CAKES Body was started by twin sisters Taylor Capuano and Casey Sarai, who built silicone nipple covers for wearing under clothes. Here is how I think about their covers, tape and lift pieces, plus a few other brands for the days a different shape or fit suits you better.
CAKES Body and the Quiet Art of Dressing Without a Bra
CAKES Body began with twin sisters, Taylor Capuano and Casey Sarai, and a practical problem: what do you wear under clothes that are not built for a bra. They put their own savings into it in 2022 and went on to make silicone nipple covers worn under clothing. The founders say the aim is bra alternatives for all body types. I like a brand that states its purpose that plainly, and I like that CAKES Body pieces are designed around clothes, not around a rule about how anyone should look.
The first row is the core of the range, so it is worth learning the names. Sticky CAKES circles and Sticky CAKES triangles are the adhesive versions, which the brand suggests for flowy tops and dresses. Grippy CAKES circles and Grippy CAKES triangles are the non-adhesive ones, which cling with body heat and suit snug tops, workouts and swimwear. Circle or triangle is mostly about the neckline, since the brand points triangles at deep vees, so try both and see which disappears under your favorite top.
CAKES with Nips is the variant named for its nipple detail, so read its listing to see how it differs before you pick. Whichever you choose, put them on clean, dry skin, free of lotion or oil, and press them down for a few seconds. When you take them off, go slowly, and never on skin that is irritated.
Tape, lift and a bra that is not a bra
The second row is where CAKES gets into the wardrobe problems. CAKES Tape is the basic roll, and CAKES Fashion & Clothing Tape is the one for the small rescues: a plunging neckline that keeps moving, a wrap dress that gapes, a strap that will not stay on the shoulder. I keep tape in my bag the way some people keep a needle and thread.
CAKES Lift is, going by the name, the lift piece, and I would not expect any exact measurement from it. Think of it as light shaping for a backless dress or a low neckline, worn under fabric that would otherwise show a bra. Try it on at home first, with the actual outfit, sitting down as well as standing, because comfort after two hours matters more than how it looks in the mirror for two minutes.
The CAKES Cleavage bra is the odd one out, an adhesive bra alternative the brand says works with low-cut, strapless and backless tops. That is the brand's point of view in one piece, a choice for when a standard bra does not fit the dress.
A small habit that helps: lay everything out the night before. Skin products and adhesives do not get along, so apply your body lotion early and give it time to soak in, or put it on after you are out of the dress. Keep the tape away from sensitive skin, and stop if anything stings.
CAKES tape, lift and cleavage bra
What other brands do differently
CAKES is not the only brand making these, and there are days when the comparison is useful. I have a soft spot for reusable options, because they tend to live in a drawer and come out again.
NOOD Grippies No-Show Reusable Non-Adhesive Nipple Covers are what the name says: reusable, without adhesive, and meant not to show. The non-adhesive format is a good match for skin that does not love sticky things, or for anyone who would rather skip adhesive. Naked Rebellion Reusable Round Nipple Stickies, 2 Pack, are the round, reusable sticker version, and a pack of two means you have a spare when one gets lost in a suitcase.
M3 Naturals Silicone Multi-Use Nipple Covers sit in the same family, silicone and meant to be used more than once, and the company's Boob Lift Tape is the tape companion for outfits that need a little shaping. I would treat it like any body tape: test it on a small patch of skin first, and do not leave it on for longer than you are comfortable.
What I would skip: wearing adhesive covers or tape over broken, freshly shaved or irritated skin, and sleeping in any of it. I would also skip anything that feels too tight, because the point of these is to make an outfit easier to wear. If skin gets red or sore and stays that way, stop and ask a doctor.
How I choose for an outfit
The way I choose is by starting with the outfit, then working backwards. A thin knit wants a flat silicone cover, a backless dress wants tape or the lift piece, and a long day in heat wants whatever is gentlest on skin. Try a new pair at home before the wedding, not on the morning of it.
Care matters as much as choosing. Wash reusable covers gently, let them air dry, and put them back on their backing so they stay clean. Do not pack them loose in a bag with lint and lotion. If you ever feel a pinch, a burn or a rash, take them off and leave them for a few days. The best one is the one you forget you are wearing, and that comes down to a clean surface, a steady press, and choosing the right shape for the top you actually own.
