Nipple Coverage Without Padding: Inside the Concealing Petal Technology
THE END OF THE FOAM ERA. For 80 years, the bra industry has relied on bulky foam padding to hide nipples—a solution originally designed to add size, not intended for nipple coverage. We’ve replaced that outdated approach with our patented, low-profile concealing petal. Below, we break down the engineering behind this new concept and explain how it provides 100% concealment in our unpadded concealing bralettes without changing your natural shape.
A Small Rant About Foam Padding
Let’s be honest: foam padding is an outdated shortcut for a problem the bra industry has failed to truly solve. To understand why we’re still dealing with puffy, bulky padding, you have to look at the history of padding itself.
Frederick Mellinger (the founder of Frederick’s of Hollywood) introduced padding to the first bra in the late 1940s, specifically to add volume and emulate the “pin-up” silhouettes popular at the time. Over the decades, that same technology was simply rebranded for a dual purpose: to add size and to provide nipple concealment.The reality is that the problem still exists. The bra industry didn't innovate for concealment; it simply repurposed an augmentation tool. We’ve all been there: wishing "they" would finally invent a better way to have coverage without the puffy, cumbersome padding that distorts your natural shape. For decades, women have accepted the trapped heat and the “orb" silhouette because the industry offered no other choice.
Becky Connelly, the founder of Non Disclosure Apparel, approached the problem differently. While mass-market giants continue to rely on 80-year-old standards, she focused on engineering a solution specifically for low-profile concealment: the Concealing Petal. At NDA, we aren't just making another bra; we are setting a new standard that respects your natural silhouette.
Inside the Innovation: What is a Concealing Petal?
For too long, women have been forced to choose between two extremes. On one hand, you have unlined bras that offer comfort but no nipple concealment. On the other hand, you have cumbersome, padded bras that claim to hide nipples—though many still fail to provide full coverage—while changing your shape and trapping heat.
We realized there was a massive gap in the industry. We didn't want a "slightly thinner" pad; we wanted a third bra category altogether. To provide 100% concealment without the insulation of traditional padding, we had to engineer a new technology: The Concealing Petal.
Permanent Nipple Coverage: Built-In, Worry-Free Engineering
The petal is the pièce de résistance of our design. Unlike removable pads that shift, fold, or bunch, our petals are permanently heat-sealed between the inner and outer layers of our premium ribbed knit in the bra cup. They won’t move, bunch, crease, nor will they disappear in the wash, and they are so thin they are virtually weightless.
The Technology Behind Seamless Nipple Concealment
Constantly improving for both strength and invisibility, our latest petal design features a construction that is thinner and more flexible than ever. We combine lightweight textiles with heat-melt film to create a micro-thin disc that is permanently centered and sealed into each cup during production.
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The Superstar: The bottom layer of the petal—closest to the nipple and at the center of our patented construction—is the strongest. It serves as a dedicated focal-point "shield" that neutralizes the nipple while remaining paper-thin. This layer is the superstar that does all the heavy lifting of keeping an erect nipple hidden from view.
- The Result: The tapered, outer layers of the petal are ultra-lightweight textiles and films that soften the edges of this bottom layer. This ensures the petal blends perfectly into the bra for a smooth, natural silhouette that looks like you, not a puffy, cumbersome foam mold.
Perfect Coverage for Every Shape
Confidence shouldn't be limited by your cup size. We designed our collection to ensure that our nipple concealing bralettes feel just as secure on an A cup as they do on a G cup.
The Best Non-Padded Bra for Small Busts: No More 'Pad Gaps'
Smaller frames (A–C cups) often struggle with the "hollow gap" created by stiff, one-size-fits-all foam. The Elli Bralette eliminates this bulk, offering a seamless silhouette that moves with you. Our integrated Concealing Petal stays perfectly flush, ensuring reliable, non-padded modesty that never looks puffy or artificial.
Reliable Nipple Coverage for Full Busts (Without the Padding)
For fuller figures (D–G cups), the challenge is finding comfortable coverage without feeling confined or adding unwanted volume to your bust. The Gigi Bralette, our full-coverage style, pairs gentle support with low-profile nipple coverage to ensure you feel secure (and can breathe). Our wide straps won’t slip off your shoulders, either! You get 100% concealment without the extra weight or trapped heat of foam padding. It’s the natural silhouette of an unlined bra with the total privacy of a padded one.
The Best Non-Padded Bra for Comfort and Modesty
You no longer have to choose between the airy feel of an unlined bra and the bulk of a padded one. We’ve created a "Third Category" of bra that offers the best of both worlds: the natural silhouette of a second skin and the total modesty of 100% nipple coverage.
Whether you’re looking for a smooth look under your thinnest tops or a comfortable everyday bra that actually performs, our built-in Concealing Petal delivers a seamless finish without the need for traditional foam padding. It’s a complete, all-in-one solution designed to move with you, not against you.
Ready to ditch the padding without sacrificing coverage?
Join the thousands of women who have made the switch to a more natural, confident silhouette. Browse our collection to find the perfect balance of all-day comfort and reliable coverage.
Shop Our Non Padded Nipple Concealing Bras
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