I’m about to tell you the number one reason that bra wearers in the USA wear bras, and it might surprise you or might seem obvious. The most common reason that people in the USA wear bras is for… modesty. Yep, it’s to cover nips.

Over on my TikTok and Instagram pages, we’ve had long conversations about why that is. Why are North Americans so obsessed with hiding nipples? The answers and debates have been fascinating and are rooted in thoughts on patriarchy, purity, sacredness, and personal choice. Some folks let them free certain times, and cover them up in other circumstances. A lot of folks choose to hide them at places like work, church, or around certain company. Others love letting them loose in all situations. It’s honestly so interesting to think about! 

The truth is, whether you choose to free or cover your nipples is completely up to you, and there is no wrong way to support and adorn your body. 

As always, I’m here to help you make a loving and informed choice about what you wear over your heart each day. Hurray! In the many years I’ve been fitting folks for bras, and training other empathetic bra fitters, this topic comes up a lot. So below I’ve got some of the very best nipple coverage options for you to buy and try for yourself. Ready for some support? Dive in!

Psst! Some of the brands linked are proud partners of mine or I may get a small thank you commission if you purchase through me. Your purchase through those links helps a lot in keeping articles like this coming your way. Either way, I always share items that I truly love and can help you say hurray!

Buy & Try

Ready to buy & try some nipple coverage for yourself? Below you’ll find a few of my top recommendations for nipple modesty, including bras, covers, and more. Also, you’ll see some discount codes and special offers along the way. Keep in mind that every body is different so match the color, size, or design to YOUR needs. You got this! 

Nipple Coverage Bras

Contour or padded bras have a thickness to the cup that acts as built-in nipple coverage. If you’re looking for a smooth cup shape, as well as some modesty, then this bra style is great for you! Below are just a few great options. 

Other Nipple Coverage Options

So we know that the number one reason that bra wearers in the U. S. actually wear bras is to cover nipples, but what if you don’t want to wear a bra? Are there other options than bras to cover your nipples? Why yes, and I happen to have an entire basket of them here in my office. Don’t you, too? Take a look at this video. 

Watch the video then shop below for examples of: stick on nipple covers that are reusable and silicone, silicone nipple covers that are not sticky and also reusable, a stick on bra that is molded or that is made of paper or lace, and one time use paper or lace stickers.

Reusable Nipple Covers

These are so great to wear instead of a bra, or you can put them inside of a sheer bra, or you can pop them inside of a shelf bra. The example in the video below is from my partner, Threads, and are made of a translucent hypoallergenic medical grade silicone. They come in four different skin colors, so they really blend in with your skin. Tthe seamless tapered edges give a really smooth finish, so they look super invisible underneath your clothes.

Bonus! They are sweat proof and waterproof and officially reusable up to 30 times –  but you can totally help them last longer. Just wash them with some soap and water and get rid of all that body oil and grime. Honestly, nipple covers like these belong in nearly everybody’s wardrobe, there are so many more people than you think walking around wearing these every single day.

Want more? Covers like these are smooth, silicone, and reusable that blend into your skin for a very “not even there” look. These stick to your bust and do not require a bra to stay in place so they’re great for backless outfits or when you don’t want to wear a bra. Several come in a variety of colors and skin tones, or even beautiful florals. And take a look at the different sizes offered through some of these options to get your best coverage and fit. Be gentle with your nips and know that these use an adhesive that is body safe. 

Non Adhesive Reusable Covers

Not into the sticky stuff? There are options for coverage without any adhesive. These are reusable and often made from the same silicone as above (just without the adhesive), or are made of fabric. Some provide nipple only coverage while others offer more surface area and shape. See what works best for you!

Adding in that Honey Cloudz are fabulous! They are made of fabric and can replace those flimsy inserts that come in bras or swimwear. They’re also fabulous to put into into bra or top as an extra layer of coverage and shape. Read the blog post on how to use them, plus get a discount code.

Disposable Nipple Covers

Disposable covers are awesome for those who need a one time use solution, or want a fun option! These are usually made of paper, lace, or some other material and can come in smooth, skin tone options or fun colors and patterns. Some people wear them to be invisible while others let them show through your clothing or bras. These are also usually less expensive in the short term, but can be more costly in the long run if you plan to use covers often. Note that these can also be great to wear underneath strong adhesive one time use breast tape as a safety and comfort measure over your nipples.

Adhesive Tape & One-time-use Bras

Stick-on or adhesive bras are an excellent way to get nipple coverage, support, and shape without a typical bra. They’re awesome for folks who want to wear a backless outfit but don’t want to go totally bra free. If nipple covers alone aren’t enough, this is a great option. Note that one-time-use tape and stick-on bra options pair well (and sometimes come with) disposable nipple covers for protection.

Also noting that NuBra bras are awesome! They are lined (thicker than fabric alone) and made with medical grade gel adhesive so they’re reusable and great for shape. Read the blog post here.

Free Bra Class

Want to wear a bra without ripping it off at the end of the day? Watch How to Find a Comfortable Bra Fit For Your Body WITHOUT Wasting Your Money on Bras You Dread Wearing! Plus, you'll also get Kimmay's Bra Fit Guide, and a taste of Bra Confidence & Comfort™. Watch now and don't spend another minute feeling uncomfortable in your bra.

Your turn:​ Hurray! What do you think about showing or sharing your nips? For which occasions would you choose some coverage? Which of these coverage options are you going to try next? Share with me over @hurraykimmay on Instagram!