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Of all the things you could possibly want (or need) these days, the best nipple covers might not rank high on your list. But sometimes our favorite ’fits don't give us the option for a wireless bralette or a strapless bra. And while going braless can be truly freeing, not everyone may feel comfortable with nipples peeking out—or a potential nip slip.
Thanks to the endless possibilities of the internet, we found a ton of smart, affordable solutions that make it possible to wear pretty much anything. So if you need some guidance, keep scrolling for a handy checklist of the best bra alternatives to stock up on. From adhesive bras to silicone nipple covers, reusable pasties, and boob tape, each one can solve a number of tricky top and dress situations—whether you're going out for dinner or attending a wedding—and are all easy to put on and remove. Shop the 26 best nipple covers to wear with your trickiest and skin-baring outfits ahead.
It's easy to wear your comfiest bra (or nothing at all) when you're at home lounging in sweatpants, but those one-shoulder numbers and open-back dresses require a little extra forethought. Sometimes you can get away with just a strapless bra, but if you want shape and definition without a war against gravity, adhesive styles are the way to go.
Celebrity stylist Anita Patrickson told Glamour she prefers the NuBra (shown below) over a traditional strapless style since it's so much better at staying hidden. (This stick-on bra comes in sizes A to E, and has a wide range of nude colors, compared with some other brands on the market.) The proper way to put it on? “Bend over, stick one cup toward the outside of your breast, put the other one on your other breast, and clip them together,” Patrickson says. “It'll help give you some cleavage and is the best way I've found to put it on.”
If you have a fuller bust, consider brands like Fashion Forms and Nordstrom Lingerie that make backless bras and adhesive bras up to G-cup sizes. The last two options in this section stick well to your side and provide lift underneath clothes with low necklines and open backs.
Fashion Forms U-Plunge Backless Strapless Bra
NuBra Airy Seamless Breathable Adhesive Bra
Intimissimi Transparent Back Strapless Bra
Self-adhesive nipple covers (or silicone pasties) are especially great to wear year-round because they're lightweight and practically invisible. Breathable and sweatproof, these options are typically circular in shape, stretching beyond the nipple to cover the entire areola. (Some, like the ones from Fashion Forms, are scalloped to look like flowers.) Most brands offer nipple covers in a range of skin tones, and you can even get them in a waterproof style to wear underneath bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, or sports bras to prevent chafing.
Because of their thickness and matte finish, both reusable and disposable nipple covers tend to do a better job than regular pasties at masking erect nipples. Plus, the majority of adhesive silicone covers are made from medical-grade silicone, so if you have sensitive skin or plan on adding them to your daily rotation, they should be kinder on your skin.
Nippies Skin Ultimate Adhesive Nipplecovers Pasties & Travel Case
Hollywood Fashion Secrets Silicone Cover-Ups
Nood No Show Nipple Covers
Bonamona Reusable Silicone Nipple Covers
Similar to reusable nipple covers, adhesive pasties offer subtle coverage when wearing sheer clothing, such as white tank tops. They function much like stickers and are usually flatter than reusable silicone nipple covers—but be aware: Even though they look ultra thin, they may pucker if not applied flush to your boobs.
Pasties are skin-friendly and often reusable, if not washable, and like the nipple covers above, most of the time you need only a touch of mild soap, warm water, and some air-dry time to reactivate the adhesive on the back.
Fashion Forms Disposable Breast Petals
Nood Game Changer Lift and Shape Pasties
Braza Bra Reusable Swim Petals
Brassybra Adhesive Nipple Covers & Breast Tape
Breast petals (pasties shaped like flowers) are a popular option, but ICYMI, pasties come in a bunch of playful designs (hearts, stars, or crosses) and fabrics (lace, satin, and sequins) that are great for everyday wear or special occasions. We know, we know—sequined nipple covers don't exactly scream comfy (or safe for work), but most have latex-free or hypoallergenic silicone adhesive backings, meaning even the rhinestone ones won't irritate or chafe after wearing them for hours on end. (PS: Some come with test patches too so you can spot-try the product on a less sensitive part of your skin beforehand.)
Neva Nude Glitter Heart Pasties
Neva Nude Lace Petal Nipztix Pasties Nipple Covers for Festivals
Neva Nude Toadstool Nipztix Pasties for Festivals
Last but not least, you have boob tape or nipple tape—whatever you want to call it. Boob tape isn't your ordinary tape. For starters, the adhesive on these strips of tape is usually hypoallergenic and sensitive-skin-friendly to avoid irritation and discomfort. Most brands also offer a variety of different hues to match your skin tone as close as possible. These tapes also go on super stretchy so to offer a more seamless look post-application; the stretchiness is similar to that of a medical bandage.
Boob tape tends to be more industrial than stick-on bras, nipple covers, pasties, and of course, nonadhesive bras because you can layer the tape on until you get the support you need. Some people like wearing boob tape first, then nipple covers on top (or vice versa), while others just apply the tape on its own. It's also very easy to cut the tape into thinner pieces when necessary—for example, if you're working with a cutout dress or top.
Those with larger busts are particularly big fans of boob tape because it's often the only option that provides the same lift and support outside of a regular plus-size bra. Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro, who wears a size 38D, has even tested boob tape while running and says the layered support is almost as compressive as a sports bra.
Boob Tape Boobytape for Breast Lift
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By Kristi Kellogg, Claudia Saide, and Andrea Navarro
By Marie Lodi and Andrea Navarro
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