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Our wardrobes are full of strappy tops and dresses that require the best backless bras, nipple covers, and boob tape on the market. But finding the right one is tricky — is it sticky enough? Supportive enough? Invisible enough?
You’re not the only person looking to avoid a nip slip at your next event, so we talked to stylists, content creators, and product designers to find the best sticky-in-a-good-way solutions.
So, you’re looking for the best backless bras, pasties, and boob tape?
➼ Backless bras
➼ Nipple covers and silicone pasties
➼ Boop tape
➼ Convertible bras
➼ FAQs
➼ Our experts
The Best Backless Bras
Backless bras are the ones with adhesive butterfly cups that have a clasp in the middle. The best backless bras are comfortable, supportive, adjustable, and designed to stay in place all day long.
The Bestselling Backless Bra
Shades: 8 | Material: Silicone | Sizes: A-G | Pros: Great for enhancing cleavage on smaller chests | Cons: You may need to size down
Can you think of anything worse than your “invisible” bra slipping out from under your dress and flopping onto the dance floor? Didn’t think so. These are super sticky, yes, but more importantly, they’re lightweight, with over 10,000 five-star reviews to back them up.
The Crowd-Pleaser
Shades: 12 | Material: Silicone adhesive, polyester, polyurethane foam | Sizes: A-E | Pros: Available from an A cup to an E cup | Cons: So sticky that some say it can hurt the nipple area when removing
This is the bra that sticks well, lifts, and is comfortable under any backless dress. Notably, reviewers write that it retains its hold even if you’re sweaty, which can’t be said for many backless bras. It also has a wider array of nude colors compared to most brands.
The Supportive One
Shades: 1 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: A-D | Pros: Underwire for extra support | Cons: Not as adhesive as advertised
According to reviewers, these molded foam cups with underwire will give you the shape you need, while the adhesive will stick all day. Customers recommend going one size down for the most comfortable fit.
The Best Push-Up Option
Shades: 2 | Material: Silicone, polyurethane foam | Sizes: A–D | Pros: A seamless and flexible push-up bra that is washable | Cons: Might not feel like enough coverage for larger breasts
Different from its fabric counterpart above, the NuBra Push Up 2 is a seamless silicone bra that creates a defined shape without causing any discomfort. It’s lightweight and flexible, and it molds to the breasts to give a more natural look under clothing.
The Small-Cup Wonder
Shades: 8 | Material: Polyester | Sizes: A-F | Pros: The buckle between the two cups allows for them to be adjusted individually | Cons: Only recommended to be reused up to five times
If you’re buying a bra for a one-night-only dress, fly on the wings of love. These are under $20, have rave reviews, and come in a slew of colors. While they’re listed up to sizes E and F, they really work best for people with smaller chest sizes (before the shape of the cups starts looking wonky).
The Full-Cup Wonder
Shades: 1 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: B-H | Pros: Wireless but still offers contoured cups for volume | Cons: Only comes in one shade, runs small
Not only is this bra wireless for maximum comfort, but it also goes up to size H: a frustratingly difficult find in the backless-bra department! Contour cups will help define your shape, while the adhesive strips along the upper cup and back wings will keep your bra in place all day long.
The One That’ll Give You a Lift
Shades: 2 | Material: Medical-Grade Silica Gel | Sizes: S-XL | Pros: They’re waterproof | Cons: No padding and minimal support
Sitting somewhere between a sticky bra, boob tape, and pasties is this bunny-shaped “invisible lifting bra” that does exactly what it says it will. “[It’s] great because it provides support and creates a really nice symmetrical look,” says DeRosa.
The Best Nipple Covers and Silicone Pasties
Whether you’re buying breast petals or silicone nipple covers, these are the most reliable of the no-nip-slip bunch. One potential pitfall? Finding the right shade of nude since you may be wearing these with a sheer or semi-sheer fabric. When in doubt, DeRosa suggests going a shade darker instead of lighter: “Too light of a shade will show through under dark tones, and when worn with white, it will create that “white-on-white” effect, which is even brighter and therefore more noticeable.”
The Expert Pick
Colors: 4 | Material: Matte silicone | Sizes: One size | Pros: They blend seamlessly under clothes | Cons: They’re on the higher-price side for a pack of two
“I prefer silicone nipple covers over sticker-style pasties,” says DeRosa. “They’re seamless and look natural under clothing.” Her favorite are these by Nood since the scalloped edges contour more closely to the shape of your boobs and lay that much flatter.
The Best-Selling Nipple Cover
Shades: 5 | Material: Silicone | Sizes: Small (A–C) and Large (D+) | Pros: They come in different bust sizes | Cons: They don’t offer any lift for bigger busts
There are so many reasons why these are a tried-and-true favorite: Nippies offer five shades of nude (from Creme to Espresso) and two diameter sizes depending on what kind of areola coverage you need. If you, like the other 20,000-plus five-star raters, are already convinced, you may also want to check out Nippies’ other adhesive silicone pasties that are extra. There are the Nippies Skin Extra, which are a little thicker and darker to cover perkier nipples, and Nippies Skin Lift, which give a little push-up effect.
The One for Sensitive Nips
Shades: 4 | Material: Silicone | Sizes: One size | Pros: Reusable, offer mesh insert for extra nipple protection | Cons: They’re stickiness depends on the heat outside and might wear out faster than advertised
If your nipples are sensitive (read: dry or easily chafe), these nipple covers may be the answer to your prayers. They come in four shades, are large enough to accommodate a range of areolae sizes, and best of all, have an optional mesh insert to protect your nipples from the adhesive.
The Budget Buy
Shades: 5 | Material: Silicone | Sizes: Small (A–C) and Large (D+) | Pros: Comes in a variety of skin tones and bust sizes | Cons: While the removal is easy, depending on how long you’ve had them on, it could hurt a bit
If you want security plus a good lift, look no further than this contour tape. A favorite of the Cut’s fashion and beauty writer Asia Milia Ware, this boob tape is long-lasting and easy to remove (she recommends applying a bit of oil to make the process even easier). It’s ideal when you need a bit of support but know that a traditional bra will throw off the vibe of your look.
If You Want More Shape and Definition
The Best Boob Tape
Sure, they look kind of like a DIY project, but once you’ve mastered the art of boob tape, you might never want to go back to regular bras. Jessica Pfister, vice-president of Le Mystère lingerie, and DeRosa both recommend breast tape for fuller busts: “Tape can be manipulated as needed to properly support your breast tissue,” says Pfister.
When it comes to fit, “practice makes perfect,” says DeRosa. “Map it out before peeling off the paper backing; make a plan before everything starts sticking. And layers! Build on it for sturdier support.”
The Best Shade Range
Shades: 4 | Material: Cotton, spandex | Sizes: One Size | Pros: Waterproof and is long enough for multiple wears | Cons: The tape is pre-cut, so make sure you don’t need one long piece
“I love that there’s a wide shade range,” Anthony Ortez, a content creator in Los Angeles, says about Nue (which he has shot for previously). “The tape is able to be used by a variety of women — and I love that a Latina is making strides in the lingerie space.”
The Sweatproof Sticky
Shades: 5 | Material: Cotton, polyurethane | Sizes: A/B, C/D, DD/DDD | Pros: Offers support | Cons: You can’t trim or modify the fit
Something waterproof and sweat resistant is a nonnegotiable in the spring and summer. This adhesive bra functions more like a pastie–boob-tape hybrid with a hold that’s activated by your body heat to help lift and keep it in place.
The Full-Bust Favorite
Shades: 4 | Material: Hemp, nylon | Sizes: One Size | Pros: Supports and shapes breasts over a DDD | Cons: Not reusable
This tape supports busts from A to DDD+. If that weren’t enough, it’s sweatproof, waterproof, and comes in four skin-tone shades. The tape is so sticky (not in a scary way) that you can get super creative with what you’re wearing and it’ll still be undetectable.
The Best Convertible Bras
Here’s a bonus round for you since all our experts swear by convertible bras and extenders. “Convertible bras are a woman’s secret weapon,” Pfister says. “They’re created to convert as needed, to accommodate a plethora of different tops and dresses.”
Pfister recommends looking for a strapless bra that comes with two sets of straps (clear and matching) and multiple loops on the inside of the bra, near the cup and on the wing. She says those little loops are what allow you to convert the bra from strapless to the standard strap, halter, crisscross, wide set, and a one-strap situation.
The Extenders
Colors: 3 | Material: Cotton blend | Sizes: One size | Pros: Allows you to give one bra many different fits | Cons: Can be tricky to initially get the hang of
“When possible, I find the most success when working with a bra I already own — you already know the fit works for you!” says DeRosa. She says these low-back bra converters are far from flimsy (“They stay put!”) and have three hooks for extra support.
The Budget Bra
Shades: 3 | Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: 34C- 42G | Pros: Keeps your breasts in place, especially for bigger chests | Cons: Sizing is specific to brand, so make sure to double-check
Willy Mrasek, creative director at Felina, says this strapless bra is perfect for people with fuller busts on a budget. He says, “The strapless pad is mitered at the neckline to lie flat, making it virtually invisible under clothes.”
The Classic Convertible
Shades: 2 | Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: 30A- 36DDD | Pros: Nice lace backing | Cons: Depending on size, cup placement has been described as odd
Gabby Kern is the boutique sales manager at Skarlett Blue, so she knows her way around bra fittings. “You want a firm band and a deep cup,” says Kern. “[That way] there’s no spillage when you use the conversions.” She loves recommending the Goddess since it’s as comfortable as a T-shirt bra but also has easy-to-adjust plastic fasteners to convert to whatever you need.
The Full-Bust Convertible
Shades: 1 | Material: Nylon, spandex | Sizes: 32 B-40G | Pros: Firm foam cups feel nice and supportive | Cons: Only comes in one color shade
“[This is] an amazing full-coverage, full-support, convertible bra that stays in place!”, says Pfister. She recommends these for all busts, but especially fuller busts, since the bra has firm foam cups and a stabilizing center that’ll bat away any worry of slippage.
FAQs
Do backless bras work for V-cut blouses?
No, not really. You can wear them with backless dresses and strappy tops, but if you have anything with a plunging V-neck, keep moving (and try a convertible bra instead!).
Do backless bras work for big busts?
Backless bras are not the best for larger busts, but you still may be able to make them work; New York–based stylist Alexandra Leigh DeRosa tells us that “a combination of adhesive bras and chest tape can be exceptionally effective. The bra structure provides shape; the tape provides support. Don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with a combo that works best for you.”
If you have larger busts and backless bras don’t work for you, try boob tape instead. It’s a great solution because you’re not confined to a product’s width, and you can customize the fit.
What’s the best way to apply backless bras?
When applying, lean forward slightly, then scoop, lift, and lay. That way, you get as much surface area against the adhesive as possible without air bubbles ruining your night.
Our Experts
- Anthony Ortez, Los Angeles–based content creator and social-media manager
- Alexandra Leigh DeRosa, New York–based stylist
- Gabby Kern, boutique sales manager at Skarlett Blue
- Jessica Pfister, vice-president of Le Mystère lingerie
- Willy Mrasek, creative director of Felina
