9 secrets to covering your nipples in a swimsuit

Summer is here, and with it comes the desire to hit the beach or pool in a stylish swimsuit. But for many women, the idea of baring their nipples in a swimsuit can be uncomfortable or even embarrassing. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to cover your nipples while still looking fashionable.

In this article, we’ll reveal 9 secrets to covering your nipples in a swimsuit, so you can feel confident and comfortable while lounging by the water. From using adhesive products to layering with clothing, we’ve got you covered. So whether you’re looking for a solution to a fashion problem or just want to feel more secure, read on to discover the best ways to cover your nipples in a swimsuit.

The short answer

To hide your nipples in a swimsuit you can either prevent it from happening in the first place, or you can cover them once it’s already happened.
To prevent your nipples from showing in a swimsuit we recommend going for a swimsuit with padding, linin, or at least one that is made from a thick material.
If you want to cover your nipples in an existing swimsuit or bikini we recommend getting nipple covers or pasties that are made for swimming!

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Should you cover your nipples when wearing a swimsuit or bikini?

Let’s first make one thing clear. You’re probably here because you searched “how to cover nipples in a swimsuit“. In this article, we will help you with the best answer on how you can hide your nipples while out in your bikini or swimsuit. However…

…by writing this article we don’t want to indicate that one should feel the need to cover their nipples. You should be able to wear your clothing any way you want and this article is only meant to help those who for one reason or another want to hide their nipples. It’s all up to you!

Recently, Kylie Jenner posted a photo of herself wearing a “free the nipple” bikini on her Instagram. If this isn’t your sign that anything is OK to wear then I don’t know what is.

With that being said, let’s dive into the topic of covering your nipples in a swimsuit!

What causes nipples to show in a swimsuit?

Before we learn how you can hide your nipples we first need to know the reason for them to show in the first place.

It’s fairly simple, there are 2 reasons why your nipples might show in a swimsuit.

Either you are wearing some sort of micro bikini that is moving around making your nipples show. Or, more commonly, your bikini top or swimsuit doesn’t offer any padding and the fabric is too thin, making your nipples visible.

As I’m sure you know, it’s one thing to try a bikini on in a warm and cozy fitting room, or even better, at home. It’s a completely different thing to be somewhat cold, wet, and on the beach. Let’s just say that your nipples will not be exactly the same in these different circumstances.

You need to keep this in mind when looking to prevent your nipples from showing. Just because your nipples don’t show when you try a new bikini on at home doesn’t mean they won’t when you are swimming.

If you want to be sure that your nipples aren’t showing, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. You often need a little more cover (padding) than you think. Keep this in mind for the rest of this article.

So what can we do about this? First, let’s talk prevention!

How to prevent your nipples from showing in a swimsuit?

If you are getting a new swimsuit you might want to be sure that your nipples won’t show. If this is the case you should look out for these 3 things to prevent any nipples from showing:

• Padding
• Lining
• Thicker fabric
• Dark colors

Padding

Swimsuits and bikinis can have padding in the bust area. The padding offers several benefits, one being that it prevents your nipples from showing. The padding will make sure that no nipple is visible at any time. It can be removable or sewn in.

The padding can be made from various materials such as foam, gel, or even water-resistant fabrics, which provide a natural and comfortable feel. 

Padding is the safest way to prevent your nipples from showing both when dry, wet, warm, and cold.

Padding is not for everyone, it has its pros and cons.

Lining

The second best option is to make sure your nipples aren’t visible in a swimsuit or bikini or with lining.

Lining in a bikini top refers to the inner layer of material that is used to provide additional support, coverage, and shape to the top. It is often made from a soft and breathable material, such as cotton or polyester, that helps to keep the wearer cool and comfortable. 

The lining can vary in thickness depending on the style of the bikini top and the level of support desired. Some bikini tops may have lightly lined cups, while others may have a full lining that covers the entire top. This type of lining is also common in swimsuits, one-piece, and tankini.

While not as thick as padding, the lining provides an extra layer that helps prevent nipple-showing in your bikini top or swimsuit.

Thicker fabric

If your swimsuit has neither padding nor lining you are definitely risking showing your nipples, especially when cold and wet.

If you don’t want this but still want a bikini without lining or padding, make sure that the swimsuit itself is made from thick fabric. The thicker fabric might prevent you from exposing your nipples. However, it’s not guaranteed.

Dark colors

A little-known trick when trying to hide your nipples in a swimsuit is to go for a darker color. Your nipples will be less visible in darker bikini tops than in lighter colors. So if you’re trying to avoid showing your nipples through your swimwear, go for a darker color!

How do you cover your nipples in a swimsuit?

Sure you can do a lot to prevent the whole situation from happening. But what if your current favorite swimsuit is prone to show your nipples and you don’t want to get a new one just because of this? Then we have to look into the secrets of how to cover your nipples in a swimsuit!

Our best recommendations for covering your nipples in a swimsuit are:

• Nipple covers
• Nipple tape
• Pasties
• Bandaid
• Add padding

Best nipple cover for swimming

Nipple covers are the most practical and economic alternative when you want to cover your nipples while swimming!

Waterproof nipple covers for swimsuits, also known as “pasties” or “nipple stickers”, are small, adhesive-backed pieces of material that are worn over the nipples to provide coverage and prevent them from showing through clothing, particularly swimsuits.

They are typically made from a waterproof, breathable, and flexible material such as silicone or rubber, to ensure they stay in place while swimming, and they are easy to apply and remove. They are specially designed to be worn in water and are available in different shapes and sizes to fit different body types and provide a comfortable fit.

Nipple covers are a great solution for those who may feel self-conscious about their nipples showing through swimsuits and want to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.

Also, the waterproof nipple covers for swimsuits can also protect the nipples from chafing and sunburn, making them a practical and functional option for swimmers of all levels.

I’d recommend getting a pair of quality nipple covers that are reusable! These are a personal favorite!

Are nipple covers reusable?

Yes, generally nipple covers are reusable. However, single-use nipple covers also exist. These are usually called just that, single-use or one-time. If you are getting a pair of silicone nipple covers you should expect them to be reusable multiple times!

Nipple tape for swimming

Nipple tape for swimming, or fashion tape/double-sided tape, is an adhesive tape that is used to cover the nipples and prevent them from showing through your swimsuit. 

The tape is made from a skin-safe adhesive and is generally made of cloth or paper. It is applied directly to the skin, and its main purpose is to hold clothing in place and keep it from riding up or shifting.

For your bikini or swimsuit, the tape can be used to keep them in place, and to keep the nipples from showing through the swimsuit. It can be applied to the inside of the swimsuits or straight to the skin. The tape is waterproof and can be worn while swimming without any problem. It is easy to apply and remove and can be cut to any size or shape to fit different body types.

Nipple tape is a great solution for those who may don’t want their nipples showing through swimsuits. It is also a good option for swimmers who have sensitive skin, or for those who prefer not to use other types of nipple covers such as pasties or silicone covers.

Pasties

Pasties are another great way to cover your nipples in a swimsuit. They are also known as nipple pads.

Pasties covers are small, adhesive-backed circles or other shapes, worn to cover the nipples and prevent them from showing through clothing, particularly in swimsuits or sheer clothing.

They are typically made of paper, silicone, or fabric, and are applied directly to the skin. They are often reusable and can be worn multiple times, or they can be disposable.

If want something that isn’t as large as a silicone nipple cover but still does a good job, pasties is the right choice for you! I’d recommend these!

Waterproof bandage

If you do not have any pasties at home but you are in need of something that could cover your nipples, then this might be an option for you. Simply use a waterproof bandage to cover your nipples.

These will do a good job of covering up. However, there is a downside to this. Since the bandage is not made to be used on your nipples it’ll not be very comfortable to remove after swimming. Be prepared for this and if your breasts and nipples are sensitive this might not be an option for you.

Add padding

Even if your swimsuit doesn’t have any padding, to begin with, you can actually fix this by adding your own padding to your swimsuit!

Adding padding to your swimsuit is not as complicated as it sounds. All you have to do is buy the padding, cut it to fit your swimsuit, and sew it in place!

If your swimsuit has a lining but no padding, there’s a good chance that you can simply insert new padding into the lining without having to sew anything at all! Read our guide to see exactly how to do it yourself!

Can I wear a bra under my swimsuit to cover my nipples?

No, this is not a good idea. You should not have to wear a bra under your swimsuit. Swimsuits are made to be worn without anything underneath.

If you wear a bra, it will be uncomfortable and may even create unsightly bumps and bulges.

Instead, try nipple covers or pasties!

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Jonatan Rosdahl

I’ll write about anything and everything related to swimwear!