My mom is always screaming at me to wear more clothes and show less skin. I tend to ignore her because she’s currently living in Shanghai, China and her views on fashion have become more conservative. However, since I’ve moved to LA, my preference for showing skin has become somewhat absurd. We’re talking sideboobs, no bras, crop tops, cheekys, open back…the whole shebang. I’m giving zero f*cks about my nipples showing in photos. That is until I recently received a comment on one of my pics pointing that exact thing out. The comment was from a guy (obvi), and he mentioned that from the looks of my picts I don’t seem to like wearing bras. This comment REALLY bothered me, and it probably did because I knew what he said was what I had put out there.
As much as I’m a contender and example of #freethenip, I think there’s a time and place for that kind of look, and brunch or running errands may not be one of them. So I’ve come up with a few fashion tips and tricks on how to still show skin (or go braless) during the day without being absurd.
NIPPLE COVERS
This is probably the most obvious solution when any girl decides to not wear a bra under that bodysuit or open back top. I buy silicone ones from Amazon, and they’re super cheap, easy to wear, and most are reusable. I’ve tried the disposable stick-on ones as well, but the adhesive glue tends to be a bit of a pain when I take the covers off.
CUTOUT DRESSES
I find that most dresses that have cutout sides or backs are often more appropriate than a sideboob onesie or crop top. If the dress has a cutout back, then make sure you’re completely covered in the front. (Here’s a great example of what I’m talking about). You don’t need to show both cleavage and an open back. You might as well go topless then.
I like it when dresses have cutouts sides because it accentuates the waist. But if it shows off too much cleavage, then I opt for a maxi dress, maxi skirt, or pants. The main point is to show only one part of your body, but just pick ONE.
DRESS SHIRTS
If you’ve spent a pretty penny on a pretty lace bralette, (i.e. Anine Bing), odds are you want to show it off. I learned this trick from a good friend of mine who likes to show off her bras, but she never looked trashy. How? Because she always wore a nice button up dress shirt over it. She would leave the buttons undone just to where the bra would slightly peak out from under the shirt. (An example of what I’m talking about).
Here’s a key tip to keep in mind: her shirt was always loosely fitted. If your shirt is fitted AND you’re unbuttoning it to where the bra shows, then you’re going to look like a music video vixen. However, if you want to keep it classy but sexy, then make sure your shirt is loose.
PEPAMACK
Aussie blogger, Petra of Pepamack, is someone I am utterly obsessed with when it comes to dressing sexy, but keeping it cool and classy. Truth be told, she’s not well endowed in the chest area, which is probably why she can get away with a lot of her looks. But regardless of chest size, she knows how to show just enough skin to be sexy AF, but covered enough to where you don’t judge her for what she’s wearing. She’s my inspiration and go-to whenever I feel like I need a refresher on what’s cool and sexy.
I’m headed to Joshua Tree this weekend to shoot some festival looks. Are you going to Coachella? I’m still on the fence about going. Not to the festival, but maybe attend some of the parties in Palm Springs? Thanks for reading and talk to y’all soon!
Dress: Flynn Skye / Sunnies: Illesteva / Shoes: Free People (sold out | similar look) / Bag: Melie Bianco (similar look under $50) / Necklace: SUGARFIX by BaubleBar (under $15) / Earrings: LuvAJ
Photographed by Stefanie Meier
