From The Crown's Emma Corrin to Nicki Minaj, celebs prove nipple pasties are the hottest accessories

POSING in luminous green, cross-style nipple pasties – and little else – Emma Corrin looks a million miles from her portrayal of “Shy Di” in The Crown.

Not only does the 24-year-old look sensational but she has confirmed my suspicion that the decorative breast accessory is back — with a vengeance.

Nicki Minaj wowed fans in 2016 with these black cross pastiesCredit: Rex Features

The sexy stickers have recently become a celebrity staple with stars including Miley Cyrus, Kendall Jenner, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga and Bella Hadid spearheading the daring trend.

I, for one, am thrilled.

I am a huge fan of donning a pasty under a see-through top for a naughty night out.

Together, it cheekily shows off the shape of your breast without revealing the main event.

Miley Cyrus is another celeb to have rocked the sexy accessoriesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Pasties are also a great seduction tool in the bedroom, adding a bit of kink to sex.

One time I wore red sparkling hearts for my boyfriend and he loved the element of surprise.

He loves the black pleather cross ones too as they are much naughtier than any sexy bra. And when it comes to peeling them off, it is an extra level of foreplay.

The adhesive accessory is also more robust and practical than nipple tassels.

Bella Hadid opted for black pasties to match her revealing dress at a Met Gala afterpartyCredit: The Mega Agency

Those generally have appendages which can get caught on clothing or, er, other things.

Today, pasties have become a best-selling product in most adult and lingerie stores, with Lovehoney — Britain’s biggest sex toy retailer — selling more than 20 types of nipple pasties and tassels.

Best sellers include heart-shaped, sequinned decorated with candy beads for lovers with a sweet tooth and crossed-shaped designs like the ones worn by Emma.

Meanwhile, over at Ann Summers, the word “nipple” was the 25th most popular search term on its website last week. And Latex-look pasties were the best-selling variety.

Legend Cher has previously performed wearing heart shaped pastiesCredit: Getty – Contributor

With online sex toy shop Lelo revealing that nearly one in five couples are experimenting more with sex in lockdown, it is no surprise kinky pasties are popular.

Annabelle Knight, sex and relationships expert with Lovehoney, says: “They’re a wonderful part of burlesque and a great way to celebrate eroticism with a bit of tease.

“They first emerged in the 1920s as a way for showgirls to perform striptease or burlesque virtually naked, while avoiding breaking the law, which banned performing topless or nude entertainment.

“Nowadays they are a fun part of foreplay and a great way for couples to add something a bit different to their sexual routine and experiment with new forms of role play.”

Emma Corrin posed in luminous green, cross-style nipple pasties

When you consider that women are also turning their backs on restrictive bras and opting for comfort over support, it is no surprise that the humble nipple cover is having a moment.

And with Christmas around the corner, it is the perfect time to get yours.

Adult stores are ramping up the romance by stocking festive-themed pasties.