Pasties

 are fabric patches that are typically placed over a woman's nipples and areolae, typically self-adhesive or affixed with adhesive. Primarily dominant in women's fashion, are usually worn alongside extremely skimpy panties or bikini bottoms, mainly as a risqué ensemble. They come in many different shapes and colours, with some even using more elaborate graphics. They originated as part of burlesque shows, allowing dancers to perform "fully topless" without exposing their nipples in order to provide a commercial form of bare-breasted entertainment. Nowadays, pasties are worn for other reasons as well.

Design
Pasties come in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. They can be made from a variety of materials, including craft foam, artificial leather, buckram, and plastic. Some are skin-coloured while others are produced with decorative designs on them. They are often smaller in countries such as Japan than they are in America as they are typically not much larger than the areola. No straps are used to hold pasties in place, so they require a tape or glue fixative. Pasties are typically designed to be left on for hours rather than days. Removing them can be painful, particularly if they have been left on for too long. Those with sensitive skin need pasties that aren't hypoallergenic.

Although most pasties are designed to be erotic, there's one type meant to conceal the shape of the nipples so hiding their erections similar to how male undergarments such as briefs do the same for penises.

Trivia

 * Pasties can be worn in place of bikini tops or bras.
 * Some athletes do wear pasties to prevent themselves from getting the runner's nipple.