How do you cover your nipples in a backless top?

Nobody wants to experience a wardrobe malfunction, especially when it wasn't intentional. Well-fitting jeans, button-downs that are gap-free and avoiding the dreaded visible panty line (VPL) are all things we'd like to achieve. In this edition of AFAF (Awkward Fashion and Beauty), we address how to avoid unwanted attention caused by nipples visible through clothing with the help of nipple covers. Because when we do finally put away our winter layers and embrace spring and summer, we want to keep our nipples covered.

So, how can we address this situation in a world that both accepts and rejects the visible nipple? "Nipple coverage is ultimately a personal preference," says Jaclyn Fu, Pepper co-founder and undergarment designer tailored to small-chested women. Nipples can show through clothing irrespective of your bust size. Fortunately, two main options can keep our nipples from being the centre of attention.

Firstly, padding is one option. Angie Kornas, the founder of Honey Cloudz, a company providing size-inclusive bra inserts, suggests that unlined bras can be challenging because they lack extra layers. It may be best to start with lined bras that can provide protection as it's a good starting point. If padding isn't new to you, then adding an extra insert to your undergarment is an excellent way to ensure coverage. However, if padded bras are not your preferred option, lighter-weight styles and inserts that hug your breast and blend seamlessly into your body's contours are alternatives.

But what if you want to go braless?

Wearing sheer tops and ditching bras altogether have become increasingly popular, even trendy, since the Free The Nipple movement in the 1970s regained popularity in recent years. According to Fu, "Breasts have been over-sexualised for too long and it's great seeing trends today that empower women to take control of how they present their body.”

For outfits that require ditching the bra, whether sheer or not, there are tricks to disguise nipples. Brooklyn-based stylist Joiee Thorpe suggests using regular medical or silicone tape if you don't have nipple covers. You can criss-cross the tape over your nipples, flattening it so it doesn't show. Using smoother tape can produce better results. You can even take a strip of tape, place it under your breast and pull it up to your clavicle, to cover and give a slight breast lift.

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