What Are Pasties? A Clothing Guide to Nipple Covers and How to Wear Them

What are pasties? Pasties are small adhesive covers worn directly over the nipples in place of a bra — a way to go braless without showing through your clothes. Modern pasties, like reusable Go Nipless covers ($23.95), are made of premium silicone that lies flat and stays invisible under sheer, thin, and fitted fabrics. In everyday clothing terms, "pasties" and "nipple covers" mean the same thing.

What are pasties in clothing?

In clothing, pasties are small round or petal-shaped covers that stick over each nipple to smooth the look of an outfit when you aren't wearing a bra. They cover and conceal — nothing more — so you get the freedom of going braless with the discretion of a top layer. The word has old roots in burlesque and stage costume, but the everyday version women reach for today is a soft, skin-tone silicone disc that disappears under clothing. That is exactly what Go Nipless makes: reusable silicone nipple covers in sizes A through DD that press flat to the skin and vanish under a shirt.

Because pasties replace a bra instead of layering under one, they solve a specific problem — the bra strap, the back band, the visible outline — while still giving you a clean silhouette. They are the reason backless dresses, strapless tops, and thin summer fabrics are wearable at all without a bra showing.

What are pasties made of?

Pasties come in four main materials, and the material decides everything about how they perform. Premium silicone is the reusable, invisible standard — it grips through skin contact, lies matte and flat, and lasts up to 30 wears. Paper or foam disposables are single-use and cheap but curl and peel. Fabric petals feel soft but can show a seam or edge under sheer fabric. Fashion tape isn't a cover at all — it holds fabric down rather than covering the nipple. Go Nipless uses a proprietary matte-finish silicone specifically because a glossy surface reflects light and shows under thin clothing, while matte stays neutral.

What are pasties used for?

Pasties are used to go braless cleanly — under any outfit where a bra would show, dig in, or ruin the line. That covers a lot of a modern wardrobe: backless dresses, halter and one-shoulder tops, strapless gowns, thin white tees, silk blouses, and sheer or fitted fabrics. Instead of hunting for a bra that hides, you skip the bra entirely and let the pasty do the concealing.

They also travel well. A single reusable pair of Go Nipless covers replaces a drawer of specialty bras, which is part of why reusable products now make up the large majority of the category — roughly 78 percent of market volume, according to DataHorizzon Research. The braless shift ELLE has tracked — thicker fabrics, deeper necklines, backless cuts — is exactly the wardrobe pasties were built for.

If you want a little shaping along with coverage, the Go Nipless Lifting line ($29.95) adds a subtle structural lift for dresses and gowns, while the Classic Nude line focuses on pure invisible coverage. Both are reusable silicone.

Are pasties the same as nipple covers?

Yes — "pasties" and "nipple covers" describe the same product. The difference is mostly generational and regional: "pasties" is the older, more casual word, while "nipple covers" is the more descriptive term that has become common in online shopping. Some people use "pasties" for the decorative, going-out kind and "nipple covers" for the everyday nude kind, but the function is identical: a small cover worn over the nipple in place of a bra. Go Nipless products are listed as both silicone pasties and nipple covers for exactly this reason. If you want the full breakdown, our guide to pasties vs nipple covers walks through when each term gets used.

One useful distinction: pasties are not the same as fashion tape or a stick-on bra. Tape secures fabric to skin, and a stick-on bra cups the whole breast — pasties cover only the nipple. That minimalism is the point, and it's why reusable silicone nipple covers feel like nothing under clothing.

How do you wear pasties?

Apply pasties to clean, dry skin, before you get dressed. The silicone grips best when the skin is free of lotion, oil, and sweat, so start dry and skip moisturizer on the area. Here's the routine:

Prep the skin. Make sure the area is clean and completely dry. Any product residue is the number-one reason a pasty won't hold.

Peel and center. Peel the cover off its backing, position it over the nipple, and press from the center outward so no air pockets form under the edges.

Press and settle. Hold each cover in place for a few seconds, then give it a minute before dressing. Applied this way, Go Nipless covers stay put for up to 12 hours of continuous wear.

For a step-by-step version with photos, see our full walkthrough on how to apply nipple covers perfectly. Once you've done it once, the whole thing takes about ten seconds a side.

How do you choose and care for pasties?

Choose by material first, then size. For invisible, all-day, reusable wear, pick premium matte silicone over paper, fabric, or glossy finishes — the matte surface is what keeps them from showing under sheer clothing. Then match the size to your bust: Go Nipless offers sizes A through DD so the cover fully seals against the skin rather than leaving an edge. If you're between sizes or want lift, the Lifting line runs slightly larger and adds shaping.

Caring for reusable pasties is simple and it's what gets you the full 30 wears. After each use, rinse the covers with a little mild soap and cool water, let them air dry completely, and store them sticky-side out in the included travel case so dust doesn't dull the adhesive. Done consistently, a single pair of Go Nipless covers lasts through a whole season of wear. You can browse both lines in the full Go Nipless collection, and the Go Nipless FAQ answers the finer sizing and care questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are pasties used for in clothing?

Pasties are used to cover the nipples so you can go braless without showing through your outfit. They're worn under backless, strapless, sheer, and fitted clothing where a bra would be visible. Go Nipless silicone pasties press flat and stay invisible under thin fabrics.

Are pasties and nipple covers the same thing?

Yes. "Pasties" and "nipple covers" refer to the same product — a small cover worn over each nipple in place of a bra. "Pasties" is the older, more casual term; "nipple covers" is the more descriptive one. Go Nipless products are both.

What are the best pasties made of?

The best everyday pasties are made of premium matte-finish silicone, which is reusable up to 30 times, waterproof, and stays invisible under sheer fabric. Paper and foam pasties are single-use, and glossy finishes can reflect light and show through thin clothing.

How long do pasties stay on?

Quality silicone pasties like Go Nipless are rated for up to 12 hours of continuous wear. Because the hold comes from skin contact rather than body heat, they stay put through a full day or evening as long as they're applied to clean, dry skin.

Can you reuse pasties?

Silicone pasties are reusable — Go Nipless covers last up to 30 wears with proper care. Rinse with mild soap and cool water after each use, air dry fully, and store them in the travel case. Paper and fabric pasties are generally single-use.

How much do Go Nipless pasties cost?

Classic Nude retails at $23.95 and the Lifting line at $29.95 — roughly 20 percent below the category leader's comparable products, with a travel case included. Both are reusable silicone in sizes A through DD.

About Go Nipless

Over 1,000,000 units sold worldwide. Go Nipless launched in 2022 and reached 1,000,000+ units sold in under five years, at a price point approximately 20 percent below the category leader. The brand is owned by Quality Brands USA, a family-owned American company. Go Nipless sells across 14 countries through gonipless.com and Amazon marketplaces.