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Nipple shield (jewelry)
Encyclopedia
A nipple shield is a piece of body jewelry
worn on the nipple
, partially or fully covering the areola
. The shield encircles the nipple, and can be stuck on by various means, including suction, friction and the action of glue, but is most often held in place by a nipple piercing
. Usually, the primary intent of the nipple shield is to lift, highlight, and ornament the nipple, as well as the whole breast, much as other pieces of jewelry do for other parts of the body.
A shield, particularly the type known as a "breast petal", can also be worn to smooth the transition between nipple and breast, so as to disguise the protuberant feature and present a smoother clothed profile. As a breast petal covers the whole nipple and areola, it is, perhaps, better considered a type of pasty
, an item of clothing designed to do this.
A nipple shield was infamously shown on television in the United States
, and around the world, as part of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction
during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
worn on the nipple
Nipple
In its most general form, a nipple is a structure from which a fluid emanates. More specifically, it is the projection on the breasts or udder of a mammal by which breast milk is delivered to a mother's young. In this sense, it is often called a teat, especially when referring to non-humans, and...
, partially or fully covering the areola
Areola
This article is about the breast tissue. For the entomology term, see the glossary of Lepidopteran terms. For an artistic cloud motif, see aureola. For the cactus feature, see Areole....
. The shield encircles the nipple, and can be stuck on by various means, including suction, friction and the action of glue, but is most often held in place by a nipple piercing
Nipple piercing
A nipple piercing is a piercing, centered usually at the base of the nipple. It can be pierced at any angle but is usually done horizontally or, less often, vertically. It is also possible to place multiple piercings on top of one another...
. Usually, the primary intent of the nipple shield is to lift, highlight, and ornament the nipple, as well as the whole breast, much as other pieces of jewelry do for other parts of the body.
A shield, particularly the type known as a "breast petal", can also be worn to smooth the transition between nipple and breast, so as to disguise the protuberant feature and present a smoother clothed profile. As a breast petal covers the whole nipple and areola, it is, perhaps, better considered a type of pasty
Pasties
Pasties are adhesive coverings applied to cover a woman's nipples and areolae. Though pasties are commonly associated with burlesque and erotic entertainment, they are also at times worn as an undergarment and occasionally as beachwear.Some women wear pasties when wearing a strapless or backless...
, an item of clothing designed to do this.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and around the world, as part of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction
Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
Super Bowl XXXVIII, which was broadcast live on February 1, 2004 from Houston, Texas on the CBS television network in the United States, was noted for a controversial halftime show in which Janet Jackson's breast, adorned with a nipple shield, was exposed by Justin Timberlake for about half a...
during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.