Nipple Seen Through Clothes - What Can I Suggest to My Friend?

Updated on June 28, 2013
M.M. asks from Chicago, IL
28 answers

I wear padded bras , so this has not been an issue for M.. But today was talking to my friend, who is a 34D or 36D, so she doesn't want to use a padded bra. She already feels huge up there. And she always wears clothes that can hide her nipples and she feels sad not being able to wear all the clothes she wants to this summer. She is very conscious about it.
I don't know what else she could try. Would nipple covers worn inside a bra work - without making her look even bigger?? Any other suggestions for her?

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K.C.

answers from Denver on

I wear LilyPadz, either alone or with an unpadded bra. They're silicone "cups" which adhere to the skin. You can wash them with soap and water and use them over and over. I use the larger size. They're actually for breastfeeding to stop leakage, but I use them almost every day to prevent "headlights".

4 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

There are plenty of bras that have enough padding to hide nipples but not add much to size. I am wearing one right now though I couldn't tell you the style but it is Victoria secret.

I am huge, there is just no other way to hide the nips other than material.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

Google breast petals. She can put them on under her bra when she wants to wear something tight. They won't add any bulk. Just coverage.

2 moms found this helpful

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F.W.

answers from Danville on

I don't know...

I am perhaps the 'crazy' person here...

BUT....

WE ALL HAVE NIPPLES!!!

men and woman.

I do not see it as an issue!

***My daughters do however***

This ranks right up there with 'shaving' for women.

WHY did perfectly 'natural' things become issues?

Again...I have to say, my daughters agree with you on the 'nipple' thing. And I will pass along the suggestions...

BUT, my BIGGER question is - when did perfectly natural things become a 'need' for a 'cover up'? (or a shaving down?)

????

11 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

When did nipples become unfashionable?
People have been baring their belly buttons for way too long and I'm tired of butt-cracks and muffin top fat bulging out of too tight pants.
Camel toe - I had to look that one up.
And I DESPISE the pants down around the thighs to show off your underwear trend.
So with everything else that hangs out and is exposed, we're going to worry about a few tiny bulges on the breasts under clothing?
What are we afraid of?
That people will think we're excited or something?
So freaking what?
Men have nipples too - they don't seem to be terribly ashamed of them.
Heck, they can walk around bare chested with nipples in open view.
Big deal - not.
I've seen some over weight guys who were big enough they had actual breasts themselves and they still get to bare them round the pool and at the beach.
As far as breast feeding goes (that's what the nipples are for anyway), it's really not good to be mashing the nipples flat.
Anyone who's had to draw out inverted nipples so their baby can latch on properly can tell you all about it.
There are products (concealment strips) that will hide her nipples - something called Nippits - I don't think they're a good idea.
I think she ought to not worry about it.
With everything else that's come back around (I still can't believe the hip hugger pants craze hasn't died out (again) yet - it was a horrible look the first time around and it hasn't gotten any better then 2nd go round).
We are WAY OVER DUE for bra burning to make a comeback.

4 moms found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Kansas City on

38DDD reporting in here...
Gotta go with the padding/lined bras.
They don't "add" they shape!

4 moms found this helpful
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H.W.

answers from Portland on

FelineStroller and B took the words right out of my fingers (because I'm typing, see?)

It's not necessarily about the added size with the padding. I am in the GG variety and find that a contoured brassiere cuts down too low in front for M., so I lose coverage in that way. I think that's why some women of a larger size may choose not to do a contoured (lined) bra.

Nipples happen. A good foundation garment store will likely have some sort of thing to stick in her bra if she's embarrassed by it.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Do you mean seeing the pointy bits when the headlights are on, or the darker coloured round shape through light coloured clothing?

If you mean the pointy bits when the headlights are on, then all she needs to do is stick a bandaid over the nipples.

Or just leave them be. I agree completely with Felinestroller.

2 moms found this helpful
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H.?.

answers from Boise on

There is already plenty of great advice here, so I'll just add this: don't worry too much over a couple of nipples! If they are poking out a bit big deal, don't let it make you too self conscious.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

I was a bra fitter at penney's for 3 yrs. Molded cups are not padded bras, they do add inches. Push-up bras do add inches and mostly come in molded cups. The molded cup bras are the ones that hold their shape and seem to be padded. The nice thing is the do hide the nipple and give a nice smooth look. Since I worked at Penney's I would watch the sales and purchase my bras when they were marked for clearance and under $5 each, so I have lots of bras in all colors. But the ones I wear the most are my beige ones, they blend in with my skin color and basically disappear under light colored or sheer tops.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

The best bra fitting I've ever had was at Nordstrom. The woman measured M., asked M. what I needed/wanted and I found four bras that I love. I finally broke down and went there after buying $200 worth of bras that never fit and ended up in the trash with in a year. I've had the same 4 bras for two years and was just thinking it's time to maybe go and be remeasured because I've lost weight again and they are starting to show their age. (Oh, and I hate nipples showing thru also!)

1 mom found this helpful
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B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

Lane Bryant demi cup or t shirt bras are padded n the demi bras are molded they cover nipples and cumfy

1 mom found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

Those silicon nipple covers that they make for breastfeeding should help to cover them.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

It sounds more like an issue of self consciousness to M..

I am not sure what you are talking about.... the "headlights" showing when she is chilly or the nipple itself?

In any case, it is a normal part of the body. I am a 34DD. I do not like liners, padding, seams, etc on my bra. I like a smooth look that is natural.

My suggestion is to go to someplace like Nordstrom or Neimans and get professionally fitted. Find a style she likes that she is more comfortable wearing. Personally, I would never wear a white bra. All of mine are nude/flesh toned or black.

It looks silly to see band-aids through a grown woman's shirt. The band-aids are more noticeable than the nipple itself! It screams low self esteem.

I know with the way I like to wear my clothing, I do not wear white or very light colored shirts you can see through. I can wear my favorite bras and still look nice wearing the same shirt but in a darker color or pattern.

Best wishes.

1 mom found this helpful

L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Hanes has t-shirt bras. They aren't heavily padded, but they have an extra covering in the nipple area. Most of the bra manufacturers have them.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.E.

answers from Pittsburgh on

There are some good quality sports bras out there that are comfortable and though not padded, are a thicker material. They will work well under some clothing and also compress a bit so if she's looking to look smaller, they are an option. On the down side they can create the uniboob look, which is not attractive. Best thing to do is try different ones. Don't go cheap - check out some of the better catalogs and follow their guidelines/take measurements. I for one feel better when nothing is bouncing around, but that's just M..

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Tell her to try ones that are "lightly lined" rather then padded. I am a DD and I wear lightly lined full coverage cotton bras from Victorias secret and I love them. I will never go back to an unlined bra. Not only do they hide my nipples no matter what I wear, they give my girls great shape and lift which helps M. feel more sexy in my cloths.

1 mom found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

You don't want padded but a lightly lined one works. I'm an E/F cup so, big. I am wearing nursing bras. The Bravado Allure. It's got just a little light lining but it isn't one where the cup is fully formed when you're not even wearing it.
Obviously she may not want to wear a nursing bra, although this one is just as pretty as anything from Victoria's Secret. It's not cut like a typical nursing bra. I may very well keep wearing it long after I'm done nursing.
But, honestly, the hang up about nipples is just silly to M.. I didn't choose this bra because of the lining, it just happened to have it. I don't care if they poke out. There are other things to worry about.

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I'm a 36DDD. I would suggest the 18 hour Playtex bra. There is a barely there seam that goes right where the nipples are providing coverage to that area. They are also made of that shiny heavier material that keeps nipples under wraps. These are very practical bras and aren't the sexiest in the world, but sometimes you have to sacrifice that to feel comfortable.
I'm not sure what kinds of bras she wears now, but lacy or thin jersey bras are just off limits. I also don't recommend padded bras. I've tried those t-shirt and padded bras, and just squish my boobs into all kinds of weird places and shapes. I feel like I have boobs under my armpits or muffin tops.
Also, I can't wear cutsie or thin shirts either. Thicker cotton or cotton mixes are the way to go. Thin shirts just hug every little detail and are just not the right option for fuller breasted women. I also find that shirts with patterns hide pretty well. It's solid colors that reveal it all.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

I am a D-DD and I don't wear padded bras. They have a lining in them, but nothing to add to the size. (In fact, they really almost minimize. I am really petite, so I hate my boobs being the first thing people see.) You can't see mine thought my shirt.

I don't know what they are called, but I get them at Kohls.

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M.R.

answers from Seattle on

I'm way bigger. I wear a G or H cup. She's got to wear a padded bra to contain those nipples. The padding does not add that much extra. That used to be my concern as well. But the cups are so nicely contoured now she should be OK with it

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

She just needs to ask the sales ladies in the lingerie dept. of a nice department store (like Macy's or Dillard's) or at Victoria's Secret. There are different types and thicknesses of padding. They can help her find the right type and fit, one that doesn't make her bigger.

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I'm a 32DDDD, so I totally get it. She can just get the lightly lined cups. They don't add much but offer the good coverage. They're usually called t-shirt bras.

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tell her to use breast petals.
They are shaped like a flower, band aid color & have a peel off stick
backing. Then press on over nipple & wear her normal bra over it.
That way is she wears very thin bras, you won't be able to see through it.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

She can purchase a tshirt bra.. Yes they make them. I have purchased them from JC Penneys.. They have great bra sales.

I am a large size also. Some men, tend to stare more at my breast if my nipples can be seen, so I totally understand her predicament. Erect nipples can be distracting in some situations.

These bras do not add to the size, they are padded to just cover really well.

http://www.hanes.com/clothing/women/bras/t-shirt-bras

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Sorry- padded bras DO NOT make you look bigger.

She needs to go to a shop like any of these:

http://www.yellowpages.com/chicago-il/lingerie-stores

and get professionally measured and fitted. ESPECIALLY if she believes that padded bras make her look bigger.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

She can try and put nursing pads in her bra.
The disposable type or washable type.
These, will make the nipples less evident through, clothing.

But, not all padded bras are, bigger.
I like the Calvin Klein T-shirt bras. It does not add size, to your bust.
Very comfy. Too.

And sure, just the other night, I saw a woman, who's nipples where totally apparent through her t-shirt. Which was not a tight t-shirt. But, it was poking out so obviously. Just POKING out to there! Was sorta embarrassing. And this was a Grandma aged woman, who still had very perky breasts.

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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

Maybe she could go to Victoria's Secret or other department store where they do bra fittings and see what they can suggest. They say many women are running around with the wrong size bra and sometimes a professional fitting makes a huge difference. That being said, not every bra is padded, or at least not that heavily padded. Maybe she should find a bra that has just enough padding or a lining to keep the nipples covered without adding to her size.

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