Oh my goodness… How did I get to the age of 67 and not know about nipple covers? Every chance I get, I lose the bra. I hate wearing those undergarments of Satan. And don’t say it’s the underwire, or the kind of bra, or the wrong fit. It doesn’t matter what an advertiser says; I have never found any bra, including sports bras, to be comfortable. I even went to Nordstrom’s for a proper fitting, thinking that was why a bra was so uncomfortable to me. Nope, it did not work. Ever since retirement, I refuse to wear a bra unless I go out in public. I even lose the bra when I’m sitting out in front of our condo reading in the sun. I figure I’m old; who cares about seeing my sagging titties through my tank top? Sometimes, I’ll throw on a sweatshirt when it isn’t too hot, and I can get away without wearing a bra, but in the summertime, going to dinner on our date nights absolutely requires wearing a bra. So… imagine my delight when I saw an article about a famous designer who, instead of wearing bras, chooses nipple covers, stating she can’t live without “Niparons nipple covers. I wear them instead of a bra because I find bras so uncomfortable. I love to feel free!” Well… that did it. I went on a furious internet search, and this is what I learned:

For those who don’t like the name Nipple Covers, you can call them adhesive bra alternatives.
As with so many things I research, nipple covers have been around for a long time. First used in the 1920s, women started wearing them under sheer dresses. By the 1940s, they were a popular staple among burlesque dancers.
Most women today wear nipple covers with off-the-shoulder dresses, plunging necklines or backlines, sheer, or backless dresses. Side note: I do own a strapless bra because I own an off-the-shoulder dress (I wore it to GLCS one year). I wish I’d known about nipple covers. I would have bought them for the occasion instead of the scratchy, uncomfortable strapless bra.
There are different kinds (of course there are). Disposable nipple covers – made of thin adhesive material and designed for one-time use, like special occasions. Reusable silicone nipple covers – made of silicone and can be reused multiple times, for everyday wear, available in various skin tones. Fabric nipple covers – made of fabric, such as cotton or silk, perfect for sensitive skin, available in various designs, such as lace and mesh.
So let’s talk about pasties versus nipple covers, because certainly I know about pasties. The main difference is that nipple covers are not meant to be seen, while pasties are. Pasties are much more decorative and worn by burlesque dancers. They are quite decorative, colorful, or shiny—often with sequins, tassels, rhinestones, or playful shapes (like stars or hearts). Pasties, like some nipple covers, are intended for single use and can be paper, satin, or foil with thicker, raised edges.
Never having worn them myself, I needed a specific step-by-step how-to… So here it is: Clean your skin, making sure it is clean and dry before application; Apply the nipple covers by removing the backing from the covers and placing them over your nipples, making sure they are centered and smooth; Adjust as needed to ensure they are secure and comfortable. You can also use shape tape (yes, there is such a thing) for added support; Voila, you’re ready to put on whatever (not just for slinky dresses) and enjoy the freedom of going braless.
Here’s how to get them to last longer: Clean them after each use, with warm water and soap (guess it’s no different than sex toys1); Make sure they are completely dry before storing them; Put the backing sheets back on to preserve the adhesive; Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
You’ll get different opinions on which ones are the best, so here are some top-selling and top-rated brands to choose from: Nippies, Nood No Show, Cakes Body Nipple Covers, Nubra Pasties. There are many more, and if you are an Amazon fan, they are easy to find in all price ranges. I may do a follow-up blog after trying one of these brands out, and I’ll let y’all know my opinion.

So… there you have it. Since I didn’t know about these little wonders, I have never written about them in any of my books, but that sure won’t stop me from adding something to my next book (after I’ve tried them out – nothing like physical research). If you want to support this Sapphic author in these trying times, be sure to click on the links below and send me some love by getting one of my books!