chested women, so if you're an A, B or C cup, you'll have to keep looking.

That said, if your chest is on the "bigger" side, the Fantasie Smoothing Balcony T-Shirt Bra is probably worth your attention.