Trend to bare all underwear sees nipple cover sales soar

THE growing trend to wear underwear as "outerwear" has sparked soaring sales in sheer lingerie and nipple covers.

Female shoppers are no longer hiding items such as lace bodysuits underneath their clothing, according to the department store Selfridges.

Following in the footsteps of celebrities including Lily Allen and Rihanna, women have been snapping up sheer bodies by designers such as Stella McCartney.

And to avoid revealing too much, they are investing in nipple covers, which have seen a 20 per cent rise in sales.

Helen Attwood, Selfridges' head buyer for lingerie, said: "Underwear as outerwear isn't a new phenomenon, but this spring designers such as Stella and Christian Dior are taking it to another level. Our customers are spending upwards of 250 on sheer bodies, which they don't want to keep hidden under clothes.

"Today's 'if you've got it, flaunt it' generation is proving there is nothing like expensive lingerie to make a woman feel special."