If you have ever stood in front of your wardrobe holding a backless dress, a silky slip or a sheer blouse and thought, "Right, but what do I do about my nipples?" then welcome. You are in exactly the right place. Nipple covers have come a long way from the scratchy, one-size disposable pasties of the early 2000s. Today there are reusable silicone options, adhesive-free options, and a proper shade range to suit a wide variety of skin tones. This guide walks you through everything you need to know so you can buy with confidence and actually wear that outfit.
What Are Nipple Covers, Exactly?
Nipple covers are small discs, usually made from silicone or thin fabric, that sit over the nipple area to smooth and conceal under clothing. They are not a bra, they are not padding, and they are not meant to provide lift. What they do brilliantly is give you a smooth, natural outline under close-fitting or sheer fabrics, without any straps, underwires or visible bra lines.
At Breasties, we make two kinds. Stickies are reusable silicone nipple covers with a gentle adhesive that bonds to skin and stays put through a full day of wear. Grippies are our adhesive-free version, designed in the UK, that use smooth body-heat micro-suction to hold in place. No glue, no residue, no faff. Both are round silicone discs, ultra-thin at the edges, and reusable for months with proper care.
Adhesive vs Adhesive-Free: Which Should You Choose?
This is the question we get asked most. The honest answer is that it depends on your lifestyle, your skin sensitivity and the outfits you wear most often.
Go for Stickies if you
- Want maximum hold for active days or long nights out
- Are wearing structured or heavier fabrics
- Have no sensitivity to gentle adhesive
- Want to wear them under a bodysuit or tight dress with no shifting
Go for Grippies if you
- Have sensitive skin or find adhesive irritating
- Want to wear nipple covers in the water or during sweaty workouts
- Prefer a completely residue-free option
- Switch outfits frequently throughout the day
Still not sure? Our Stickies and Grippies bundle lets you try both at a better price, which is genuinely the best way to figure out which one becomes your everyday go-to. Or take our quick quiz and we will point you in the right direction in under two minutes.
Getting the Shade Right
One of the biggest frustrations with older or cheaper nipple covers is that they come in one or two shades that work for a narrow slice of skin tones. Under a white shirt or sheer fabric, a cover that does not match your skin shows up just as obviously as no cover at all.
Breasties nipple covers come in five shades: Ivory, Latte, Honey, Toffee and Espresso. The goal is to match the covers as closely as possible to your own skin tone, not your nipple. When the silicone blends into your skin, it disappears under fabric rather than creating a different kind of visible circle.
A good rule of thumb: hold the cover against the inside of your wrist or the top of your chest rather than your hand, as those areas tend to be a closer match to the skin the cover will actually be sitting on. If you are between shades, going one shade deeper tends to work better under sheer or white fabric than going lighter.
Sizing: Because Bodies Are Not One-Size
Most nipple covers on the market come in one size. Breasties does not work like that. We offer multiple sizes because the right cover should sit entirely within the areola area for the most seamless finish, and that looks different on every body.
Breasties nipple covers are available in sizes that accommodate cup sizes up to and including DDD+ because larger cup sizes deserve the same smooth, invisible finish as anyone else. Larger breasts often have a wider areola, and a cover that is too small leaves the edges exposed, which defeats the purpose entirely.
Not sure what size to go for? The Breasties quiz takes your measurements and your usual bra size into account and gives you a personalised recommendation.
How to Make Your Nipple Covers Last
Reusable nipple covers are an investment and a sustainable choice compared to single-use disposable pasties. Looking after them properly means they will stay effective for months.
- Wash after every wear. Rinse with warm water and a tiny drop of mild soap, then allow to air dry completely. Never pat dry with a towel as fibres cling to the surface and reduce the hold.
- Store in the original case. Keeping them covered protects the surface from dust and fluff that degrades the micro-suction over time.
- Apply to clean, dry skin. Moisturiser, body oil, sunscreen and sweat all reduce how well the covers adhere. If you moisturise your chest, just keep that area dry before putting covers on.
- Avoid folding or stretching them. Silicone has a good memory but repeated distortion will eventually change the shape of the disc.
The Best Outfits for Nipple Covers
The short answer is: almost everything. But here are the outfit situations where nipple covers genuinely change the game.
- Backless or plunge dresses where a traditional bra is impossible
- Sheer or white blouses where you want coverage without a visible bra
- Slip dresses and silk fabrics that show every line and underwire
- Jumpsuits and bodysuits with low backs or thin straps
- Swimwear and beach cover-ups (Grippies handle humidity and heat beautifully)
- Sports and gym wear where you want to go bra-free without discomfort from fabric rubbing
The versatility is genuinely one of the reasons so many women end up buying a second set once they realise how often they reach for them. The bundle is brilliant for this, giving you both styles so you are covered whatever the occasion throws at you.
Find your perfect nipple covers
Not sure where to start? Take our two-minute quiz and we will match you to the right style, shade and size. Or go straight to the shop if you already know what you are after.