wingandwell

At the risk of offending your delicate sensibilities, today’s post is about nipples, specifically pierced, which I’ve been sort of fixated on as of recent. Flip open any European Vogue (as they really are your best bet for any naked nipple peeping), and you might become fixated too, with top(less) models like Freja Beha Erichsen and Erin Wasson stealing the page in small shiny barbells.

Maybe it’s a case of seeing something once and then seeing it everywhere, but I’m beginning to think the nipple piercing has turned high fashion accessory. It’s an idea worth considering when designers like Haider Ackermann practically showcase them in their runway collections, or when it’s the only item being worn in an otherwise bare fashion spread. At a time when tattoos and piercings are becoming more mainstream, the nipple piercing is still seen as edgy, and perhaps that’s why it keeps popping up in all these high fashion contexts – it’s selling that whole model as rebel persona that’s been popular since Kate Moss. It’s also way more classy than vajazzling, and much less twee than the navel piercing (sorry Gisele).

With tomboy styles and bralessness so on trend right now, I think the nipple piercing can be quite complementary – it’s both tough and feminine, sexy and demure. I personally prefer the asymmetrical minimalism of one small barbell, right or left your choice, but if we’re talking me… it’s left (shhhh). If you need any more convincing, just keep scrolling.

|ABOVE| Freja Beha Erichsen, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Ulya Trukhina, Abbey Lee Kershaw and Catherine McNeil