I’ve read and been told so many good things about the spacer fabric in the Fantasie Rebecca bra, so when a used one came up for sale in one of my online swap groups, I jumped at the chance to try it at a discounted price.
Fantasie’s Smoothing Molded T-Shirt bra (aka Model 4510) has been my go-to tee shirt bra for several years, but I have to admit it is a little heavy and stiff, especially in summer. Spacer fabric, on the other hand, is a super lightweight, breathable, thin, foam-like fabric. Here’s a closeup shot:
And here’s a diagram of how it stays so cool:
Rebecca is a pretty standard shape: triangular, seamless cups with an average-height gore. It also has some pretty geometric embroidery on the front side of the band and the front of the straps, which keeps it from being totally boring. The wings are a double-layer of mesh where they meet the underwire, and then thick, solid fabric from that point to the ends where you find the hook and eye. Its “nude” is a bit more pink or peach-toned than the comparatively brown t-shirt bra.
The t-shirt bra has a little bit more of a balconette shape, with cups that don’t come up as high on the sides. Gore height is about the same. This time, though, the wings are completely made of the solid fabric, which I absolutely love. It doesn’t stretch out nearly as fast or as much as mesh and gives a smoother line. The bow in the gore is also smaller and flat, so it tends not to peek out if I’m wearing a top that’s a little low cut for this particular bra.
I was pretty excited when I got the Rebecca. It really is extremely light, smooth, and soft. I also enjoyed squishing the spacer fabric between my fingers. It feels cool and bounces right back.
However, its gentleness comes with a price. Rebecca gives me the worst spread-out shape. My boobs are so in front of my arms that they get in the way when I swing my arms forward and back. It’s so annoying and not something I’ve ever experienced before. Just look at the front comparison of the Rebecca (first photo) and t-shirt bra (second). Pay close attention to my arm on the left:
Both of these are size 30FF, by the way. From the side, the Rebecca shape was okay, but I still prefer my t-shirt bra. The t-shirt bra just has a little more uplift, especially from the underside of the breast:
I will definitely not be keeping the Rebecca bra and will be sticking with my t-shirt bras. Even though the t-shirt bra is a 30 band and I definitely need a 28 in Eveden brands, it still works really well. I own two of them that I’ve been wearing on the tightest setting for a little over two years, and they’re still tight enough and give amazing support. I believe it’s because the fabric wings don’t stretch out much. Plus, you can almost always find new ones on eBay for quite cheap. I paid $30 for one and $35 for the other.
Rebecca is available up to 30-34 H, 36GG, 38G, and 40FF. The molded t-shirt bra goes up to 30-34 H, 36GG, 38G, and 40F.
I’m glad I am not the only one who finds that the Rebecca bra spreads out the breast so bad. It would be perfect if it had some side support. But the material is great. I have the same issue with Panche Porcelian Viva. Love the feel but not the separation. (Not to mention I think panache runs small and the G size cup just isn’t quite big enough, plus I have issues with it being to high in the armpits). I too have the molded Fantasie which give a much better fit and shape, but it’s just a bra. Very plain. And the material is a tad stiff. Glad though to see I’m not the only one who has the same opinion.